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Christmas Holidays, Festive Breaks & Magical Winter Escapes
Whether your perfect Christmas means wandering through twinkling Christmas markets, meeting Santa in Lapland, sailing on a festive river cruise or simply escaping somewhere special with the people you love, Christmas holidays create memories that last long after the decorations have been packed away.
For some, it’s wrapping up with a mug of mulled wine beneath thousands of festive lights. For others, it’s watching children experience the magic of Christmas for the first time, discovering centuries-old traditions in Europe’s most beautiful cities or enjoying a relaxing festive escape somewhere completely different.
Whatever Christmas means to you, this guide is packed with inspiration, practical travel advice and unforgettable destinations to help you plan your perfect festive getaway.
❤️ Air Holiday Picks
Looking for inspiration? These are the Christmas holidays we’d recommend first.
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🎄 Our Favourite Christmas Market – Copenhagen
Beautiful markets, Tivoli Gardens and Danish hygge make Copenhagen one of Europe's most magical Christmas destinations.
Explore – 🎄 Our Favourite Christmas Market – Copenhagen -
👨👩👧 Our Favourite Family Holiday – Lapland, Finland
Meet Santa, ride with huskies and experience unforgettable Christmas magic in a true winter wonderland.
Explore – 👨👩👧 Our Favourite Family Holiday – Lapland, Finland -
✨ Our Favourite Hidden Gem – Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn's medieval Old Town feels like stepping into a Christmas storybook, away from the crowds of Europe's bigger festive cities.
Explore – ✨ Our Favourite Hidden Gem – Tallinn, Estonia -
✨ Our Favourite UK Christmas Break – York, England
Historic streets, festive markets and cosy pubs make York one of England's most magical Christmas escapes.
Explore – ✨ Our Favourite UK Christmas Break – York, England -
💷 Our Favourite Value Destination – Kraków, Poland
Beautiful architecture, festive markets and fantastic value make Kraków a brilliant Christmas city break.
Explore – 💷 Our Favourite Value Destination – Kraków, Poland -
🚢 Our Favourite Christmas Cruise – German Christmas Markets
Visit Germany's magical Christmas markets while enjoying the comfort of a festive cruise from Southampton.
Explore – 🚢 Our Favourite Christmas Cruise – German Christmas Markets -
🌎 Our Favourite Long-Haul Christmas – New York City, USA
See the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, festive window displays and the magic of Manhattan at Christmas.
Explore – 🌎 Our Favourite Long-Haul Christmas – New York City, USA -
☀️ Our Favourite Warm Christmas – Madeira
A wonderful choice if you'd rather swap freezing temperatures for mild sunshine while still enjoying spectacular festive celebrations.
Explore – ☀️ Our Favourite Warm Christmas – Madeira -
📸 Our Most Instagrammable Destination – Colmar, France
Colourful timber-framed houses, canals and festive decorations make Colmar one of Europe's most photogenic Christmas destinations.
Explore – 📸 Our Most Instagrammable Destination – Colmar, France
🎄 Christmas Markets
For many travellers, Christmas holidays don’t truly begin until they’ve wandered through a festive market. Twinkling lights, festive music, local food and beautifully decorated wooden chalets create an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. While Europe is home to many of the world’s oldest Christmas markets, festive markets now take place across the globe—each bringing its own traditions, flavours and seasonal celebrations.
🎄 Christmas Markets in Europe
Europe is where Christmas market traditions began, and it’s still one of the best places to experience them. Our Christmas in Copenhagen guide is a great place to start planning your festive escape.
Vienna, Austria
Elegant markets, grand architecture and festive concerts.
Strasbourg, France
Known as the Capital of Christmas with centuries of festive traditions.
Cologne, Germany
Famous for its cathedral, festive markets and Christmas atmosphere.
Tallinn, Estonia
Medieval streets, festive markets and a magical storybook atmosphere.
Kraków, Poland
Beautiful architecture, festive markets and fantastic value.
Colmar, France
Colourful streets and festive decorations create a fairytale setting.
🎄 Christmas Markets Around the World
Christmas markets have become a festive tradition across the globe, with each destination adding its own local flavour, food and festive customs.
New York City, USA
Bryant Park Winter Village, festive Fifth Avenue and the Rockefeller Christmas Tree capture the magic of Christmas in New York.
Toronto, Canada
The Distillery Winter Village blends festive shopping, seasonal entertainment and beautifully decorated Victorian streets.
Tokyo, Japan
Christmas markets, dazzling illuminations and seasonal food stalls create a festive atmosphere across the city.
Quebec City, Canada
European-style Christmas markets, snowy streets and historic architecture create a magical festive setting.
Sydney, Australia
Christmas markets, waterfront celebrations and summer sunshine offer a festive experience unlike anywhere else.
Seoul, South Korea
Festive markets, dazzling light displays and seasonal cafés bring a modern twist to Christmas celebrations.
🌍 Christmas Around the World
One of the best things about travelling during Christmas is discovering how differently countries celebrate the festive season. Some traditions date back hundreds of years, while others are surprisingly modern—but each one offers a fascinating glimpse into local culture.
Norway
Many Norwegian families traditionally hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. According to folklore, this prevented witches and mischievous spirits from stealing them for midnight flights.
Denmark
Christmas is centred around hygge—the Danish love of comfort, togetherness and cosy living. Many families still dance hand-in-hand around the Christmas tree while singing festive songs.
Japan
Christmas Day isn’t a public holiday in Japan, but enjoying fried chicken for Christmas dinner has become a beloved festive tradition across the country.
Iceland
Instead of one Santa Claus, Iceland has 13 Yule Lads. These mischievous festive characters visit children during the thirteen nights before Christmas, leaving small gifts for those who have behaved well.
Spain
Many Spanish children don’t receive their presents until 6 January, when the arrival of the Three Kings is celebrated with colourful parades across the country.
Philippines
The Philippines celebrates one of the world’s longest Christmas seasons. Festive decorations often begin appearing in September, with colourful lanterns known as parols lighting homes and streets throughout the celebrations.
🎅 Santa & Winter Wonderland Holidays
Dreaming of a white Christmas? From meeting Santa in the Arctic to festive villages and magical winter experiences closer to home, these destinations bring Christmas to life for children and adults alike. Whether you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip or a festive family break, there’s a Santa adventure to suit every budget.
Worth Knowing: January often brings deeper snow, quieter resorts and better value, while still offering the same magical experiences.
Rovaniemi, Finland
The official hometown of Santa Claus, where festive magic meets unforgettable Arctic adventures.
Average December: -8°C
Levi, Finland
A lively ski resort with snowy landscapes and fantastic Northern Lights opportunities.
Average December: -9°C
Ylläs, Finland
Peaceful forests, cross-country skiing and cosy log cabins.
Average December: -10°C
Saariselkä, Finland
One of the best places to experience Arctic wilderness and the Northern Lights.
Average December: -11°C
✨ Looking for the Perfect Festive City Break?
Not every Christmas holiday needs snow. Whether you’re dreaming of medieval streets, festive shopping or cosy cafés, there’s a city break to suit every traveller.
❤️ Looking for Romance?
Colmar, France – Picture-perfect streets and magical Christmas decorations.
Bruges, Belgium – Canals, chocolate shops and cosy cafés create an unforgettable festive escape.
👨👩👧 Looking for Families?
Copenhagen, Denmark – Christmas markets, Tivoli Gardens and festive attractions for all ages. See our guide for full details.
York, England – Historic streets, festive markets and one of England’s best Christmas atmospheres.
💷 Looking for Great Value?
Kraków, Poland – Fantastic festive atmosphere without the premium price tag.
Riga, Latvia – Beautiful Christmas markets, medieval streets and excellent value.
✨ Looking for Hidden Gems?
Gdańsk, Poland – Colourful waterfront streets and a relaxed festive atmosphere.
nLjubljana, Slovenia – A beautifully illuminated riverside city that’s often overlooked.
Wrocław, Poland – One of Poland’s largest Christmas markets, complete with its famous dwarf statues.
👨👩👧 Family Christmas Holidays
Some of the most magical Christmas holidays are the ones shared together. Whether your family dreams of meeting Santa, festive parades, Christmas markets or snowy adventures, these destinations make Christmas unforgettable.
Lapland, Finland
Meet Santa, ride with huskies, feed reindeer and experience Christmas in the Arctic.
Perfect for: Young families • Bucket-list trips
Orlando, Florida
Swap snow for sunshine with festive parades, themed entertainment and magical Christmas celebrations.
Perfect for: Theme parks • Winter sun
Disneyland Paris, France
Christmas decorations, festive entertainment and magical character moments make Disneyland Paris a family favourite.
Perfect for: Short breaks • Disney fans
Copenhagen, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens, festive lights and Danish hygge make Copenhagen a magical family Christmas city break.
See our blog on Copenhagen at Christmas.
Air-Holiday Insight
Many Christmas attractions begin their festive celebrations from mid-November, so you don’t need to travel during Christmas week to enjoy the magic—and you’ll often find better prices too.
🚢 Christmas Cruises
Looking for a different way to celebrate Christmas? A Christmas cruise lets you visit festive destinations while enjoying seasonal dining, onboard entertainment and Christmas celebrations along the way. From short Christmas market sailings to longer Christmas and New Year escapes, there are hundreds of festive cruises departing from UK ports.
Christmas Market Cruises
Visit several festive cities without constantly changing hotels or repacking your suitcase. Popular itineraries include Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and other seasonal favourites across Northern Europe.
Christmas & New Year Cruises
Celebrate the season onboard with festive dining, entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere, then continue the celebrations into New Year.
Family Christmas Cruises
Many festive sailings include seasonal shows, family entertainment and Christmas activities onboard.
Air-Holiday Insight
Many Christmas cruises sail directly from UK ports including Southampton, Liverpool, Belfast, Dover, Glasgow and Dundee, making them a great option if you’d rather avoid airports at one of the busiest times of year.
🏡 UK Christmas Breaks
You don’t have to travel abroad to enjoy magical Christmas holidays. From cosy countryside cottages and seaside escapes to festive cities and winter walks, the UK offers plenty of memorable ways to celebrate the season without needing a passport. Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a romantic weekend or a last-minute festive break, there’s something for every type of traveller.
🎄 Festive Cities
York
Historic streets, festive markets and one of England’s most magical Christmas atmospheres.
Edinburgh
Christmas markets, ice skating and seasonal events beneath the iconic castle.
🌲 Cosy Countryside Escapes
The Cotswolds
Honey-coloured villages, roaring fires and cottages create a traditional Christmas escape.
Ambleside, Lake District
Stay beside Lake Windermere, enjoy frosty walks and relax by the fire after a day exploring.
🌊 Coastal Christmas Escapes
Isle of Wight
An island escape with coastal walks, traditional pubs and relaxing seaside accommodation.
Southwold, Suffolk
Charming pier, independent shops and a relaxed Christmas atmosphere.
✨ Festive Things To Do
Christmas holidays aren’t just about where you go—they’re about the memories you make. From magical light trails to festive food tours, these experiences can make your Christmas holiday even more special.
Christmas Light Trails
Ice Skating
Santa Experiences
Christmas Cruises
✈️ Christmas Travel Survival Guide
Travelling during Christmas holidays is one of the busiest times of year. From winter weather to crowded airports, a little preparation can help your festive getaway start smoothly.
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