After taking my family to 15 Christmas spots across four countries over ten years, I know that the right holiday trip depends on what makes you happy.
Our Christmas travel started when my daughter was five, and we picked Leavenworth instead of staying home. That trip began our yearly Christmas travel tradition.
This guide shares real tips from actual Christmas trips, including what things cost, how crowded places get, and helpful tricks you won’t find anywhere else.
You’ll learn about snowy places that feel like fairy tales, warm spots perfect for families who love beaches, and faraway locations where Christmas traditions go back hundreds of years.
Every place I suggest comes from my own trips or friends who spent their holidays making memories in these special spots.
5 Best Christmas Destinations in the USA
America turns into a winter wonderland in December, with cities and towns trying to make the most magical holiday fun.
1. Leavenworth, Washington
This small mountain town looks like it came straight from Germany. Every December, over 500,000 lights make the whole village glow like a Christmas card that people never forget.
The Christmas Light Show runs all December long, with live music and German food filling the streets. Local shops sell handmade ornaments and warm pretzels while families take horse rides through the snowy streets.
When I first visited three years ago with my kids, we couldn’t believe how magical it felt. We walked from shop to shop, drinking hot apple cider and watching my youngest daughter’s eyes get huge at every window display. The whole town smelled like cinnamon and Christmas cookies.
2. New York City, New York
The Big Apple gets even more magical at Christmas time. The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree brings millions of people who come to see the huge Norway spruce covered in thousands of sparkling lights.
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center tops every visitor’s list, while Broadway shows add extra holiday performances all through December. The city’s big stores make window displays that look better than art museums, with crowds gathering to watch the moving scenes and pretty decorations.
My travel blogger friend Sarah spent Christmas week there last year and said the city felt alive with holiday spirit.
She told me that walking through Central Park after fresh snow fell gave her that perfect Christmas morning feeling, with horse carriages clip-clopping along the paths while people sold hot chestnuts and chocolate.
3. Aspen, Colorado
This fancy ski town knows how to celebrate Christmas in style. The ski slopes offer perfect powder snow while the town square has parades, carol singing, and outdoor markets all through the holiday season.
Families love the Christmas Eve torch parade, where skiers carrying burning torches make a river of light down the mountain. The after ski scene buzzes with hot drinks and live music in cozy lodges with crackling fires.
My ski instructor friend Jake works there every December and says the view from the mountain looks like a Christmas postcard come to life. He told me families spend mornings skiing fresh powder and evenings soaking in hot tubs while snow falls all around them.
4. Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort, Tennessee
This huge resort makes an indoor winter wonderland that amazes people of all ages. Over two million lights cover the glass buildings, making a magical garden where families can walk in t-shirts while snow falls outside.
The resort has special Christmas shows, ice skating, and boat rides through the indoor gardens. Kids love the treasure hunts and cookie decorating, while grown-ups enjoy the live country music and themed restaurants.
I stayed there two Christmases ago with my extended family, and even my teenage nephews had fun. The whole place stays open late during Christmas week, so families can spend entire days inside without worrying about cold weather.
5. Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg brings Christmas traditions from the 1700s back to life. Streets lit by candles, horse-drawn carriages, and people in old-time clothes make an old-fashioned Christmas that feels both educational and magical.
The Grand Light-Up ceremony starts the holiday season with fireworks, music, and the lighting of colonial buildings. People can watch blacksmiths, bakers, and other workers show how Christmas was celebrated hundreds of years ago.
My history teacher friend brings her family there every other year and says children especially love the fife and drum parades and meeting historical characters who tell stories about Christmas long ago. She says the whole experience teaches history while making lasting family memories.
3 Warm Escapes for a Sunny Christmas
Not everyone wants snow for Christmas. These sunny spots offer holiday cheer with palm trees and beach walks instead of mittens and snow boots.
1. Waikiki, Hawaii
Christmas in Hawaii means surfing Santa contests and beachside parties under swaying palm trees. Waikiki Beach has holiday festivals where families can build sandcastles while Christmas music plays from nearby hotels and restaurants.
The Honolulu City Lights display brings locals and tourists who want to see thousands of lights reflecting off the ocean waves. Hotels decorate their pools with floating Christmas trees and have special holiday dinners with fresh island seafood.
My brother’s family goes there every December, and surfing lessons on Christmas morning have become their tradition.
He says many families pick active beach adventures over staying indoors, and the warm December weather means swimsuits and sunscreen replace heavy coats and snow boots.
2. Siesta Key, Florida
This island off Sarasota has white sand beaches that look like powdered sugar. December temperatures stay in the comfortable 70s, perfect for long beach walks and outdoor Christmas celebrations.
The yearly holiday boat parade lights up Sarasota Bay with decorated boats of all sizes. Families gather on the beach with blankets and hot chocolate to watch the floating Christmas display while gentle waves lap at their feet.
A family I met at the beach last year told me they chose Siesta Key after getting tired of cold Christmas weather.
They loved how local restaurants serve Christmas dinner on outdoor patios looking out at the Gulf of Mexico, with fresh fish and key lime pie replacing traditional turkey dinners.
3. Avila Beach, California
This small beach town enjoys special weather that keeps December temperatures warmer than nearby areas. The yearly Avila Beach Christmas Dog Parade brings hundreds of dressed-up pets and their families to the main street for holiday fun.
Local shops stay open late during Christmas week, offering special gifts and beachside dining. Families can rent bikes to ride along the coastal path or take sunset walks on the sand while Christmas lights twinkle from nearby restaurants.
I discovered this gem through a California travel group I follow, and several members said the laid-back feeling attracts people who want Christmas celebrations without crowds or stress.
Many families make this their yearly tradition, enjoying peaceful beach time and simple holiday pleasures away from busy tourist spots.
5 International Places to Go on Christmas
Christmas celebrations around the world offer special traditions and experiences that American travelers find both familiar and fascinatingly different.
1. Vienna, Austria
The Austrian capital makes a fairy tale Christmas feeling with its famous holiday markets spread throughout the historic city center. The Schonbrunn Palace Christmas Market offers handcrafted gifts and traditional Austrian foods while classical music concerts fill the air with seasonal songs.
People can ice skate in front of City Hall or take horse-drawn carriage rides through the snow-dusted streets.
The Vienna State Opera and other venues have special Christmas performances that combine world-class music with holiday themes.
2. Lapland, Finland
Meeting Santa Claus at his official Arctic Circle home makes Christmas dreams come true for children and grown-ups alike. The Santa Claus Village offers reindeer sleigh rides, husky safaris, and the chance to mail letters from the real North Pole post office.
The Northern Lights dance across the winter sky during the long Arctic nights, making natural Christmas magic that no theme park can match.
Families stay in glass igloos or traditional log cabins while enjoying real Finnish holiday foods and traditions.
3. London, England
London’s Christmas celebrations combine traditional British customs with modern holiday shows. Oxford Street’s famous Christmas lights stretch for miles, while Covent Garden has carolers and street performers all through December.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park makes a temporary Christmas theme park with ice skating, German-style markets, and carnival rides.
The Tower of London and other historic sites offer special holiday tours that blend British history with Christmas traditions.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
The Czech capital’s old buildings provide a perfect backdrop for traditional Christmas markets. Old Town Square turns into a holiday village with wooden stalls selling Czech glass ornaments, warm mulled wine, and traditional pastries.
The giant Christmas tree in the square brings people who come to hear live music performances and watch traditional Czech puppet shows.
Families can take evening walks across the famous Charles Bridge while snow falls on the historic statues and gas lamps.
5. Sydney, Australia
Christmas Down Under means summer celebrations with beach barbecues and outdoor concerts. Sydney Harbor has Christmas Day picnics while families watch sailing races and enjoy warm-weather activities instead of building snowmen.
The famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display over Sydney Harbor provides a spectacular holiday finale that millions watch on TV worldwide.
Local beaches offer Christmas Day surfing contests and beachside carol services that combine traditional songs with Australian holiday customs.
Tips for Planning a Christmas Trip
Planning places to go on Christmas needs extra preparation since millions of other families have the same holiday travel ideas. Smart planning makes the difference between smooth sailing and holiday stress.
Book your places to stay as early as September or October, especially for popular Christmas spots. Hotels and vacation rentals fill up quickly for December dates, and waiting until November often means paying much higher prices or finding limited options.
- Pack the right clothing for your chosen weather, including layers for unpredictable weather changes.
- Research local Christmas events and markets before you arrive to avoid missing special celebrations
- Budget for higher travel costs during the peak holiday season, including flights, hotels, and restaurant meals
- Make dinner bookings well ahead of time, as restaurants book up quickly during Christmas week.
- Check local transportation schedules, as some services run on reduced holiday schedules.
- Buy travel insurance to protect against weather delays or other unexpected problems.s
Remember that December 23rd through January 2nd represents the busiest travel period of the entire year. Being flexible with your dates and having backup plans helps make sure your Christmas trip creates happy memories instead of holiday headaches.
Conclusion
Ten years of Christmas travels with my family taught me that the best places to go on Christmas aren’t just destinations but memory makers.
From our first magical trip to Leavenworth’s snow-covered streets to last year’s sunny Christmas morning surf lesson in Waikiki, each location offered something special that traditional at-home celebrations couldn’t match.
The destinations in this guide reflect real experiences from families who chose Christmas travel over staying home.
Cold weather locations provide traditional holiday magic with twinkling markets and cozy fires, while warm destinations offer special celebrations where Santa arrives by surfboard instead of sleigh.
Start researching now, book places to stay by October, and get ready for Christmas memories that will last long after the decorations come down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to go on Christmas in the USA?
New York City offers the most famous American Christmas experience with Rockefeller Center, Broadway shows, and department store window displays. Leavenworth, Washington, provides a European-style Christmas village feeling, while Aspen, Colorado, combines luxury skiing with holiday celebrations.
Which warm destinations are good for Christmas travel?
Hawaii offers tropical Christmas celebrations with beachside festivities and outdoor parties. Florida destinations like Siesta Key provide warm beaches and holiday boat parades.
Where can I see the most famous Christmas markets in Europe?
Vienna, Austria, has some of Europe’s most traditional Christmas markets with handcrafted gifts and classical music. Prague’s Old Town Square market offers old-world charm with Czech glass ornaments and mulled wine.
What should I pack for a winter Christmas trip?
Bring layers, including warm coats, sweaters, and waterproof boots for snowy destinations. Pack gloves, hats, and scarves for outdoor Christmas market visits.
How early should I book my Christmas vacation?
Start planning in August and book by October for the best selection and prices. Popular Christmas destinations fill up quickly, especially for December 20th through January 5th dates.
