Last Updated 25/11/2022.
If you’re yearning for the Christmas holiday season to feel a little different this year, there’s no better way to celebrate Christmas than by jetting off to a special Christmas vacation destination. In this post we bring you some of the best Christmas vacations for families, in the US, Europe, UK and Asia. Some of these Christmas Vacations will be warm, others icy cold. What’s better than a little snow to make you get that special Christmas vibe.
Even though cozying up by the fireplace at home is definitely tempting, if you find yourself considering spending the holidays somewhere new, there are plenty of destinations that sure know how to take the Christmas spirit to the next level for your family. It’s a great bonding experience for families to be on vacation together at Christmas and these vacation ideas should get you thinking about where your family could spend Christmas.
From winter towns tucked away in the snowy Alps where Europe’s Christmas markets reign supreme to big cities where you’ll get to feel as though you were transported into a cheesy movie, these are the best places to visit around the world for Christmas in order to do the holiday season right.
Best Christmas Vacations for Your Family
Best Christmas Vacations For Families in The USA
North Pole (The City) Alaska, USA
Believe it or not, there’s a town that is actually called North Pole in Alaska USA!
As far as quintessential places to visit for a Christmas family vacation go, this one definitely takes the cake. North Pole is located a short drive away from the city of Fairbanks in Alaska, and even though most people who get here do it during the winter holidays, the town is commonly nicknamed “the place where the spirit of Christmas lives all year”.
North Pole definitely makes sure to bring justice to its name. Its downtown streets are usually lined by gigantic candy canes and draped by colourful glimmering Christmas lights, not to mention you’ll pretty much be able to find every single motif that celebrates the season here.
There’s even a house that is said to be the “official home” of Santa Claus, and don’t be surprised if you come across a reindeer or two during your visit!
Moreover, thanks to its location close to the Arctic Circle, visiting North Pole during the winter months means you’ll have a pretty high chance of witnessing the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Seeing them right from town is not unusual, but if you want the ultimate experience, you can drive over to the nearby Chena Lake Recreation Area where sightings are said to be out of this world!
Leavenworth in Washington USA
Christmas in the Bavarian Alps is as dreamy as it gets, but if you can’t quite make it to Germany this year, visiting the town of Leavenworth in Washington State is a great alternative. Get that European Christmas vacation feel at Leavenworth Bavarian Town and Christmastown, The Village of Lights, without having to leave the US!
Tucked away amid the enchanting Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth has still managed to preserve its Bavarian roots, which become even more visible once the holiday season begins.
As you walk along its downtown, you’ll stumble across remnants from when Leavenworth was inhabited by Germans – think half-timbered houses, German craft beer served at quaint bars, and plenty of culture that has stood the test of time.
During the Christmas season, Leavenworth turns itself into what’s known as “the Village of Lights” when over half a million lights cover its streets. As a bonus, you’ll also find an authentic German Christmas market here for all things shopping, and you can take a look at the town’s calendar in order to plan for more Christmasy activities such as gingerbread house contests, advent calendar competitions, and so much more!
New York, USA
City breaks make fantastic Christmas vacation destinations for families because there is just so much to see and do! New York is no exception and to see The City That Never Sleeps in her winter festive finery is a bucket-list item!
The big tour that families should take in New York at Christmas, or around Christmas is this one, to see the light show at Dyker Heights.
To find out where best to stay in New York at Christmas with your family, click through. The rest of our New York content is here. It can get pretty cold in New York City in winter and at Christmas, wrap up warm!
In New York, stay in Manhattan to be in the thick of the action near Times Square. Try the Artel Hotel for a budget family stay with great theming for kids!
Best Christmas Vacations For Families in Europe
London, England
It may sound slightly cliché, but London is a favourite Christmas destination for all the right reasons.
Once December approaches, the English capital becomes a setting straight out of Love, Actually as millions of twinkling lights and Christmas decoration blankets the streets.
A must-do during your visit to London with kids during the Christmas season is checking out the annual Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park when one of London’s most beloved green spaces turns itself into a mecca for all things Christmas. Thinks German-inspired Christmas markets, live music, an outdoor skating rink, and serendipitous entertainment to get an idea of what this festival is all about!
Other somewhat cliché (but totally can’t miss) activities include visiting Trafalgar Square to listen to Christmas carols, catching a Christmas show at the many theatres in town, drinking wine at the Covent Garden’s Winter Warmer Mulled Wine Festival, and plenty more. Round out your family trip with a visit to Hamley’s, billed as “The Greatest Toy Shop in the World” the Christmas displays here will wow your family.
You can even take the popular vintage open-top bus tours in London to see the best of the city’s Christmas lights twinkling in the early evening or late afternoon. Our full guide to London at Christmas is here. Looking for a nice hotel in London? Check out our guide to kid-friendly London places to stay.
In London the Legoland Resort Hotel would be a great place to take your family, it’s at Windsor, which is close enough to Central London for your trip.
Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland
Santa’s official hometown as a Christmas vacation destination? Yes, please!
If you don’t mind a little cold, Rovaniemi in northern Finland is definitely one of the best places to visit around the world for Christmas for postcard-perfect scenery and experiences you’ll be very unlikely to ever top.
Whether Santa actually lives here or not still remains a mystery, but there is a Santa Claus-themed village in town where you’ll find plenty of hands-on activities where you can help elves prepare for the big event.
As if that weren’t enough, Rovaniemi is known for its fun-in-the-snow entertainment, with tons of activities ready for you to take the season to a whole new level. Snowmobiling safaris are a favourite, as are reindeer sleigh rides, ice skating, and husky sledding, to name just a few!
In Rovaniemi try the Santasport Apartment Hotel.
Stuttgart, Germany
It’s not exactly a secret that Germans love all things Christmas, and if you want to enjoy a holiday season that’s as unique as it gets, the city of Stuttgart is a wonderful choice.
Once late November creeps in, the somehow sleepy city of Stuttgart bursts to life with a plethora of authentic Christmas markets, decorations all over historical buildings, and a calendar filled with exciting activities that take the spirit to an entirely new level.
As if that weren’t enough reason to convince you to make Stuttgart your next Christmas family destination, the city is known for being the gateway to the alluring Black Forest, where you’ll find plenty of small villages that also host their own holiday events and markets for a truly local experience.
Esslingen is a gorgeous medieval town that’s worth taking a look at, while Gegenbach hosts a wonderful Christmas market away from the tourist crowds you’ll find in bigger cities. If you love chocolate, you can head over to Tübingen to celebrate their annual chocolate festival, or you can opt to take a day trip out to Breitnau in order to attend a Christmas market set right under a gorge in the middle of the forest.
Paris France
Paris is a dream destination no matter the time of the year you decide to visit, but during the festive season, the City of Lights sure knows how to put on a show in order to fully showcase its love for Christmas.
Come December, Paris gets decorated with garlands and thousands upon thousands of colourful Christmas lights, not to mention you’ll find classic European Christmas markets, events, and ice skating rinks all over the city.
For the ultimate Christmas experience, make sure to book yourself a holiday cruise over the Seine River, check out Lafayette’s Paris Haussman to awe at their incredible Christmas decor, ice skate right under the Eiffel Tower, and treat the family to a day of festive fun at Disneyland Paris’ annual Christmas festival.
Alternatively, take your family to the Parc Asterix theme park just outside Paris.
Where to stay in Paris with your family – we have a guide to the most family-friendly hotels in Paris.
In Paris, Hotel Le Bristol is a popular family choice.
Dresden, Germany
If you want to dive deep into the history of Christmas in Europe, Dresden is the ultimate place to be.
This gorgeous medieval city was the first place in the entire world to host a Christmas market, and up to today, the exact same one is held every year!
Even though the city is now a modern place, its residents still make sure to stick to their roots and traditions, especially when it comes to Christmas. A perfect example of this is that, instead of putting on a Christmas tree, a Christmas pyramid is held instead – pyramids were the predecessors of the trees we know today, and they root back to the folklore of the Ore Mountains in Germany!
Try this place for a family party, with great location!
Best Christmas Vacations For Families in Australia
Sydney
The Great Barrier Reef
Best Christmas Vacations For Families in Asia
Singapore
Dubai
Thailand
Kuala Lumpur
If you’d like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal!
