Most Magical Christmas Destinations Around The World

The jolly season is upon us, bringing with it the promise of twinkling lights, heartwarming traditions, and a sense of magic that spreads across the globe. While Christmas is celebrated differently around the world, there are a few destinations that take this holiday to sparkling new heights. Have you imagined celebrating your holiday in a whole different manner? Maybe sipping mulled wine in a lively market surrounded by medieval architecture or walking through a snowing village straight out of a fairytale?

It's not just the picture-perfect setting that makes these destinations truly magical - it's the stories they tell. Each destination brings its unique style to Christmas weaving together centuries-old traditions, culinary masterpieces and unforgettable experiences.

Let's Unwrap These Most Magical Christmas Destinations

Well, if you don't know it already, Rovaniemi isn't just a Christmas destination - it's The Christmas Destination. Officially considered as the hometown of Santa Claus, there is no other place in the world like Rovaniemi during Christmas.

What to do in Rovaniemi during Christmas

• Meet the man, the Santa himself

• Send a postcard from Santa's official post office. To add to your delight it is also stamped with a special Arctic Circle postmark

• Experience reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobile safaris and husky sledding in a winter fairytale landscape.

• Indulge in traditional Finnish delicacies such as loimulohi served with lingonberry sauce

Have you ever wondered if the Christmas shown in movies and TV series is for real? New York City is your answer. Every corner in New York sparkles with festive spirit. The city comes alive with cheerful people and the fragrance of Christmas delicacies mixed with a cold breeze, making it one of the most beautiful Christmas destinations.

What to do in New York City during Christmas

• Adore the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree, a 25-metre-tall spectacle adorned with more than 50,000 LED lights

• Ice skate in Central Park or at Bryant Park's Winter Village

• Savour the festive treats like eggnog, hot apple cider and the classic New York-style cheesecake served with a holiday twist

Strasbourg is also known as the "Capital of Christmas" and you will be compelled to believe so as soon as you step here during the festival. The true festive charm of Strasbourg is rooted in its historic Christmas markets, which date back to the 1570s.

What to do in Strasbourg during Christmas

• Explore the Christkindelsmarik - the oldest and the most enchanting Christmas market

• Sip on Vin Chaud with bredele cookies while browsing handcrafted ornaments

• Raid your social media with the breathtaking Christmas Tree in Place Kleber, surrounded by fairy-lit timber houses

If there is one destination in the world that celebrates Christmas in its own way, Tokyo takes the crown. Extravagant light displays, themed events and a truly fascinating tradition that involves fried chicken. Yup! You heard that right. 

What to do in Tokyo during Christmas

• Adore the spectacular illuminations at Roppongi Hills and Marunouchi Nakadori Street

• Double your fun with Japan's quirky tradition of eating KFC "Christmas Chicken". This tradition is so popular that you have to pre-order meals weeks in advance

• Visit Tokyo's Disneyland to live the Christmas Fantasy event for a blend of Disney magic and holiday cheer

Amongst the advancement of a mega city lies hidden, the cobblestone streets, snow-covered rooftops and the magical Christmas village soul of Quebec City that comes alive during the festival and that's exactly what makes this city one of the most magical Christmas destinations. 

What to do in Quebec City during Christmas

• Shop till you drop at the German Christmas Market, where stalls sell everything Christmas, from mulled wine to cookies and handcrafted toys

• Treat your taste buds with Quebecois specialties like tourtiere and sugar pie

• Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Old Quebec where every corner is decked in the festive spelndour

The legends say 'Think Christmas Markets, Think Germany' and when it comes to Christmas markets, Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt is the most magical of them all. 

What to do in Nuremberg during Christmas

• Fill your fur coats and stockings with traditional Bavarian gifts like carved wooden ornaments, handmade candles and a lot more

• Taste authentic lebkuchen and chug gluhwein that fills like a warm hug on snowy winter nights

• The children's markets featuring vintage carousels and craft workshops are like little haven for your little ones

If a cold and snowy Christmas is not your thing then head to Sydney where the summer vibes give a fresh twist to the holiday celebrations. You never know, you might just see Santa swapping his sleigh with a surfboard.

What to do in Sydney during Christmas

• How about celebrating Christmas with a juicy barbecue at Bondi Beach?

• Witness the Lights of Christmas at St. Mary's Cathedral, a magical show that attracts visitors from across the country

• Indulge in Aussie holiday favourites such as pavlova topped with fresh fruits and shrimp cocktails 

Bethlehem is the biblical birthplace of Jesus, do we need to say anything more? For a deeply spiritual Christmas experience unlike any other, head straight to this magical Christmas destination.

What to do in Bethlehem during Christmas

• Attend the Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity for a profoundly moving experience

• Visit Manger Square, where carol singing and festive lights bring the story of Christmas to life

• Enjoy traditional Middle Eastern dishes like maqluba and falafel made specially for holiday feasts

In Reykjavik, Christmas folklores are combined with unparalleled festive fun which makes it one of the most cheerful Christmas destinations in the world.

What to do in Reykjavik during Christmas

• Meet the 13 mischievous Yule Lads who each have their own quirky traits for you to figure out

• Take a dip into the famous and warm Blue Lagoon surrounded by snowy mountains

• Relish Icelandic Christmas offerings and holiday staples such as smoked lamb and laufabrauo

If the combination of elegant streets and historic buildings adorned with lights and festive decoration isn't the perfect backdrop for Christmas then we don't know what else is! There is no better destination in the world better than Vienna for a traditional European Christmas.

What to do in Vienna during Christmas

• Visit the Christmas Market at Schonbrunn Palace, where royal surroundings add a regal touch to holiday shopping

• Enjoy a classical music concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss

• Indulge in sacher torte and apfelstrudel, two Austrian classics that taste even better during the holidays

So what's gonna be your holiday destination this Christmas?

FAQs

Where to go for Christmas in Asia?

• Tokyo, Japan

• Philippines

• Pondicherry, India

Where is the cheapest place to travel for Christmas?

• Hat Yai, Thailand

• Zagreb, Croatia

• Mexico

• Goa, India

• Bologna, Italy

Which country celebrates Christmas for the longest time?

The Philippines is known for celebrating Christmas for the longest time, with its festive season starting as early as September and lasting until January 6th.