Recently updated on August 13th, 2025 at 01:55 pm
When you think of Christmas, you probably imagine twinkling lights, decorated fir trees, and festive dinners in the comfort of home. But what about sea and sand? Or historical sites and medieval markets?
If you’re ready to shake up your Christmas traditions and are looking for some unique family Christmas vacation ideas, we can help.
From domestic Christmas holiday destinations in the USA like New Orleans, Taos, and Nantucket, to international destinations like Copenhagen and Banff, here are 12 vacation ideas for this year’s Christmas with the family.
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1. Cooperstown, New York
Looking for some unique family Christmas vacation ideas? How about experiencing Christmas like it was in the 1800s?
Cooperstown, New York, may be famous for its Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, but this gorgeous village is also home to the Farmers’ Museum, which is all about 19th-century farm life.
The museum has a hand-carved carousel and live craft demonstrations, and at Christmas, they have a traditional Candlelight Evening. Go on a horse and carriage ride or sip wassail made with local cider over bonfires. Top off your Cooperstown Christmas with the family by going sledding down Lakefront Park or enjoying the Winter Carnival.
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2. Banff National Park, Canada
If your Christmas vacation ideas are all about snowy magic, look no further than Banff. The resort town in Alberta has everything you could want out of a winter vacation.
This scenic area of Canada becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas, with snowy peaks and icy blue lakes. For those who enjoy partaking in festive activities, Banff can offer the full Christmas experience.
Go ice skating or play ice hockey at Lake Louise. Or try skiing, snowshoeing or sleigh rides around the national park.
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Don’t forget to stop by the Ice Bar for some mulled wine or hot chocolate for the kids. You can even make a special local treat out of maple syrup and snow.
There are few Christmas holiday destinations more beautiful than Banff and you’re sure to get some gorgeous family photos you’ll cherish forever.
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3. Nantucket, Massachusetts
With sandy beaches and wharves, this little island off Cape Cod is famed as a summer destination. But fewer people know it’s also a unique Christmas holiday destination.
In Nantucket, Santa doesn’t arrive on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, he arrives by boat! During the Christmas Stroll weekend, you can meet Santa at the wharf as he arrives by Coast Guard boat.
Next up is a parade down the cobblestones of Main Street with carolers and more. And don’t forget to check out the Whaling Museum’s Festival of Trees, with beautiful Christmas trees designed by local artists.
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4. New Orleans, Louisiana
When you think of New Orleans, you probably imagine the colourful parades of Mardis Gras. But did you know that NOLA is also fantastic for Christmas family travel?
It’s all about music and food in New Orleans, with plenty of events all over town. Go on a riverboat carolling cruise and enjoy the carolling in Jackson Square. Watch the dazzling parades and stop by a jazz-gospel concert in St. Louis Cathedral.
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Marvel at the festive street cars, indulge in a mouthwatering Southern Christmas feast, or warm-up at the Christmas Eve bonfires on the Mississippi River. Whatever you do, NOLA is sure to serve up one of your most unique Christmas vacations yet.
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5. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is an incredible city for Christmas with the family, with medieval streets and old-world Christmas traditions. It’s a place where you’ll have to wrap up warm as December is one of the colder months, with temperatures typically reaching highs of 37/38 degrees farenheit.
Although the temperatures are near freezing, this European capital city does the holiday period justice. You can’t miss the Tivoli Gardens where you’ll get a true Danish Christmas experience from snow-covered fir trees and real reindeer to glittering Christmas lights and decorated wooden houses.
You’ll also find magical markets selling handmade toys, decorations and festive food and drink, along with fun rides for the kids and visits with Santa.
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Once you’ve explored the Tivoli Gardens, venture out across the rest of Copenhagen. You’ll find a Renaissance-themed market at Kronborg Castle, a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale-themed market, and many more Christmas wonders.
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6. London, England
Although the weather definitely isn’t tropical, London transforms into a Christmas wonderland in December making it an ideal vacation destination.
There are light displays and decorations adorning the main shopping streets, with markets and ice rinks popping up around the city.
For the Harry Potter fans, Christmas is a great time to do the Warner Bros. Studio Tour which takes you through the making of the film series. It allows people to step onto iconic sets like the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, while also being able to see the props and costumes from the movies.
If you really want to get into the swing of it, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is akin to a festive theme park as it has roller coaster rides, street food stalls, festive bars, shows, and live music.
7. Lapland, Finland
Lapland, specifically Rovaniemi, is known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, with visitors able to meet him year-round.
Based at Santa Claus Village, which is right on the Arctic Circle, there’s an abundance of activities for families to enjoy.
You can visit the Husky Park or see the reindeer, with the village also having the charming red Christmas Cottage of Mrs Santa Claus, the Snowman World Winter Zone, Santa Claus’ Main Post office, and nearby local restaurants and cafes.
FYI: Tourists can visit the area via Santa’s Express bus, which offers a direct line to Santa Claus Village from the Rovaniemi Airport.
8. Leavenworth, Washington
If you can’t make it to Europe for your Christmas with the family, don’t worry, you can still experience a slice of Germany in the Bavarian city of Leavenworth.
This gorgeous Alpine-style town is set in the Cascade Mountains, around two hours from Seattle. You’ll feel like you’ve arrived in old-world Germany at Christmas, with a traditional Christkindlmarkt, live music and concerts, and the Christmas Lighting Festival. There’s also the Village of Lights with over 500,000 lights illuminating the town from November to February.
Don’t forget the Nutcracker Museum where you’ll find thousands of nutcrackers, some hundreds of years old. There’s plenty of delicious food on offer too, with alpine buildings serving traditional German food and beer and wineries nearby the city. Stay until January, and you’ll also get to enjoy the Bavarian Ice Festival. With endless festive treasures to explore, Leavenworth promises a Christmas you’ll never forget.
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9. Hawaii, USA
If you’re looking for really unique family Christmas vacation ideas, why not swap the snow for sand in the tropical hotspot of Hawaii?
In this island paradise, you’ll find palm trees instead of fir trees covered in lights, sand sculptures instead of snowmen, surfing instead of ice skating, and Santa arrives on a canoe, not a sleigh!
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While Christmas is a little different in Hawaii, you’ll still find all the classic Christmas traditions like the 50-foot Christmas tree in Honolulu, or the concert at the Hawaii Theatre where the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra performs Christmas songs with a Hawaiian twist.
Even better – December is the start of the whale watching season in Hawaii. You can spot North Pacific humpback whales migrating to the warmer waters of Hawaii to give birth to their young. What a way to spend Christmas!
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10. Williamsburg, Virginia
History and Christmas go hand-in-hand with this unique vacation idea. Colonial Williamsburg is an 18th-century American community, thought to be the world’s largest living history museum. You’ll get to see how the locals celebrated Christmas hundreds of years ago as you explore the museums and enjoy the interactive events and demonstrations.
While you’re in Williamsburg, stop by the Busch Gardens where you’ll find a Christmas train, a reindeer wonderland, and one of the largest light displays in the country. You can even catch a show or go ice skating at Liberty’s Ice Pavilion. Christmas with the family just got a whole lot more fun!
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11. Taos, New Mexico
Christmas in Taos lasts for weeks with a festive celebration known as Yuletide in Taos. The festivities offer up a unique blend of the city’s cultures and families love the events like the Tree Lighting ceremony, Yuletide carolling, and the Lighting of Ledoux.
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There’s also a beautiful Christmas Eve procession at Taos Pueblo where you’ll see the Process of the Virgin, plus bonfires and rifle salutes. Head to the nearby city of Santa Fe and you’ll even find some excellent ski resorts for the snow bunnies in your family.
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12. San Diego, California
If you’re looking for fun and festive activities, San Diego could be the place to base yourself and the family during the holiday season.
The city is home to a number of attractions who turn up the dial when Christmas comes around. For example, there are theme parks like Sesame Place, Belmont Park, and SeaWorld.
There’s a LEGOLAND just 30 minutes north of San Diego, along with Disneyland which sits 95 miles north of downtown.
It’s not as cold as other destinations either, with daily temperatures averaging from 67°F to 65°F which makes exploring easier than what it would be in the sweltering heat.
Q&A: When do Christmas markets start in Germany?
For those looking to experience the magic of a German Christmas, consider planning your trip to arrive in time for the markets which often open from the last week of November.
They will then span the whole of December and finish around Christmas Day. These markets are a beloved tradition in this Western European country, with people visiting from all over the world to experience the atmosphere.
If you’re heading to a German Christmas market, consider trying some local delicacies like the Bratwurst sausage, glühwein (a hot mulled wine), and lebkuchen (cookies similar to gingerbread.)
Where are the best tropical Christmas vacations for families?
If you’re looking to buck the trend of a traditionally snowy holiday season, a tropical vacation in Hawaii could be the option for you.
In Oahu, there is the Wet’n’Wild waterpark which could be a great activity to kick off the festive season. Other activities include dolphin and whale watching excursions, parasailing, and attending a Hawaiian luau.
Other potential tropical family Christmas vacation ideas include Barbados, St Lucia, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Bali all of which have beautiful beaches for you to enjoy if sunbathing is more your vibe.
What are the top 10 destinations for Christmas in Europe?
With countries in Europe having a rich history, there are many destinations which double up as the perfect place to explore during the Christmas period.
Some of our favorites include: Copenhagen in Denmark, London in England, Strasbourg in France, Vienna in Austria, Berlin in Germany, Nuremberg in Germany, Zurich in Switzerland, Paris in France, Innsbruck in Austria, and Cologne in Germany.
What is the best Christmas market river cruise?
To experience the Christmas season in a unique way, consider a river cruise. At Trafalgar, we offer a range of tours over the period including ones which will take you to the popular German markets.
Our ‘8-Day German Christmas Market Tour’ ventures through eight cities, so you can visit iconic markets in places like Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Dresden, Berlin, and more.
For the explorers who wish to tick off more than one country off their bucket lists, the ‘Danube Christmas Markets’ river cruise will take you to Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany.
You’ll be cruising the Danube river, all while uncovering a mix of history, culture, and local traditions wrapped in the spirit of the season.
To explore more family Christmas vacation ideas, check out the itinerary of the Danube river cruise here.
Do you have any unique Christmas vacation ideas? Let us know in the comments below!