Dreaming of a White Christmas? Here Are the Best Places to Experience It Around the World

New York City comes alive at Christmas. From the iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center to ice skating on a rink in Central Park, New York is filled with holiday cheer and sparkling lights. Surprisingly, you can score good hotel rates leading up to Christmas, making it more affordable than you’d think. Just remember, prices spike again around New Year’s Eve, so plan accordingly. 

The charming city of Victoria in British Columbia has the perfect setting for a White Christmas: snow-dusted trees, holiday lights, and a bustling main street lined with gingerbread-style storefronts. If you’re after more classic Christmas vibes, consider visiting Alberta, where Fairmont hotels like the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offer everything from maple syrup treats to sleigh rides, creating a festive fairytale setting. 

For a taste of European tradition, there’s nowhere quite like Germany. With more than 150 Christmas markets across the country, each town offers its own unique twist. You’ll find the Frankfurt Christmas Market is a perfect introduction with classic German treats like pretzels, sausages, and mulled wine. Other favourites include Dresden, Aachen, and Hamburg, each with their own charm, medieval buildings, and festive light displays. 

Harbin, in northern China, brings White Christmas magic to the next level with its International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Artists from around the globe create elaborate ice sculptures, ice castles, and even ice mazes that light up in vivid colours, making it a unique spectacle. The main displays open in January, but you can still catch early views of the creations from mid-December. 

There’s something for all ages in London, especially families. Treat the kids (or yourself!) with a visit to Hamleys, a famous toy store that’s decked out for the season. Many hotels, like The Ritz and Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, offer packages that include Christmas events and even meet-and-greets with Santa. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is a must, with ice skating  at Somerset House Ice Rink, a Christmas market, and fun rides.  

Iceland is like nowhere else for a White Christmas. The snowy landscape, warm geothermal pools, and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights create a magical holiday. While daylight hours are short in December, Iceland makes up for it with stunning sights like the Gullfoss Waterfalls, Thingvellir National Park, and the Secret Lagoon. It’s an unforgettable place to spend Christmas. 

For those wanting a White Christmas experience without the long haul to Europe, Shirakawa-go in Japan’s central mountains offers a dreamlike holiday setting. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs, which resemble hands in prayer and help the houses withstand heavy snowfalls. You might feel as if you’ve stepped into a Studio Ghibli film. 

For the ultimate holiday experience, Lapland in Finland is where you’ll find Santa Claus, reindeer, and snow-covered forests. At Santa Claus Village, families can meet Santa, send a postcard from his official post office, and even take a sleigh ride. With the Northern Lights flickering above, Lapland is an enchanting experience for kids and adults alike. 

Prague transforms into a winter wonderland each Christmas, with cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and cosy markets. The Old Town Square’s Christmas market is the heart of the holiday action, featuring a massive Christmas tree, food stalls, and live music. You can also warm up with traditional Czech Christmas treats, like roasted ham and mulled wine, for a truly local experience.