Christmas is one of my favorite times to travel with my family. For about 15 years, we have packed presents into our suitcases, found room for a tiny Christmas tree, and celebrated the holiday somewhere away from home.

Traveling at Christmas takes more planning than an ordinary vacation, but it has given our family some of our favorite memories. We have wandered through Christmas markets in France, watched cities light up for the holidays, attended Christmas concerts in historic churches, and found ways to keep our own traditions alive wherever we happen to be.

The best Christmas vacations for families are not all alike. Some destinations are filled with markets, lights and holiday events, while others offer snow, warm weather or a quiet place to spend time together. This guide includes Christmas destinations my family has personally experienced, along with a few carefully researched choices that are especially well suited to families.

1. New York City: Best Iconic Christmas Vacation

Personally visited at Christmas

I have lived near New York City for more than 25 years, and Christmas is still one of my favorite times to visit. The city looks exactly the way you hope it will, with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, elaborate Fifth Avenue windows, lights covering entire buildings and holiday music seemingly everywhere.

Families can see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, skate beneath the Rockefeller Center tree, browse the holiday market at Bryant Park and visit Macy’s Santaland. If you have time to leave Manhattan, the over-the-top Christmas lights in Dyker Heights are also worth seeing.

The downside is that Midtown becomes extremely crowded, particularly on weekends and during the week immediately before Christmas. If your schedule allows, visit in early December or go on a weekday morning. You will still get the full Christmas atmosphere without quite as much shoulder-to-shoulder congestion.

New York is one of the best Christmas vacations for families who want nonstop holiday excitement. There is always something festive to see, and many of the city’s best Christmas experiences—like looking at the decorated storefronts and walking past the Rockefeller Center tree—are completely free.

Best for: Families who want famous Christmas sights, shows and nonstop activity.

2. Quebec City: Best Fairytale Christmas Vacation

Personally visited at Christmas

Quebec City is one of the closest things you can find to a European Christmas vacation without leaving North America. The stone buildings, narrow streets and snow-covered rooftops of Old Quebec make the entire city feel like a Christmas village.

We have visited Quebec City at Christmas for more than 10 years. It is our personal favorite Christmas destination.

The most beautiful area is Quartier Petit Champlain, where lights, garlands and enormous decorations cover the historic buildings. Families can ride the funicular, walk along the Dufferin Terrace beside the Château Frontenac and warm up with hot chocolate after exploring the lower town. Earlier in December, the German Christmas Market adds wooden stalls, holiday food and festive entertainment at several locations around Old Quebec.

Quebec City is very cold at Christmas, but the cold is part of the experience. Pack good boots, warm layers and something to cover everyone’s faces. We have found that it works best to alternate time outside with museums, long meals and breaks at your hotel.

This is my top choice for families who want a snowy, old-fashioned Christmas without flying all the way to Europe.

Best for: Families looking for snow, historic streets and a European-style Christmas close to home.

3. London: Best for Christmas Lights and Holiday Shows

Personally visited at Christmas

London is spectacular at Christmas. The shopping streets are covered in lights, department stores create elaborate window displays and nearly every neighborhood has its own holiday market or seasonal event.

Some of the best lights are along Regent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and around Covent Garden. Families can also skate at one of the city’s seasonal ice rinks, see the enormous Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square or visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

One of my favorite London Christmas traditions is attending a pantomime. These funny, interactive family shows are extremely British, with silly jokes, music, audience participation and plenty of shouting at the stage. We had so much fun, even though it was unlike anything we normally see at home.

If you will be in London on Christmas Day, plan carefully. Most attractions, restaurants and shops close, and public transportation generally does not operate. Book Christmas lunch well ahead of time and choose accommodations in an area where you will be happy spending the day on foot.

Best for: Families who love Christmas lights, theater and big-city holiday energy.

4. Strasbourg: Best Large Christmas Market

Personally visited at Christmas

Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas, and it genuinely feels like the entire city participates. Its Christmas market is enormous, with wooden stalls spread across several squares in the historic center. You could spend days wandering through the different market areas.

What impressed me most was not just the official market decorations, but the way ordinary buildings decorated for Christmas. Enormous teddy bears, giant pretzels, oversized candy and elaborate garlands covered the storefronts and building façades. I have never seen outdoor Christmas decorations quite like them before or since.

We also attended a Christmas concert inside Strasbourg Cathedral, and it was one of the best Christmas concerts I have ever heard. Sitting inside that extraordinary cathedral while listening to the music made the entire trip feel special.

Strasbourg becomes extremely busy during the Christmas-market season, so reserve your hotel early and stay within walking distance of the historic center if possible. Check the market dates carefully if you are traveling over Christmas itself, since individual stalls and events may close before or around Christmas Day.

Best for: Families who want a huge European Christmas market and extraordinary holiday decorations.

5. Colmar: Best Small-City Christmas Markets

Personally visited at Christmas

Colmar already looks like a fairytale town, and Christmas makes it even more beautiful. The half-timbered buildings, canals and narrow streets are decorated with lights, greenery and ornaments, making the entire historic center feel like part of the celebration.

Rather than having one enormous market, Colmar has several smaller Christmas markets spread around the old town. I liked having some space between them because exploring never felt like walking through one endless row of stalls. Each area had a slightly different atmosphere, and moving between them gave us a chance to enjoy the town itself.

My kids especially loved a ride where they raced pretend horses while fake snow fell around them. It was such a simple thing, but it became one of those Christmas memories they talked about afterward.

Colmar is smaller and easier to manage than Strasbourg, although it still becomes crowded during December. The two cities are close enough to combine on one trip, giving families both a large Christmas-market experience and a more intimate one.

Best for: Families who want beautiful scenery, manageable markets and a storybook Christmas atmosphere.

6. Paris: Best Elegant City Christmas

Personally visited at Christmas

Paris is beautiful at any time of year, but at Christmas the lights make the entire city feel even more elegant. I especially remember the icicle lights that seemed to drip down the buildings. I had never seen lights like them before, and they appeared all over the city.

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is one of the best places to experience Christmas in Paris. The department store goes all out with elaborate holiday windows and an enormous Christmas tree beneath its stained-glass dome. Even if you do not plan to shop, it is worth visiting just to see the decorations.

One of my favorite memories was visiting Notre-Dame and listening to Christmas music being sung inside the cathedral. With the music, architecture and holiday atmosphere, it was one of those travel moments that felt completely different from celebrating Christmas at home.

Families can also see the lights along the Champs-Élysées, visit seasonal markets and admire the decorated storefronts throughout the city. Check Christmas Day schedules carefully, since many museums, shops and restaurants close or operate on reduced hours.

Best for: Families who want beautiful lights, iconic landmarks and an elegant European Christmas.

7. Kennebunkport, Maine: Best Coastal New England Christmas

Personally visited at Christmas

Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude is such a fun experience for kids. Throughout the event, there are family activities happening nearly every hour in different locations around town. One minute children might be coloring, and the next they may be making an ornament or helping their parents create a Christmas wreath.

The Christmas Hat Parade is especially fun, with families showing off creative and often very silly holiday hats as they make their way through town. Santa’s arrival is the crowning event of the weekend and one of the moments children will remember most.

What makes Kennebunkport special is that Christmas feels like a community celebration rather than a single attraction. Families move between shops, inns and gathering places, participating in activities along the way. The coastal setting also gives it a completely different atmosphere from a city Christmas market.

Check the Christmas Prelude calendar before choosing your dates because activities are spread across multiple days and locations. The most popular weekend events draw large crowds, so reserve accommodations early.

Best for: Families with younger children who enjoy crafts, parades and small-town Christmas traditions.

8. Walt Disney World: Best Theme-Park Christmas Vacation

Personally visited during the Christmas season

The decorations are honestly the best part of visiting Walt Disney World at Christmas. Every park and resort has its own style, from enormous trees and garlands to elaborate gingerbread displays. Even if you have visited Disney before, it feels completely different during the holidays.

I also love the different school choirs brought in to perform. There seems to be Christmas music everywhere you go, which adds to the atmosphere without requiring you to attend a separate ticketed event.

EPCOT is particularly fun for families because visiting the different country pavilions feels like experiencing Christmas in several destinations in one day. Families can learn about holiday traditions, hear seasonal stories and try Christmas foods from around the world.

We visited before Christmas rather than over Christmas Day itself, and that is what I would recommend if your schedule allows. You can enjoy the decorations and holiday entertainment while avoiding some of the enormous crowds that arrive during Christmas week.

Best for: Families who want Disney attractions combined with decorations, music and Christmas traditions from around the world.

9. Montreal: Best for Food and Indoor Christmas Activities

Personally visited at Christmas

Montreal has stolen my heart again and again, so one year we chose it instead of returning to Quebec City for Christmas. We dragged our presents, a faux tree, decorations and our three kids to a beautiful apartment and settled in expecting to be surrounded by Christmas magic.

There were some gorgeous moments. Old Montreal was the most festive part of the city, and the Great Montreal Christmas Market had excellent food and plenty of holiday atmosphere. The Aura light show inside Notre-Dame Basilica was one of the highlights of our trip, and Montreal’s restaurants and bakeries gave us plenty of places to warm up.

However, Montreal was not as consistently festive as we expected. The decorations and events were spread across the city, and we spent far too much time driving through awful traffic. If I planned the trip again, I would stay downtown near the Quartier des Spectacles or in Old Montreal so we could walk or use the metro.

Montreal can still be a good Christmas vacation for families who prioritize food, museums and indoor activities. But if you are choosing between Montreal and Quebec City specifically for Christmas atmosphere, I would choose Quebec City.

Best for: Families who want excellent food, Christmas markets and plenty of indoor options.

10. Vienna: Best for Christmas Music and Refined Markets

Personally visited at Christmas

The music is what made Vienna feel most like Christmas to me. Classical music is already such an important part of the city, but during the holiday season it seems to be everywhere. Concerts, choirs and musicians performing around the city create the kind of Christmas atmosphere I always hope to find when we travel.

Vienna’s Christmas markets are also gorgeous. They felt a little more refined than many of the other markets I have visited, with elegant decorations, beautiful gifts and Vienna’s grand architecture in the background.

The food was another highlight. I ate so much melted cheese, along with pastries and other warm market food that tasted especially good in the cold. Even if your children are not interested in shopping, stopping for something warm to eat makes wandering through the markets much more enjoyable.

Vienna is a particularly good choice for families who want the atmosphere of a traditional European Christmas market combined with museums, palaces and indoor activities.

Best for: Families who love Christmas music, beautiful markets and exceptionally good food.

11. Iceland: Best Christmas Adventure

Personally visited in winter

I have visited Iceland in winter rather than over Christmas itself, but it is one of the most memorable winter destinations our family has experienced. Reykjavík fills the dark season with lights, and Iceland’s traditions—including the 13 Yule Lads—give Christmas a character you will not find anywhere else.

Families can soak in geothermal pools, search for the Northern Lights and take winter tours from Reykjavík. I saw the Northern Lights for the first time on a boat tour from the city, which was an unforgettable experience. We also visited several geothermal spas, and slipping into hot water surrounded by cold winter air was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Winter driving was much more challenging than I expected. Weather and road conditions changed quickly, and we were unable to complete everything we planned along the Golden Circle. Families who are not comfortable driving on icy roads should stay in Reykjavík and book guided excursions instead.

Iceland is expensive and daylight is limited in December, but it is a wonderful choice for families who would rather have an adventure than spend the entire vacation shopping at Christmas markets.

Best for: Families who want Northern Lights, geothermal pools and a true winter adventure.

12. Branson, Missouri: Best for Christmas Shows

Visited by a contributor

Branson is one of the best Christmas vacations for families who want a full schedule of shows, lights and holiday attractions. A Travels With The Crew contributor visited Branson during the Christmas season and found that the city offers far more than a single weekend’s worth of festive activities.

Silver Dollar City is the centerpiece of Christmas in Branson, with millions of lights, holiday food, rides and seasonal entertainment. Families can also ride the Polar Express, see a Christmas production at Sight & Sound Theatres, attend Dolly Parton’s Stampede Christmas show or choose from the city’s many music performances.

Branson also has several drive-through light displays, which are especially convenient for families with younger children or anyone who needs a break from walking in the cold. The new Branson Christkindlmarket adds another traditional Christmas experience to the city’s lineup.

There is a lot happening at once, so choose your must-do shows before your trip and reserve tickets early. Trying to fit in everything can make the vacation feel rushed.

Best for: Families who love live entertainment, Christmas lights and a packed holiday itinerary.

13. Lapland, Finland: Best Santa Christmas Vacation

Researched recommendation

For children who still believe in Santa, few Christmas vacations can compete with Finnish Lapland. Rovaniemi is known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, and families can visit Santa Claus Village, cross the Arctic Circle and send postcards from Santa’s post office.

Beyond meeting Santa, families can ride in a reindeer sleigh, take a husky safari, play in deep snow and look for the Northern Lights. Glass-roofed cabins and cozy woodland accommodations make the experience feel even more magical.

Lapland requires careful planning. December has very little daylight, temperatures can be extremely cold and Christmas trips are expensive. Flights, accommodations and popular activities often book far in advance, so this is not a vacation to plan at the last minute.

I have not personally visited Lapland at Christmas, but it consistently appears among the top family Christmas destinations because it turns the story of Santa into a complete winter experience.

Best for: Families with younger children who want a once-in-a-lifetime Santa vacation.

14. San Diego: Best Warm-Weather US Christmas Vacation

Researched recommendation

San Diego is a good choice for families who want Christmas decorations and seasonal activities without snow, ice or heavy winter coats. December weather is generally mild enough for outdoor sightseeing, although it may not be warm enough for a traditional beach day.

Many of the city’s biggest family attractions celebrate the season. The San Diego Zoo hosts holiday entertainment and lights, LEGOLAND California adds Christmas decorations and character events, and SeaWorld offers seasonal shows. Families can also see the famous beachfront ice rink at Hotel del Coronado, where skaters glide beside the Pacific Ocean.

San Diego works particularly well for families who want a familiar Christmas atmosphere but need a break from cold weather. You can mix holiday activities with the zoo, beaches, museums in Balboa Park and other attractions that are enjoyable throughout the year.

Seasonal events and dates change annually, so check each attraction’s calendar before booking your trip.

Best for: Families who want holiday activities, major attractions and mild winter weather.

15. Cancun, Mexico: Best Beach Christmas Vacation

Personally visited during Christmas week

We visited Cancun during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and the resorts treated the holiday season like one enormous party. There were Christmas-themed activities throughout our stay, including karaoke, ornament making and plenty of organized events for children.

The weather was glorious. After so many cold-weather Christmas trips, it felt completely different to spend the holiday week outside in the sunshine and near the water. You still get decorations, music and family activities, but without boots, heavy coats or worrying about icy roads.

A resort Christmas also removes some of the work that comes with celebrating away from home. Activities are already planned, restaurants are close by and families can spend time together without creating an entire Christmas schedule themselves.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is one of Cancun’s busiest and most expensive periods, so book well ahead and expect full resorts. For our family, however, the combination of beautiful weather and nonstop activities made it a genuinely fun way to celebrate.

Best for: Families who want warm weather, resort activities and a completely different kind of Christmas vacation.

What Families Should Know Before Traveling Over Christmas

After traveling over Christmas with our children for about 15 years, I have learned that a Christmas vacation requires more planning than an ordinary family trip.

Check What Is Open on Christmas Day

Do not assume attractions, restaurants or public transportation will operate normally on December 25. In some cities, almost everything closes. Research Christmas Day separately from the rest of your trip and make restaurant reservations well in advance.

Stay Somewhere With Enough Space

We often choose an apartment so we have room to celebrate together. A kitchen also makes it easier to prepare breakfast, store Christmas food and eat a simple meal when restaurants are closed.

Bring a Little Christmas With You

We pack a few presents, stockings, familiar decorations and sometimes a small artificial tree. You do not need to recreate Christmas at home, but a few traditions can make an unfamiliar hotel or apartment feel special.

Buy Groceries Before Christmas Day

Pick up breakfast food, snacks and anything you may need by Christmas Eve. Even in large cities, grocery stores may close early on Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas Day.

Plan Less Than You Normally Would

Holiday travel is tiring, and winter weather can make getting around slower. Leave time to open presents, eat a long meal and simply be together. Some of our favorite Christmas travel memories happened when we were not rushing to the next attraction.

Confirm Event Dates Carefully

A destination may advertise wonderful Christmas markets and events that end before December 25. Always check exact dates before booking a trip specifically around one attraction.

FAQ About Christmas Vacations for Families

What is the best Christmas vacation for families?

New York City is one of the best choices for families who want famous Christmas sights and nonstop activities. Quebec City is better for a snowy fairytale atmosphere, while Cancun is a good choice for families who prefer warm weather and resort activities.

What are the best Christmas vacations in the US for families?

New York City, Walt Disney World, Kennebunkport, Branson and San Diego are all excellent US Christmas vacations for families. Each offers a different experience, from big-city lights and theme parks to small-town traditions and warm weather.

What are the best European Christmas destinations for families?

London, Strasbourg, Colmar, Paris and Vienna are some of the best European Christmas destinations for families. Strasbourg and Colmar are particularly good for Christmas markets, while London offers lights, theater and family attractions.

Where can families go for a warm Christmas vacation?

Cancun and San Diego are good warm-weather Christmas destinations. Cancun offers beach weather and resort activities, while San Diego combines mild temperatures with zoos, theme parks and seasonal events.

How can families make a Christmas vacation more affordable?

Travel earlier in December instead of during Christmas week, compare apartments with hotel rooms and choose a destination with free lights, markets and public events. Driving to a nearby Christmas town can also cost much less than flying the entire family during the holiday season.

How far in advance should you book a Christmas vacation?

Book popular Christmas destinations six to twelve months ahead, particularly if you need a family-sized room or plan to travel during Christmas week. Flights, apartments, holiday meals and special events often sell out much earlier than they would at other times of year.

Is it difficult to travel on Christmas Day?

Christmas Day can be one of the quietest travel days, but transportation schedules are often reduced and many restaurants and attractions close. Confirm every part of your plan in advance, reserve a holiday meal and buy groceries by Christmas Eve.

Choosing the Best Christmas Vacation for Your Family

The best Christmas vacation depends on how your family likes to celebrate. Some families want snow, lights and busy Christmas markets. Others would rather spend the holiday beside a pool while someone else plans the activities.

After traveling over Christmas for about 15 years, I have learned that the destination matters less than having enough time to enjoy being together. Bring a few traditions from home, leave room in the itinerary for things to go wrong and do not try to recreate your usual Christmas perfectly.

Whether you choose the lights of New York City, the markets of Strasbourg, the snowy streets of Quebec City or the beaches of Cancun, celebrating somewhere new can become one of your family’s favorite traditions.