12 Best Places To Go for Christmas That Feel Like They’re Straight Out of a Snow Globe

Cities worldwide transform every December with colorful lights, festive events, and fun traditions. However, the best places to go for Christmas in the world may be different from where you expect.

Everyone’s ideal Christmas adventure may be different. Some imagine walking through a Christmas market, mulled wine in hand, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Others dream of sambaing on the beach with bikinis and Christmas hats.

Whatever your holiday jam is, you’ll find several destinations worldwide that live up to the hype during the holidays. Below are the 12 best places to go for Christmas in the world.

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Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is ground zero for fairytale-inspired Christmas celebrations. You can relive your favorite Hans Christian Andersen tales.

Grab some delicious pastries and artisanal crafts at the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas market. Then, ride on the classic rides of Tivoli Gardens and admire the beautiful lights.

At night, the city turns into a celebration of lights, hot drinks, and endless fun. Head to the Banegården neighborhood for hot gløgg and colorful decorations. Then, take a Christmas-themed self-guided audio tour of the city center.

One of the best things to see is the Santa Lucia kayak parade. Hundreds of brightly lit kayaks cruise down the city’s canals in a festive celebration like nowhere else.

New York City, New York

Destinations for Christmas Experience in the World New York City, USA — © Taiga / Adobe Stock

New York City packs Christmas traditions with New York flare to create one of the best Christmas celebrations in the world. You can re-enact your favorite Christmas movies by ice skating in Central Park or caroling in Times Square.

Visit the city’s famous Christmas markets to shop for artisanal products and sample apple cider donuts, a New York specialty. Then, tour the Big Apple’s monuments, like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, before seeing Christmas lights in Dyker Heights, one of the best neighborhoods for Christmas decorations.

If you have time, do what every New Yorker loves to do on the holidays and museum hop. Throughout the season, the city’s famous museums put on exciting events and colorful decorations, making them the perfect respite from the snowy weather outside.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is one of the best Christmas destinations in the world. No snow, sweaters, or sledding? No problem! In Brazil’s capital of fun and culture, December is the hottest time of the year, and Brazilians know how to stay cool.

You can grab a refreshing caipirinha on the beaches of Ipanema. Then head to the festive Festival de Presépios Christmas display before biking around the Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon to see the world’s largest floating Christmas tree, a 249-foot tall, 250-ton spectacle.

After taking in the city’s Christmas decorations, tour through Rio’s iconic sights, such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf. Then, head to a samba club to celebrate the holidays moving to some of the best dance music on the planet. You’ll never dream of a snowy Christmas again.

Basel, Switzerland

Basel is one of the best cities in Europe for Christmas. It offers everything for visitors, from world-renowned holiday markets to festive events and local traditions.

Head to Münsterplatz to enjoy one of the city’s top Christmas markets and admire its towering Christmas tree. You’ll walk amongst holiday decor and sample the local cheeses and hot drinks.

Then, head to Barfüsserplatz market to take in even more celebrations. You’ll shop and chat with hundreds of vendors set up in wooden chalets. Hop into the Basel Historical Museum afterward and continue celebrating outside with Christmas parties and live entertainment.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin may be famous for its museums, restaurants, and techno parties, but it’s also one of the best places in the world to go for Christmas. Take your time to stroll through over a hundred Christmas markets and spend your night savoring mulled wine and currywurst.

Start at the famous Christmas Market at Berlin City Hall to see the Ferris wheel and shop till you drop. Then, make your way to Charlottenburg Palace’s eye-catching Christmas market to see horse-drawn carriages and tons of colorful lights.

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For a unique experience, spend the evening at one of the city’s medieval-inspired markets at the RAW Compound and the 18th-century Britz Palace. End your night standing in line to see Berlin’s hottest event. Just remember, wear all black, look like you belong, and do not talk or smile. Only then will the bouncer consider letting you in to see Santa.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin may not have the snowy Christmas feel of other European cities, but it sure does the holiday right. Come to the city looking to celebrate and enjoy its live music, Christmas festivals, and, of course, Guinness!

Head to Grafton Street to enjoy the lit-up streets and shops. Then, check out the city’s Christmas markets throughout the parks and plazas of the city center.

End your nights seeing live music and performances in the city’s bars. The following day, take a trip to Phoenix Park and the Dublin Zoo to see Wild Lights, one of Europe’s biggest holiday lights events.

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Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong may not have the cold weather you’d expect from a top Christmas destination, but it sure makes up for it with its light shows. Every Christmas season, the already brightly lit city becomes even brighter.

As the sun goes down, you’ll see the nightly Symphony of Lights show, where the entire skyline is colored in choreographed holiday light shows. After the event, you can wander through the city’s packed Christmas markets and eat until you drop.

The city hosts several holiday-themed events and parties that are not to be missed. If you love live music, warm weather, and incredible light shows, Hong Kong can’t be beaten.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh lights up around the holiday season, becoming one of the world’s best hidden places to celebrate Christmas. You’ll find plenty of markets, lights, historical architecture, and endless fun and celebrations.

Head downtown to the city’s Christmas markets and enjoy caroling, live music, and warm food and drinks. Then, put on your ice skates at St Andrew Square and twirl on the seasonal ice rink.

After taking in the city’s magic during Christmas Day, consider staying for New Year’s Eve. Edinburgh rings in the new year like nowhere else with its three-day Hogmanay Festival.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is one of the best places in the world for the holidays. Imagine medieval streets lit up in vivid color displays and endless beer and mulled wine to go with warm plates of dumplings. Yes, this may be as close to a holiday miracle as you can get.

You can walk through dozens of world-famous Christmas markets, each framed by striking gothic architecture. You’ll find live music, homemade food, and plenty of homemade crafts.

After shopping, warm up by a fireplace in one of the city’s famous taverns. You can dance to live music or admire the festive celebrations over a massive plate of ham and goulash. Na zdraví!

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg may be the best place in the world for a fairytale-style Christmas. You’ll gaze up at the monumental Fortress Hohensalzburg and the medieval city center, which is covered in lights.

In town is the Christkindlmarkt, one of the world’s oldest Christmas markets. You’ll see vendors, merchants, and performers celebrating in style. Enjoy mulled wine, hot drinks, homemade treats, and all the charming activities you could imagine.

You can spend weeks in the Salzburg countryside. Here, you’ll find charming inns and centuries-old Christmas traditions that make you feel like you’ve entered a storybook.

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a city with beautiful medieval architecture and some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Between its historic architecture, cobblestone streets, and festive decor, it’s really hard to find a more romantic holiday destination.

Aside from its markets, the highlight of Bruges is the Light Experience Winter Glow Trail. You can walk through the lit-up streets of the city center. Historic monuments such as the Church of Our Lady Tower are lit up in incredible displays.

When you take in the lights and architecture, you can sip on the city’s famous hot chocolate. Don’t forget to leave plenty of time to wander through the streets and take in the medieval streets and city scenes.

Montreal, Canada

Montreal is one of the best cities in North America for celebrating Christmas. You’ll find European-style Christmas markets, beautiful decorations, and Canadian hospitality everywhere you look.

When you arrive, head to the Notre Dame Basilica and admire one of the most striking buildings on the continent, covered in snow and lights. Then, make your way through downtown and marvel at the beautiful lights and markets.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the holiday events at Jacques-Cartier Square, near the old city port. Here, you can enjoy craft beers, cocktails, homemade food, and Christmas-themed activities galore. Although it’ll be freezing outside, you may not want to go home.