If there’s ever a time to pack your bags and chase a little extra wonder, it’s Christmas. From snowy villages wrapped in twinkling lights to bustling cities where holiday traditions are celebrated with gusto, the world overflows with places where the season truly feels magical. Whether you dream of sipping mulled wine beside a medieval market or decorating the sandcastles with seashells, here are five of the best destinations to experience the holiday cheer at its very brightest.
1. Nuremberg, Germany: Christkindlesmarkt Magic
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Step into a holiday fairytale in Nuremberg, home to one of the world’s oldest and most beloved Christmas markets—Christkindlesmarkt. As December settles in, the medieval Old Town comes alive with festive wooden stalls, the scent of roasting sausages and spicy gingerbread threading through the crisp air. Everywhere you look, red-and-white striped canopies stretch above vendors selling nutcrackers, handmade ornaments, and steaming mugs of glühwein (mulled wine).
The nightly lighting of the enormous Christmas tree in the Hauptmarkt square is a city-wide event. The sounds of jovial choirs and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages evoke centuries of tradition. Wandering these cobbled lanes as soft snow drifts down, it’s easy to feel like you’ve wandered into a storybook. Come hungry, dress warmly, and grab a bag of Nuremberger Lebkuchen for the road.
2. Quebec City, Canada: A North American Fairytale
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It’s sometimes said that Quebec City is the most European corner of North America, but visit during Christmas and it becomes something more—a snowy wonderland wrapped in Old World charm. The city’s stone buildings and narrow lanes of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site, look like a real-life snow globe dusted with lights and wreaths.
French-Canadian traditions are everywhere: carolers fill the air with lively tunes, public squares host open-air skating rinks, and temporarily, maple taffy booths appear, pouring hot syrup onto clean snow for a classic treat. Don’t miss the German Christmas Market for a taste of Bavaria and browse Rue du Petit-Champlain for artisanal gifts. As the bells of Notre-Dame ring out and the scent of woodsmoke and spruce drifts through the cold, you’ll swear you’ve landed in a holiday postcard.
3. Vienna, Austria: Baroque Elegance Meets Yuletide Splendor
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Nowhere does elegance quite like Vienna at Christmas. Picture grand Baroque palaces lit with thousands of fairy lights, the scent of roasted chestnuts floating through stately squares, and the sound of a classical quartet echoing in the frosty evening. Vienna’s Christmas markets, particularly at Rathausplatz and Schönbrunn Palace, are irresistible: think hand-blown baubles, heart-shaped gingerbread, and velvety Sachertorte just waiting to be sampled.
What surprised me, strolling Vienna’s markets last December, was how communal it all felt. Locals share steaming mugs of punch with strangers, children dart around ice rinks, and there’s a collective savouring of old traditions—crystal snowflakes, Advent choirs, and live nativity scenes. For a truly Viennese touch, catch a Christmas concert at the Musikverein or stop by a cosy café for apfelstrudel.
4. New York City, USA: The Ultimate Urban Christmas Spectacle
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No list of Christmas destinations would be complete without New York City—a metropolis renowned for turning the holidays into a full-blown spectacle. From the towering Rockefeller Center Christmas tree (with its 50,000 sparkling lights) to the synchronized skating at its iconic rink, NYC buzzes with festive energy. Fifth Avenue’s elaborate window displays dazzle crowds, and the scent of roasted chestnuts lingers above food carts.
There’s so much to take in: the Rockettes at Radio City, Manhattan’s pop-up holiday markets, and the pure delight of snow falling over Central Park. Even locals seem to move with an extra spring in their step this time of year. The city’s diversity means you’ll find Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa celebrations in full swing, making for a truly multicultural feast of sights and flavours.
5. Sydney, Australia: Sun, Sand, and Holiday Spirit
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If your idea of Christmas is more sunshine than snowfall, Sydney offers a dazzling twist on the winter holidays. Here, Santa trades his sleigh for a surfboard, and Christmas lunch often means a seafood picnic on Bondi Beach. You’ll spot families in reindeer antlers building sandcastles, and you might join thousands at “Carols by Candlelight” in the Royal Botanic Garden, as the warm air fills with song.
Sydney’s streets glow with festive projections and holiday parades, and the shops bristle with creative down-under Christmas décor (think kangaroo tree ornaments and starfish wreaths). Sampling a pavlova—a meringue dessert topped with fruit—is a must. The juxtaposition of palm trees and twinkle lights is surprisingly charming, offering holiday magic, Aussie-style.
