Where to go for Christmas

The park grounds stay open for a walk on 25 December, and the Zilker Holiday Tree is on display through 1 January, even though the Trail of Lights itself ended on 23 December. Go in daylight for the tree and the lakeside paths.

Mozart's Festival of Lights runs over Lake Austin from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. On Christmas Eve come for coffee before dark and stay as the lights come on, checking the cafe's shortened 24 December hours first.

Lin on West 6th served dim sum and Taiwanese plates on Christmas Eve last year, a good dinner when many Austin kitchens close early. Book once the 2026 Christmas Eve hours go up in December.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary Cathedral, the 1884 Gothic Revival church downtown, which holds several Masses on 24 December including one late at night. Arrive 30 minutes early, since the family Masses fill first.

Browse the German style market at Lawrenceville Lawn from 20 November to 24 December 2026, with a Ferris wheel and free admission. It is open Christmas Eve 11 am to 4 pm and closes after that, so make this a pre-Christmas stop, and use the free public decks including the Luckie Street deck.

Walk Garden Lights, Holiday Nights on select nights from 14 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, with timed tickets. Check that Christmas Eve is on the calendar before you plan it for 24 December, since the garden takes holiday nights off.

See IllumiNights on select nights from 21 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, but go before Christmas Eve or after 26 December, since the zoo is closed on 25 December and lights nights skip the holiday itself.

The downtown park grounds are open for a walk on 25 December, when most museums, shops and seasonal markets are closed. Stroll the open paths for a free, open air break in the middle of the day.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights fills Constellation Field from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with 3.5 million lights, a 40 foot tree and a skating rink. It is one of the few Houston light shows planned to run on Christmas Eve; buy timed tickets online, which are cheaper than at the gate.

Walk Galaxy Lights on select nights from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, alongside the space center exhibits. The center is closed on 25 December, so go on a night before Christmas Eve or from 26 December.

See Zoo Lights from 19 November 2026, with the zoo lit after dark. Lights nights are select dates, so check that 24 December is on the calendar before you plan it for Christmas Eve.

Hermann Park is open for a walk on 25 December, when many museums close for the day. Use the paths and green space for a quiet outdoor break, and plan on a likely Sunday transit schedule if you are not driving.

Walk the Harbor Walk of Lights at the seaport on 25 December, past the fishing buoy Christmas tree at Greene and Elizabeth Streets, with lights every evening through New Year's Eve.

Milagro serves an a la carte holiday menu on Christmas Eve and 25 December alongside its Latin plates. Book early by phone, since Christmas tables in Key West go fast.

Nine One Five on Duval adds a holiday menu to its full menu on Christmas Eve. Reserve ahead and ask for the upstairs porch.

Book Seven Fish for Christmas Eve for its three course prix fixe, bookable through OpenTable or by phone. It is a small room, so reserve well ahead.

The waterfront park is open for a walk on 25 December, with the Riverwalk lights and the river views while most shops are shut. Come in the late afternoon and stay as the lights come on.

Walk the Tampa Riverwalk on 25 December for the Holiday Spectacular lights, including the floating tree, which run from late November to 3 January 2027. The outdoor walk stays open for strolling even when shops close for the day.

Christmas Town fills Busch Gardens with lights and shows on select dates from 13 November 2026 to 4 January 2027, nightly in Christmas week including Christmas Eve. Buy tickets ahead, since the 24th is a busy park day.

See Christmas in the Wild on select nights from 27 November to 30 December 2026, but go before Christmas Eve or after 26 December, since the lights nights are closed on 24 and 25 December.

Walk Market Square on Christmas Eve and 25 December for the tree and the downtown lights, free and a few steps from the PPG Place rink. The holiday market chalets are shut by Christmas Day.

The PPG Place plaza is open for a walk on 25 December, with the 65 foot tree and the rink area to see from outside even on a quiet day. The UPMC Rink season runs 13 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, so check rink hours separately before planning to skate.

See the Holiday Magic winter flower show under the glass and the outdoor Winter Light Garden at Phipps on Christmas Eve afternoon, when the conservatory closes early. The late openings until 11 pm return from 26 December.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland, the twin spired seat of the diocese, which holds evening and late night Masses on 24 December with its choir. Arrive early for a seat in the nave.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral Basilica, whose interior holds one of the largest mosaic collections in the world, with evening and midnight Masses on 24 December. Arrive early, since the midnight Mass fills.

Drive WonderLight's Christmas drive-through here on 25 December, since it runs 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and is open nightly including holidays. Stay in the car for the full light route, which makes it the easiest St. Louis lights option on the day itself.

See U.S. Bank Wild Lights on select nights from 27 November to 30 December 2026, but go before Christmas Eve or from 26 December, since the zoo is closed on 24 and 25 December for the lights.

Kiener Plaza is open for a walk on 25 December, with the Old Courthouse and the Gateway Arch grounds a few steps east. Winterfest skating takes Christmas Day off and resumes after.

Drive Speedway Christmas, the lights route around the speedway infield, from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It is closed on Christmas Eve, so go on another night.

Visit Light the Knights Festival at Truist Field from 25 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with skating, snow tubing and lights. Book skating and tubing in advance, since capacity is limited.

Walk or drive the Christmas Town USA lights along Main Street from 1 to 26 December 2026, with lights on from 5:30 to 10 pm nightly. Arrive before 5 pm for parking, since the town draws about half a million visitors across the season and weekend traffic backs up.

Angeline's in the Uptown Kimpton served Christmas Eve dinner from 5 to 9 pm and Christmas Day meals last year, one of the few Uptown kitchens open both days. Book once the 2026 menu is posted.

Pullen Park is open for a walk around the lake on 25 December, a quiet green break west of downtown. The Holiday Express train ride ends on 17 December.

Moore Square is open for a walk under the downtown lights on 25 December, between City Market and the Raleigh Times block.

Walk the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, running 21 November to 10 January, on Christmas Eve. It is closed on Christmas Day.

Book Carolina Ballet's The Nutcracker here, running 10 to 13, 15 to 20 and 22 to 24 December, as the classic pre-Christmas night out before the holiday itself. Arrive early for downtown parking on performance nights.

Visit the Carmel Christkindlmarkt here from 21 November to 24 December, with more than 60 wooden huts, a 33 foot Gluhwein pyramid and an ice rink, free to enter, and open on Christmas Eve from noon to 4 pm. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays except 21 and 22 December, so plan around that.

Come to see the Circle of Lights, lit on 27 November from 5 to 8 pm and staying up through the season, paired with dinner at a downtown restaurant near the circle. The public square stays accessible on 25 December, so it is the easy free lights stop on the day itself.

Walk Winterlights through the Newfields gardens from 20 November to 3 January, about 90 minutes, with timed tickets from 25 to 39 dollars. It is closed on 25 December, so book another night.

Visit Christmas at the Zoo from 21 November to 3 January for the lights and Santa, but note it is closed on Christmas Day, so go before the holiday or return after it. Bring waterproof shoes and layers, since December days average around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

North Boulevard Town Square keeps its downtown lights and tree up after the early December Festival of Lights, so walk the square after dark on 25 December, when downtown is quiet.

Walk Louisiana Lights among the Burden gardens from 27 November to 30 December, but go before Christmas Eve or from 26 December, since the gardens are closed on 24 December and 25 December.

L'Auberge Casino Hotel on the Mississippi south of the city keeps its restaurants open on Christmas Eve and 25 December, when most of Baton Rouge closes. Check its holiday menus and book ahead.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral downtown, the seat of the diocese, which holds an evening Mass and a late night Mass on 24 December. Arrive early, since it is the city's busiest Mass of the year.

Walk Istiklal Avenue in the evening for the festive lights and New Year decorations, since much of the December sparkle here is really for Yilbasi, and use the metro or tram because the avenue and Taksim get very crowded. It is a normal working day on 25 December, so shops, cafes and restaurants along the avenue run as usual.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Anthony of Padua, the largest Catholic church in Istanbul, set back from Istiklal Avenue behind its red brick courtyard. Arrive early, since the evening Mass on 24 December fills.

Browse the Spice Bazaar on 25 December, a normal working day in Turkey, for lokum, spices and dried fruit, then climb to Pandeli's tiled room above the gate for lunch.

Spend Christmas Eve at Galataport, the waterfront promenade below Karaköy, with its lit shops and restaurants along the Bosphorus. Take the tram to Tophane rather than a taxi.

Walk in through New Gate to the Christian Quarter on 25 December, the part of the Old City that keeps Christmas, with the Christmas market stalls if they run this year and the Franciscan churches nearby.

Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Christmas Eve morning or on 25 December, when the Christian Quarter is open and Franciscans sing in the church. The Christmas Eve procession itself leaves for Bethlehem.

Walk Mamilla, the open air mall below Jaffa Gate, on the morning of 25 December, a Friday in 2026, before its shops and cafes close for Shabbat in the early afternoon.

Go to Manger Square in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, 10 km south of Jerusalem, where scout bands parade and the Latin Patriarch arrives in the early afternoon before midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity. Midnight Mass needs a ticket, and check travel advisories before crossing.

Visit the Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market here, confirmed for 2026 from 4 to 27 December, with free entry, a 36 foot tree, a Venetian carousel, a mini train, festive abra rides and live music. It runs through 25 December, so it is the flagship market stop on the day itself, and evenings are warm enough for a light jacket only.

Come to Festival Bay for the DXB Winter Festival, announced for 1 December to 10 January, with market stalls, a funfair, Santa's grotto and live performances. Use the metro where possible and leave before the last fountain show or walk to the metro to avoid taxi queues.

Visit Ski Dubai Winter Wonderland here, which last year ran from 1 December to Christmas Day, as the indoor snow contrast to Dubai's warm December days of about 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Malls generally open around 10 am and close between 10 pm and 1 am, later Thursday to Saturday.

Attend a Christmas service here, since St. Mary's holds Christmas services and Filipino Simbang Gabi evening Masses ran in the UAE from 15 to 23 December in past years. Almost everything stays open on 25 December, since it is not an official public holiday, and hotels run Christmas Day brunches and dinners.

Yas Winter Fest at Yas Gateway Park has a tree, skating, rides and a winter market in December. Check that it is open on Christmas Eve before planning it, and go around opening time.

Visit Winter Wonderland here, which last year ran from 6 to 26 December, covering 25 December, and note that shops, malls, restaurants and attractions stay open since Christmas is not a UAE public holiday. Hotels run Christmas Day brunches and lunches, and malls run festive programs through the day.

Come for the Christmas Market under the Dome here, which last year ran 5 to 8 December and 24 to 26 December, and arrive early or use a taxi, since parking at Emirates Palace fills quickly for market days. December evenings can feel cool by the water, so bring a layer for outdoor markets.

Attend Mass here, where past years hosted an outdoor midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and more than 20 Masses in different languages over the festive week, with Filipino Simbang Gabi evening Masses running 15 to 23 December in 2025. It is quieter and more spread out than Dubai, so plan transport between Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and the Corniche.

Spend the evening in Jemaa el-Fna for storytellers, Gnawa musicians and food stalls, since there is no traditional European Christmas market in the medina and the everyday souks and square are the markets to enjoy. The medina, restaurants and cafes generally continue operating on 25 December, so the square stays open and busy on the day itself.

Book a festive dinner here, since last year it offered a set Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve at Quattro, its Italian restaurant, with a turkey jambonnette stuffed with dates, plus festive menus at Inara Lounge and Azzera, and a Christmas Day brunch. Book hotel festive dinners well ahead, especially for the peak week from 23 December to 3 January.

The Sofitel in Hivernage served a Christmas Eve dinner at L'Orangerie last year, a garden hotel option close to the medina. Book once the 2026 menu is out.

Menara Mall puts up Christmas decorations and stays open on 25 December, a normal working day in Morocco, if you want a break from the medina.

Walk the lit Carter Road promenade in Bandra West on 25 December, when Bandra's churches, markets and cafes are a major draw and the lanes stay busy with lights, arches and carol singing. Go on foot, since traffic around Bandra Reclamation moves slowly at Christmas.

Go to Mount Mary Basilica on the hill above Bandstand for the Christmas Eve midnight Mass or on 25 December, when people of every faith come to light candles. Arrive early; the lanes jam.

Book the Christmas Eve dinner at Pondichery Cafe in Sofitel Mumbai BKC, which last year was followed by a Christmas Day brunch. Book early rather than walking in, especially for Bandra and BKC tables.

Shop Hill Road in Bandra West for last minute decorations, then walk the decorated lanes nearby for cribs and carols. Expect crowds in the evening and prefer cashless payment at packed stalls.

See one of Southeast Asia's largest Christmas trees at CentralWorld on 25 December, when Bangkok's malls operate as usual and the plaza stays busy with lights and festive displays. Last year Santa meet and greets ran on 24 and 25 December, so go on a weeknight if you can to dodge weekend crowds.

Walk the riverside at ICONSIAM on 25 December, when malls, shops and restaurants operate as usual in Bangkok. Last year its Bangkok Illumination ran to 25 December, with a 20 metre tree at River Park and light and sound shows, and you can reach it by the free shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin pier.

Visit Emporium in the EM District for The Wonder of Joy lights, which last year ran from 20 November to 5 January. Stay on the BTS corridor and go on a weeknight rather than a weekend to avoid the worst crowds.

Book the Christmas Eve dinner at Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, listed for 24 December 2026, with a Christmas Day brunch the next day. Bangkok guides advise booking a good Christmas dinner weeks ahead, so reserve well before December.

Spend 25 December at the V and A Waterfront, which stays busy with its giant tree, festive markets and musical performances while many independent shops close. Book any Waterfront Christmas lunch or dinner in advance, since hotels and Waterfront restaurants are the reliable options on the day.

Spend a beach day at Camps Bay Beach on 25 December, a local Christmas tradition in Cape Town's summer. Start early, bring sun protection, and expect full beaches and slow coastal traffic on fine days.

Walk Adderley Street after dark on Christmas Eve, when the festive lights are on from the station to the Company's Garden.

Book Christmas Eve dinner at Cape Grace Hotel at the V and A Waterfront, which last year offered first seating from 6:30 pm and last seating at 9 pm. Book well in advance and expect full pre-payment at some hotels for festive meals.

Walk the WeihnachtsZauber market at Gendarmenmarkt on 25 December, when this paid entry market between the German and French cathedrals is still running, with crafts, stage shows and heated dining tents. It runs from 23 November to 31 December 2026, and its Christmas Eve hours are listed as 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Ride the ice rink and Ferris wheel at the Alexanderplatz Christmas market on 25 December, when this free entry market is still running with its large Christmas pyramid. It runs from 23 November to 26 December 2026, so this is one of your last chances to catch it.

Walk the Christmas market in front of the lit Charlottenburg Palace on 25 December, free, with over 250 stalls. It is closed on Christmas Eve and runs to 27 December 2026.

Michelberger in Friedrichshain serves a four course family style Christmas Eve menu at 98 euros, with seatings from 5 to 9 pm. Book weeks ahead.

Browse the Christmas Village at Museumplein on 25 December, when the market is open from noon to 7:00 pm with more than 45 stalls, poffertjes and stroopwafels, plus the nearby ice rink. The market runs from 3 to 27 December 2026, with hours to 9:00 pm up to 24 December.

The Rijksmuseum is open every day of the year, including 25 December from 9 am to 5 pm, so book a slot for The Night Watch while the shops are shut.

Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs fills the RAI halls with indoor skating and fairground rides in the Christmas holidays. Check that it opens on Christmas Eve before you buy tickets.

Book Christmas Eve dinner at Oriole Garden Bistro at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, from 6:00 pm on 24 December 2026, with four or five course Mediterranean inspired menus from 125 euros per person. Reserve well in advance, and book hotel festive menus as soon as they are published.

Browse the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz, Munich's oldest, under the tree in front of the New Town Hall, open on Christmas Eve until 2 pm. Go in the morning, before it packs up.

Visit the Marchenbazar at Olympiapark on 25 December, one of the few Munich markets still running on that day, with alternative nightlife and activities for older children. It runs from 26 November to 28 December 2026 but is closed on 24 December, so do not plan it for Christmas Eve.

Book the festive Christmas brunch at Restaurant IRMI at Le Meridien Munich on 25 December, with a Christmas menu running from 16 November through the holiday and a festive brunch also listed for the next day. Book through the hotel directly and weeks ahead, as the city guide advises.

Book Christmas Eve dinner at Schwarzreiter at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, listed as a multi-course Christmas menu including a champagne aperitif from 6:30 pm on 24 December. Arrange reservations directly through the hotel, weeks ahead.

The German style market on Piazza Santa Croce has over 50 wooden stalls and runs to 20 December 2026, so go before Christmas Eve.

Browse the market at Piazza Santa Maria Novella, the market that actually covers Christmas week, with local artisans from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. It runs from 20 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, and Florence is walkable, so pair it with the Duomo and the Arno riverfront in one central walk.

Visit Florence Cathedral on 25 December, when churches are open for Christmas Mass and the piazzas are good for walking, even though most shops are closed and the Uffizi and Accademia are closed. Look for the Duomo nativity scene, traditionally blessed on 8 December with terracotta figures by Impruneta artisans, which stays until 6 January.

Book Christmas lunch or dinner at Il Palagio at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze on 25 December, when restaurants that are open serve fixed Christmas menus by reservation. Christmas lunch is the bigger Florentine event, while Christmas Eve is traditionally a lighter seafood dinner, so book well in advance, ideally weeks ahead.

Browse the Christmas village on Campo Santo Stefano on Christmas Eve for Murano glass, masks and mulled wine among the wooden chalets. It is closed on Christmas Day.

Walk Piazza San Marco on 25 December, when Venice is very quiet and good for walking, since most stores and restaurants close for family lunch. Bring waterproof shoes, since high water can flood the lowest squares for a few hours.

Go to the midnight Mass in St Mark's Basilica on Christmas Eve, which starts at 11:30 pm under the gold mosaics, or Mass on 25 December. Queue a couple of hours early for the night Mass.

Skate on the open air rink in Campo San Polo, one of the largest squares in Venice, on Christmas Eve afternoon. Check holiday hours, since the rink closes early on 24 December.

Go to a Christmas Eve service at St. Michaelis, the Michel, Hamburg's baroque landmark church, which holds several services through the afternoon and evening of 24 December. They fill fast, so arrive early.

Santa Pauli, the adults' Christmas market on Spielbudenplatz off the Reeperbahn, has bars, live music and a mulled wine pharmacy, and ends on 23 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Book the festive four course menu here on Christmas Eve at Hotel The Fontenay on the Outer Alster, where external guests are welcomed. Book as soon as festive menus are published, since Christmas Eve tables go early.

Visit on 25 December, when the Hamburger Kunsthalle is listed as open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm while shops and the main markets are closed. Plan it as a calm daytime stop between hotel brunches and festive menus, and check the day's opening before you go.

The Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt in the Thurn und Taxis palace grounds, lit by torches and fires with blacksmiths and glass blowers at work, ends on 23 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

The free Christkindlmarkt on Neupfarrplatz is the old town's main market, open until 23 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Eat Bavarian food at the Weißbräuhaus, brewing wheat beer in the old town since 1620, with duck, pork and dumplings. Check its Christmas Eve hours and book, since it may close early on 24 December.

Go to the Christmette in Regensburg Cathedral on Christmas Eve, or the Mass on 25 December, when the Regensburger Domspatzen, the cathedral's boys' choir, often sing. Arrive early for a seat.

Start at Rathausplatz, the busiest part of a market spread over several old town squares with Black Forest crafts and local mulled wine. It ends on 23 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Dattler sits on the Schlossberg above the old town, with views over the Münster roofs, and serves a Christmas menu. Check its Christmas Eve hours and book weeks ahead.

The Colombi Hotel's restaurants serve a Christmas Eve menu of Baden and French cooking, the safest booking in the old town on 24 December. Book weeks ahead.

Go to the Christmas Eve Christmette in Freiburg Minster or a service on 25 December, under its 116 metre openwork spire, then walk the Bächle through the quiet old town.

Visit the main market in East Princes Street Gardens, with about 70 stalls and free entry, usually open 10am to 10pm from 14 November to 3 January. It closes early at 8pm on Christmas Eve and reopens at noon on Boxing Day, so plan a daylight visit first and stay for the lights.

Book the festive feasting menu at Dishoom Edinburgh in St Andrew Square, served from 16 November to Christmas Eve at 55 pounds per person. Book ahead because tables go quickly, especially for the final festive days.

Walk the Christmas at the Botanics light trail on selected evenings from 19 November to 30 December with a timed ticket. Check that Christmas Eve is on the calendar before you plan it for 24 December.

Gaucho on St Andrew Square served Christmas Day sittings at noon and 3 pm last year, Argentine steak a short walk from the market. Book weeks ahead.

See the Giant Santa on his Christmas cracker in Albert Square on Christmas Eve, lit until 3 January in front of the Town Hall. The market stalls close on 22 December.

Skate at the ice rink at Cathedral Gardens, which stays open with Albert Square to 3 January after most market sites close on 22 December. Walk the trail end to end instead of driving, since the sites run about 15 to 20 minutes apart.

Book Circolo Popolare, the Big Mamma Italian restaurant, which is listed as open all day on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Book several weeks ahead, since central Manchester festive tables are in high demand.

Sam's Chop House on Chapel Walks served an 85 pound Christmas Day menu with turkey ballotine last year, in a Victorian basement chop house. Book early for 25 December.

The Stortorget market in Gamla Stan, running since 1837, sells smoked sausage, glögg and crafts until 23 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Skansen's Christmas market, with crafts, saffron buns and dancing round the tree in the open air museum, runs on weekends until 20 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

The Veranda at the Grand Hôtel lays out its julbord through December and a Christmas Eve sitting on 24 December, with herring, gravlax and Janssons frestelse facing the palace. Book weeks ahead.

Visit Nordiska museet on 25 December, since it states it is open every day including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day while most businesses and attractions close. Plan it as the main indoor stop on a quiet day, with public transport on reduced schedules.

Visit Jul i Vinterland at Spikersuppa on Karl Johans gate between Parliament and Nationaltheatret, running 7 November to 3 January with free entry, an ice rink, rides, a Ferris wheel and street food. Note it is closed on Christmas Eve, so plan it for the days before or after the holiday itself.

The Norsk Folkemuseum Christmas fair fills the old farm houses on Bygdøy with crafts on two weekends, 5 to 6 and 12 to 13 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Olympen in Grønland serves pinnekjøtt, ribbe and lutefisk under its big beer hall murals through December. Most Oslo kitchens close early on Christmas Eve, so check its 24 December hours before you plan dinner there.

Walk through Vigeland Sculpture Park on 25 December, when outdoor places in Oslo remain walkable while shops are closed. Plan the walk for midday, since Oslo has late sunrises and early sunsets over Christmas itself.

Christmas at Liseberg fills the park with millions of lights, markets and an ice rink on selected days to 30 December 2026. It is closed on 24 and 25 December, so go before Christmas Eve or from 26 December.

The Haga Nygata Christmas market runs on Advent weekends from 28 November to 20 December, 11 am to 4 pm, so go before Christmas Eve for glögg and cinnamon buns.

Kronhusjul fills the 1650s Kronhuset with craft and food markets on selected days until 20 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Stay at Hotel Riverton by the harbour, so you have a hotel restaurant and bar to fall back on on 25 December, when most of the city is shut. Check the holiday hours of its 12th floor Sky Bar.

The Riga Christmas Market on Dome Square runs 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, free, and opens on 25 December. Try piparkūkas and hot Black Balsam under the cathedral.

Browse the smaller market at Livu Square in the Old Town for Latvian wool mittens, wooden toys and ceramics. It is a compact alternative to Dome Square, and the Old Town is small enough to walk between the two markets easily.

Walk Esplanade Park on 25 December, past the Nativity Cathedral's gold domes, a quiet park on the edge of the old town.

3 Pavāru, three chefs cooking modern Latvian food in an open kitchen on Torņa iela, is a good old town dinner on Christmas Eve. Check its 24 December hours and book.

Visit Geneva's main 2026 market at Quai du Mont-Blanc, running 19 November to 24 December 2026 with free entry, a Fondue Chalet, a kids yurt and a Ferris wheel. It closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve and is closed on the holiday itself, so try vin chaud, raclette, fondue, roasted chestnuts and gingerbread earlier in Advent.

Skate at the Parc des Bastions ice rink, running 24 November 2026 to 21 February 2027, Tuesday to Sunday. Lakeside lights remain even after Noel au Quai has ended, so pair the rink with an evening walk toward the lake.

Go to the Christmas Eve service or the service on 25 December in Saint-Pierre Cathedral, Calvin's church at the top of the Old Town, then climb the north tower for the lake view.

Walk through Jardin Anglais by the lake, part of the walkable festive zone from Parc des Bastions down to the lakeside and up into the Old Town. The garden stays accessible on 25 December for a lakeside stroll when shops and the main market are closed.

The city's Christmas market on Kotzia Square in front of City Hall has wooden stalls, street food and a free carousel, and opened on 25 December from noon last year. Check the city programme before you go.

Go to Syntagma Square for the lights centre, with a large tree in front of Parliament and lights along Ermou Street. The public square stays accessible on 25 December for a walk and lights, even though shops and the main museums are closed that day.

The Christmas Factory fills the old Gazi gasworks at Technopolis with an ice rink, a fun park and a market through the holidays, open daily from 10 am after 21 December last year. Check its Christmas Eve hours.

Book Christmas Eve dinner at the Grande Bretagne on Syntagma, whose rooftop restaurant looks straight at the lit Acropolis. Book weeks ahead.

Walk Stradun on 25 December, the polished limestone main street of the old town, lit for the Winter Festival though its market stalls close for the day.

Dalmatino on Prijeko serves Dalmatian dishes, and bakalar na bijelo, white salt cod, is the Christmas Eve dish to ask for. Check that it opens on 24 December, since many old town kitchens close in winter.

Azur, under the city walls on Pobijana, cooks Asian Mediterranean dishes. Check that it is open on Christmas Eve before you book, since it takes a winter break.

Walk the city walls on 25 December, when winter hours run from morning to mid afternoon and the tour groups are gone. Check that day's hours before you go.

Skate at the Union Square rink, open 4 November 2026 to 18 January 2027, under the Macy's Great Tree on 25 December, when the rink keeps holiday hours and the shops around it are shut.

Crab House at PIER 39 was open on 25 December last year from 11 am to 9 pm, serving its garlic roasted Dungeness crab while most of the city is closed. Book ahead; a few walk in seats are kept.

Visit the California Academy of Sciences on Christmas Eve for the aquarium, planetarium and four storey rainforest under its living roof, arriving at opening since it closes early on 24 December. It is closed on 25 December.

See SF Ballet's Nutcracker, running 4 to 27 December 2026, in the city that staged the first full American production on Christmas Eve 1944. Book now and check which performances fall on 24 December.

San Laurel at the Conrad serves a 185 dollar tasting menu on Christmas Eve and 25 December from 5 to 9:30 pm, with tax and 20 percent gratuity added and a card hold to book.

Walk the Santa Monica Pier on 25 December, open as a public pier with the ocean on both sides. Go for sunset, around 4:45 pm, and bring a layer.

Walk Enchant Christmas at Santa Anita Park, from 20 November to 27 December, with a light maze, a skating trail and a village market. Check its Christmas Eve hours before you plan it for 24 December, since holiday nights close early.

Book Christmas Eve dinner here during December special hours, with dine in service from 11am to 9pm and reservations required. Note the restaurant closes on Christmas Day, so Christmas Eve is the night to go.

Ski Aspen Mountain on 25 December, open since Thanksgiving, when the lifts run as usual. Check your pass, since some passes black out Christmas week at Aspen Snowmass, and ride the free RFTA buses between the four mountains.

Last year PARC Aspen served a festive multi course prix fixe dinner on 25 December, so book well ahead and confirm the 2026 menu before going. Christmas week is peak season, so expect crowds at restaurants and on lifts.

Ajax Tavern sits at the foot of the gondola and served holiday specials alongside its truffle fries and burgers on Christmas Eve last year. Book for an early dinner as the lifts close.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary's, the 1892 red stone church on Main Street, which adds extra Masses on 24 December for the holiday crowd. Arrive early, since visitors fill it.

See the 110 foot Mile High Tree light shows from 5pm to 10pm on 25 December, since the installation runs 20 November to 31 December. Arrive by public transport, since bus routes 6 and 43 stop at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway.

Walk Larimer Square on 25 December for the lights strung over the Victorian block, a free stroll while its boutiques are closed.

Book Blossoms of Light from 20 November to 10 January, a ticketed and date specific evening walk that is closed on Christmas Day, so go on Christmas Eve or later in the week. Timed tickets sell out for weekend evenings close to Christmas, and there are no walk up sales.

Jax in LoDo served a five course Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve from 3 pm last year. Book early once the 2026 menu is out.

Walk Glendale Glitters on 25 December, when the lights in Murphy Park and historic downtown Glendale shine nightly from 27 November to 1 January. Desert evenings are cool even when days are mild, so bring a layer.

Visit Christmas at the Princess, running 20 November to 2 January with an ice rink, a Ferris wheel, a train, carnival rides and a s'mores chalet, so the resort is in full swing on 25 December. Book resort holiday events ahead, since they fill up quickly.

Walk ZooLights from 25 November to 15 January, nightly from 5:30pm to 10:30pm, with a 50 foot LED tree, six 24 foot trees, a light tunnel and a dinosaur trail. Parking is free, and Monday to Wednesday nights are generally least crowded, with arrival around 7:30pm smoother after the first wave.

Mastro's City Hall in Old Town Scottsdale was open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day last year, for steak and a live piano. Book well ahead for either night.

The zoo opens on 25 December from 9 am to 3:30 pm for a morning among the giraffes with ocean views, though the evening ZooLights is closed that night. Reserve tickets ahead.

Book Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner at The Set, serving from 3 to 10 pm on 24 December and 25 December with prime rib, crispy chili salmon and seared chicken on the holiday menu. Reserve ahead.

Walk Stearns Wharf on Christmas Eve at sunset, the 1872 pier with the harbor and the Santa Ynez Mountains behind town. The Parade of Lights is earlier, on 13 December.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at the Old Mission, the Queen of the Missions, founded in 1786 and still a parish church. Arrive early, since the evening Masses on 24 December fill the old nave.

Go to the Missa do Galo at midnight on Christmas Eve in the Sé, Lisbon's 12th century cathedral, or Mass on 25 December, and look for the presépio nativity scenes.

Walk Avenida da Liberdade on 25 December for the central lights walk, when the city is quiet and best planned as a walk, a church visit and a prebooked hotel meal. December weather is mild for northern visitors, but evenings are cool and rain is possible.

Visit Wonderland Lisboa from 27 November to 3 January, with free entry, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and a Santa village. Go before Christmas Eve, since the main family celebration, Consoada, keeps most locals home that night.

The Rossio Christmas market has wooden stalls of chestnuts, ginja and mulled wine until 22 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Browse the Port Vell Christmas market on 25 December, since it runs from late November or early December to 6 January with a Ferris wheel, food stalls and lights over the water. It is the best market option still open after 23 December, when the cathedral and Sagrada Familia fairs close.

Walk Els Llums de Sant Pau on 25 December, a light walk reported from 19 November to 10 January. Christmas Day lunch is the more important meal in Barcelona, so pair an evening light walk with a prebooked hotel lunch.

The Fira de Santa Llúcia in front of the cathedral, held since 1786, sells nativity figures, moss and caganers until 23 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

El Xalet de Montjuïc served a Christmas Day lunch on 25 December last year with the city laid out below, closing in the evening. Book early.

Walk Retiro Park on 25 December, when it stays open for walks while museums including the Prado and Reina Sofia close and most shops shut. Expect cold, often sunny days, with daytime highs around 11 degrees and nights near 3 degrees.

Have churros and hot chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés, off Puerta del Sol since 1894, which stays open on 25 December. Expect a queue after lunch.

Browse the Mercado de Navidad de la Plaza Mayor from late November to 31 December, with 104 stalls for nativity figures, decorations, toys and joke gifts for 28 December. Plaza Mayor and Gran Via are very crowded in the evenings, especially on weekends.

La Rotonda, under the stained glass dome of The Westin Palace, serves special menus on Christmas Eve and 25 December, with prepayment for holiday tables. Book ahead, since most Madrid bars close by mid afternoon on 24 December.

Stand in St Peter's Square on 25 December for the Pope's Urbi et Orbi blessing at noon, free to attend but very crowded, with the tree and nativity scene on display. Mass tickets inside St Peter's Basilica are free but must be requested in advance.

Browse the Piazza Navona Christmas market on 25 December for toys, sweets and the Befana stalls around Bernini's fountain, with a vintage carousel lit after dark.

Book Christmas Eve dinner at Hosteria Grappolo d'Oro in Campo de' Fiori, open for dinner on 24 December and open on Christmas Day with a traditional Christmas lunch menu including tortellini in brodo and roast lamb. Book Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals well in advance, since many open restaurants use set menus.

Flavio al Velavevodetto, built into the ancient pottery mound of Monte Testaccio, opens as normal on Christmas Eve and serves a festive lunch on 25 December, with no dinner that night.

Last year Ristorante Berton offered a Christmas Day lunch on 25 December with celeriac, fish soup risotto and herb stuffed guinea fowl, ending with Berton panettone. Book a hotel restaurant or a well known restaurant as soon as its festive menu appears, and confirm whether it is lunch only on Christmas Day.

Seta at the Mandarin Oriental served a seafood led Christmas Day menu on 25 December last year, in a quiet courtyard dining room. Book once the 2026 menu is out.

Browse the Christmas market around Piazza del Duomo, with over 60 wooden stalls of Lombard cheeses and panettone. Check that it opens on 25 December before planning it for Christmas Day.

Walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on Christmas Eve for its giant tree under the glass dome, with the shops open until early evening. Spin your heel on the bull mosaic for luck on the way out.

Walk Piazza del Plebiscito on 25 December, when churches and squares stay open for walks even though most shops close. Lights cover more than 150 km of streets in recent years, with large trees in Piazza Dante, Piazza dei Martiri and here.

Walk Piazza Dante on 25 December for its large tree, while the city wakes up slowly and restaurants reopen first in the historic centre, Lungomare and Quartieri Spagnoli. Many restaurants are closed or open only with reservations, so book ahead.

Walk Via San Gregorio Armeno on Christmas Eve, the alley of presepe workshops, when families come for the last figure for their crib. Go in the morning, since the one way crowd is slow by afternoon.

See the Presepe Cuciniello, a famous 19th century Neapolitan crib, at the Museo Nazionale di San Martino. Naples is the home of the presepe, with handmade terracotta figures including contemporary figures of footballers, politicians and public figures.

Visit Le Village de Noel on 25 December, when the Christmas Village is open from 2pm to 9pm, with more than 60 wooden chalets, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and a Santa chalet. The market has bag checks and security at entrances, and the Promenade des Anglais entrance is often less busy than the Place Massena entrance.

Walk the Promenade des Anglais on 25 December for lights on palm trees and the main lights areas around Place Massena. Trams run with reduced service on Christmas Day, so check Lignes d'Azur for the holiday timetable.

Go to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at Sainte-Réparate, the baroque cathedral on Place Rossetti in the old town. Arrive early, since the nave is small.

Browse Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya for smaller scale lights and artisan stalls, and shop for Provencal santons, small hand painted terracotta nativity figures distinctive to Nice and Provence. Market food includes socca, vin chaud, crepes, chestnuts and artisan chocolates.

Walk Avenida dos Aliados on 25 December for the large tree and video mapping on City Hall at the lights switch on, the central lights focus. Most shops and many restaurants close on Christmas Day, but the avenue itself stays open for a walk.

The Yeatman in Gaia serves Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunches and dinners open to non guests, with the whole of Porto across the river. Book well ahead.

Browse the Christmas Design Market in the Jardins do Palacio de Cristal from 29 November to 29 December, open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm. December in Porto is mild but often wet, so bring a rain jacket and shoes that grip on slippery cobbles.

The WOW district in Gaia has several restaurants open on Christmas Eve and 25 December, above the port lodges with views over the Douro to Ribeira. Book ahead.

Browse the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market on 25 December from 11am to 9pm, since it runs 21 November to 25 December and Christmas Day is a normal working day in Japan. The Keyakizaka illumination beside it runs 5 November to 25 December from 5pm to 10pm.

Visit Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2026 on 25 December, running 5 November to 25 December with about 400,000 lights, an eight metre tree at Sky Arena and illuminations from 4pm to 11pm. Go early in December or on a weekday if you can, since illuminations are at maximum density on 23 and 24 December.

Walk the Marunouchi Illumination from 12 November to 14 February, with champagne gold street lights from 4pm to 11pm, free to view. Unlike the markets, these lights continue well past Christmas into January and February.

Book the Christmas course at Karin Chinese Restaurant in ANA InterContinental Tokyo, running 19 December through Christmas Day at 19,000 yen per person, for lunch and dinner. Book by early November for a special Christmas Eve dinner, since Christmas Eve is the most heavily booked restaurant night of the Japanese year.

The Gwanghwamun Market fills the square with a Santa village, a giant tree and food stalls from mid December, open into the evening on 25 December.

Last year the Seoul Plaza ice rink ran 19 December to 8 February at 1,000 won per hour including skate and helmet rental, in front of City Hall, so it is a good outdoor option on 25 December. December 25 is a one day public holiday, while 24 and 26 December are normal working days.

Go to Christmas Eve Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral, the 1898 brick church, where a nativity play at 10:30 pm leads into midnight Mass on 24 December. Seats fill from 9 pm.

The Lotte World Tower Christmas Market in Jamsil has a 13 metre tree, a two level carousel and about 50 booths, open late on Christmas Eve, with free entry before 4 pm.

Walk Orchard Road on 25 December for Christmas on a Great Street, with two Christmas Villages, projection mapping, a large Christmas tree and nightly snowfall shows. Shops, malls, restaurants and attractions largely stay open through Christmas, and only banks, government offices and schools close.

Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay ran from late November to 1 January in past years, with a light tunnel, a market and a carousel around the Supertrees on 25 December. Check that it returns for 2026 before you plan it.

Browse The Great Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza from 13 November to 3 January, with carnival rides, games and festive treats, plus a second location at Shaw House Urban Plaza from 20 November. Christmas in Singapore is hot, humid and crowded on Orchard Road in the evenings, so go early for markets.

Walk Gardens-A-Glow at Singapore Botanic Gardens from 5 December to 3 January, with free general admission and about 250 decorated trees. December is wet season, so bring rain cover for outdoor evening events.

WinterFest's Christmas Town in Statue Square has a 20 metre tree, free to enter, and stayed open until 1 am on 24 December and 25 December last year.

Walk the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade on 25 December for festive illuminations and the Christmas themed version of A Symphony of Lights, the regular nightly harbour light show, free to view. Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui are very crowded on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so use the MTR and allow extra time.

Book the festive set dinner at Gallery in Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, listed at 1,288 Hong Kong dollars plus service charge. Book weeks ahead for hotel and harbour view restaurants, since one 2026 group offer rewarded confirmation by 31 October.

Book the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day set dinner at Wooloomooloo, with two seatings, first seating 6pm to 7:30pm and second seating from 8pm onwards, plus Christmas brunch on Christmas Day and the two following days from 11:45am to 3pm. For a normal table, one to two weeks ahead is the minimum for popular places.

Walk The Bund on 25 December, when malls, department stores, bars, restaurants and the metro run on normal schedules, since Christmas is a normal working day in mainland China. Historic Bund buildings are lit in gold, best viewed from 5pm to 8pm.

Walk Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street on 25 December for giant illuminated snowflakes above the street, best from 6:30pm to 9pm. Christmas week draws heavy foot traffic around the Bund, so visit markets earlier in the day from 2pm to 5pm before night crowds build.

The German Christkindlmarkt behind the Bund on Yuanmingyuan Road has wooden stalls, an 18 metre tree lit daily at 5 pm and German music, open on Christmas Eve, a Thursday, from 3 pm. Buy tickets online, cheaper than at the door.

Spend Christmas Eve at Shanghai Disneyland for the winter parade, snowfall on Mickey Avenue and the castle projection after dark. Take Metro Line 11, since Christmas Eve crowds are two to three times normal.

Walk the Midosuji Illumination on 25 December, lit from 5 pm along the boulevard from Hanshin-mae to Namba. The whole run is about 4 km, so pick one section and link it to dinner.

Visit OSAKA Hikari no Renaissance on 25 December, the last day of the 15 day central programme from 11 to 25 December, with projection mapping from 5:30pm to 9:30pm and the Hikari no Marche market from 4pm to 10pm. Arrive by 5:30pm to catch the projection, since the programme lasts only 15 days.

See the Umeda Sky Building Christmas Tree and market in Wonder Square, with lights from 13 November through Christmas Day and the 40th floor Floating Garden Observatory linked under a Story of Stars theme. Evening crowds are heaviest from 6pm to 9pm at illumination sites.

Book the Noel Dinner and Noel Lunch at La Belle Assiette in The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji, running 19 December through Christmas Day, with reservations opening 9 October 2026. Book Christmas Eve early, and expect fixed courses at premium prices at hotel restaurants.

Browse the Tenjin-san flea market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on 25 December, the year's last Tenjin-san, typically from 6am to 9pm, with antique stalls and food carts selling yakisoba and karaage. Go early if you want to browse antiques, since the market is crowded.

See the Kyoto Station tree and Big Stairs LED show on 24 or 25 December, from 3pm to 10pm on 24 December, running from late November to 25 December, with a large tree and a graphical illumination on the Grand Staircase. The station display changes theme after Christmas rather than ending.

Walk the Agnes Illumination at Heian Jogakuin University, student made light works on the campus by the Imperial Palace, free from 4:30 pm to 9 pm through 25 December.

Book the Christmas course menu at Grand Cafe Fauchon in Fauchon Hotel Kyoto, running 19 December through Christmas Day, nine courses including snow crab, seasonal root vegetable cannelloni, poached free range egg with black truffle, and premium fish and bird mains, with views toward Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. Reservations for the Christmas dinner accommodation package opened 28 August 2026.

Visit Melbourne Zoo on 25 December, when major attractions stay open even though most shops shut under Victoria's restricted trading rules. Public transport runs on a public holiday timetable, so check times and allow extra waiting time.

Walk the Royal Botanic Gardens on 25 December, when outdoor spaces including the gardens, St Kilda Beach, Albert Park Lake and the Yarra River precinct stay open. December in Melbourne is summer, so pack sun protection, water and light layers for cool evenings.

See the 17.5 metre Christmas tree at Federation Square, lit with 110,000 lights, on Christmas Eve or 25 December. Go early on Christmas Eve, when crowds build.

Watch the Crown Christmas River Show on the Yarra at Southbank Promenade outside Crown, nightly from late November until Christmas night, with shows from 9pm to 11pm every 15 minutes, free, with water fountains, lasers, light projections and a festive soundtrack.

Book the Christmas Day Buffet at Harbour Society in SO/ Auckland on 25 December, with two hour seatings at noon to 2pm, 3pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm, at 189 dollars per person. Book hotel Christmas meals early, since Christmas Day hotel buffets are pre-booked set seatings, not walk in meals.

Wellingtons in the Waipuna Hotel serves a Christmas Eve feast on 24 December and a Christmas Day feast on 25 December, booked online.

Book Christmas Eve dinner at La Maree in Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour on 24 December, a three course festive set menu including French classics such as lobster and caviar, at 159 dollars per person, with various sittings available. Book weeks ahead for hotel Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining.

Go to the Christmas Eve service or a Christmas Day service at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, with its great stained glass window over the harbour side. Times are posted in December.

Walk Place Jacques-Cartier in Old Montreal on 25 December, when the square and rue Saint-Paul lights stay open for a walk even though most shops close on the statutory holiday. The metro runs on a holiday schedule, and snow by Christmas is common but never guaranteed.

Kyo Bar, the Japanese izakaya in Old Montreal, was open on 24 and 25 December last year, a rare Christmas Day table in the old town. Call to confirm before you plan around it.

Browse the Grand Marché de Noël at Place des Festivals, free to enter in the Quartier des spectacles by Place-des-Arts metro. On Christmas Eve go in the afternoon, before stalls close for the réveillon.

Browse the Christmas Village beside Atwater Market from 26 November to 24 December, about a 10 minute walk from Lionel-Groulx metro. The two weeks before Christmas give the best mix of open doors and festive atmosphere.

Visit Lincoln Park Zoo on 25 December, since it is open every day of the year, although ZooLights does not run that night. ZooLights itself runs 20 November to 3 January, so return after Christmas Day for the lights.

The Skydeck is open on 25 December, and the glass Ledge 103 floors up is quieter than in the week before Christmas. Go before sunset for the lake and the lit Loop.

Browse Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza from 20 November to 24 December, with free admission, and note it closes on Christmas Day. Weekend evenings at Daley Plaza are the most crowded, and last year a crowd cap caused long lines.

See the City of Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park, lit 20 November and staying up to 10 January, and skate at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon, which open with reservations on Christmas Day. The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade is 21 November, with more than one million lights then lining Michigan Avenue.

Skate at Frog Pond on Boston Common on 25 December, a classic winter activity on public open space, while city offices, libraries and community centers close and parking meters are free with no time limit. The MBTA runs a modified holiday service, with past practice a Sunday schedule, so check the 2026 schedule before going.

Walk Commonwealth Avenue Mall on 25 December after the tree lighting season opens, with the Boston Common tree lit 3 December from 6pm to 8pm and the Mall lighting following at about 8:15pm. The tree is a gift from Nova Scotia, marking thanks for Boston relief after the 6 December 1917 Halifax explosion.

Browse the Holiday Market at Snowport in the Seaport from 6 November to 27 December, with more than 120 vendors, noting it is closed on Christmas Day. Snowport is outdoors by the water, so dress for wind, and weekday evenings are quieter.

See Blink at Faneuil Hall Marketplace from 20 November to early January, with 350,000 LED lights synced to music. Use the T rather than driving downtown, and expect reduced holiday service on Christmas Day.

The CN Tower is open on 25 December, so ride up for the view over a quiet city and the frozen edge of Lake Ontario, then walk next door to the aquarium.

Ripley's Aquarium is open on 25 December, with the moving walkway through the shark tunnel, while the AGO, ROM and Casa Loma are closed. Go early, since families fill it by afternoon.

Browse Distillery Winter Village in the Distillery District from 12 November to 3 January, with the tree lighting on opening night 12 November at 6pm, noting it is closed on Christmas Day. Entry is free before 4pm daily and all day Monday to Wednesday through 13 December, with timed tickets at other peak times, and it is very crowded on Saturday evenings, so go on a weekday afternoon if you can.

Skate on Nathan Phillips Square under the tree lit at the Cavalcade of Lights on 28 November, free on Christmas Eve, with skate rental beside the rink.

Ride the Skyride up Grouse Mountain on Christmas Eve for the last day of Peak of Christmas, or on 25 December to skate on the mountain top pond and ski above the city.

Walk English Bay on 25 December, one of the beaches and waterfront walks, such as Kits Beach and False Creek, that stay open on Christmas Day. Expect rain rather than snow in the city, with temperatures typically 2 to 7 degrees, so bring a waterproof layer.

Browse the Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza from 16 November to 24 December, noting it is closed on Christmas Day. The market is a short walk from Waterfront Station, and parking near the markets is limited, so use transit.

Walk Canyon Lights across the suspension bridge and treetops, running 20 November to 10 January, on Christmas Eve. It is closed on 25 December.

Book Christmas Day dinner at Grappa in Queen Anne on 25 December from noon to 9pm at 95 dollars, with a confirmed 2026 Christmas Eve four course dinner on 24 December from 4pm to 9pm at the same price. Book popular rooms well ahead, since reservations can fill up a month in advance for Christmas Day.

Walk Gas Works Park on 25 December, a public waterfront park and a free shore viewing stop for the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival, which runs 27 November to 23 December with a finale at the park on 23 December. Expect rain and early darkness rather than snow in the city.

Browse the Seattle Christmas Market at Seattle Center from 20 November to 26 December, plus New Year's Eve, noting it is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It reopens 26 December from 11:30am to 9pm, and Winterfest continues through 31 December.

Go to Pike Place Market on Christmas Eve morning for flowers, smoked salmon and the fish throwers before stalls close early. It is closed on 25 December.

Walk the National Mall on 25 December, the one day the Smithsonian museums close, from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Finish at the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, lit every evening through the holidays.

Book Founding Farmers on 25 December, since all its locations state they are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2026, with everyday menus on Christmas Eve and holiday menus on Christmas Day. Reserve as soon as possible.

Walk through CityCenterDC on Christmas Eve for its 78 foot tree and the lit courtyard, with the shops open until early evening.

Go to a Christmas Eve service at Washington National Cathedral, whose evening and late services on 24 December need free tickets released in early December. Arrive early, since security lines form.

Jean-Georges on the 59th floor of the Four Seasons serves Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner on 24 and 25 December from 5 to 9 pm, with a five course tasting menu and a vegetarian one. Book ahead for a window table.

Walk Rittenhouse Square on 25 December, when Christmas Village is closed, with the lit trees in the square and the hotel restaurants around it open for dinner.

Browse Christmas Village in Philadelphia at LOVE Park and City Hall from 21 November to 27 December, with a preview weekend 21 to 22 November and official opening 26 November. Hours are Sunday to Thursday noon to 8pm and Friday to Saturday noon to 9pm, with Christmas Eve noon to 5pm, closed 23 to 25 November and closed on Christmas Day, reopening 26 December noon to 9pm.

A Longwood Christmas runs 20 November to 10 January with over 500,000 lights and is open on Christmas Eve and 25 December, with timed tickets. It is an hour west of the city in Kennett Square, so plan a car.

Spend 25 December on Ocean Drive and the beach, which stay open all day, with the sea usually warm enough to swim. Walk the Art Deco strip at dusk when the hotel lights come on.

Zoo Miami is open on 25 December, one of the few big attractions that is, and the long walking loop is best in the cooler morning. Malls and most museums, including Vizcaya, are closed that day.

Christmas Wonderland fills Tropical Park with lights, rides and a North Pole village from 13 November to 4 January, ticketed. Check that it opens on 25 December before planning it for Christmas Day, since it shortens holiday nights.

NightGarden lights Fairchild's palms and lakes on select nights from 12 November. Check that Christmas Eve is a NightGarden night before you plan it for 24 December, since the garden is closed on 25 December.

The Zócalo's Christmas fair runs over the holidays and stays open on 25 December, with a light tunnel, a giant tree, a nativity scene and food stalls in front of the cathedral. Go after dark for the lights.

Walk Paseo de la Reforma on 25 December, lined with poinsettias, called nochebuenas, and festive lights through December, with craft sellers along the route. Expect the city to feel quiet in the morning, with families at home, and livelier in public squares later in the day.

Browse the Christmas stalls around Coyoacán's Jardín Centenario on Christmas Eve for piñatas, nativity figures and ponche, before families head home for Nochebuena dinner.

Attend midnight mass, called Misa de Gallo, at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Christmas Eve, following the Nochebuena dinner that is the main event on 24 December. Seasonal foods include ponche, bunuelos, romeritos, tamales and hot chocolate.

The Plaza Francia artisan fair runs on public holidays, so browse it on 25 December for leather, silver and mate gourds under the Recoleta trees, with fewer stalls than on a normal weekend.

Go to Christmas Day Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Plaza de Mayo on 25 December, where Pope Francis served as archbishop. The square is quiet that morning.

Book the prix fixe Christmas Eve dinner at Elena in Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires from 7pm on 24 December, with lunch and dinner also listed on Christmas Day. Book key Christmas Eve dinners at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance, especially in Palermo and Recoleta, and at least a month ahead for Puerto Madero waterfront tables.

Browse the 1897 iron and glass Mercado de San Telmo on Christmas Eve morning for antiques and gifts, before stalls close early for Nochebuena.

Walk Avenida Paulista on 25 December, when the bank and office towers are lit for Christmas and the avenue is quiet, ending at the lit trees by the Conjunto Nacional.

Walk Ibirapuera Park on 25 December in the early evening, when the lake and paths are lit for Christmas and the city's families come out after lunch.

Parque Villa-Lobos puts up a giant Christmas tree and a free children's train in December; go on Christmas Eve afternoon before the heat breaks into evening rain.

Fasano, the Italian dining room of the Hotel Fasano in Jardins, is the city's classic place for a Christmas Eve ceia. Ask for its 24 December menu when you book, weeks ahead.

Walk Plaza Mayor on 25 December for the nativity scenes and lit colonial balconies around the cathedral and the Government Palace.

Stroll Parque Kennedy in Miraflores on 25 December, lit for Christmas, where the cafes around the park are among the few places open.

Walk the Circuito Mágico del Agua's 13 lit fountains on Christmas Eve, with music shows in the evening. Go early, since it may close sooner on 24 December.

Market 770 in The Westin Lima served a Christmas Eve buffet with a sparkling wine toast last year. Book early, since December is high season.

Walk Parque Central on 25 December among the nativity figure stalls and the lit colonial arcades, a quiet day after Nochebuena.

Walk from La Merced to Parque Central to San Jose Cathedral past the Santa Catalina Arch on 25 December, the classic dusk lights walk, with the arch lit and crowds gathering for midnight mass on 24 December. Expect crowded cobblestone streets around Parque Central and the arch.

El Refectorio, in the ruined convent of Casa Santo Domingo, serves dinner daily, a candlelit choice for Christmas Eve. Book ahead.

Join Las Posadas from 16 to 24 December, nightly processions carrying images of Mary and Joseph from house to house, with sung requests for shelter, candles, carols, tamales, fruit punch and sweet breads. Nochebuena on 24 December is the main feast, with tamales colorados, turkey or pork, ponche de frutas, fireworks at midnight and midnight mass.

Spend 25 December on the beach at Playa Paraiso, since Christmas Day itself in Tulum is a beach day for most visitors, with swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and a hotel brunch or beach club lunch. December is dry season, usually around 28 degrees by day, with clear sea and very little sargassum.

La Zebra on the beach road served a Christmas dinner on 25 December from 6 to 11 pm last year, with salsa on the sand. Book well ahead.

Hartwood cooks everything over a wood fire on the beach road. Check that it opens on Christmas Eve before planning dinner there, and book well ahead.

Visit the Tulum ruins at opening on Christmas Eve, the walled Maya port above the Caribbean, before the tour buses arrive at 10.

Browse the Christkindlmarkt stalls and skate the rink through the park on 25 December, when the market stays open into the early evening. Go after dark for the City Hall lights and the Tree of Hearts.

Walk the market in the palace forecourt on 25 December, when the stalls run 10:00am to 7:00pm with handicrafts, Kaiserschmarrn, and hot punch. Book a palace tour separately if you want the state rooms too.

Attend the Christmas Mass at the cathedral on 25 December, then step out to the Stephansplatz market stalls. Arrive early, as the morning service fills up.

Browse the Spittelberg market in the Biedermeier lanes behind the MuseumsQuartier for crafts and punch; it ends on 23 December, so go before Christmas Eve.

Browse the Christkindlmarkt stalls on 25 December, when the market runs 11:00am to 6:00pm beneath the cathedral and the fortress. Stay for the Turmblasen brass music from the towers after dark.

Visit the smaller market across from Mirabell Palace on 25 December, when it also runs 11:00am to 6:00pm with crafts, food, and hot drinks. It is quieter than the main market.

Attend the Christmas Day service in the cathedral on 25 December, right beside the market squares. Combine it with the market stalls before or after the service.

Stroll the decorated old town lane on 25 December, when the shops are shut but the wrought-iron signs and Mozart's birthplace facade are still there to see. Pair it with the open market squares nearby.

Browse the Christkindelsmärik on Place Broglie, running since 1570, on Christmas Eve for bredele biscuits and hot Gewurztraminer before it closes for the year that evening. It is closed on 25 December.

See the Grand Sapin, one of Europe's tallest Christmas trees, on 25 December, when the tree illumination and its hourly music and light show continue through 27 December. Come after 4:00pm for the full effect.

Attend the Christmas Day service in the cathedral on 25 December, then walk the Grande Île streets to see the house facades and lights. Arrive early for a seat.

Browse the chalets beneath the cathedral facade on Christmas Eve, the market's last day, for crafts and Alsatian food. They are closed on 25 December.

Browse the craft market in front of the Dominican church on Christmas Eve, open 11 am to 5 pm, or on 25 December, open 10 am to 8 pm, then step inside for Schongauer's Madonna of the Rose Bower.

Eat at the gourmet market on Place Jeanne d'Arc on 25 December, open 10 am to 8 pm, with foie gras, Munster tarts and local wines. Come before 6 pm, ahead of the evening crowds.

Walk the canal-side lanes and the children's market at Petite Venise on 25 December, when the old town markets stay open and the lights reflect on the water. Come at dusk for the best photos.

Shop the indoor artisans market in the old customs house on 25 December, when Colmar's markets stay open into the evening. It is the best stop for handmade gifts out of the cold.

Browse the Christkindlesmarkt on Christmas Eve morning for Rostbratwurst and Elisenlebkuchen among the red and white stalls; it closes at 2 pm on 24 December and is closed on 25 December.

Attend the Christmas Day service in the Frauenkirche on 25 December, the church whose balcony opens the market each year. Watch for the Männleinlaufen clock figures at noon on other days.

Attend the Christmas Day service at St. Lorenz on 25 December, the Gothic hall church on the south side of the old town. Its carved tabernacle and stained glass are worth a quiet look after the service.

Bring children to the Kinderweihnacht on Christmas Eve morning for the carousel, the steam train and the Santa house, before it closes at 2 pm; it is closed on 25 December.

Browse the market stalls on 25 December, when the Old Town Square market runs noon to 10:00pm with hot ham, klobása, and svařák. Catch the tree light show in the evening.

Visit the second big market on 25 December, when Wenceslas Square also runs noon to 10:00pm with a carousel and ice rink. It is a good second stop after the Old Town Square.

Cross the bridge on foot on 25 December, when it is open all day and quieter than market week. Go in the morning for the statues and the castle view without the crowds.

Attend the Christmas Day service at St. Vitus Cathedral on 25 December, inside Prague Castle. Arrive early, as services fill up over the holidays.

Browse the classic Christmas fair on 25 December, when Vörösmarty Square runs noon to 6:00pm with chimney cake, lángos, and mulled wine. The craft stalls wind down after 28 December.

Visit Advent Bazilika on 25 December, when the market runs 11:00am to 8:00pm and the basilica facade becomes a light show from 5:30pm. Book the ice rink slot ahead if you want to skate.

Soak in the outdoor thermal pools on 25 December, when Széchenyi runs 10:00am to 8:00pm with steam rising over the water. Bring a towel and a swim cap, and book a timed ticket online.

Attend the Christmas Day service in the basilica on 25 December, then stay for the Advent Bazilika light show on the facade after dark. Arrive early for the service.

Walk the main square on 25 December, when the Rynek stays open for the tree, the nativity cribs, and the churches, though individual market stalls may keep reduced hours. Come at dusk for the lights on the Cloth Hall.

Attend a Christmas Day mass at St. Mary's Basilica on 25 December, when the churches are busy with services and the square is calm. Note the hourly trumpet call from the taller tower.

Walk the Planty ring around the old town on 25 December, when the park paths are open and quiet. It is the easiest car-free loop from the square to Wawel hill.

Walk Wawel Hill on Christmas Eve morning for the cathedral and the courtyards above the Vistula; the castle state rooms are closed on 24 and 25 December.

Browse the market stalls on 25 December, when the Town Hall Square market runs 10:00am to 8:00pm with glögi, blood sausages, and woollen mittens. See the tree on the square where Tallinn claims the first public tree of 1441.

Attend the Christmas Day service at St. Olaf's Church on 25 December, then climb the tower on another day for the old town views. The church sits a short walk north of the market square.

Walk Toompea Hill on 25 December, when the viewpoints over the old town rooftops are open all day. Come at sunset for the light over the red roofs and the bay.

Walk the park paths around Kadriorg Palace on 25 December, when the park is open and quiet under snow. Pair it with the palace exterior before heading back to the old town.

Skate under the tree on 25 December, when the tree stays lit for 24 hours. Christmas week tickets cost the most of the season and sell out, so book your slot well ahead.

Skate in Central Park on 25 December, when Wollman Rink stays open with skyline views and skate rental on site. Expect Christmas Day premium prices, around $40 last year, so book a slot early.

Walk the park on 25 December, when it is open all day and quieter than the midtown crowds. Enter at the southeast corner near the Pond for a short loop.

Attend a Christmas Day mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on 25 December, when the cathedral holds multiple masses through the day. Arrive early for a seat.

Attend the Sung Eucharist at Westminster Abbey on 25 December at 10:30am, but book ahead, as the service needs a ticket reserved in advance. The Abbey is otherwise closed to sightseeing on the day.

Attend the Choral Eucharist at St. Paul's on 25 December at 11:00am, which is free and unticketed, then stay for Festal Evensong at 3:00pm. Arrive well in advance for a seat.

See the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree on 25 December, when the square is open and the streets are at their quietest. Walk from here to the lights on Regent Street.

Watch the Peter Pan Cup swimmers at the Serpentine on 25 December at 9:00am, when the royal parks stay open all day. It is the classic Christmas morning walk before lunch.

Go up the Eiffel Tower on 25 December, when it stays open all day and sparkles for five minutes on the hour after dark. Book a timed ticket online to skip the line.

Attend mass at Sacré-Cœur on 25 December, when the basilica stays open and the steps give the best city view. Come in the morning before the crowds build.

Attend a Christmas Day mass at Notre-Dame on 25 December, now that the cathedral has reopened after the fire. Arrive early, as Christmas masses fill up fast.

Walk the Champs-Élysées illuminations on 25 December, when the avenue stays lit into the night and the shops are shut. Start at the Arc de Triomphe and walk down toward the Tuileries.

Meet Santa at his official office, open on 25 December from 8am to 8pm in the 2026 season, then cross the Arctic Circle line painted across the village square. Free to enter; activities and rides are priced separately.

This underground Christmas theme park runs 31 October 2026 to 23 January 2027, with hours 9am to 6pm from 24 to 31 December, so it is open on 25 December. Adult tickets cost 42 euros and child tickets 37 euros; book online ahead.

Build snow sculptures, ride the ice slide, and eat in the ice restaurant during its season from 6 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. Book ahead in peak weeks; check same-day hours before visiting.

Stand under the city Christmas lights on Lordi's Square on Christmas Eve, a short walk from the Arktikum and the frozen Kemijoki.

Walk the seafront path to this steel ship sculpture, open around the clock all year, so it is a quiet place to watch the winter light on 25 December. Free; wrap up warm against the harbour wind.

Walk the causeway to this lighthouse on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, a public coastal walk that is open on 25 December, and stay for the northern lights if the sky clears. Free; only cross at low tide, when the causeway is passable.

The small Christmas market on Ingólfstorg sells Icelandic wool and hot chocolate from 28 November to 23 December 2026, so go before Christmas Eve.

Go to the 6 pm Christmas Eve service at Hallgrímskirkja, when bells ring in Christmas across Iceland, or the late night Mass. The tower is closed for the evening.

Skate for free on the rink in front of the city walls, open on 25 December from 10am to 4pm during the 24 to 31 December holiday hours. Skate rentals are available on site.

Stay in the castle hotel that anchors the Old Town skyline, open on 25 December, and book its Christmas breakfast well ahead. Rooms and holiday dining sell out early in December.

Walk Rue du Petit-Champlain on Christmas Eve, the narrow lane below the Frontenac strung with garlands and lit trees, with shops open until mid afternoon. Take the funicular back up to the old town.

Stroll the boardwalk behind the Frontenac for views over the frozen St. Lawrence, a public walk that is open on 25 December. Free; dress for wind off the river.

Ride to Europe's highest cable car station for glacier views and the ice palace, with lifts running daily from 9am to 3:30pm, so it is open on 25 December. Book tickets online ahead; dress for high altitude cold.

Take the cogwheel train up to 3,089 metres for Matterhorn views, with trains running through the holidays and the mountain open on 25 December. Buy tickets at the station or online; sit on the right side going up for the best views.

Cross this bridge over the Vispa for the classic Matterhorn photo above the village rooftops, a public walk you can do any day. Free; come at dawn for the quietest light.

Book the Christmas Lunch Buffet here on 25 December, after the restaurant reopens for the Christmas season following its autumn closure. Reservations are essential for Christmas Day.

Browse the main Christmas market along the grand boulevard, open daily 11am to 9pm from 25 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, so it is open on 25 December. Free to enter; stalls sell ornaments, food, and mulled wine.

Ride up to this hillside market for panoramic views over the city lights, open from 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and open on 25 December with Friday hours 1pm to 6pm. Combine it with the Hungerburgbahn ride from the Old Town.

Ride the cable cars to the Seegrube station for snowy trails and mountain restaurants, with cars running daily through the holidays, so it is open on 25 December. Buy a Nordkette ticket at the Congress station; check wind closures before you go.

Stand beneath the Golden Roof on Christmas Eve morning, when the Old Town Christmas market around it opens until early afternoon under the gilded oriel built for Emperor Maximilian.

Stroll the pedestrian main street under the Christmas lights, where a band in period costume plays on Christmas Day, so the promenade is lively on 25 December. Free; shops keep holiday hours, so check doors before you count on browsing.

Ride the cable car up Mount Faloria for Dolomite views and ski slopes, running daily 8:30am to 4:30pm in season from 6 December to 3 May, so it is open on 25 December. A round trip costs 25 euros for adults in winter; buy tickets at the station.

Browse the Christmas market stalls on this square in the town centre, running 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. The market is closed on 25 December, so visit on another evening.

Shop three floors of this historic cooperative store, founded in 1893, for mountain gear, food, and gifts in December. Check holiday hours before visiting, as Christmas week hours vary.

Join the famous Christmas Day beach tradition, with swimming, surfing, and picnics on the sand on 25 December. Free; arrive early, as the beach fills fast and parking is scarce.

Spend Christmas Day at the zoo, open every day including public holidays, with September to April hours 9:30am to 5pm, so it is open on 25 December. Adult tickets cost about 53 Australian dollars at the gate and about 41.40 online; book online ahead.

Walk the underwater tunnels among sharks and rays at Darling Harbour, open on 25 December with reduced holiday hours. Tickets start from 39 Australian dollars; book online to lock in a time slot.

Walk the harbour-side paths of the Royal Botanic Garden on Christmas Eve, free from 7 am, from the Opera House round to Farm Cove.

Walk beneath the Christmas illuminations along the main avenue, with lights running to 10 January 2027, so the display is shining on 25 December. Come back another evening for the market stalls along the avenue.

Stroll the seafront promenade past the marina and gardens, a public walk that is open on 25 December. Free; the promenade is at its prettiest after dark, when the lights come on.

Go to the Missa do Galo at midnight on Christmas Eve in Funchal's Sé, under its carved cedar ceiling from the 1500s.

Wander this small garden of palms and flowers in the city centre, dressed with lights for the festive season. Free; a good pause between the avenue illuminations and the old town.

Walk the riverside park at the heart of the Alumbrados, where the lights shine from 6pm to midnight daily during the festival run, so the display is on on 25 December. Free; take a taxi at night rather than walking back to the metro.

Stroll the historic lights avenue, decorated for Christmas since 1955, with displays glowing nightly through the Alumbrados, so it is lit on 25 December. Free; the avenue is busiest in the early evening.

Walk the Laureles boulevard under its Christmas lights, with bars and restaurants spilling onto the sidewalks, and the displays lit on 25 December. Free; come for dinner and stay for the lights.

Climb Cerro Nutibara to the Pueblito Paisa replica village on Christmas Eve at dusk, free, for the view over the Alumbrados lights across the valley.

Ride the coasters and wander fifty Christmas stalls in the world's second-oldest amusement park, open on 25 December from 11am to 10pm during the Christmas season, 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Entry starts from 210 Danish kroner; book tickets online ahead.

Walk the colourful harbour quay past old ships and townhouses, a public walk that is open on 25 December. Free; stop for gløgg at a quayside cafe, though many restaurants close for the day.

Walk the pedestrian shopping street under its Christmas lights, with window displays dressed for December. Free to stroll; most shops close for Christmas Day itself, so treat this as a lights walk rather than a shopping trip.

Cross Kongens Nytorv on Christmas Eve at dusk, with the Royal Theatre and Hotel d'Angleterre lit up, then walk down to Nyhavn. The square's market closes on 21 December.

Spend Christmas Day in the flagship park, open on Friday 25 December from 9am to 10pm, with the castle dressed for the holidays. Park tickets and reservations sell out for Christmas Day, so book as early as possible.

Tour the Festival of the Holidays, running 27 November to 30 December 2026, in a park open on 25 December from 9am to 9pm. Festival food booths are priced separately from park admission; book park reservations early.

Wander the free-entry shopping and dining district on 25 December, following the Christmas Tree Stroll past themed trees. Free to enter; shops and restaurants keep holiday hours, so check times before you go.

Ride through Diagon Alley and the movie lands during Holidays at Universal, running 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, in a park open year-round, so it is open on 25 December. Book tickets and Express Passes early for Christmas week.