Top 15 Destinations for Unforgettable Christmas Getaways

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Looking for a holiday getaway where Christmas markets, twinkling lights, and festive feasts are in abundance? Look no further than these 15 destinations across the globe, known for their long-standing Yuletide traditions and unforgettable holiday spirit. From England to the Philippines, these places are guaranteed to provide the perfect Christmas vacation experience.

Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

While popular lore would have us believe the North Pole is the official home of Santa Claus and his jolly missus, the Finns would have us believe otherwise.

Rovaniemi is known as the Christmas headquarters, situated just north of the Arctic Circle in Lapland. Children can participate in activities such as making gingerbread cookies with Mrs. Claus, attending Elf School, or trying their hand at calligraphy with a traditional quill to write their Christmas wish lists.

If you're interested in wildlife, you can also visit the Ranua Wildlife Park, where you can see baby polar bears, wolverines, and moose.

Discover the secret of the northern lights at the Arktikum science center. For a truly chilly adventure, guests can enjoy a stay at the Arctic Snow Hotel, a unique accommodation made of snow and ice, complete with saunas and hot tubs for warmth.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Close to Philadelphia and New York City, Bethlehem offers a smaller-city Christmas escape.

Bethlehem, settled in the 1700s by Moravian colonists, takes pride in its Live Advent Calendar, held from December 1 to 23 at 5:30 p.m. This family-friendly event is free for all. A town crier signals the start by ringing a bell along Main Street, leading visitors to the Goundie House, the oldest house on Main Street. A child from the crowd is selected to knock three times, prompting a surprise from a local business for everyone in attendance.

"The Christmas City" also has horse-drawn carriage rides, a pub tour, historic tree displays and decor aplenty.

Bath, England

The Christmas Market is illuminated at night behind Bath Abbey.

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This historic city in southwest England celebrates both the birth of Jesus and the birth of Jane Austen with plenty of fanfare.

Visit the Jane Austen Centre, including the on-site Regency Tearoom, to delve into the life of the city's most renowned resident.

Experience the Theatre Royal, featured in Austen's novels "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," offering a diverse array of holiday performances including drama, musicals, opera, and concerts.

Explore England's stunning destinations

One of England's most beautiful places to visit is the Bath Christmas Market. Set in a charming Georgian setting, the market is filled with wooden chalets selling unique British handmade crafts. Nestled between the impressive Bath Abbey and the ancient Roman Baths, the market provides a festive way to experience the charm and character of this historic city.

Bath on Ice is a great excuse to bundle up and lace up skates.

San Fernando, Philippines

San Fernando in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines could be considered as the Christmas capital of Asia. Famous for its annual Giant Lantern Festival, the city, located northwest of Manila, has a tradition of making these lanterns that dates back to the late 18th century. The festival runs from December 16 to January 1.

The main attraction of a trip to this place is the parol, a vibrant, electrified Christmas lantern that represents the Star of Bethlehem. The parols evoke images of psychedelic kaleidoscopes, stunning stained glass windows, colorful pinwheels, or giant snowflakes.

Barcelona, Spain

Extend your holiday until the 12th day of Christmas and you can witness the arrival of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar in Barcelona on Three Kings Day or Epiphany. On the evening of January 5, the bearded and velvet-robed kings, also known as the "three wise men," arrive at the city's port on their own ship, the Santa Eulalia.

The cannons boom, fireworks light up the sky, and with the mayor presenting them the keys to the city, the enchanting celebration of the Magi begins. The procession makes its way through the streets in a spectacular display of colorful floats, featuring camels, elephants, giraffes, and stunning costumes.

New York City

New York is overflowing with Christmas traditions. One favorite of tourists and residents is ice skating at the Rockefeller Plazarink.

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Rockefeller Center is the heart of New York City's Christmas celebrations. The iconic ice rink has been a popular attraction since 1936, and the tradition of displaying a decorated tree dates back to 1931. Additionally, the nearby Radio City hosts the annual Christmas Spectacular, featuring the world-famous Rockettes.

At Columbus Circle, on the southwest corner of Central Park, over 100 vendors offer a wide selection of clothes, gifts, snacks, and drinks at the Holiday Market. In addition, renowned fashion labels participate in the holiday festivities by showcasing elaborate Christmas window displays at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macys Herald Square flagship store, and other department stores.

Nairobi, Kenya

The magic of Christmas is in the holiday chaos of the Kenyan capital.

At various stores, on public transportation, and in the long lines at restaurants and supermarkets, boisterous carol music in different languages fills the air for visitors to enjoy. A visit to a friend's house or popular eatery may offer a delicious platter of chapati (flat bread), spicy pilau rice, and grilled meat - known as nyama choma in Swahili - among other options.

Visitors can work off the calories by taking a hike through the picturesque Karura Forest Reserve, a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts that gained fame thanks to Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai.

The renowned Nairobi National Park provides safari experiences for tourists to observe rhinos, lions, giraffes, and other wildlife against the backdrop of the expansive city.

For Christmas gifts, the bustling open-air markets such as Maasai offer authentic African paintings, jewelry, clothes and fabrics unique to Kenya.

Nuremberg, Germany

The Nuremberg Christmas market, known as Nurnberger Christkindlesmarkt, is a beloved German tradition that attracts over 2 million visitors annually. Dating back to 1628, the market offers a variety of traditional handmade Christmas decorations, wooden toys, and a wide selection of food and drinks in the charming setting of "the little city of wood and cloth."

Adults can enjoy Nuremberg spicy gingerbread and mugs of mulled wine. And for families with the kids along, theres the Toy Museum.

Bogotá, Colombia

A woman dressed as Santa Claus sits next to a Christmas tree and a Christmas star at Bolivar Square in Bogota.

Fernando Vergara/AP

Colombias high-altitude capital brightens up each year with Christmas lights galore.

In Bogotá, there's a tradition known as the "Ruta Navideña," or Christmas Route, where people walk around the city to admire the festive decorations.

Colombia officially begins celebrating Christmas on December 7, with the observance of "Día de las Velitas" (Little Candles Day), the eve of the Immaculate Conception. On this day, people light small candles and paper lanterns, placing them on their windowsills and balconies.

Christmas in Bogotá is a sweet affair, with the traditional Natilla custard dish being a popular festive treat. This delicious dessert, similar to flan or pudding, is often enjoyed alongside other holiday favorites such as buñuelos, hot fried dough balls. Additionally, there's a travel bonus to visiting Bogotá during the Christmas season - it marks the beginning of the dry season.

Malta

While December is off-season, this heavily Roman Catholic island in the Mediterranean Sea has a festive and spiritual vibe at Christmas.

During Christmas time, visiting presepju, or nativity scenes, is a beloved tradition. Residents eagerly showcase their beautifully crafted cribs by opening their shutters and even their garage doors for all to see.

In downtown Valletta, the holiday cheer is palpable as carolers fill the air with their songs outside the stunning Baroque St. Johns Co-Cathedral during Advent. The bustling Republic Street is adorned with an enchanting array of Christmas lights, creating a magical atmosphere filled with festive attractions.

Quebec City, Canada

A trip to the privately operated Malta Toy Museum is a delightful tribute to the days of childhood, showcasing dolls, soldiers, train sets, and clockwork tin trinkets dating back to the 1790s.

The graceful streets of the historic Petit Champlain district in Quebec City make for a sublime winter holiday stroll.

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A haven for environmentally friendly, outdoor enthusiasts, Quebec bustles with winter activity, offering holiday programs for all tastes.

Old Quebec transforms into a charming Christmas village, complete with a German Christmas market offering sausages and roast chestnuts. For those seeking a more religious experience, there is an exposition of nativity scenes from around the world. Nearby, the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix provides family-friendly activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing, while adventure-seekers can opt to speed around on a snowmobile from Nord Expe.

Cant make it for Christmas? Theres still the Quebec Winter Carnival from January 25 to February 11, 2024.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Piñatas, posadas, and ponche are the highlights of the vibrant Christmas celebrations in this central Mexican town. The festive season is a unique blend of solemnity and joy. In the days leading up to December 24th, visitors may encounter locals reenacting Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, going from house to house and singing in search of "posada" or shelter.

Experience traditional Mexican Christmas celebrations with a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with grand churches, well-preserved architecture, and bustling zocalos. Conclude your evening of wandering with a festive piñata and a cup of warm ponche. For Christmas event schedules, click here.

Salzburg and Oberndorf, Austria

The Christmas Market and associated festivities in Salzburg are really something tosing about.

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Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and famous filming location for "The Sound of Music," is an idyllic and picturesque destination. Imagine stunning snow-covered mountains, beautiful baroque buildings, and charming traditional Christmas markets.

Not only that, but Salzburg is also known as the birthplace of "Silent Night." This beloved hymn was first performed in the nearby town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg on Christmas Eve in 1818.

During the Yuletide season, the town hosts a unique tradition where people in Austria and Bavaria dress up as the terrifying Alpine beast, Krampus, and roam the streets to find naughty children to punish. These Krampus runs are held on different dates in December in Salzburg.

Strasbourg, France

Immerse yourself in the delightful blend of French and German Christmas traditions in this charming border city. With origins dating back to 1570, Strasbourg proudly boasts the title of the oldest Christmas market in France and one of the most ancient in all of Europe.

Strasbourg showcases a series of Christmas villages, each with its own unique theme, transforming the city into a stunning wonderland of visual delights and gastronomic experiences. Spread out across numerous locations, hundreds of stalls offer a wide array of festive products and culinary delights. Additionally, there are 15 luxury hotels that go above and beyond to celebrate the Christmas season.

Capture memories with a 30-meter (98-foot) Christmas tree showcased at the central square of Place Kléber annually, adorned with festive decorations and twinkling lights. In addition to the traditional market, visitors can also enjoy the OFF alternative Christmas fair, offering live music and a street art trail.

Queenstown, New Zealand

A paraglider takes to the the sky in New Zealand, where outdoor activities and Christmas meet.

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In New Zealand, the classic Christmas colors of red, green, and white are given a unique interpretation. Red symbolizes the pōhutukawa, New Zealand's vibrant red Christmas tree. White represents the beautiful sandy beaches, and green symbolizes the iconic kiwi.

Sun enthusiasts looking to share the waves with Santa should make their way to Queenstown, where the balmy summer weather offers the perfect opportunity for jetboating, river surfing, and paragliding on Lake Wakatipu. Alternatively, visitors can opt for a more relaxed experience by camping along the lakefront and indulging in a delicious Christmas feast of lamb, seafood, and chicken on the barbecue.

Forrest Brown, Roseann Lake, Laura Ma, Faith Karimi, Maureen OHare and Al Gerard de la Cruz contributed to this article.