Christmas is all about good spirits and joy. Long holidays, winter holidays gives everyone a pleasure. People from all over the world celebrate Christmas. Everyone celebrates Christmas, but these places to Celebrate Christmas add value to it and make it a Merrier Christmas for you.
1. Bath, England
No one can celebrate Christmas like Bath does. This Christmas visit Bath for freshly baked pies, hearty Christmas carols, aroma of mulled wine, and soak up in the beautifully lit town and the joy in the air. With the colorful lights twinkling, the city has a festive charm of its own. Bath is the best shopping destination for Christmas shoppers. This is because of its unusual blend of independent shops, high street brands and designer boutiques all set next to each other; making it a delightful sight for shopaholics. The city even houses some fun must-go-to events like:
- Bath on ice: Bundle up and lace up your skates
- Glow in the dark mini golf
- Southgate’s White Christmas
- Thermae Bath Spa: dip in an open-air pool with the spectacular view of the city
- Northumberland Place
- Dickensian Christmas in the corridor
2. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona celebrates Christmas throughout the month. From 6th-10th December 2017, Poble Espanyol conducts a Santa Claus Christmas event. On 17th December 2017, there’s a Santa Claus Christmas parade around the streets of the Sants neighborhood. From 27th to 30th December, there is an exquisite festival at the Fira Montjuic exhibition. From 22nd December to 4th January, the central square of Barcelona, Placa de Catalunya houses a Christmas festival. Apart from these, there are some wonderful attractions which include: ballet performances of Handel’s Messiah, concerts at the concert halls of Liceu Opera House, Ticketmaster and Palau de la Musica.
3. Nuremberg, Germany
It has one of the best Christmas markets of all time, with all its enjoyable traditions. It’s amazing because of its great blend of history, art, tradition, and food. Its extravagant events attract about 2million people every year. The market’s attractions include sweet gingerbread, one of the best-grilled sausages, irreplaceable cold drink Gluhwein, stream trains, giant wooden carved ferris wheel, and carousels. The market sells fantastic, yet traditional merchandise for one and all.
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
Celebrate Christmas by the beaches, there’s no snow but the spirits and festive joy are still at its peak. The attractions in Hawaii for Christmas include Kuana’s winter wonderland which is a package of three shows which contains special musical line-ups and performances. Honolulu Chorale is one of the state’s longest-performing community choruses, represents Hawaii’s diverse ethnicities. There are elaborate celebrations around the Honolulu Citylights.
5. Santa Claus, Indiana
In this place, Christmas is a year-round festival. The festive events hosted in the city of Santa himself include; Santa Claus Christmas Parade where children can collect candies, shopping centers, a 1.2mile drive through Land of lights at Rudolph Lake, roasting chestnuts the traditional way over a campfire at Santa’s Candy Castle and the Santa Claus Arts and Crafts Show.
6. Salzburg, Austria
It’s a great snow-capped Christmas market city. They are renowned for their caramelized almonds and lebkuchen- biscuit of the city. It’s one of the oldest markets in Europe. Hohensalzburg fortress and the Cathedral of Salzburg tend to be the epicenter of the celebration hosting majestic choirs and exhibits. Salzburg is a great place if you wish to go skiing for Christmas as well. The town hosts an unusual Yuletide tradition where people dress up as scary Alpine beasts called Krampuses and walk the streets hunting for naughty children to punish.
7. Quebec City, Canada
Quebec City welcomes you with a unique festive and magical atmosphere. The Christmas market houses over 1000 traditional products at the Old Port. For a hearty stroll, walk through the Christmas village which magnificent and gorgeous lights making it a perfect spot for great photographs. Quebec hosts frequent concerts and shows where you can hear them sing chirpy carols and songs. Once Christmas is over, there’s Quebec Winter Carnival which is as spectacular as ever.
8. Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
For the Finns, this place located just north of the Arctic circle is the Christmas headquarters. Children can be spotted making gingerbread with Mrs. Claus; people can work for seasonal positions as elves at Santa’s post office; home to baby polar bears, moose, and wolverines- the Ranua zoo; the mystery of the northern lights revealed at the science center. Those who’d love a frosty experience can stay over at the Arctic Snow Hotel, built entirely of snow and ice.
9. Malta
Display of resident holy crib confections to people is a tradition in Malta. Downtown Valletta is a home to the joyous spirit of Christmas with carolers singing and twinkling lights everywhere. The annual Christmas pantomime is a major attraction in the Manoel Theatre. A visit to the Malta Toy Museum takes you back on a memory lane to your childhood.
10. Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland celebrates a peculiar Christmas. 13 Yuletide lads also known as scruffy Santa bring gifts to nice children of the town, beginning 13 days prior to Christmas. Visitors can pick up pretty, festive gifts from the Yule Town Christmas market at Ingolfstorg. Every day is a new shopping experience as the craftsmen set up stalls for only a day. Along with the Christmas lights, the northern lights add a unique charm to the Christmas feel of Reykjavik.
11. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
In Mexico, Christmas is both celebratory and solemn affair. Ponche, pinatas, and posadas make up the festival in this colorful city. A casual scene you’d witness would be Mary and Joseph strolling the streets, singing to “ask for posada”, as a re-enactment of the journey to Bethlehem tale. There are several events conducted that one mustn’t miss; Chamber music festival, Las Posadas, the string of events on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
12. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is the Capital of Christmas, with Christmas themed villages spread over 12 locations. It has an exquisite Christmas market along with an alternate Christmas fare with street art trail and live music. It’s the oldest market in France and one of the best.
13. Queensland, New Zealand
New Zealand defines a new meaning for the traditional colors of Christmas. Here, red represents the country’s ruby-red flowering Christmas tree, white represents the gorgeous beaches and green represents the kiwis. If you’ve dreamt of a Christmas spent by surfing with Santa, then this is the location for you. In the warm weather, one can paraglide, river surf or enjoy a great Christmas meal at the lakefront.
14. Valkenburg, Netherlands
Valkenburg’s cozy velvet cave turns into a bustling market during Christmas time, with gifts, culinary treats, traditional artifacts, and luxuries. The underground revelries and castle ruins are open to the public during this time to get the taste of Dutch history.
15. New York
Rockefeller Centre’s famous ice rink along with a decorated tree beside it has been a tradition since the 1900s. Annual Christmas Spectacular is hosted by Radio City every year, starring the Rockettes. A festive Holiday market is set up at Columbus circle with over 100 vendors selling drinks, snacks, gifts, and fabric. At the Fifth Avenue, you’ll find one of the most glamorous Christmas window displays.
In conclusion, nothing compares to the jollity and gaiety of living in the Christmas season no matter what the place is. The Christmas spirit makes an ordinary town extravagant. Talking about making things extravagant New Zealand is planning on a nation-wide secret santa game. Even the prime minister will be participating. Now that’s the surprise!!
