This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
1. Seychelles
While the Seychelles feels undeniably summery in December at a tank top–perfect average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, Christmas still runs full throttle in the East African nation. The capital of Victoria is decorated with fully decked halls with lights strung across the Post Office and National History Museum to the Peace Park. There’s an annual lighting ceremony conducted by the mayor, plus vendors showcasing ornaments, stocking stuffers, and artisanal gifts to commence the season. Other can’t-miss traditions include the Christmas tree competition, where entrants put their imaginations to the test and engineer trees from recycled material, and the Christmas pot roast lunch. For an intimate boutique with swim-up pools that seemingly kiss the edge of the ocean, consider the Mango House Seychelles, a 41-key former residence that opened as a resort in 2021.
2. Singapore
This famously 24/7 city doesn’t let up for a wink, and Christmastime is no exception. To feel the full thrum of Singapore’s holiday revelry, make your way to Orchard Road, the city’s shopping paradise. Christmas trees, fireworks, and festive decorations abound on this twinkly lit street, and despite the absence of snow and reindeer, Ol’ Saint Nick would certainly feel right at home. Keep an eye out for the Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. The gardens are festooned with lights, of course, and lined with a variety of games, displays, and shows in an all-out extravaganza. If you’re doing Singapore to the max, Marina Bay Sands is just the resort to match your itinerary. The three-tower property is perhaps the most iconic stay in the city, complete with a casino, shopping mall, and celebrity chef–helmed dining.
3. Seoul
This year, Korea has been on our minds more than ever, thanks to smashing successes at the box office and on the music charts. From the oh-so-catchy K-Pop Demon Hunters to hits from groups like Stray Kids and Enhyphen, from K-beauty products to binge-worthy shows like Netflix’s Physical 100, Korean cultural exports are on a roll. For Christmas, consider visiting the country’s layered capital, Seoul, for a holiday getaway. Find bustling Christmas markets at Gwanghwamun Square, skate surrounded by twinkling lights at the Seoul Plaza Ice Rink, and even attend mass at the Myeongdong Cathedral, the first brick-and-mortar Gothic church of its kind in the country. For a dazzling hotel in a historic neighborhood of the capital with easy access to the subway, consider perennial Readers’ Choice Awards favorite, the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul.
4. Montreal
Seeking out total immersion in the Christmas spirit? Powdery snowbanks, toasty fireplaces, charming Christmas villages, and all? For New Englanders looking to get away for a little while, Canada’s “City of a Hundred Steeples” has you covered. Montrealers don’t let a little snow get them down—you’ll find locals marching through snow and even taking to skis to get around. When you’re done roaming the Village de Noel and Christmas shopping at the Great Christmas Market, warm yourself with hot cider and a hearty helping of poutine. Should you have room for dessert, don’t miss out on the maple taffy, a seasonal delicacy poured directly onto a fresh dusting of snow. For an affordable stay well within walking distance of downtown and several bus and train lines, stay at the hip Moxy Montreal Downtown, whose unfailingly friendly staff has a complimentary welcome drink waiting for you at the bar.
5. Finnish Lapland
With all the logistical hullabaloo and messages that crowd our daily lives, sometimes a truly resetting escape is just the thing we need to end the year in serenity. Finnish Lapland feels like stepping into the mystical and merry world of a snow globe. Rovaniemi boasts access to the real Santa Claus at its Santa Claus Village, and animal lovers can embark on dog-sledding excursions and reindeer-watching safaris. Wherever you may find yourself at night, don’t forget to look up. In addition to the shine of all the Christmas lights, you might just have some luck spotting the otherworldly northern lights. Sink into true respite at a full-home rental befit with a hot tub and a prime spot on Norvajärvi lake.
6. Lake Tahoe
From charming mountain villages to luxury lakeside retreats, the region that surrounds Lake Tahoe is a quintessential holiday escape in the wintertime, with snowy scenes as far as the eye can see. To the south of the lake, there will be a Holiday Tree Lighting at the Heavenly Village Lake Tahoe on Friday, November 28, featuring a tree that towers at 65-feet-tall. For one of the best ways to kick the season off in Tahoe, join in on this year’s Festival of Winter Lights, which runs this year on December 12 and 13. Start by perusing the artisanally crafted gifts, snack on the home-made treats, and enjoy sleigh rides through the region’s storybook scenery dotted with dazzling light displays. Unbeatable mountain views and a full-service spa awaits the guests at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe for a home base you can truly unwind at.
7. Villa Roma, Catskills, New York
Looking to celebrate a white Christmas in the Catskills? Villa Roma will be one of your best bets. This all-inclusive family-focused resort just outside of Callicoon, New York, and east of the Delaware River boasts plenty of winter activities to keep you and yours entertained. Among them: three slopes for skiing and snowboarding, two snow tube runs, a ski school for beginners, and a ski chalet for some après time with a hot beverage by a roaring fire. Keep an eye on the resort’s events calendar—the property dresses itself as dictated by the holiday-packed fall and winter seasons, and offers special deals and packages for families so broods can celebrate in style and comfort.
8. Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Colorado
There are not a lot of things in the world more fun than a frosty white Christmas in the Rockies. Blankets of snow are all but guaranteed and families can enjoy the festivities on sleigh rides, skis, snowshoes, and scenic tours at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, an eco-luxe resort and spa spread over 6,500 acres of pristine, untamed wilderness in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Ice skating under the lights, enjoying a warm fire outside while wrapped in a cozy blanket under the stars, plus breakfast with Santa, Christmas karaoke, and holiday feasts, all await.
9. Montage Deer Valley, Park City, Utah
The festivities at perennial ski resort fave (and newly renovated!) Montage Deer Valley begin over the long Thanksgiving weekend and include ornament decorating, a holiday bazaar, gingerbread house displays, and the 11th annual tree lighting ceremony on November 30. In December, there will be a Candy Land-inspired experience as well as a red mailbox where guests can drop their letters to Santa bound for the North Pole. The resort’s annual reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas returns on Christmas Eve, when three-course prix-fixe dinner will be served (reservations recommended). On Christmas Day, a day buffet and a dinner in the evening will wrap up the festive seasonal experiences—until the New Year’s events kick in.
10. North Pole, New York
Visit the North Pole closer to home—in the Adirondacks. The hamlet of North Pole, NY, leverages its name (their tagline is “Santa’s Home Away from Home”) and transforms into a holiday wonderland each year. The tiny hamlet is a veritable theme park, overflowing with attractions: Check out Santa’s blacksmith, where magical reindeer shoes are made; visit the popular reindeer barn (with live reindeer); stop by the Saint Nicholas Chapel for a quiet meditative moment; and drop in on Santa at his house for a visit with the man himself.
11. North Pole, Alaska
If you want to go even further north of North Pole, New York, might you be interested in North Pole, Alaska? Much like its New York counterpart, this small city of about 2,700 people in Alaska—roughly 1,700 miles south of the actual North Pole—leans into not only its name, but also its icy environs in the winter. It maintains Christmas decorations year-round, even when it’s sunny in July. But come the snowfall, the place takes you to the Arctic and you can visit the Santa Claus House (a store for holiday ornaments and toys), many holiday bazaars, and Santa’s Letters & Gifts, where you can get personalized notes from Santa—there are even “Good Girls and Boys Certificates,” making it one of the best Christmas vacation ideas for young families.