15 Best Christmas Family Vacations for 2026: Where to Go With Kids

Christmas family vacations in 2026 fall into three broad styles: a snowy Santa trip to the Arctic, a city or market town dressed for the season, or a warm-weather escape where beaches replace snowmen. The right choice depends on your children's ages, how your family copes with cold and short days, and how far the Christmas-week price premium stretches your budget.

This guide compares 17 of the best places to go for Christmas with kids, from Rovaniemi and New York City to Strasbourg, Orlando and Costa Rica. For each one you'll find what it suits best, its standout Christmas experience, how to get around with children and practical booking tips. If you're planning in November, the cost section explains where you can still find value for late December.

Quick answer: where to go for Christmas with family

• Meeting Santa: Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland
• An iconic holiday city: New York City or London
• Christmas markets: Strasbourg, Vienna or Colmar in Europe, or Quebec City and Leavenworth in North America
• A theme-park Christmas: Orlando
• Warm weather: San Diego, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or Costa Rica
• Summer sunshine at Christmas: New Zealand

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Best Christmas family vacations at a glance

Budget labels are relative, not fixed prices, because Christmas-week rates change from year to year.

Best Christmas destinations by age

Read more: Dreaming of a European Christmas escape? Explore 15 Best Places to Travel in Europe in December: City Breaks & Snowy Escapes for festive cities, Christmas markets, and snowy getaways.

How we chose these destinations

Each destination was chosen for its Christmas atmosphere, its family-friendly activities and the quality of its seasonal experiences, from meeting Santa to walking a historic market.

We also weighed the December weather, how easy each place is to get around with children, what there is to do beyond Christmas Day, and overall value. The list balances snowy classics, market towns, festive cities and warm-weather escapes, so every travel style and budget is covered.

If you're comparing options, our guide to the best places to travel with kids covers family trips at other times of year.

Read more: Curious about the traditions behind the holiday? Explore 25 Fun Facts About Christmas You Probably Didn't Know for surprising Christmas history, customs, and celebrations.

15 Best Places to Go for Christmas With Your Family in 2026

1. Rovaniemi and Lapland, Finland: best for meeting Santa

Rovaniemi sits on the Arctic Circle and is the official hometown of Santa Claus. At Santa Claus Village, families can meet Santa for free every day, cross the Arctic Circle and send a card from his post office. Beyond the village, the wider Lapland region offers reindeer sleigh rides, husky safaris, snowmobiling and evenings hunting the Northern Lights. Resorts such as Levi give you the same Arctic setting with fewer crowds.

December brings deep snow, temperatures around -10°C (14°F) and only a few hours of daylight, so pack thermal layers or rent Arctic gear locally.

Getting around: most families book transfers and tours rather than driving on snow.

Practical tip: Rovaniemi books up almost a year ahead for Christmas week. If you're booking now, look at the days just after Christmas, or at smaller Lapland resorts.

2. New York City, USA: best for an iconic Christmas

New York City suits families with older children and teenagers. The Rockefeller Center tree, the Fifth Avenue window displays, the Bryant Park Winter Village rink and Central Park in snow deliver the classic movie Christmas. A show such as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular can easily fill an evening. For more ideas, see our list of fun things to do in New York.

The trade-offs are real: Christmas-week crowds are intense and costs run high. Very young children may find the crowds tiring.

Getting around: the main holiday sights are close together, so walking plus the subway covers most of a trip.

Read more: Planning a Christmas trip closer to home? Explore 17 Best Places to Go in the US in December for festive cities, winter scenery and warm-weather escapes across the country.

3. Quebec City, Canada: best for a snowy European-style Christmas

Quebec City gives North American families a European-style Christmas without crossing the Atlantic. The cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, the Château Frontenac and a German-style Christmas market fill the historic centre with lights, carols and maple treats, usually under real snow.

Getting around: the old town is compact and walkable, which makes it easy with children. Check whether your phone will work in Canada before you go.

4. London, United Kingdom: best for a festive big-city Christmas

London works for families with a wide age range. The Oxford Street lights, store windows, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland and West End family shows bring the season to life. When the novelty wears thin, the city's museums, many of them free, keep everyone busy. It's expensive at Christmas, but the variety makes it easy to fill a week. Our guide to how many days you need in London helps with planning.

Getting around: the Underground and buses reach most attractions, and many festive sights are walkable from central areas.

Practical tip: pre-book Winter Wonderland attractions and any pantomime or West End show, because popular slots sell out.

5. Copenhagen, Denmark: best for a cosy family Christmas

Copenhagen offers a calmer, more intimate Christmas. Its centrepiece is Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, transformed for the season with thousands of lights, a Christmas market, gentle rides and hot cocoa. The Danish idea of hygge, warm and cosy contentment, runs through the city, from candlelit cafés to harbourside stalls. It suits younger children and parents who want atmosphere rather than intensity.

Getting around: the city is flat and stroller-friendly, with reliable public transport.

6. Strasbourg, France: best for Christmas markets

Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas, and its market dates back to 1570, making it one of the oldest in Europe. The Grande Île old town fills with wooden chalets, lights, Alsatian treats and a towering central tree, all set among half-timbered buildings. Families who love it often continue to Germany's Christmas markets just across the Rhine.

Practical tip: visit on a weekday to avoid the heaviest weekend crowds.

7. Vienna, Austria: Best for Classic European Christmas Traditions

Vienna delivers a grand, classic European Christmas, one of the best destinations to visit at Christmas for families who want culture alongside the festivities.

Its markets glow in front of the City Hall and the imperial palaces, with crafts, ornaments, hot chocolate, and carousel rides for children. Between markets, families can take in a concert, tour a palace, or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic center.

The mix of festive atmosphere and genuine culture gives parents and children different things to love in the same trip. For a European Christmas with real grandeur, Vienna is hard to beat.

8. Lapland, Finland: Best for a Snowy Christmas Adventure

Beyond Rovaniemi's Santa story, the wider Lapland region is about Arctic adventure, one of the best countries to visit in December for active families.

The focus shifts to husky sledding across frozen forests, reindeer encounters at working farms, snowmobiling, and long dark evenings hunting the Northern Lights. Resorts like Levi and quieter villages offer the same magic as Rovaniemi with fewer crowds.

This is the trip for families who want to do rather than just see, an immersive winter wilderness experience, and it stands out among the best places to go for Christmas for the sheer sense of adventure. Rent Arctic gear locally rather than buying it at home.

9. Orlando, USA: Best for a Theme-Park Christmas

Orlando turns the holidays into a warm-weather extravaganza, one of the best Christmas vacation destinations for families who want rides, characters, and shows in one place.

Walt Disney World adds festive parades and castle light shows, while Universal Orlando brings its own holiday events, together creating a nonstop program of Christmas entertainment. With December daytime temperatures around 73°F (23°C), it is a genuine escape from the cold.

The considerations are peak-season crowds and premium holiday pricing, both highest around Christmas week. Families who book ride reservations and dining early, and pace themselves with rest days, get the most out of it.

Practical tip: Use the parks' official apps to book ride reservations and dining early, and plan rest days between park days.

10. San Diego, USA: Best for a Warm-Weather Family Christmas

San Diego proves Christmas does not require snow, and its mild Southern California weather makes it one of the best places in December for travel for families avoiding the cold.

December days are comfortably mild, ideal for the beaches, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park, which hosts seasonal holiday events and light displays. Neighborhoods like the Gaslamp Quarter dress up for the season, and harbor boat parades add a festive coastal twist.

It is a relaxed, more affordable option than the big holiday cities, and one of the best places to go for Christmas for families who want sunshine over snowfall.

11. Puerto Rico: Best for a Tropical Christmas With Local Traditions

Puerto Rico offers a tropical Christmas steeped in one of the world's longest holiday seasons, one of the best countries to visit in December for warmth and culture together.

Old San Juan glows with lights, live music fills the plazas, and local traditions, from parrandas (roving carol parties) to the Three Kings celebrations in January, give the season a distinctive Puerto Rican flavor.

Beaches, historic forts, and rich local food round out the trip. For American families, a major bonus: as a US territory, Puerto Rico requires no passport for US travelers, making it one of the easiest warm-weather places to visit during Christmas.

Practical tip: The festive season runs long here, so even a late-December trip catches plenty of celebration.

12. Edinburgh, Scotland: Best for a Festive Historic City

Edinburgh wears Christmas beautifully, and its compact layout makes it one of the most manageable places to visit in Christmas holidays with children.

Edinburgh's Christmas fills the city gardens with a market, a big wheel, and a fairground beneath the floodlit castle, while the medieval Old Town looks straight out of a storybook under seasonal lights.

Everything sits close together, so sightseeing does not mean exhausting treks with tired kids. The city's dramatic setting and walkable center make it a festive break that feels special without being overwhelming, one of the best destinations to visit at Christmas in the United Kingdom.

13. Colmar, France: Best for a Storybook Christmas

If you want a slower, picture-perfect Christmas, Colmar in Alsace looks designed for the season, one of the most enchanting places to visit in Christmas holidays.

Its canals and brightly painted half-timbered houses are strung with lights and greenery, and several small Christmas markets dot the old town, each within easy walking distance. The scale is gentle and the pace unhurried, ideal for families who find big cities overwhelming.

Colmar pairs beautifully with nearby Strasbourg for families touring Alsace, and it ranks among the best Christmas vacation destinations for pure storybook charm. Stay overnight to enjoy the markets after the day-trippers leave.

7. Vienna, Austria: best for classic European traditions

Vienna delivers a grand, classic European Christmas. Its markets glow in front of City Hall and the imperial palaces, with crafts, ornaments, hot chocolate and carousel rides for children. Between markets, families can enjoy a concert, tour a palace or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic centre. For more options, see our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe.

8. Leavenworth, Washington, USA: best for a Bavarian Christmas in the US

Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style village in the Cascade Mountains, about two hours' drive from Seattle. During its Christmas Lighting Festival and Village of Lights, the whole town is covered in lights. Families can add the Nutcracker Museum, a Christkindlmarkt and nearby reindeer farms. It's the closest you'll get to a European Christmas village without leaving the US.

Getting around: the town itself is walkable, but mountain roads can be icy in December, so check conditions before driving. Parking fills up on peak weekends.

9. Orlando, USA: best for a theme-park Christmas

Orlando turns the holidays into a warm-weather celebration. Walt Disney World adds festive parades and castle light shows, and Universal Orlando runs its own holiday events. With December daytime temperatures around 23°C (73°F), it's a genuine escape from the cold. Peak-season crowds and premium holiday pricing are the downsides, and both are highest in Christmas week.

Practical tip: use the parks' official apps to book ride reservations and dining early, and plan rest days between park days.

10. San Diego, USA: best for a mild-weather family Christmas

San Diego proves that Christmas doesn't need snow. Mild December days suit the beaches, San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, which hosts seasonal events and light displays. The Gaslamp Quarter dresses up for the season, and harbour boat parades add a coastal touch. It's a relaxed and more affordable alternative to the big holiday cities. For more sunshine options, see our guide to warm places to visit in December.

11. Puerto Rico: best for a tropical Christmas with local traditions

Puerto Rico has one of the world's longest holiday seasons. Old San Juan glows with lights, live music fills the plazas, and local traditions run from parrandas, which are roving carol parties, to the Three Kings celebrations in January. Beaches, historic forts and local food complete the trip. As a US territory, Puerto Rico requires no passport for US travellers. Read our guide to the best time to visit Puerto Rico, and check whether your phone will work in Puerto Rico.

Practical tip: the festive season runs long here, so even a trip late in December catches plenty of celebration.

12. Hawaii, USA: best for a beach Christmas with island traditions

Hawaii swaps snow for surf but keeps the season's traditions. These include a giant Christmas tree in Honolulu and Christmas concerts with a local twist. December is also the start of humpback whale-watching season, which makes a memorable family outing. Our Hawaii travel guide covers which island suits your family.

13. Edinburgh, Scotland: best for a festive historic city

Edinburgh's Christmas fills the city gardens with a market, a big wheel and a fairground beneath the floodlit castle, while the medieval Old Town looks like a storybook under seasonal lights. Everything sits close together, so sightseeing doesn't mean long walks with tired children. For more of the country, see the best places to visit in Scotland.

Getting around: the centre is compact and walkable.

14. Colmar, France: best for a storybook Christmas

Colmar's canals and painted half-timbered houses are strung with lights and greenery for the season, and several small Christmas markets are within walking distance of each other. The scale is gentle and the pace unhurried, which suits families who find big cities overwhelming. Colmar pairs well with Strasbourg for a tour of Alsace.

Practical tip: stay overnight to enjoy the markets after the day-trippers leave.

15. Banff, Canada: best for a mountain Christmas

Banff sets Christmas against the snow-capped Canadian Rockies. The main street glows with holiday lights. Nearby Lake Louise offers skating on a frozen lake, along with skiing, gondola rides and snowshoeing. The range of winter activities keeps energetic children and teens busy all day.

Getting around: most families rent a car or use shuttles and tours to reach Lake Louise and the ski areas.

Practical tip: book ski rentals and Lake Louise activities ahead, because Christmas is peak season in the Rockies.

16. Costa Rica: best for an adventurous warm Christmas

Costa Rica swaps Christmas markets for rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife and beaches. December marks the start of the dry season across much of the country, a strong window for national parks, sloth and monkey spotting, zip-lining and time on the coast. Our Costa Rica travel guide and guide to the best time to travel to Costa Rica cover the regions in more detail.

Practical tip: book park tours and coastal stays early, because the Pacific side is dry and busy at Christmas.

17. New Zealand: best for a summer Christmas

For families who want a complete change, Christmas in New Zealand falls in early summer, with long days suited to hiking, kayaking and beaches. It's a long journey from the US and Europe, so it works best for families with at least two weeks to spare. Read our guide to the best time to visit New Zealand before you book.

Christmas and New Year in one trip

If your school break runs into January, several destinations stay festive after 25 December:

• Puerto Rico's season continues to the Three Kings celebrations in January.
• London and New York keep their lights and rinks running.
• Orlando's parks stay decorated.

In Europe, many Christmas markets close on 23 or 24 December, so check the dates before planning a market trip after Christmas.

Planning around school holidays

Christmas-week prices peak because school breaks line up across the country. Check your own district's or school's calendar before you book. The first days of the break are usually the most expensive days to fly, so leaving a day or two later can make a real difference to the fare.

Multigenerational and family-reunion Christmas trips

Travelling with grandparents, cousins or a wider family group works best somewhere that offers something for every age without long transfers. Vienna, Strasbourg, San Diego and Hawaii suit mixed groups well. A rental home or connecting rooms keeps everyone together, and a compact destination means less walking for older relatives. Plan one shared highlight, such as a show, a market evening or a Christmas dinner, and let smaller groups do their own thing the rest of the time.

How much does a family Christmas vacation cost?

The main costs are flights, accommodation, attraction and event tickets, food, local transport and travel insurance. All of them rise in Christmas week. Holiday-specific experiences, such as meeting Santa, theme-park event tickets and special dinners, come on top of the base cost.

• Lower-cost options: Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and San Diego.
• Mid-range: Quebec City, Strasbourg, Leavenworth and Banff.
• Most expensive: Rovaniemi, London, New York City, Copenhagen, Hawaii and New Zealand, where Christmas-week demand pushes flights, hotels and headline experiences to their peak.

Timing is the biggest variable. Christmas week is the most expensive period almost everywhere. If you're booking in November, early December or the days just after Christmas usually offer better value. Destinations you can drive to, such as Leavenworth from Seattle or San Diego from elsewhere in California, avoid peak airfares altogether. For more budget ideas, see our guide to cheap family vacations.

Prices, dates and opening hours change each year, so confirm them with official sources before booking.

Read more: Looking to keep your Christmas getaway affordable? Explore 15 Cheap Places to Travel in December for Sunshine, Snow & Savings for budget-friendly warm escapes, snowy destinations and seasonal deals.

10 tips for planning a family Christmas vacation in 2026

1. Book flights and accommodation first. Christmas week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and prices usually rise as December approaches.
2. Check Christmas market and event dates. Some markets close on or just before Christmas Day.
3. Reserve popular attractions ahead. Santa meetings, theme-park tickets and holiday shows can sell out.
4. Don't count on snow. Snow on Christmas Day is never certain. If a white Christmas matters, choose Lapland, Banff or another high-altitude destination.
5. Pack for the real December climate. Arctic trips need thermal layers and waterproof boots. Tropical trips need light clothing and sunscreen. Our family trip packing list covers the essentials.
6. Build in downtime. Children tire quickly when moving between attractions, so leave room for rest and relaxed meals.
7. Check holiday opening hours. Restaurants, attractions and transport often run reduced hours or close on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
8. Consider travel insurance. It protects an expensive trip against cancellations and disruptions.
9. Check entry requirements. Confirm passport validity and visa rules well before departure. US travellers heading to Europe can read do Americans need a visa for Europe.
10. Plan your connectivity. A travel eSIM keeps maps, bookings and messaging working from the moment you land. Compare the best eSIM apps for international travel before you go.

Read more: Extending your holiday into the new year? Explore 16 Best Places to Visit in January: Your Travel Bucket List for destinations worth adding after the Christmas crowds leave.

Stay connected on your family Christmas trip

Reliable mobile data keeps a family trip running smoothly. You'll use it for maps, airport navigation, ride-hailing, tickets and restaurant bookings, translation, weather updates and checking event schedules on the go. To estimate your usage, see how much mobile data you need for travel.

A travel eSIM is set up before you leave home and connects to a local network as soon as you land, so you can avoid roaming charges and skip hunting for a SIM card abroad. Jetpac covers more than 200 destinations on a single eSIM profile, which helps if your festive trip spans more than one country.

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FAQs

What are the best Christmas family vacations with kids?

It depends on their ages. For young children who dream of Santa, Rovaniemi in Lapland is hard to beat. For a warm theme-park trip full of characters, Orlando is ideal. For older children and teens who enjoy a busy city, New York City delivers the classic holiday spectacle.

What are the best Christmas family vacations in the USA?

New York City suits families who want an iconic big-city Christmas, Orlando suits theme-park fans, and Leavenworth offers a Bavarian-style Christmas village in the Cascade Mountains. For warm weather, San Diego and Hawaii trade snow for sunshine. Our guide to Christmas destinations in the USA has more options.

What are the best Christmas vacations for families with toddlers?

Copenhagen, Colmar and Orlando suit very young children best. Copenhagen is flat and stroller-friendly, Colmar is small and unhurried, and Orlando combines mild weather with rides and characters. Avoid packing too much into each day, and plan indoor breaks.

Where can families find a white Christmas?

Lapland, including Rovaniemi, is the closest thing to guaranteed snow, along with Santa and the Northern Lights. Banff pairs reliable mountain snow with skiing and skating, and Quebec City usually has real snow alongside its market. Snowfall in most cities is unpredictable.

What are the best warm Christmas vacations for families?

San Diego offers mild weather with beaches and holiday events. Puerto Rico has tropical warmth and a long festive season, with no passport needed for US travellers. Hawaii adds whale-watching season, and Costa Rica combines dry-season sunshine with rainforests and wildlife. New Zealand offers a full summer Christmas.

Which European city has the best Christmas markets for families?

Strasbourg is the classic choice, with a market dating to 1570 and a walkable old town. Vienna has grander markets set against palaces, plus culture for parents. Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens puts its market inside a festive amusement park, which younger children love.

When do Christmas markets open and close?

Most European Christmas markets open in mid to late November. Many close on 23 or 24 December, although a few stay open until the end of the month. Check each market's official dates before you book, especially if you're travelling after Christmas.

Are Christmas cruises good for families?

River cruises that stop at several Christmas markets can suit multigenerational groups and families with older children, because you unpack once and visit several towns. Check that the ship and excursions are suitable for your children's ages before booking.

Where can we spend Christmas and New Year on one trip?

Puerto Rico, London, New York City and Orlando all stay festive after Christmas Day. Puerto Rico's celebrations continue to the Three Kings festivities in January.

What are the best last-minute Christmas family vacations?

Large cities and destinations you can drive to usually have the most availability late in the year. Within the US, San Diego and Leavenworth work well for families within driving distance. Wherever you go, travelling in early December or just after Christmas is usually easier to book than Christmas week itself.

What is the cheapest time to take a family Christmas vacation?

Early December is usually the most affordable, before Christmas-week demand peaks. Christmas week itself, roughly 20 to 26 December, is the most expensive almost everywhere. The days just after Christmas can offer better value while still feeling festive.

What should families pack for a Christmas vacation?

For Arctic or mountain trips, pack thermal layers, waterproof boots, hats and gloves. For festive cities, bring warm layers and comfortable walking shoes. For warm escapes, pack light clothing, swimwear and sunscreen.

If you're still deciding, our guide to Christmas traditions around the world shows how different countries celebrate the season.

Disclaimer

This blog is for general informational and planning purposes only. Prices, weather, opening hours, event dates, and entry requirements change constantly and vary year to year; Christmas markets and holiday events in particular run on set dates that can end on or before Christmas Day, so always confirm current details with official destination and venue sources before booking. Snowfall is never guaranteed at any destination. Check passport validity and entry requirements for international trips well ahead of travel. Jetpac is not responsible for any inaccuracies, changes, or losses arising from reliance on this information.