10+ Best Christmas Holiday Destinations: Where To Spend Your Christmas Vacation In 2024
This list of the best places to pack your bag and travel to for a great Christmas holiday vacation in 2024 can help you decide where you should be celebrating this jolly season.
Some people want to cosy up at home by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, whereas there are those who want to enjoy the festivities in a different part of the world. The truth is, Christmas is just as merry spent travelling as it is at home. Just because you’re not at home doesn’t mean you’re not enjoying Christmas.
With that being said, let’s not waste any more time and sleigh right into the fun. We have Christmas in the snow, Christmas under the sun, and even Christmas in a tropical paradise waiting for you!
- London, England
- Rovaniemi, Finland
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Paris, France
- New York City, USA
- Quebec, Canada
- New Orleans, USA
- Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Bali, Indonesia
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Maldives
- Dubai, UEA.
The Best Christmas Holiday Destinations In Europe For A True Festive Spirit
These places to travel for Christmas vacations in 2024 are the authentic definition of a Christmas wonderland. Here, Christmas is in full swing, with grandiose decorations, awe-inspiring Christmas trees, and many season-special attractions.
Magical Holiday Retreat In London, England
Christmas is in full swing in London. Photo by Alexey Fedorenko - stock.adobe Stock.
The English know what they’re doing when it comes to Christmas. And it shows in the twinkling decorations of the streets of London, the sparkles adorning every lamp post, and the frosting-up glasses of the iconic red telephone booths.
That, and the joyous air of the holiday that you can just feel and sniff in the air, is enough to send any Christmas-loving wanderlusts packing for London. A Christmas holiday in London is a holiday well spent.
What to do
- Go ice-skating: A staple of a true Christmas vacation is ice and snow, and what’s a better way to enjoy both than ice-skating? The most picturesque spot for ice skating in London is the outdoor rink in front of the National History Museum, one of the many must-visit museums in the home of Big Ben. Another one that can rival its beauty is the outdoor rink beside the Tower of London.
- Enjoy an exciting day out in Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park: You’ve probably heard of its name. The famous annual event features a large Christmas market, fairground rides, and a Bavarian village with lots of traditional food and drinks.
- See a festive show or pantomime: London’s West End is famous for its performance arts scene. Drop by the area and allow yourself to be immersed in wonderful shows, ranging from holiday classics like “A Christmas Carol” to family-friendly pantomimes.
- Feel the Christmas vibe on London streets: London’s Christmas lights sparkle brightly from Oxford Street to Carnaby Street. Also, don’t miss the Christmas tree donated by Norway every year in Trafalgar Square.
- Enjoy a peppermint cup of tea: Christmas doesn’t mean no time for tea in England. Many tearooms welcome Christmas holidayers to sit down and have a sip with a festive twist.
Pay Santa A Visit In Rovaniemi, Finland
The magical Rovaniemi is Santa’s hometown. Photo by Roman Babakin on Adobe Stock.
In Rovaniemi, there is a place by the name of Santa Claus Village. Honestly, can anything get more Christmas-y than a Christmas vacation here?
Santa Claus Village is one of Finland’s most visited attractions. It’s located inside the Arctic Circle in the city of Rovaniemi. It’s known as Santa’s hometown and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every year.
This magical place can be a dream come true for Christmas lovers around the world. It’s almost like Disneyland but in the snow! We wonder whom you can meet in Santa Claus Village. Will it be Santa himself or his little helper elves?
If you’re looking for where to go for Christmas Day 2024 with kids, it’s the perfect choice.
What to do
- Visit Santa’s home and send postcards from Santa’s Post Office: These two are the main attractions of this winter wonderland. Christmas vacation tourists can talk to, take photos and receive small gifts from Santa himself. You can also send letters to friends at home with a special Santa’s postmark.
- Go snowmobiling: the snowy landscape of Finland makes for a perfect, thrilling snowmobile ride down the trails of Santa Claus Village’s trails.
- Go ice-fishing: challenge your patience and craftsmanship with this sport on an icy frozen lake nearby.
- Have a playful day at Snowman World: just like London’s amazing Winter Wonderland, Snowman World has plenty of winter activities, including ice sculpting, snow tubing, ice slides, and eating at an ice restaurant.
- Riding on a husky-pulled sledge: These fluffy furry friends are just so perfect and cute, but they’re also so hard-working you can’t help admiring them. If you’re lucky, you can catch sight of the alluring Northern Lights on one of your sledge rides. Truly a magical moment for your Christmas holiday!
Historic charms meet Christmas in Prague, Czech Republic
Prague in the winter is just charming beyond words. Photo by Feel Good Studio on Adobe Stock.
We don’t talk about the historical beauty of Prague enough here - its well-preserved mediaeval buildings, Gothic houses, and charming cobblestone streets.
It’s the one place that the god of time seems to have forgotten about, leaving its beautiful Romanesque facade perfectly intact. Prague is a perfect destination to travel for your Christmas vacation in 2024 if you want to enjoy a peaceful and historical experience.
In the winter, this beauty is amplified. The city is adorned with Christmas decorations and lights. The famous Charles Bridge overlooking the city’s skyline is like a gateway into a winter wonderland.
What to do
- Visit the Old Town Square: this is where the festivities are in full swing, with Christmas decorations highlighting classic European architecture, traditional food stalls and handmade arts and crafts shops.
- Drop by the Prague Astronomical Clock: explore the intricate details and watch the clock come to life as the hours pass.
- Explore the Prague Castle: you must take advantage of this. This castle is a magical place during the wintertime.
- Stroll Charles Bridge and enjoy street performances: breathe in the fresh and minty winter air as you take a walk on the bridge, with the Vltava River and the city as a backdrop; and sweet carols of the street performers as your background music.
- Sample Czech local cuisine: various delicacies awaiting you at Christmas markets in Wenceslas Square and Republic Square. You can enjoy dishes like trdelnik, svíčková, mulled wine and gingerbread.
A Romantic Christmas Retreat in Paris, France
It’s hard to find a rival for Paris’ wintertime beauty. Photo by Kavalenkava - stock.adobe.com
The City of Lights is even more enchanting in December. Paris is beautiful all year-round, but the magic of Christmas just ten-folds the city’s beauty. With Christmas lights twinkling in every corner and the scent of roasted chestnut in the air, spending your Christmas vacation in Paris is a whole new level.
Being a kingdom of fashion helps, too. Window displays during the Christmas season in Paris are a real feast for the eyes. You will catch yourself with your mouth hanging open at how breathtaking they are. A Hermes Christmas tree? You see it here in Paris first.
What to do
- Right after getting all cosy and snuggly in your winter clothes, head to central Paris to shop at the Champs-Élysées Christmas Market where nearly 200 wooden chalets await. We know we recommend Christmas markets a lot, but aren’t they just so fun and special? Nothing screams Christmas holiday like they do!
- If you’re in the mood for some luxury shopping or just to see luxury fashion stores wearing the best Christmas decorations, head to the famous Galeries Lafayette.