Top 9 Places To Visit During The Christmas Season

The Christmas season is a great time to take a break from everyday life and enjoy the sights and sounds of the festive period. Some popular destinations will keep you warm and cosy this winter. Here are our top nine places to visit during the Christmas season.

Santa’s Village, Austria

If you’re looking for a more traditional Christmas experience, head to Santa’s village in Austria. This magical town has been welcoming visitors since 1892 and features an extensive collection of wooden buildings decorated with lights and decorations.

The village is located in the Austrian Alps, so there are plenty of opportunities to take pictures of snow-capped mountains while sipping hot chocolate. There are also plenty of shops where you can repurchase gifts for friends and family home. And if you want to see some live reindeer, you’ll find them at the nearby farm.

Christkindlmarkt, Germany

If you prefer something a little less traditional, head to the Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. This market is open every year except Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, and it offers everything from handmade gifts to mulled wine and gingerbread cookies.

The Christkindlmarkt is one of the most popular markets in Europe, and it attracts thousands of visitors each year. It has been around since 1477, making it one of the oldest markets in the world. Many different types of vendors are at the market, selling everything from handcrafted wooden toys to freshly baked bread. You’ll find plenty of local artisans who sell their goods directly to customers.

Swedish Lapland, Sweden

In Sweden, the winter holidays begin with Advent and last until December 24th. Swedes celebrate Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, followed by a feast of turkey, ham, and other festive foods. Afterward, families go home to enjoy the rest of the evening together.

Sweden is one of the perfect places to visit during Christmas to indulge in a vibrant celebration mood and experience the local traditions.

Heading north, you will find small villages surrounded by snowy mountains. You can see herds of reindeer and might even catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Moreover, you can also go skiing or ride a snowmobile across a frozen lake. Jukkasjärvi is a little village that celebrates Christmas in its way. It has a famous ice hotel that is worth visiting even if you do not stay there overnight.

Santa’s Village – North Pole (Rovaniemi, Finland)

Located in the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is known as “Santa’s official North Pole residence” and is one of Finland’s most popular travel destinations. The village is open year-round for kids of all ages to see Santa and his elves.

Feel the thrill of gliding over snow on a guided snowmobile and dog sled excursions, meet Santa himself at the famous Santa Claus Village, and have a reindeer-sled ride of your own at a traditional reindeer farm. You’ll also experience Finnish sauna culture and have the chance to see the northern lights at night.

Disney’s Enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris

The best place to visit during the Christmas season is Disneyland Paris. There are plenty of things to see and do there, from enjoying the rides and shows to shopping and eating in restaurants. In addition, there are many hotels available to stay in, so you can choose one that suits your budget.

The magic of Christmas surrounds you the moment you enter Disneyland Park, from the sparkling Christmas tree in Town Square to the Christmas carols chiming through the air, the snowy scenes, and the spectacular decorations.

Experience Disney’s Enchanted Christmas from 9th November 2024 – 8th January 2025.

London at Christmas, UK

From Christmas markets and shopping in London to ice-skating rinks and Christmas events, there are so many magical things to do in London at Christmas. Christmas is a magical time of year to be visiting London. There are spectacular decorations everywhere, and people are generally festive. 

Several Christmas markets are happening in London this year, including Covent Garden and Borough Market, which are a must for any London visit. Typically, a selection of wooden huts or stalls with a variety of often handmade crafts, and you’ll be sure to secure some all-important Christmas treats. Ice skating in London is also a very popular seasonal activity, and some of the best ice rinks are Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace, and Glide at Battersea Power Station.

New York, USA

New York is one of those places that has to be on everyone’s bucket list during the Christmas season! I’m desperate to soak up the energy of Manhattan’s hustle and bustle, take in a holiday fair, and ice skate in Central Park. Talking of Central Park, can you imagine taking a carriage ride in mid-December? Just stroll around the park for a few hours, drinking hot chocolate and taking in all the New York Christmassy goodness!

If you are more of a New York shopping fan, maybe a walk along Fifth Avenue toward Rockefeller Center (to see the tree is a must), stroll (not so leisurely as it can be busy), and soak in all the sparkling shop displays. If you prefer the quieter side of life, perhaps head towards West Village, taking a stroll around the snow-covered streets and looking into the store windows, and if it’s too cold, find a cosy bar somewhere and chill for a while.

Copenhagen, Denmark

From extravagantly decorated buildings to tasty street stalls and glittering parades, festival vibes ring through the snowy air in Copenhagen at Christmas. At Copenhagen Christmas markets, you’ll find plenty of goodies to fill Santa stockings while joining in with the city’s enchanting traditions.

Follow your nose to baked treats along Copenhagen’s most famous harbour at the Nyhavn Christmas Market. Rows of colourful buildings form a spectacular backdrop at any time of year. Decked out with lights, lined with bursting stalls, and vibrant with live music, Santa season adds a new level of magic. 

Montreal, Canada

Montreal, Canada, is a little further afield than most places on the list, but the city is known for its incredible festivals and events, so I had to add it. There’s always something happening in Montreal, from ice skating on the lake and winter markets to outdoor family activities and excessive holiday window decorations. It’s a must to add to any Christmas bucket list.

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