It’s December, and that means we’re finally allowed to get in to the Christmas spirit! For many of us, Christmas is all about spending time with friends and family, breaking your bank account with gift buying, and eating to your hearts content. Different parts of the world celebrate Christmas a little differently, but it’s true that some countries get a little more festive than others.
While you may be used to your traditional Christmas celebrations, why not spice things up a little by spending it somewhere else for a change? Whether you’re looking for a last minute Christmas getaway or are planning next year’s, we’ve rounded up 5 of the most magical places to celebrate Christmas.
New York City, USA
There’s a reason why New York city is featured in so many Christmas movies. From the famous Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre to its lavishly decorated streets. It typically does snow during Christmas time in NYC, but even it doesn’t, the chilly weather along with the city lights still makes it an incredible atmosphere. Whether you visit Bryant Park’s Winter Village or go ice-skating at Central Park, you’re in for an amazing Christmas in New York City.
Rovaniemi, Finland
What better way to spend Christmas than in Santa’s hometown of Lapland in Finland? This place is quite literally a winter wonderland. It’s the best time of year to visit the Santa Claus Village, with its twinkling Christmas trees and galloping reindeers across the village. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a real-life Christmas movie. Plus, it’s right next to the Arctic Circle, so it’s a great place to witness the Northern Lights. Win-win right?
Vienna, Austria
You can count on Vienna to experience a true fairytale-like Christmas. The city’s gothic buildings provide the perfect backdrop for a magical Christmas. The Viennese Christmas Market is something you won’t want to miss. Fill yourself with seasonal treats and mulled wine while strolling around the majestic town hall. There’s no doubt, it’ll be a Christmas to remember.
London, England
London is another major city that transforms into a Christmas wonderland during the holidays. The city comes alive with festive spirit, with its sparkling lights, cheerful carolers, and friendly Santas that roam the city. There’s plenty of incredible ways to spend the holiday season in London, from its Christmas markets and fairs, to ice-skating in some of the city’s most iconic spots.
Nuremburg, Germany
Germany’s Christmas markets are always a spectacular place to spend the festive season, but the most famous has to be ‘Christkindlesmarkt’ in the medieval city of Nuremburg. The market has been a tradition for many years, with it starting back as far as the 17th century. From the illuminated Christmas angel and intricate handcrafted goods to the mulled wine and warm gingerbread, there’s so much to see, buy, eat and drink!
