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Snow, sun and celebrations: the best places to visit in December

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The end of the year is the perfect time for a little escape. Let’s look at some of the best places to visit in December from the UK.

The weather varies widely in December, with the chance to make the most of every season. As well as enjoying London in the winter or celebrating Christmas in Paris, you could head down to the Southern Hemisphere for beach days and sunny adventures.

Meanwhile, countries like Canada and Germany are fabulously festive. If costs are on your mind skip to KAYAK’s data-backed picks based on popularity, flight, and hotel prices.

A giant illuminated Christmas tree and Christmas market in the central square of Munich, Germany with a view of the Old Town Hall on the back, on a cold rainy evening.
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A colony of penguins spread across the pristine beach across from a boulder-strewn sea.
A lovely couple holding hands while walking on the boardwalk heading towards the shore.

The best places to visit in December

  1. Munich, Germany
  2. Glasgow, Scotland
  3. Tromso, Norway
  4. Zakopane, Poland
  5. Chichi, Guatemala
  6. Saint Lucia, Caribbean
  7. Banff, Canada
  8. The Maldives
  9. Cape Town, South Africa
  10. New York City, USA
  11. Patagonia, Chile
  12. Hokkaido, Japan
  13. Data-backed picks for the budget-conscious

The best places to visit in Europe in December

If you don’t want to go too far away for your holiday in December, Europe is a great bet. Check out my top places to visit in December for skiing, sightseeing or general seasonal festivities.

1. Munich, Germany

Facade of Munich's New Town Hall with neo-gothic architecture in front of the Christmas Market.

Craving a magical German Christmas market experience? Make your way to Munich in the south of the country. This beer-loving city is awash with glittering lights, traditional stalls and delicious festive treats come December.

Forget London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Munich’s Marienplatz Christkindlmart is the real deal and easily one of the best Christmas markets you can visit. Marvel at the huge Christmas tree lit by over 2000 twinkling lights. Browse stalls selling all sorts of traditional gifts. Tuck into delicious treats like gingerbread, gluhwein and stollen.

Munich’s proximity to the Alps also makes it the perfect jumping-off point for a mini ski retreat. Or hop on a train for the day to Tegernsee to view the mountains blanketed in powdery soft snow.

Find flights to Munich

2. Glasgow, Scotland

Brightly lit modern art gallery building with a statue of a man on horseback in front.
  • Learn more: Glasgow travel guide
  • Why visit in December: For family-friendly festive events close to home

While many like to head to Edinburgh for a Christmas holiday, Scotland’s second city is equally enchanting. As well as hosting several seasonal events in December, the city has fantastic attractions.

If you are travelling with kids, visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum’s annual Elfingrove extravaganza. It starts in late November and continues throughout December, with stalls, an ice rink, and a snow wheel.

You could also venture to George Square (famous for its statues of acclaimed Scots). The square comes alive with a colourful Christmas market with rides and plenty of stalls selling festive gifts.

Find flights to Glasgow

3. Tromso, Norway

A night-time view of a dazzling coastal city under the green streaks of northern lights.

While you might find some of the best Scandinavian Christmas markets in Copenhagen, Tromso in neighbouring Norway is a good option to see the magical Northern Lights. December is a perfect time to experience an affordable getaway in the lap of luxury, all while being immersed in natural beauty.

Despite Tromso’s proximity to the Arctic Circle, the winter isn’t even as harsh as you would expect. Book a couple of tours while you’re in the city to experience it through the eyes of a local guide. This includes a trip to witness the Northern Lights which is particularly prevalent at this time of year. Get ready to be blown away by its mesmerising beauty.

Find Flights to Tromso

4. Zakopane, Poland

A person skiing down a snowy slope while gazing at the snowy mountains.

If your heart’s set on whizzing down the slopes, consider a December ski holiday in Poland. Poland’s ski season is still overshadowed by the Alps – but it really shouldn’t be. Zakopane (a city in the country’s south) is the gateway to the Tatra Mountains and the perfect base for a ski trip to Bialka Tatrzanska.

Bialka Tatrzanska is one of Poland‘s best ski resorts, offering up to 16 kilometres of linked ski runs. There are options for every ability too, plus chances to enjoy various other winter activities. Zakopane itself is brimming with things to do. Stroll down its vibrant main street, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or whizz up to the top of Mt. Kasprowy in the Kasprowy Wierch cable car for epic vistas.

Find flights to Zakopane

Long-haul holidays in December 2024

Prefer a December holiday destination that’s sunny rather than snowy? You’ll want to venture down to the Southern Hemisphere where the summer is in full swing. I’ve also got a few suggestions for winter escapes a little further afield.

5. Cape Town, South Africa

An empty ropeway running over the mountains, with a populous valley in the backdrop.
A charming couple walking together along colourful buildings.
A pink building with wood doors and to trees on a porch

Cape Town is a magical place over the December holidays. Millions of people from across South Africa flock to this heaven on Earth to experience some of the best natural landscapes you can find.

Cape Town’s most famous site has to be Table Mountain. It was recently added to a list of the world’s wonders and offers up spectacular views of the entire city.

Speaking of views, visit Cape Point to see where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet. The city also sits within striking distance of South Africa’s best wine estates.

Find flights to Cape Town

6. Chichi, Guatemala

Two people dressed in a festive costume for a festival

December is a great month in Guatemala in terms of weather, it’s also when one of the most exciting festivals is held. The small town of Chichicastenango (or Chichi) is a town of traditional Mayan K’ich’e that keep to themselves through most of the year – except during a few key festivals. One of these festivals, and the most famous among the locals, is the Fiesta de SantoTomás.

Fiesta de SantoTomás, which occurs every year in mid-December, features a parade of patron saints and icons. There’s also singing, dancing and fireworks in the town square and throughout the city streets. Want an unforgettable experience this December? Head to Chichi to experience ancient Mayan traditions and, wonderful sunny weather.

Find flights to Guatemala

7. Saint Lucia, Caribbean

A picturesque paradise with a verdant and mountainous island surrounded by the tranquil sea under the cloudy blue sky.

If your dream winter escape involves white-sand beaches and balmy evenings sipping rum cocktails, say hello to the Caribbean. Saint Lucia is widely considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world and it serves as a breathtaking escape from cold weather.

This paradise island is also an ideal spot to travel to if you’re looking for a holiday where staying active is a key part of the adventure. Saint Lucia is home to several challenging treks in its lofty Piton mountains.

You could also head out on a coral reef dive along Anse Chastanet. And, when that’s all said and done, you can spend time in Sulphur Springs. Anyone for a soothing mud bath?

Find Flights to Saint Lucia

8. Banff, Canada

A woman in a red coat standing by a big lake in the winter with snow falling around her
  • Learn more: Banff travel guide
  • Why visit in December: for the ultimate winter wonderland experience

For the ultimate winter wonderland, the beautiful resort town of Banff in Canada is hard to beat. It’s one of the best holiday destinations in December thanks to its stunning scenery. Glimpse the Rocky Mountains in all their snow-covered glory or skate along one of the lakes with locals in tow.

Banff may just be the ultimate Canadian Christmas experience, too. It’s filled with Christmas carollers, parades, and markets, plus loads of opportunities for skiing and skating. One of the very best things about Banff over the December period is its festivals and events. Sip beer at an ale festival, get into the Christmas spirit at a festive fair or attend an event purely dedicated to ice castles.

Make sure you head over to Sulpher Mountain and ride the famous Banff Gondola before you leave the town. It really is a major highlight of any trip – no matter what time of year you visit.

Find Flights to Banff

9. The Maldives

An overwater villa with a woman relaxing on a net bed beside a square pool with a couch and sunbeds.

The Maldives is one of the most exquisite groups of islands in the world, with top-class resorts spread out across the Indian Ocean archipelago. It’s one of the best holiday destinations in December for total luxury and blissful R&R.

With warm weather year-round, minimal waves, crystal clear waters and first-class service, there’s very little not to love about a trip to the Maldives. One of the most impressive places to stay is Crossroads, Maldives. This multi-island, fully-integrated leisure space is a short 15-minute trip from the main airport on Malé. It features two incredible resorts, a variety of world-class clubs, plus high-end bars and restaurants.

The sunsets and sunrises throughout your stay will blow your mind. And the struggle will definitely feel real when it’s time to go home.

Find Flights to the Maldives

10. New York City, USA

People skating on an ice rink surrounded by illuminated skyscrapers.

NYC is hands down one of the best places to visit in December for a winter city break. There’s something extra special about New York in the winter. Despite being a concrete and glass metropolis, it offers a winter wonderland feel that’s hard to beat. One of the key things to do in New York in December is stroll down Fifth Avenue and shop to your heart’s content. Don’t forget to marvel at the fabulous festive window displays lining this world-famous street.

Make sure you head over to the Rockefeller Centre to check out the famous giant Christmas tree. You could also pop on some skate and hit the ice rink- a tradition with the locals that dates way back to 1936. For a little more excitement (not that you’ll need it), head over to the Radio City Music Hall to watch the famous Rockettes in action.

Find Flights to New York

11. Patagonia, Chile

Alpaca in Patagonia with a mountain in the background

Craving a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? One of the best places to visit in December has to be Patagonia, Chile. Expect mild to hot summer-ish days and a mild to chilly evening.

The weather is mild to hot and it is an ideal place to visit to connect with nature. Torres del Paine is a UNESCO-listed national park that’s high on many people’s bucket lists. Picture beautiful glaciers, crystal-clear turquoise lakes, and breathtaking mountain peaks. It’s one of the most sought-after destinations in South America and the perfect place to kick back and quiet down your mind with fresh mountain air and incredible views.

While you’re in the region, take the time to explore places like the pristine Zapata Valley with a local guide. Or make your way through to the Los Glaciares National Park, just a short hop across the border in Argentina.

Find Flights to Patagonia

12. Hokkaido, Japan

Three male friends in winter clothes stand on their snowboards on a snow-covered mountain looking at the ice-capped coned shape volcano below.

Rather take your skiing adventure outside of Europe? Hokkaido (Japan’s second largest island) is one of the best places to visit in December if you’re looking to shred legendary slopes on skis or a snowboard. Plus, you can finish off your days with a long soak in a Japanese onsen (hot spring).

The region has become one of the world’s best spots for hitting the slopes. That’s mostly down to its unique type of fluffy but dry snow. Mid-December is when the Hokkaido ski season kicks off and it runs for the next couple of months. There are numerous resorts to choose from, with the top picks being Niseko, Sahoro and Tomamu.

Find flights to Japan

Data-backed picks from KAYAK

If seasonal events aren’t on your wish list, why not consider one of the below destinations? These destinations are based on KAYAK flight and hotel data, taking into account budget, weather, and popularity (so you can avoid the crowds). For personalised recommendations based on your location and chosen destination check out the Best Time to Travel tool.

The following information refers to the destinations listed in the table.

Recommendation ranking within table:

Our recommendation ranking of where to go is calculated based on average flight prices, average hotel prices, popularity, average temperature, and average precipitation. Flight prices, hotel prices, popularity, and precipitation constitute inverse factors, meaning the lower the better. Average temperature optimal values are taken as the median for the destination, and a difference is calculated for the month from this reference point. The smaller the difference, the more desirable the city is to visit in this month. This temperature factor weighs twice as much as popularity and precipitation.

From the ranked destination lists, destination exclusions may have been applied in cases of insufficient data or according to the official travel advisory at the time when the data analysis was conducted.

Flight and hotel prices:

Average prices are estimated from KAYAK internal data from search period ‘01-02-2024’ to ‘15-04-2024’ for travel period ‘09-2024’ - ‘12-2024’. Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveler, and hotel prices represent 3 stars or below hotels’ nightly rates for a standard double room. Price insights are subject to vary depending on exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.

Popularity:

Monthly crowd estimates for each destination are determined by internal flight and hotel search data. This incorporates the latest historical insights from the past year collected on ‘15-01-2024’. For each destination, this popularity estimate is pulled for the particular month to gauge where it might not be too crowded.

Weather (average monthly temperature and precipitation):

Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data isbased on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.

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Looking for more winter holiday inspiration? Have a look at some of the top places to visit in January, luxury New Year's Eve breaks for couples and the best places to find winter sun.

The post Snow, sun and celebrations: the best places to visit in December appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.

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