20 cities every Christmas lover must visit

Lapland, Finland is essentially the North Pole at Christmas time. It becomes a winter wonderland, so between the outdoor activities and the Christmas-themed offerings, there’s no shortage of festive things to do. 

Almost every major city in Austria is beautiful at Christmastime, but Vienna is extra special. There are Christmas markets galore, lots of lights, and many different advent concerts to attend. Between all of the Christmas goings-on and the Austrian culture to soak up, your trip will be special. 

Munich, Germany has lots of special activities to partake in during Christmastime, too. It has plenty of markets, a winter festival, and a Christmas village. It’s also loaded with lights, making for stunning walks through the snow. 

London, England is a great place to visit for a posh Christmas. Lots of restaurants have festive menu items, and there are many seasonal shows to get tickets to. And if you’re craving something a little more quaint, you can retire to the countryside for a bit. 

New York City is a classic city to visit at Christmas. There are many window displays to see, and, of course, the tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center. There’s plenty of special entertainment throughout December, too. Whatever you do, you can’t go wrong. 

Copenhagen, Denmark is the perfect place for a cozy Christmas. The Danes pride themselves on hygge, the concept of being cozy and content, so you can imagine that Christmas in their capital exudes that feeling.  

Spending time in Edinburgh, Scotland during December will feel a little bit like celebrating Christmas in medieval times, minus the filth and illness. The city has plenty of markets and festivals for the season, and you’ll definitely feel the Christmas spirit. 

Christmas is most definitely white in Reykjavik. The Icelandic city is a great place to visit if you love to ice skate and want to see the Northern Lights. There are plenty of other outdoor activities to engage in if you love the snow. 

If Christmas markets are your thing (or if simply the idea appeals to you), you’ve got to visit Bruges, Belgium in December. You’ll feel like Santa himself is there, and the Belgian food and atmosphere will only add to your experience. 

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Christmas in Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands, this city is lit up in December, so even if your itinerary consists solely of walking around, you’ll enjoy yourself. But don’t worry, there are plenty of Christmas-y things to do there. 

Dubai will offer you a totally different Christmas experience than you’ll get in European countries thanks to its location in the world, but it’ll still be spectacular. Don’t expect snow (unless you go skiing), but do expect lots of trees, great dining, and a Santa sighting.

Dublin, Ireland offers a mix of a small-town and city Christmas. There are markets and shows galore, but there are also festive pubs and drive-in Christmas movie showings. Dublin has something for everyone at Christmas. 

Zurich is overflowing with Christmas markets and lights. On top of that, it’s an absolutely gorgeous place to be, thanks to Lake Zurich. And while Zurich itself isn’t in the Alps, you can easily drive to other places in Switzerland to see the famed mountain range. 

Tokyo, Japan is a wonderful city to visit at Christmastime. The weather is typically quite temperate, and there are so many great lights and markets to see and visit. It won’t feel the same as advent in Europe, but it’ll be just as beautiful. 

There’s no shortage of Christmas activity in Hong Kong, either. This Chinese city is decked out with Christmas lights and decorations, making it an absolute vision. Plus there’s lots of shopping and tons of tasty food to try. 

Montreal is especially beautiful in December. There’s an emphasis on art and entertainment in the city, and the Canadians offer their spin on Christmas markets. Even if you’re just walking around the city, you won’t get bored of all there is to see. 

Strasbourg, France has been dubbed the Capital of Christmas, so you can expect plenty of good decorations, good food, and good cheer. The city is rife with lights and tall Christmas trees, and the markets are something to behold. 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will also have a totally different Christmas feel than the one pushed in books and movies, but its uniqueness makes it great. Indulge in the Christmas sand castles, and be sure to get a glimpse of the world’s largest floating Christmas tree. 

It’s summertime in Australia in December, so Sydney isn’t the place to go if you’re in search of a winter wonderland. However, there’s still plenty to do that’s festive and beautiful, and you can combine tropical activities with Christmas happenings. 

Christmas will look a little different than the North Pole in Cape Town, too, but don’t let that deter you from a visit. There are loads of Christmas markets and lights, and there’s a plethora of tasty food to try. You’ll most certainly enjoy your holiday in South Africa.