Did you know that millions of people travel the week before Christmas?
Somewhere between 2.1 and 2.9 million people fill the airports and roads between December 21 and December 24.
But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t travel in December!
“City
sidewalks
Busy sidewalksDressed in holiday style
In the air
There’s a feeling
Of Christmas…”
– Silver Bells
I love to travel in December. I know, most people don’t, and generally, people just want to snuggle on the couch and enjoy the holiday season. I’m all for that! But I also love a good Christmas Market, mulled wine/cider, and winter carnivals. Oh, and lights! I love to see everything all lit up and twinkling in Christmas lights! It’s been said that there’s no place like home for the holidays, but I have a feeling that this list of the wishlist cities to spend the Christmas season in will change your mind!
You see, I’ve had a running list of places that I want to visit during the holiday season. So, here are my top cities that I want to spend the holidays in (with a few I have actually spent the holiday season visiting).
After all, “Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” – Dr. Seuss
New England:
Woodstock, Vermont:
I love visiting Woodstock, Vermont in the fall and have heard that it’s THE place to visit during the holiday season. Woodstock in quintessential Vermont and this picturesque small town goes all out for the holidays. Visit during the Wassail Weekend, this year marks the 35th annual event and it happens to fall on December 13-15.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire:
I really like this town in summer but Portsmouth, New Hampshire is magical during the Christmas season! During December they hold a month-long celebration inspired by vintage Christmas (for more info click here. Festivities include a candlelight stroll through Strawberry Banke Museum (I’ve visited in summer but never in winter or in December). It all sounds great!
Kennebunkport, Maine:
I love Maine during the Christmas season! My favorites: lobster trap Christmas trees and lighthouses decorated in holiday lights! Kennebunkport is the place to see Santa arrive by lobster boats, how Maine? Haha, I love it! They celebrate with the annual Christmas Prelude which is happening this year from December 5-15.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts:
I really want to do this one this year! Norman Rockwell made Stockbridge famous in his painting of the Berkshire town at Christmas. The community pays tribute to that each year with Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. This year that happens December 6, 7, and 8. Let’s hope I can talk the MR into a little winter drive to Stockbridge!
Newport, Rhode Island:
This has been on my list since moving to New England for one very big reason, the Gilded Age mansions all done up for the holidays! I’ve actually never been to Newport, Rhode Island but I’m going to visit before we leave New England. Christmas at the Newport Mansions namely, The Elms, The Marble House, and The Breakers, I can just imagine the grandeur and sparkle of these mansions decorated for the holidays.
United States:
New York City, New York:
New York shows up on every single list of places to visit during the Christmas season. Between the skating rinks, gigantic trees, and countless attractions you can’t go wrong with New York City at Christmastime. I’ve been here for Christmas and see the tree at Rockefeller Center and I think it’s probably the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.
Colorado: Aspen, Vail, or Durango!
Any place in Colorado is amazing during the holiday season! Oh, I love Estes Park, I bet that’s so cute during Christmastime! You name it and Colorado has it! Outdoor ice skating, skiing Santa, Sleigh Rides, tubing and sledding! You can’t go wrong visiting Colorado at this time of year.
Jackson, Wyoming:
We were actually supposed to do Jackson, Wyoming in December this year but life had other plans. I’ve done a lot of research and Jackson does not disappoint when it comes to Christmas! By all accounts, no town gets quite as decked out in lights as Jackson. The famous arch made of antlers even gets wrapped in sparkly Christmas lights!
Park City, Utah:
Park City, Utah sounds like it’s an amazing place to spend the holiday season. Highlights include Holiday Markets, North Pole Express, and the most interesting to me, the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade. With lighted torches in hand, Park City’s ski and snowboard instructors carve down mountain turn by turn to lead Santa Claus in a festive procession to town. How cool?
Asheville, North Carolina:
Much like Newport, Rhode Island, it’s not hard to see why the Asheville Christmas season revolves around the Biltmore. The historic Vanderbilt mansion gets all dressed up, lavishly with ribbons, garlands, and sparkling lights. It’s also a great place to shop for unique gifts or to spend time in cozy coffee shops.
Canada:
Quebec City, Quebec:
This has been on my list for years. I’ve only ever heard how magical Quebec City is during Christmas. Imagine the cobbled streets, Parisian-style cafes and designer boutiques of Quebec are dressed in lights and decorations! It turns the city into a real-life Christmas village. What’s not to love?
Montreal, Quebec:
If you love a good Christmas Market than Montreal has you covered. Or enjoy a Christmas mass, a candlelit walk, or check out Luminothérapie where local artist display large scale pieces.
Ottawa, Ontario:
Ottawa is on my list for one major reason: it is the perfect city to walk around and celebrate the festive season as you can put on some skates and explore the city via the Rideau Canal. That’s right, you can skate the city on the Rideau Canal! For Christmas lights check out the Byward Market.
Banff, Alberta:
The town of Banff essentially transforms into a Christmas village with colorful lights, decorations, and horse drawn carriages taking visitors through the streets. It’s right out of a Christmas dream! Who wouldn’t want to visit during the holiday season?
Whistler, Vancouver, British Columbia:
By all accounts, Whistler is the perfect place to enjoy a truly Canadian Christmas. The village is decked out in twinkling lights, snow covered, and with the holiday events, there is something for everyone. They’ve even got sleigh rides, so you can go dashing through the snow.
United Kingdom & Ireland:
Dublin, Ireland:
I’ve actually been to Dublin during the Christmas season and it was pure magic. I’ve been to Dublin many times and Christmas here is really something special. Enjoy Christmas markets, gorgeous light displays, or check out the gigantic tree on O’Connell Street.
Galway, Ireland:
I love Galway, Ireland. It’s charming at any time of the year but just imagine those enchanting streets decked out in twinkling lights! Galway also has a Continental Christmas Market, it runs from November 15 – December 22 this year.
London, England:
I’ve done London at Christmas. See the post here. I loved London during the holiday season. All of the lights, the Trafalgar Square tree, Winter Wonderland, the London Eye all decked out in lights. There are so many magical things about London during Christmastime, but my favorite was Hogwarts in the Snow (I’m listening to The Sorcerer’s Stone on Audible as I’m writing this). Read more about Hogwarts In the Snow here.
Edinburgh, Scotland:
This is one of my
Scottish Highlands:
The Scottish Highlands are hand down my favorite place that I’ve so far, so of course, I want to go back during Christmastime! I imagine a cozy cottage in the snow and all those gorgeous mountains covered in snow. A warm pub for dinner with a little whiskey, since it’s cold in Scotland. Sounds perfect to me!
Cardiff, Wales:
I’ve been to Wales several times (check out my guide to the Castles of Wales here. But I’ve somehow never been to Cardiff. The Welsh capital also hosts its own Winter Wonderland festival. They also have Christmas at the Castle (swoon), while discovering more about its history, visitors also see the castle in all its splendor, dressed in stunning Christmas lights and decorations. Find out more here.
Europe:
Berlin, Germany:
Arguably one of the best places to spend the Christmas season, anywhere in Germany. The Christmas markets in this German capital add life and shimmer to the entire city. Pick up some beautiful gifts and souvenirs for your loved ones. The restaurants surrounding these Christmas markets make for fantastic places to hang out and get out of the cold.
Brussels, Belgium:
Brussels is world famous as one
Rovaniemi, Lapland:
You can’t beat this place, it is the REAL land of Santa and reindeer! No joke, this is the official home of Santa Claus. It is located at the heart of Lapland and travelers can visit and greet the Santa at the Santa Village which lies right on the Arctic Circle. You can also ride an actual reindeer, tour the city with huskies on a dog sled ride, and let those mystical northern lights work their magic. (Seeing the Northern Lights is very close to the top of my list!)
Reykjavik, Iceland:
It may surprise you to see Iceland on my list (or not) but I’ve been wanting to go since before it became the “it” place to go. Of course, I would love to visit during the holiday season. I’ve read that Reykjavik eruptions into a frenzy of colors, cheer, and festivities during Christmastime. Plus, there is the bonus of trying to see those magical northern lights!
Copenhagen, Denmark:
The whole city of Copenhagen is covered in lights to the brim. You can always run into massive Christmas markets at every nook of the city. Savor the best street food or tour the old candy factory, Copenhagen is a true Christmas city in every sense of the word.
It’s pretty difficult to not be in the Christmas spirit after reading over this list! It makes me want to bag my bags today.
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