Home is where we prefer to spend Christmas and New Year holidays with people we love, but there is no way you can resist a globe-trotting urge when it comes to watching how the cities around the world are lighting up in December. Some of the top destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve include the enchanted Christmas markets in Europe to the blazing lights in Asia. There are even destinations in the southern hemisphere that are quite warm enough that you could have a tasty cocktail by the pool on Christmas Day! Every location has its approach to making the holidays a special time, but these places are always popular destinations during the holiday season.
And even though you have something in the line already, it is never too late to start thinking about your 2025 winter vacation to one of the best destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Experience these holiday destinations to make them unforgettable.
1. Pennsylvania
The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has more than thirty years, living up to its name of Christmas City, and this makes it one of the most beautiful Christmas holiday destinations. The Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks presents an array of more than 50 booths of artisan crafts, high-spirited music and visits with Santa. One of the nice traditions is the “live” Advent calendar at the Goundie House, where sweets are given out every evening. Hotel Bethlehem adds to the magical effects with its 35,000 twinkling lights, 36 wreaths, toy soldiers and a gingerbread version of the Hotel. It is a pretty town to spend the holiday, where one is offered a memorable holiday experience.
2. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, Belgium, is no doubt one of the best places in Europe for Christmas. This medieval city turns into a magical wonderland, and the cobbled walks are illuminated by glittering lights with warm cafes serving delicious, rich Belgian hot chocolate. The Winter Glow light trail is one of the most profound methods to stroll into the Christmas spirit, with a total of 10 illuminating displays around the old historic city center. Some of the most impressive ones include the sparkling Church of Our Lady Tower and the beautiful projection people can see at Gruuthuse.
To get a memorable accommodation, it is worth staying in a room at Grand Hotel Casselberrgh that is literally across the Markt. The hotel features wooden-beamed rooms, a lobby bar with a fireplace and a wellness center located in a cellar of the sixteenth century.
3. Cape Town
Cape Town is an ideal getaway to beat the winter blues and is therefore one of the most unique Christmas holiday destinations. At the same time Northern Hemisphere gets frozen in scarves, here the tourist gets sunshine, Christmas markets, and even a visit to the area of Boulders Beach, where thousands of lovely African penguins are.
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa occupies a scenic position within the western section of the city and can guarantee to its visitors a serene experience of the city at large, with the vistas of the Atlantic Ocean in brightened bedrooms to offer them an idyllic abode. And no matter the Christmas buzz, Cape Town is one of the most spectacular destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, since the memory of winter blues is replaced with sunshine and coastal beauty.
4. Chicago
Chicago is among the most popular destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with its Christkindlmarket and lighted-up streets. Millennium Park has a 55-foot Christmas tree that cannot be ignored and a warm place with igloos with heaters hosted by The Godfrey Hotel is ready to warm you up. And if you need a bit more Christmas spirit, you can always visit ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo and enjoy the 2.5 million LEDs illuminating the night skies! They even have sensory-friendly times to experience the magic.
An extravagant retreat, the Ritz-Carlton Chicago was renovated and updated at a cost of more than 100 million dollars and has breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the Navy Pier from its luxurious suites. When you are there, do not forget to enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea or a lavish truffle five-course dinner at the Torali, one of the best restaurants to spend New Year’s in the city.
5. Copenhagen
Copenhagen located in the list of the happiest cities in the world is one of the best destinations to visit during Christmas and New Year. The Tivoli Gardens are transformed into the enchanted winter world with seasonal amusement rides and a beautiful Christmas market, where people may shop and buy special Christmas gifts and various snacks. The park will embellish its over-the-top Christmas tree with crystal Swarovski. Restaurant Vita suggests you Danish tradional cuisine and you may taste andesteg-roast duck with prunes and apples. In Hotel Sanders, the Danish hygge has been achieved, thus making it one of the cosy spots to stay.
ALSO READ: 10 Best Hotels in Copenhagen Denmark: Charming Retreats You Must Experience!
6. Dubai
Dubai offers the absolute Christmas Day getaway, to spend Christmas Day and is the ideal place to have the most glamorous New Year celebrations. The city gets busy with the magnificent lighting of Christmas trees at iconic places like Towers Rotana and Fairmont The Palm. Celebrate the holiday mood through the Santa Run, where Santas run through the streets in a lively manner!
Visit the colorful Christmas markets for distinctive Christmas shopping, and you cannot exclude Dubai Mall, which turns into a winter fairytale. Why not have an ice skating rink plus ski slopes indoors at Ski Dubai? It is the kind of holiday that you cannot have anywhere. To have a fancy vacation, the Jumeirah Al Naseem is an upscale hotel with stylish rooms, beach convenience, and five-star culinary and beauty services.
DO READ: Best Hotels in Dubai: Which 11 Over-the-Top Options Will Wow You?
7. Dublin
Dublin is one of the best places in Europe for Christmas, and a bustling settlement to welcome the new year! If you are fond of a good old Irish pub crawl, you would love this city. Think how you can spend cold nights in Dublin with black pudding and some pints right in its cosy pubs. In addition to the pub scene, the city can also provide you with merry Christmas markets, well-decorated stores all around Grafton Street, as well with amount of tree-lighting ceremonies to top off an entirely cheerful experience.
To get in the spirit of the season, a must-visit is The Moving Crib of St. Martin Apostolate, whose adorable moving figurines have enchanted families over 6 decades in scenes such as the Noah Ark. To have a luxurious experience, The Westbury promises a beautiful view of the twinkling streetlights on Grafton Street, which makes afternoon tea all the more enchanted.
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8. Christmas in Inari, Finland
Spend a wonderful snowy winter break outside the tourist hustle in Rovaniemi and go to Inari, Finland, one of the most beautiful Christmas holiday destinations. A mere short flight out of the Helsinki airport, the beautiful small village consists of comfortable hotels, reindeer sightings, dog-sledge rides, and unparalleled Aurora Borealis viewing.
Bump up the experience with a private aurora safari as you get pulled along in a heated sleigh with sparkling wine in hand under the starry night. Savour a special stay by staying in a glass igloo cabin with heated windows at Aurora Village, and feed the reindeer daily. Inari is one of the most real destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
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9. Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine, is among the most beautiful Christmas holiday destinations, and it celebrates this festive season during its annual Christmas Prelude, which is an 11-day festival held between December 1 and 11th, featuring fun and good cheer. The fun attractions are a sparkling Christmas tree entirely painted in lobster traps and Santa mysteriously arriving in a lobster boat.
You can not miss getting a lobster roll at The Clam Shack; it is one of the most popular treats in Maine. Want to indulge in that special Christmas Day Getaway? The White Barn Inn features fireside eggnog and holiday cookie treats and fine dining on New Year’s Eve. Kennebunkport is a great destination to celebrate the holidays in a beautiful setting with its festive spirit.
10. Christmas Paradise in the Maldives!
Wish to spend your white Christmas in a twist? In the month of December, the Maldives presents a scene of wondrous white sand, hence becoming one of the most unique Christmas holiday destinations. Although Christmas is not a traditional holiday, resorts take advantage of the season with holiday meals, decor and celebration.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island will feature a magical tree lighting ceremony on December 21, beachside cocktails and luxurious celebrations. With champagne and lobster BBQs, pool parties, spa treatments and underwater dining in Ithaa, everything is done in quite an extraordinary way. The Maldives will offer a festive Paradise to globetrotters who prefer to experience Sun-Trapped destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
CHECKOUT 10 All Inclusive Accommodation Maldives To Transform Your Vacation into a Dream!
11. Celebrate in Style: Times Square New Year’s Eve 2025
Each year on December 31, Times Square New Year is the focus of the world with its glamorous lights and boisterous spirit. As we count the days, the excitement is mounting as this legendary event strives to be more than just an event- a world tradition. Millions in Times Square and around the world gather to celebrate the start of the new year, and as the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, an explosion of fireworks is soon put on display as people around the world say goodbye to the previous year and welcome the new one with positivity and cheer.
No matter if you want to enjoy memorable Christmas places or intend to spend the holiday in Times Square, the event is an exciting idea to finish the year in glamorous fashion. Go Global and watch Times Square New Year with us in 2025!
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAPPY READING!
