TOP HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS 

CELEBRATE IN MEXICO & THE CARIBBEAN, CANADA, Europe, U.S., OR ON A CRUISE

‘Tis the season for colourful sweaters, catchy jingles, and celebrating with an unforgettable vacation. Here are our holly-jolly picks of destinations where you can spend the most wonderful time of the year with the ones you love most.
 

THE CARIBBEAN & MEXICO

 Best for: escaping the forecast on the world’s best beaches

Barbados

Replace white snow with white sands in Barbados. Rihanna’s home island is always festive, but especially around the holidays when jingles blast from radios and local homes light up. Most resorts will accommodate any traditional holiday meal you crave, but we recommend doing it the Bajan way and tucking into Jug Jug (a herbed stew-like dish of salt meat, pigeon peas and onions) followed by Great Cake (fruit cake made with a lot of rum, of course).

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (SAMANÁ)

​​Off-the-beaten-path, Samaná in the Dominican Republic is a picturesque peninsula of laid-back, seaside towns, natural wonders and secluded beaches. A perfect place to end the year in style, this uncrowded hidden gem mixes adventure with beachside bliss. What’s more? Winter is the best time to spot the humpback whales who come soak in warm Dominican waters off the peninsula’s coast!

MEXICO (COZUMEL & LOS CABOS)

There’s no fiesta quite like one in Mexico. Say goodbye to the year in the country’s famous oasis island, Cozumel. Calm and relaxing by day and party paradise by night, this resort-town is the perfect place to reset, refresh and refill your cup for the new year ahead.

On the other side of the country is the star of Mexico’s gorgeous west coast, Los Cabos, where you can do yuletide seaside. There is no better way to forget the last 12 months than on a golf course or in a beach chaise. Don’t have a New Year’s resolution yet? How about learning to scuba dive or surf in the warm Pacific waters

MEXICAN RIVIERA CRUISE

All your senses will be captivated on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera with Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises or Royal Caribbean International. This fascinating cruise route along Mexico’s Pacific coast lets you explore glamorous resort towns, golden beaches, mountains and desert landscapes. You’ll absorb Mexico’s colourful culture across Ensenada, Olas Altas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and more.

Saint Lucia

Come to this volcanic island any time in December, but for an authentic celebration, plan for mid-month to join in on the Festival of Lights & Renewal.The festivities highlight the triumph of light over darkness and run from the beginning of December until the island’s National Day on December 13, the Feast of Saint Luce. A parade of lanterns and fireworks illuminate Castries on the last day.
 

Canada

Best for: epic winter thrills

Banff & Jasper

Jingle all the way to two of Canada’s greatest national parks. At Banff National Park, add merry-making to days out on the slopes with Fairmont Banff Springs’ Christmas at the Castle or take the Banff Gondola to meet Santa for a Mountaintop Christmas. Meanwhile, Jasper National Park makes winter dreams come true. Skate on the lit-up Beauvert or Mildred lakes, carve your way down Marmot Basin or dash through the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh around Pyramid Lake.

WHISTLER

Ever dream of living inside a snow globe? Because that’s pretty much what Whistler feels like in December, decked out in sparkling lights and décor. Catch the Fire and Ice show at Skier’s Plaza for top skiers and riders jumping through giant burning hoops and the Family Après in Olympic Plaza for free, post-ski outdoor activities. Warmed by buzzing winter nightlife, Whistler is also the perfect spot to ring in the new year.

Mont-Tremblant

A breathtaking winter wonderland just under two hours away from Montreal, Mont Tremblant delivers colourful village vibes nestled amid the dreamy snowy scenery of Quebec’s Laurentians region. Recognized as the leading ski resort of eastern North America, hitting the slopes here comes with endless views of the forested mountains that define this beloved region. End your days in the cobbled streets of the picturesque pedestrian village, completely decked out for the holidays.

EUROPE

Best for: fantastical Christmas markets in romantic locales

London

London truly lights up for the holidays. Festive fairs and sprawling markets take over the city’s legendary parks and historic streets. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland wins with fairground rides, gift kiosks, a Santa grotto, themed bars and the UK’s largest open-air ice rink. Festive fun carries on at other merry markets like the Southbank Centre Winter Market or Christmas by the River for festivities by the Thames.

Zurich

This superb Swiss city hosts one of Europe’s largest indoor Christmas markets: the Christkindlimarkt at the Zurich Main Train Station where a 50-foot tall Christmas tree stands decked out in Swarovski crystals. Sample mulled wine at the city’s oldest market in Old Town’s Niederdorf quarter, or attend one of the daily concerts held at the Werdmühleplatz market where you’ll find a Singing Christmas Tree (decorated with… a choir!).

LISBON

If you want to do the holidays in Europe but also want the weather to be merry and bright, look no further than sunny Lisbon—the Portuguese know how to do Christmas. Gather around a roaring neighbourhood bonfire and snack on bolo rei, a traditional treat shaped like a wreath made with port wine, candied fruit and nuts. As you stroll towards the beach on cobblestone streets be sure to wish everyone you see “Feliz Natal.”

PARIS

Gift shopping at the foot of the Eiffel Tower? Oui, oui! The Village de Noël du Champs de Mars populates the base of the iconic landmark with artisanal and gastronomic kiosks, a gorgeous ice rink, and free activities for the whole family. You’ll find the city’s largest market, the Marché Noël de la Défense, igniting holiday spirit with hundreds of stalls. Plus, the exquisite holiday decorations sprucing up the Galeries Lafayette and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées add extra sparkle and shine to the City of Lights throughout the season.

Pro-tip: For more European winter escapes, check out tour packages that include your flight, hotel and activities to destinations like Spain, Italy and Greece:

• La Dolce Vita
• Hola, Madrid
• Athens-Delphi-Argolis, Athens-Santorini, Athens-Mykonos and Athens-Crete
• Paris à la Mode in Winter

UNITED STATES

Best for: all of the above

CALIFORNIA

Christmas in the Golden State… why not! San Francisco’s got a Christmas tree lighting in Union Square, Los Angeles lets you practice your triple axel at the annual L.A. Kings ice skating rink, but it’s the smaller towns that charm us the most. Venture to the cities of Sonoma Valley for cozy annual events like Windsor’s Charlie Brown Christma Tree Grove or head to Orange County for coastal glam like Newport Beach’s holiday boat parade.

NEW YORK CITY

There’s no place like New York City around the holidays, from the Rockefeller Center tree lighting to witnessing the Times Square Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve. Go window-shopping to judge the best holiday display: Bloomingdale’s or Saks Fifth Avenue? Holiday markets also pepper the city, like Union Square Holiday Market, Winter Village at Bryant Park, or the indoor Grand Central Holiday Fair.

HAWAII

You know what we say: you can never have enough beach options! On the Hawaiian Islands, holiday traditions get a tropical twist (think Santa in an aloha shirt and ukulele-lead carols). On Oahu, the Honolulu City Lights festival kicks off with a festive parade and brightens the capital with family-friendly events. On Kauai’s Poipu Beach, fireworks light up silky shores for New Year’s Eve and food trucks serve Hawaiian faves. Finally, no matter which island you’re staying on, don’t miss out on a holiday luau!

LAS VEGAS

The perfect spot for a festive friends’ getaway, Las Vegas amps up the party vibes for the holidays. A prime example? The Great Santa Run! Imagine the Strip overrun by thousands of runners dressed up as Santa. The Bellagio Hotel and Casino’s iconic fountain dances along to blaring holiday classics, while The Cosmopolitan transforms its pool into an ice rink. Of course, there’s no party like a Vegas New Year’s Eve party: the entire Strip shuts down for one, gigantic and unforgettable street party… choreographed firework display included.

ORLANDO

The Most Magical Place on Earth is unsurprisingly even more magical during the most magical time of year. That’s right, triple magical. Enjoy everything you love about Walt Disney World with holiday-themed parades, sing-alongs, fireworks and festive treats. No one knows how to ring in the new year like Mickey and his pals.
 

WHAT’S NEXT

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Need more inspo? Explore our complete list of destinations to deck the halls your way!
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