Best Places to Spend Christmas & New Year Abroad

Christmas and New Year abroad means something different depending on what you're after — a warm beach instead of a gray, cold holiday season; the classic European market-and-mulled-wine version; or simply the biggest fireworks show you can find for midnight. Here's where to go for each.

For a Warm-Weather Christmas

Aruba and Punta Cana both sit comfortably in the mid-80s°F in December, with resorts that lean into the holiday with their own low-key festive touches — think string lights on palm trees rather than snow. The Bahamas is the closest option from the East Coast for anyone who wants warm water without a long flight. All three are genuinely busy over the holidays, so book well ahead if this is the plan.

For Classic Christmas Markets

Vienna and Prague are the two cities that do this best — grand squares filled with wooden stalls, mulled wine, and lights, against genuinely beautiful imperial or medieval backdrops. Both get cold and properly festive in December, which is exactly the point. Book early: this is peak season and prices reflect it.

For a Big New Year's Eve

Dubai puts on one of the most spectacular fireworks displays anywhere in the world, centered on the Burj Khalifa, and the warm December weather means watching it outdoors is actually comfortable. Las Vegas is the domestic equivalent — Strip fireworks, major concert residencies timed around the holiday, and no passport required.

For Somewhere Different

Costa Rica is in its dry season through December, making it one of the better times of year to combine rainforest and beach in one trip without fighting rain. For a city with its own distinct December character rather than a beach or a market, Tokyo's illuminations season runs through the holidays and is worth seeing even though Christmas itself isn't a major Japanese holiday.

Booking Timing

The two weeks around Christmas and New Year are among the most expensive flight windows of the entire year, on essentially every route — demand spikes everywhere at once, so there's no cheap corner of the calendar to find. Booking two to three months ahead is the realistic minimum for a popular destination; by early December, both flights and hotels in any of the places above will be thin and expensive. If your dates have any flexibility, flying out a day or two before or after the 23rd–26th rush can meaningfully cut both airfare and hotel rates.

Which One Should You Pick?

Want to trade cold for a beach: Aruba, Punta Cana or the Bahamas. Want the classic postcard version of the holidays: Vienna or Prague. Want the biggest possible midnight moment: Dubai or Las Vegas. Want something that isn't really about Christmas at all: Costa Rica's dry season or Tokyo's winter lights. Whichever it is, this is the one trip of the year worth booking earliest.