We’re all for snuggling up at home with loved ones, but we also like seeing how various cities throughout the globe change each December. This post lists the most incredible locations to spend Christmas worldwide, including traditional holiday destinations in the U.S. and Asia with extravagant light displays.
If relaxing by the pool with a drink in hand seems like an ideal vacation, there are places in the southern hemisphere where it will be in the 80s on December 25. These international locations maintain the festive spirit year after year, even though the festivities may alter somewhat from city to city. And if you’ve already finalized your plans for the current year, it’s always early enough to start thinking about a fantastic winter getaway for 2023.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
The little Pennsylvanian town of Bethlehem has been using its moniker for the last 30 years to change into “Christmas City” during the holiday season. The SteelStacks Christkindlmarkt serves as the focal point of the festivities, with more than 50 booths selling handcrafted goods, live music, and unique activities starring Santa Claus.
A downtown businessman emerges from the Goundie House on Main Street every night at about 5:30 p.m. with sweets for those waiting outside. With 35,000 Christmas lights, 36 wreaths, life-size toy soldiers, and a gingerbread replica of the hotel, Hotel Bethlehem is a fantasy unto itself.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the best option to escape the cold over Christmas since it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Even visiting one (or more) of the city’s seasonal markets is possible without donning a coat and scarf.
The 2,000 to 3,000 African penguins seen at Boulders Beach, where you can get close enough to picture them in portrait mode, may not be Santa’s elves, but they are sure to make your heart feel all the fuzzier just the same.
The bright and comfortable rooms at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, which have ocean views and are filled with natural light, are the perfect antidote to the wintertime blues.
Chicago
Chicago knows a thing or two about getting into the holiday mood, from its Christkindlmarket that takes inspiration from Europe to the many light displays (and the freezing temperatures). Two must-do activities are visiting the 55-foot Christmas tree at Millennium Park and relaxing in a heated igloo at The Godfrey Hotel.
ZooLights, a yearly light festival presented at Lincoln Park Zoo, with 2.5 million LED lights, is now running until January 1. For times that are sensory-friendly to attend, see the event schedule.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, ensures you will have the most opulent stay possible, exceptionally if you choose a suite with a view of Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. Make sure to reserve a spot at Torali, the delectable on-site restaurant, for a festive afternoon tea or a five-course winter truffle supper.
Cologne
Nothing else is as effective at capturing the spirit of the Christmas season as a traditional Christmas market. But, of course, no one takes Christmas markets more seriously than the Germans, who see over four million people visit Cologne’s festivities each winter. So enjoy the breathtaking views from the tower’s observation deck across from the Cathedral on the Rhine.
The building in question is called KolnTriangle. The Hyatt Regency Cologne has many of the most spectacular views of the Cologne Cathedral. In addition, people tend to agree that the hotel’s Glashaus Restaurant serves some of the best multi-course meals in the city.
Dublin
Dublin is the place to go if your notion of Christmas fun involves an Irish bar crawl (we get it). With some black pudding and a few beers, there is no better way to stay warm on a chilly Christmas eve—and believe us, this city has plenty of quaint taverns to keep you toasty into the new year.
Of course, there is more to the Irish capital than simply drinking. Christmas markets, decorated stores on Grafton Street, and several tree-lighting rituals are among the holiday attractions.
The Moving Crib, located in the basement of St. Martin Apostolate, has been enticing families with its mechanical figurines representing scenarios like Noah’s Ark for 66 years. The Westbury is even more opulent during the holidays, offering afternoon tea with magnificent views of Grafton Street’s lights.
Hong Kong
The urban offerings of Hong Kong during the Christmas season are on par with those of New York City and include a plethora of seasonal markets, window displays, and performances (they even have a Santa Con). But, of course, the lights come next in the sequence.
The extravagantly choreographed neon extravaganza exhibited on more than 40 of the city’s prominent buildings surrounding Victoria Harbor will leave you breathless during the Symphony of Lights event, which takes place every day at 8:00 p.m.
A dinner cruise around the port front is the perfect way to take in the Symphony of Lights. In addition, the Ritz-Carlton organizes Christmas parties, dinners, and afternoon teas throughout the holiday season. As if the hotel wasn’t already posh enough on its own.
Inari, Finland
At Christmastime, most vacationers make their way to the city of Rovaniemi, which is located in Lapland. However, we recommend you go even farther north, to the town of Inari, which is close to the Arctic Ocean. Inari is a true winter paradise that can be reached from Helsinki by taking a flight that takes about an hour and a half and takes you to the center of the picturesque Ivalo area.
Once there, you’ll find hotels and restaurants that keep things pleasant and comfortable. It is difficult to conceive of a more traditional winter vacation than one in which one travels through the Arctic in a dog sled, feeds reindeer, and searches for the Northern Lights. During a private tour of the Northern Lights, you will be transported to a warm sleigh where you may enjoy sparkling wine as you watch the dancing aurora borealis.
In addition to its glass-igloo lodgings, Finnish Lapland is well-known for its on-site winter activities and the warm, panoramic lodges that can be found at Aurora Village. (The snow won’t be able to obscure your view thanks to the heated glass.) In addition to that, daily feedings of reindeer are offered.
Leavenworth
You’re excited about the prospect of a vacation in Bavaria, but the thought of flying across the Atlantic makes your skin crawl. Arriving in Leavenworth, this hamlet, nestled away in the Cascade Mountains, was designed to resemble the alpine communities of Germany, replete with thatched roofs, half-timbered homes, and enormous market halls. During the holiday season, the city, as you could expect, comes to life with extravagant holiday lights and an abundance of opportunities to participate in winter sports.
It is highly recommended that visitors make a stop at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum on their way to or from snowshoeing or skiing trips since the museum has a collection of about 9,000 nutcrackers from more than 50 nations. The Icicle Village Resort is every bit as enchanted as its name suggests, complete with a soothing spa, fireplaces in each room, and a restaurant offering traditional Bavarian cuisine.
The Canadian city of Quebec
Quebec City is one of North America’s ancient towns; its French colonial architecture gives it a European atmosphere. The narrow, cobblestone alleyways of the Old Town are lined with charming boutiques and delectable restaurants, all of which are festively decked up for the winter holidays.
The one unique thing you need to do to get into the holiday mood effectively is to go on the Au 1884 toboggan run near Chateau Frontenac. That is one of the city’s oldest traditions and offers quite the thrill. The run is open from the middle of December until the middle of March. On an ice track high above the city, riders on wooden sleds may achieve up to 45 miles per hour as they race down the track.
You can’t go wrong with Auberge Saint-Antoine with its heated bathroom floors, lobby fireplace, and a Christmas package that includes holiday movie screenings at the in-house theatre, a five-course dinner, and a personal visit from Santa in your room.
Rome
People looking for a more respectful Christmas experience will find that Vatican City, which is home to the Vatican and the seat of Catholicism, is an attractive choice. In addition, the streets surrounding Rome will be festively lit.
During the midnight liturgy held in the Pantheon, you can hear hymns reverberating off the walls of the architectural masterpiece that is 1,900 years old (December 24 into the 25th).
In addition to traditionally styled guest rooms, the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese provides guests with various festive facilities, such as themed meals served at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and escorted tours of Rome’s Christmas lights in a classic Fiat 500.
Conclusion
People from all walks of life marvelously join together to enjoy the holiday season during the Christmas holiday. There are many beautiful locations to visit, whether you want to celebrate the holiday at home with family and friends or go to another nation. Our list gives adequate information on each place, allowing you to choose the location that would be most suitable for your festivities this year.
