There’s more than one way we like to do Christmas. Sometimes it’s mulled wine under a thousand lights, and sometimes it’s a barefoot sunset with sand between our toes. From alpine towns that hum with tradition to tropical places where the holidays barely whisper, we’ve rounded up the Christmas destinations that feel just right, whatever kind of season you’re chasing.
If you’re like us, December is just another reason to move toward fresh snow, open skies, or someplace with a little mystery in the air. These are our favorite Christmas getaways for doing the holidays your way.
U.S. Christmas Destinations for Every Mood
If you're chasing stateside, snowy sidewalks, twinkling lights, and a cup of something hot in mittened hands, these U.S. towns know how to deliver a proper holiday season. Think alpine charm, historic downtowns, and the kind of warmth that comes from small local towns lit with intention.
Snowy With a High Christmas Mood Gateways
Frankenmuth, Michigan
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: Great for families and nostalgia seekers
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Don’t miss: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, horse-drawn carriage rides, and Zehnder’s holiday dinners
Frankenmuth is America’s answer to a Bavarian snow globe. This Michigan town takes Christmas seriously. Think massive light displays, carolers in lederhosen, and Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store. It's cheesy in the best way and unapologetically magical. Come for the kitsch, stay for the strudel.
Chicago, Illinois
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: Perfect for city lovers, couples, and foodies
- Don’t miss: Christkindlmarket, Millennium Park skating, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago leans into winter with festive grit. The Christkindlmarket smells like spiced wine and roasted nuts, downtown is all lit up, and Millennium Park turns into a skating rink under The Bean. Bundle up, grab a deep dish, and follow the glow through the Loop.
Leavenworth, Washington
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: Perfect for families and festive romantics
- Don’t miss: Village of Lights, reindeer farm, sledding at Front Street Park
Tucked in the Cascades, Leavenworth goes full Bavarian for the holidays. Wooden chalets, twinkling lights, and alpine peaks set the scene, while oompah bands and mulled wine fuel the mood. It’s like Germany got dropped into the Pacific Northwest, only with better craft beer.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: Perfect for history buffs and traditionalists
- Don’t miss: Christkindlmarkt, Live Advent Calendar, Moravian stars lighting the streets
They don’t call it Christmas City for nothing. Bethlehem combines colonial charm with traditional German markets and a Moravian heritage that turns candlelight into a sacred art form. It’s peaceful, reverent, and full of twinkle.
Asheville, North Carolina
- Weather: Cold/mild
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best For: Couples, culture seekers, and relaxed luxury lovers
- Don’t Miss: Candlelit tours of the Biltmore Estate, Grove Arcade shopping, winter hikes on the Parkway
Asheville wraps Christmas in Blue Ridge charm and Gilded Age glow. The Biltmore Estate goes all-in on holiday décor, while downtown mixes indie shops with warm cider and twinkle-lit patios. You’ll find carolers, craft markets, and fireplaces that don’t feel performative. It’s cozy, but elevated.
Woodstock, Warren, or Stowe, Vermont
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: Great for skiers, snow-lovers, and New England purists
- Don’t miss: Stowe’s historic village, Sugar & Spice pancakes, horse-drawn sleigh rides
Stowe’s a town that seems built for a snow globe. Surrounded by the Green Mountains, it blends ski culture with classic Vermont charm. Covered bridges, steepled churches, and sugar shacks make for a photogenic Christmas escape. Grab a flannel and a maple latte and lean in.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: Ideal for outdoorsy couples and rustic luxury lovers
- Don’t miss: Elk Refuge sleigh rides, candlelit dinners at Amangani, and downtown art walks
Ski town meets cowboy Christmas. Think sleigh rides through elk preserves, fireplaces roaring in timber-framed lodges, and art galleries lit like tree farms. It’s rugged, romantic, and wrapped in snow.
Warm Statewide Christmas Escapes
Not all holidays need snowdrifts and wool socks. In these warm-weather picks, the lights still twinkle, but your drink is on ice and your December days are filled with sun, spice, and palm trees.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Weather: Mild to cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: art lovers and cultural explorers
- Don’t miss: Canyon Road Farolito Walk, Flamenco shows, and spicy hot chocolate at Kakawa
Santa Fe gives Christmas a desert twist. Luminarias line adobe rooftops, piñon smoke curls into the high desert air, and the historic plaza comes alive with carols in Spanish and English. It’s culture-heavy, not commercial, and better with a red chile margarita.
Death Valley National Park, California
- Weather: Mild days / cold nights
- Mood: Very low Christmas mood
- Best for: solitude seekers and off-grid wanderers
- Don’t miss: Zabriskie Point sunrise, stargazing at Furnace Creek, and hikes through golden canyons
Zero reindeer. Zero problem. Death Valley offers winter hiking, striking desert vistas, and silence that makes your ears ring. Book a room at the historic Inn and skip the sleigh bells entirely.
Puerto Rico
- Weather: Warm
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: families, foodies, and beach adventurers
- Don’t miss: Parrandas, Nochebuena feasts, Bioluminescent Bay kayak tours
Puerto Rico does Christmas with rhythm. Parrandas (caroling parades), roasted lechón, and festive lights stretch the season into January. With beach days and rainforest hikes, it’s a holiday that doesn’t chill, it salsas.
San Diego / Coastal California
- Weather: Warm
- Mood: Medium-high Christmas mood
- Best for: laid-back travelers and beach lovers
- Don’t miss: Balboa Park December Nights, Solana Beach tree lighting, ice skating at Hotel Del Coronado
Surfboards with Santa hats? That’s San Diego. Balboa Park lights up with December Nights, and seaside towns like Encinitas and Carlsbad deck out with just enough sparkle. Mild weather means beach walks in a hoodie and a peppermint mocha in hand.
Hawaii
- Weather: Warm
- Mood: Mellow Christmas mood
- Best for: warm-weather escapes and cultural Christmas twists
- Don’t miss: Honolulu City Lights, surfing Santas, poke picnics under the palms
Santa swaps his sleigh for a canoe in the islands. You’ll see decorations, sure, but the real draw is celebrating on the beach with poke and ukuleles instead of turkey and tinsel. It’s festive, but never forced.
International Christmas Destinations
Cold and Snowy International Christmas Gateways
These destinations read like the pages of a European holiday storybook. Castles lit with lanterns, markets humming with choral music, and hot mulled wine served under snow-dusted roofs.
Bruges, Belgium
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: romantics and first-time Europe travelers
- Don’t miss: Winter Glow Festival, Bruges Christmas Market, carriage rides through cobbled lanes
Bruges in December is the definition of charming. Canals reflect golden lights, markets sell spiced cookies and mulled wine, and horse-drawn carriages clip through cobblestone lanes. The Winter Glow festival makes even Monday night feel magical. It’s like stepping into a snow globe with waffles.
Vienna / Innsbruck, Austria
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: culture lovers and old-world elegance seekers
- Don’t miss: Rathausplatz market, Schönbrunn Palace lights, Innsbruck’s Old Town Christmas
If Mozart and Christmas had a baby, it would be Vienna in December. Baroque architecture sets the stage for regal markets filled with choral music and hand-blown ornaments. Innsbruck adds alpine vibes and snowy peaks to the playlist. It’s sophistication wrapped in twinkle lights.
Niseko, Japan
- Weather: Cold (lots of snow)
- Mood: Low Christmas mood
- Best For: Skiers, adventurers, and offbeat winter travelers
- Don’t Miss: Night skiing under falling snow, natural hot springs, ramen après-ski in Hirafu
Niseko doesn’t do Christmas lights the way Europe does, but it does powder. Deep, dry snow, some of the best on the planet, paired with quiet onsens and mountain villages lit by the occasional lantern. It’s a different kind of winter magic: fewer carols, more calm.
Copenhagen, Denmark
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for: design lovers and cozy getaways
- Don’t miss: Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn lights, candlelit cafés serving æbleskiver
Copenhagen turns the darkness into art. Tivoli Gardens becomes a winter carnival, and cozy candlelit bars invite you in from the chill. The Danish mastered Christmas comfort. They even have a word for it: hygge. You’ll feel it in every glowing window.
Tatra Mountains (Poland / Slovakia)
- Weather: Cold
- Mood: Medium-high Christmas mood
- Best for budget-conscious adventurers
- Don’t miss: Thermal spas in Poprad, Zakopane market, sleigh rides through snowy valleys
If you want snow without the Alpine prices, head to the Tatras. Zakopane looks like a woodcut fairytale, with timber chalets, glowing taverns, and frosted trails. It’s festive without the flash, and friendlier on the wallet.
Rovaniemi, Finland
- Weather: Very cold
- Mood: High Christmas mood
- Best for families and bucket-listers
- Don’t miss: Santa Claus Village, Arctic Circle crossing, reindeer sleigh rides, Northern Lights safaris
Welcome to Santa's real address. In Rovaniemi, you can cross the Arctic Circle, ride reindeer sleds, and visit the big guy himself. Northern Lights are optional, but highly recommended. If Christmas had a capital, it’d be here.
International Christmas Destinations: Warm & Wander-Worthy
Not everyone dreams of snowflakes and sweaters in December. Some of us crave warm air, slower days, and Christmas lights that reflect off ocean waves instead of icy windows. These international Christmas spots bring the season to life with sun, soul, and zero need for mittens.
Mexico City, Mexico
- Weather: Warm/mild
- Vibe: High Christmas mood
- Best For: Culture-hungry city travelers
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Don’t Miss: Posadas, nativity parades, giant piñatas, Zócalo ice rink
This city lights up with posadas, poinsettias, and processions. Expect nativity scenes, street food, and mariachi-infused cheer from the Zócalo to Chapultepec. Christmas here is bold, bright, and very much alive.
Seville / Granada / Málaga, Spain
- Weather: Mild to warm
- Vibe: High Christmas mood
- Best For: Relaxed travelers and sun-chasers
- Don’t Miss: Flamenco Navidad shows, nativity dioramas, roasted chestnuts under orange trees
Andalusian cities bring Christmas warmth without the frostbite. Flamenco, orange trees, and modest markets make it festive but relaxed. You’ll trade snowfall for sun on cobblestone, and probably won’t miss the mittens.
Chile (Santiago / Patagonia)
- Weather: Warm (southern summer)
- Vibe: Low Christmas mood
- Best For: Nature lovers and non-traditionalists
- Don’t Miss: Torres del Paine treks, Santiago concerts, glacier hikes
It’s summer in Chile, so you’ll trade Christmas trees for beach umbrellas. In Santiago or down toward Patagonia, you’ll find few decorations and even fewer crowds. It’s a great time to explore nature, not malls.
Argentina (Buenos Aires)
- Weather: Warm
- Vibe: Low Christmas mood
- Best For: Cultural city escapes
- Don’t Miss: Tango in San Telmo, Christmas steakhouse dinners, Recoleta light displays
Buenos Aires keeps things light on the holiday front. You’ll find some nativity scenes and family gatherings, but the city mostly hums along as usual. Christmas is there, but not screaming for attention.
Belize
- Weather: Warm
- Vibe: Low Christmas mood
- Best For: Dive-focused beach vacations
- Don’t Miss: Snorkeling in Hol Chan, sunset BBQs, reef-side Christmas trees (if you find one)
Belize is about coral reefs, not Christmas trees. You might see a few lights in Belize City or San Pedro, but the beach towns keep it breezy. Dive, snorkel, nap. Repeat.
Morocco (Marrakech / Atlas Mountains / Sahara)
- Weather: Mild to warm (cooler in mountains at night)
- Mood: Very low Christmas mood
- Best For: Culture lovers, photographers, and travelers looking to unplug
- Don’t Miss: Sunrise in the Sahara, souk shopping in Marrakech, mint tea with a rooftop view
Christmas barely registers in Morocco unless you're inside a hotel catering to tourists. What you will find: rooftop calls to prayer, desert stars, spice markets, and color in every direction. It’s an escape in every sense.
Tunisia
- Weather: Mild
- Vibe: Very low Christmas mood
- Best For: Solo travelers and history buffs
- Don’t Miss: Medina shopping in Tunis, Roman ruins at Dougga, Sahara sunsets
Roman ruins, desert sunsets, and almost no Christmas at all. Tunisia’s a great choice for curious travelers who prefer medinas to malls. December brings mild temps and minimal tourist traffic, perfect for slow, immersive travel.
Bonus: Travel Tips for a Smarter Holiday Escape
- Fly Smart: Flights on Christmas Eve or Day are often cheaper and less chaotic. Worth the early wake-up.
- Search Everywhere: Use Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature to uncover unexpected gems that fit your budget and vibe.
- Book Stay First: Accommodations in festive towns fill up fast. Lock in lodging early, then flex your flights around it.
- Avoid Peak Weeks: In Europe, school holidays (Dec 20–Jan 2) bring crowds. Go earlier or hang back after the New Year for breathing room.
- Pack Right: Cold-weather trips call for smart layering. Think breathable, performance fabrics that don’t bulk up. Warm destinations? Go light, stay mobile, and skip the checked bag.
- Arrive Off-Peak: Arriving a few days before or after the holiday rush means quieter streets and better availability with the lights still glowing.
The best kind of holiday doesn’t always come wrapped in paper—it comes wrapped in place, in moments that stay with you long after you’ve packed your bag. Whether it’s mountain air, ocean light, or a quiet morning somewhere unfamiliar, travel gives the season new meaning. Go where you feel most alive, and let the rest fall away.
