Thailand
Bangkok
- December avg. high
- 32°C
- December crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Dry, sunny and comfortable by Bangkok standards, with excellent conditions for exploring.
–Christmas and New Year push crowds and hotel rates higher.
Winter escapes
Where to go for Christmas and New Year
Christmas and New Year are when most people want to get away, and also when prices peak. The best choice depends on what you want from the week: sun, snow and markets, a mild city break, or a big festive city.
Each card shows December temperatures, how busy December is and what it costs, with the main upside and downside of going then. Open a destination's December page for the full picture, or its hub to compare other months.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Christmas lights, Tivoli, Copenhagen
Photo: Maria Eklind · CC BY-SA 2.0
Warm escapes
Dry weather and sunshine over Christmas. Expect the highest prices of the year.
Maldives
Maldives
- December avg. high
- 30°C
- December crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$$
+Dry-season conditions return and the islands have a festive atmosphere.
–Christmas and New Year create the year's biggest demand spike.
Thailand
Phuket
- December avg. high
- 32°C
- December crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$$
+Excellent beach weather and festive atmosphere.
–Christmas/New Year is one of the most expensive and crowded periods.
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
- December avg. high
- 32°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
+Drying conditions
–Holiday demand
Tanzania
Zanzibar
- December avg. high
- 32°C
- December crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Beach holidays, festive atmosphere and New Year's celebrations
–Higher prices and busy resorts around the holidays
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
- December avg. high
- 26°C
- December crowds
- Very High
- Prices
- $$$$$
+Around 26°C with perfect weather and a festive atmosphere — beach days by day, celebrations by night.
–The busiest and most expensive month, especially around Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Australia
Sydney
- December avg. high
- 26°C
- December crowds
- Very High
- Prices
- $$$$$
+Peak summer, beach weather and an incredible festive atmosphere.
–Christmas and New Year create extreme demand, especially around the harbour.
South Africa
Cape Town
- December avg. high
- 26°C
- December crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Long, warm summer days.
–High demand and expensive accommodation.
Christmas markets and winter lights
Cold, atmospheric and best for mulled wine, lights and early dark evenings. Pack properly.
Austria
Vienna
- December avg. high
- 5°C
- December crowds
- High
- Prices
- €€€€
+Markets, lights and concerts everywhere.
–Highest prices, crowds and early darkness.
Germany
Munich
- December avg. high
- 5°C
- December crowds
- Moderate–High
- Prices
- €€
+Festive atmosphere + Christmas markets
–Cold, with holiday crowds
Hungary
Budapest
- December avg. high
- 4°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€€€
+Christmas markets, lights and thermal baths.
–Festive demand raises prices.
Czech Republic
Prague
- December avg. high
- 5°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€€
+Christmas markets and festive streets.
–Festive demand raises crowds and prices.
Poland
Kraków
- December avg. high
- 3°C
- December crowds
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- €€€€
+Exceptional festive atmosphere
–Cold and busy
Austria
Salzburg
- December avg. high
- 4°C
- December crowds
- High
- Prices
- €€€€
+Christmas markets and lights.
–Cold and crowded at weekends.
United Kingdom
Edinburgh
- December avg. high
- 7°C
- December crowds
- Moderate–High
- Prices
- €€€€
+Festive atmosphere, building to Hogmanay’s street party
–Cold, dark, with the year’s highest prices around New Year
Denmark
Copenhagen
- December avg. high
- 4°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€€
+Christmas markets, lights and Tivoli atmosphere.
–Festive demand can raise prices.
Mild and easy in Europe
Cooler than the beach, but far milder than central Europe, with festive lights and shorter flights.
Spain
Madrid
- December avg. high
- 10°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€
+Festive energy + low daytime heat
–Cold nights + holiday crowds
Spain
Barcelona
- December avg. high
- 14°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€€
+Mild winter weather and festive atmosphere.
–Cooler and increased demand around the holiday period.
Spain
Valencia
- December avg. high
- 17°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€€
+Festive atmosphere + mild winter
–Too cool for dependable beach days
Spain
Seville
- December avg. high
- 17°C
- December crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Prices
- €€
+Mild winter weather + Christmas lights
–Rain is still common, and the holiday week gets busier
Spain
Málaga
- December avg. high
- 18°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€€€
+Mild winter atmosphere
–Shorter daylight and more rain
Spain
Palma de Mallorca
- December avg. high
- 17°C
- December crowds
- Low
- Prices
- €€
+Festive lights and mild weather.
–Rain and limited services.
Italy
Florence
- December avg. high
- 10°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€
+Festive atmosphere + the Piazza Santa Croce market
–Cold, with holiday-week crowds
Big festive cities
Large cities that go all out for the season, with a lot to do indoors and out.
United States
New York City
- December avg. high
- 7°C
- December crowds
- Very high
- Prices
- $$$$
+Christmas lights, decorated streets, Rockefeller Center, holiday markets and department-store windows make this the most atmospheric month of the year.
–December is cold, and a high-demand, higher-price period — especially around Christmas and New Year's Eve.
United States
Chicago
- December avg. high
- 2°C
- December crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
+Christkindlmarket and Mag Mile lights make the city genuinely festive.
–Cold, and the week around Christmas/New Year’s pushes rates back up.
Canada
Montreal
- December avg. high
- -2°C
- December crowds
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Christmas markets and lights.
–Cold and snowy, with holiday prices.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
- December avg. high
- 20°C
- December crowds
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Very low rainfall
–Cooler evenings
Before you book
Good to know
Prices peak between about 20 December and 5 January
Flights and hotels are usually at their most expensive in these weeks. Shifting your dates by a few days can help.
Check what is closed on the day
In many countries shops, museums and restaurants close or shorten their hours on 24, 25 and 26 December and on 1 January. Check the days you plan to be there.
New Year's Eve books out first
Popular New Year's Eve events and dinners, including Edinburgh's Hogmanay and the harbour fireworks in Sydney, are usually planned months ahead.
FAQ
Common questions
Where is the best place to go for Christmas?
It depends on the weather you want. For sun, Southeast Asia and the Maldives are at their driest. For a traditional atmosphere, central European markets are at their best. For a mild city break, southern Spain and Florence are easier and cheaper.
Is Christmas the most expensive time to travel?
In most destinations, yes. Prices tend to peak between about 20 December and 5 January. The weeks before and after are generally cheaper.
Where can I go for New Year's Eve?
Edinburgh is known for Hogmanay and Sydney for its harbour fireworks. Both are popular and sell out early, so book well ahead.
More winter ideas