Best Places in the World to Celebrate Christmas & New Year 2025–26

After a year filled with chaos of daily routines, to mark the beautiful ending of the 2025 journey and to mark the hopeful beginning of the 2026 upcoming journey, you should definitely take a trip for enjoying the celebration of charming festivals, Christmas and New Year, since the enjoyment should be nevertheless from being a memorable trip and to make it perfectly memorable, here goes the list of best places in the world for enjoying Christmas and New Year trip!

Best Places for a Christmas Trip

Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is the most beautiful city in France, often regarded as “the capital city for Christmas”. It is one of the most worth visiting trips during Christmas.

Hotels to stay in:

• Hotel Les Haras, a very luxurious hotel
• Hotel du Dragon, a luxurious hotel
• Hotel Vendome, a budget-friendly hotel
• Hotel D’Alsace, a budget-friendly hotel
• Hotel Argos, a cheap yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Exploring the streets of Strasbourg
• Enjoying a picnic at Le Petit France
• Visiting the Cathedral Notre-Dame
• Taking a River Cruise ride at Strasbourg
• Visiting The Grand Ile, a World Heritage Site
• Going to the Place Kleber, home of a huge Christmas tree
• Visiting The Place Gutenberg
• Exploring the famous Christmas markets of Strasbourg
• Visiting the Strasbourg Museums

Lapland, Finland

Lapland is the largest city of Finland, often regarded as “the home of Santa Claus”. It is definitely a must go-to place for Christmas celebrations.

Hotels to reside in:

• Wilderness Hotel Moutka, a very luxury hotel
• Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, a luxurious hotel
• Hotelli Metsahirvas, a budget-friendly hotel
• Cahkal Hotel, a budget-friendly hotel
• Hotel Korpikartano, a cheap yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Visiting the most famous Santa Claus Village
• Going skiing on the slopes of Levi at Oy Levi Ski Resort
• Witnessing the most unique Northern Lights
• Visiting the Artikum, a science museum
• Going for the Reindeer rides.
• Residing at Lapland Hotels Snow Village
• Visiting the Inari Reindeer Farm
• Doing ice karting at the slopes of Levi
• Visiting the beautifu,l dreamy Kemi SnowCastle

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the most populous city and the capital city of Austria, which lies on the Danube River. It’s truly one of the best places for Christmas and Christmas shopping.

Hotels to stay in:

• Grand Hotel Wien, a very luxurious hotel
• Steigenberger Hotel Herengoff, a luxurious hotel
• Hotel Kaiserhof Wien, a budget-friendly hotel
• Austria Classic Hotel Wien, a budget-friendly hotel
• JO&JOE Vienna Hotel, a cheap yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Exploring the most famous market for Christmas in Vienna, that is, the Christkindlmarkt
• Visiting the St. Stephen’s Cathedral for a concert, walking tour, exploring the hidden gems and catacombs
• Going for the Vienna Scavenger Hunt
• Visiting the Schonbrunn Palace
• Going for City Sightseeing in an Electro Vintage Car
• Visiting The Cultural Heart of Vienna
• Going to the Light of Creation Votive Church to witness the bioluminescent lights
• Visiting the Sisi Museum
• Going for a historical Hitler tour of Vienna

London, UK

London is the most iconic city and the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. It stands out as a must visit place for Christmas celebrations.

Hotels to reside in:

• Shangri-La The Shard, the only five-star luxury hotel on London Bridge
• The Londoner Hotel,  a very luxurious hotel
• St. Ermins Hotel, Autograph Collection, a luxurious hotel
• St. Pancras London Hotel, Autograph Collection, a budget-friendly hotel
• Montcalm Royal London House, a budget-friendly hotel

Things to do here include:

• Riding in the glass capsule of the popular London Eye
• Going to Warner Bros. Studio Tour
• Exploring the 900 years of history of London at the White Tower and Tower Green
• Experiencing the magical illumination of Chelsea Winter Village
• Visiting the Westminster Abbey, a World Heritage Site
• Exploring the statues at Madame Tussauds London
• Going to the Paradox Museum in London
• Exploring the masterpiece artworks at Frameless
• Visiting the London Royal Residence, that is, Buckingham Palace

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is a mountain resort renowned for skiing, hiking and climbing in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland. It's definitely a place you should not miss at Christmas time.

Hotels to stay in:

• The Omnia Hotel, the most luxurious five-star hotel
• Schloss Zermatt Hotel, a very luxurious hotel
• Hotel Pollux, a luxury as well as an affordable hotel
• Hotel Alphubel Zematt, a budget-friendly hotel
• Peaky Riders Hotel, an affordably budget-friendly yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Take a Gornergrat Train and Glacier Skin to explore the streets of Zermatt
• Doing a day tour to Zermatt, Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise
• Exploring the Zermatt Village
• Climb the Mount Gornergrat summit
• Witnessing sunset at the Matterhorn Viewpoint
• Exploring The Matterhorn Museum, Zermatlantis
• Climbing the Gorner Gorge
• Visiting the Lake of Riffelsee amidst the mountains
• Going for snowshoeing, ice skating, sleigh rides and watching Christmas festive lights

Best Places for New Year trip:-

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is a beautiful, hilly city and the capital city of Scotland. It is a highly worthwhile place for kicking off the beginning of New Year with such a pleasant start.

Hotels to reside in:

• 100 Princes Street Hotel, a five-star, most luxurious hotel
• Fingal Hotel, a very luxurious floating hotel
• The Bonham Hotel, a budget-friendly hotel
• The Resident Edinburgh, a budget-friendly hotel
• Dakota Edinburgh, a cheap yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Participating in Hogmanay, Edinburgh's biggest party and the enormous New Year celebration in the world
• Visiting the Edinburgh Castle, which is home to Scotland’s crown jewels
• Visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Winter is walking towards the Canton Hill
• Exploring the National Museum of Scotland
• Visiting the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions and doing the activities
• Exploring the fun activities at the Gravity Active Edinburgh
• Going of The Royal Yacht Britannia
• Visiting the Chocolatarium at Edinburgh

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is a seaside city in Brazil, and a port on the Atlantic, known for its annual carnival. It is absolutely among the most recommended places for New Year celebrations.

Hotels to stay in:

• Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, a five-star, most luxurious hotel
• Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro, a very luxurious hotel
• Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, a luxury, along with an affordable hotel
• Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro, a budget-friendly hotel
• Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro Hotel, a cheap yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Going for the famous Reveillon, that is, a massive New Year’s Eve celebration party at the Copacabana beach.
• Climbing the Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountains
• Going for rides on cable cars at Sugarloaf Mountain
• Chilling beside the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
• Riding hydrofoil bikes at Lagoa Lake
• Going for a Walking Tour of Lapa and Downtown
• Visiting the Jardim Botânico, a botanical garden
• Hiking on Morro Dois Irmaos
• Visiting the classic statue of Christ the Redeemer

Dubai, UAE

Dubai is a prominent city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, known for its ultra-modern architecture. It is one of the finest choices for New Year's celebrations.

Hotels to reside in:

• Atlantis, The Palm, is one of the most expensive and extraordinarily luxurious ocean-themed resorts
• Taj Dubai, a very luxurious hotel
• Grand Hyatt Dubai, a budget-friendly hotel
• JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, a budget-friendly hotel
• Ibis One Central Hotel, a cheap yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Visiting and witnessing the record-breaking skyscraper in Downtown and the tallest structure in the world, that is, Burj Khalifa
• Going for Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour
• Visiting and having fun at the Aquaventure Waterpark
• Exploring the Global Village, witnessing the 90 distinct cultures at the same place
• Visiting and witnessing the other tallest structure in the world, that is, Burj Al Arab
• Going for City Sightseeing of Dubai on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour
• Exploring the Mall of the Emirates
• Chilling beside the Kite Beach and witnessing the sunset there
• Visiting the Sharjah Aquarium

New York, USA

New York is one of the cities and states in the United States of America, situated where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an experience you should not miss at all during the New Year.

Hotels to stay in:

The Evelyn Hotel, an expensive and luxurious hotel
The Grayson Hotel, a very luxurious hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton New York at Manhattan Times Square, is another luxurious hotel
Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton, a budget-friendly hotel
Hotel Indigo NYC, a budget-friendly hotel

Things to do here include:

• Exploring the Central area in NYC and visiting Times Square on New Year’s Eve
• Going for the Deluxe Manhattan Helicopter Tour
• Going for the NYC Empire State Horse Carriage Ride in Central Park
• Visiting the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• Witnessing and visiting the world’s most famous building, that is, the Empire State Building
• Witnessing the Statue of Liberty
• Going to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, a newly opened tourist attraction
• Going to visit The High Line
• Going to the Staten Island Ferry

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. This city is a blend of ultramodernity and traditional combination. This is surely a must-explore place for New Year.

Hotels to reside in:

• The TokyoStation Hotel, an expensive and luxurious hotel
• The Imperial Hotel Tokyo, a very luxurious hotel
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, a luxury yet budget-friendly hotel
• Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro, a budget-friendly hotel
• Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International, a cheap yet comfortable hotel

Things to do here include:

• Exploring Tokyo, its streets, its landmarks, its foods and markets by bus tour
• Participating in Shogatsu, a celebration of New Year’s eve
• Visiting and sightseeing the famous Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree
• Sightseeing while exploring Kawaguchiko
• Going on a bus tour of Mount Fuji and Hakone
• Riding on an Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya
• Visiting the Senso-ji Temple, a religious site and sightseeing Asakusa
• Visiting the Meiji-Jingu Shrine, a cultural heritage site
• Visiting the Tokyo National Museum

Whether you enjoy the cosiness of snowy weather or the charm of city lights, make the bookings of any of these described places, pack up your bags right now and end this year with the most amazing and worth-remembering celebrations of Christmas and New Year while ending this year on a memorable note.