From huge Christmas trees, Santa Claus, magical train rides, to impressive parades, some cities are home to some of the biggest and best holiday events in the world.
The month of December is a prime time for traveling and serves as an opportunity to see how the rest of the world celebrates Christmas.
Let us take you on a tour of places that celebrate Christmas in a big way.
Quebec City, Canada:
This is one of the oldest cities in North America where the shops and streets are all merrily decorated for the holidays. In Quebec, the one thing that gets you is the spirit of the season.
Paris, France:
The city shines! From the lights along the Champs-Élysées to the Christmas market at Les Halles to some of the most decked-out window displays in the world it’s hard not to be carried away with the spirit of Paris at Christmas time.
Taipei, Taiwan:
At Christmas, the people in Taipei don’t get a public holiday, but that doesn’t stop the city from celebrating with incredible lights displays and festive attractions and events. Between mid-November and the New Year, almost the entire Banqiao District transforms into Christmas land—with massive Christmas trees, rides, and concerts.
Copenhagen, Denmark:
If the World Happiness Report indicates that Denmark is one of the world’s happiest countries, why wouldn’t one think it would be a great place to celebrate Christmas? In Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, antique amusement park rides decorated with lights are surrounded by yet another adorable and very colourful Christmas market selling gifts and snacks throughout the period.
Prague, Czech Republic:
The holiday markets in this beautiful city easily makes it one of the world’s best places to spend Christmas. They run every day in December, with locals and travelers passing through for sweet finger foods. These market activities take place in the Old Town and Wenceslas squares, just five minutes apart by foot.
Cologne, Germany:
Arguably, no other city takes Christmas markets more seriously than the Germans. It boasts of drawing four million visitors each yuletide period. The merry sights from the observation deck of KölnTriangle, the tower directly opposite the Cathedral on the Rhine will make you remember Christmas always.
Rio de Janeiro:
This city happens to host the world’s largest display of full-sized nativity scenes during its annual Festival de Presépios (“Crib Festival”). A ride around the Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon for views of the world’s largest floating Christmas tree from every angle will leave you looking forward to Christmas every year.
Vienna, Austria:
Sparkling with Christmas cheer and the holiday season, this city is easily the most festive time of year to visit this magical city. Twinkling holiday lights glow, hang from every imaginable building and tree, while the city’s signature Christmas markets spring to life with stalls selling hand-crafted gifts and vendors hawking wine and street foods.
Woodstock, Vermont:
This picturesque town of just 3,000 sits on the edge of the Green Mountains in central Vermont, Woodstock. The entire town turns back time when Christmas comes around. During the festive period, an equestrian parade with more than 50 horses and riders kicks off a traditional ceremony called Wassail Weekend, a celebration rooted in medieval traditions. Other activities during this old-fashioned festival include a yule-log fire, a luminary lighting and a craft fair. Also, the entire town gets in the spirit of Christmas by decorating with traditional wreaths, pine garlands and lights.
Orlando, Florida:
Tagged The Most Magical Place on Earth, this city gets an extra dose of magic during the holiday season. On 19 select evenings in November and December, guests of Walt Disney World Resort are given a festive celebration featuring an enchanting parade, a holiday-themed fireworks extravaganza and a magical snowfall. This special after-work-hours party takes place inside the Magic Kingdom, one of four theme parks within the resort.
Italy, Rome:
As you can imagine, religious celebrations in the ancient city of Rome—the seat of the Roman Catholic Church—are a big deal. Rome is a great city to visit during the holiday season—after all it’s the place where the celebration of Christmas began with the first Christmas mass ever said at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. From Christmas markets to the lighting of various streets, Rome comes alive at Christmas. Most of the lights across the city turn on after 8 December (the feast of the Immaculate conception).
Kalgoorlie, Australia
The Kalgoorlie community is a home away from home at Christmas. In the lead up to the big day, the Church of Christ, Kalgoorlie elves gets busy organising entertainment activities and lunch. On December 25, hundreds of residents and tourists head towards the Centennial Park to celebrate. Even Father Christmas is there to give gifts.
London
Nothing signifies the approach of Christmas more than the glow of seasonal lights in the streets of London. Most villages, towns and cities are decorated with Christmas lights over the holidays and often a famous person switches them on. The most famous Christmas lights in the UK are in Oxford Street in London and every year they get bigger and better. Christmas markets, stalls come alive with attractive decorations, activities and gift items.
Now, that you know some of the cities that are big on Christmas celebration, make an effort to visit with friends and family.
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