Christmas is a fantastic time to travel because you’ll get to see the finest of whichever destination you select. As the year draws to a close, there is usually plenty of happiness to go around, which can only be a good thing for your vacation. When arranging your vacation, you’ll need to consider which parts are essential for the holidays and which you can go without, as Christmas traditions vary considerably worldwide and can affect your family’s entire experience.
Is it better to have snow or not have snow?
Ice skating, skiing, sleigh rides, and tubing down frozen slopes are among activities you may enjoy. Or do you want to spend your day making sandcastles in the sand, watching light shows and parades, and browsing Christmas markets? There are no limits to what you may accomplish during your vacation, so be sure you have a clear vision. You might be tempted to schedule a holiday in the Caribbean or perhaps Europe if you and your family want to do something different.
Family-Friendly Christmas Vacation Ideas
We’ve compiled a selection of the top Christmas vacation options for families below. Which of these is your personal favorite?
1. A Caribbean beach holiday
Are you not wishing for a white Christmas? A trip to the Caribbean could be the perfect Christmas holiday for you! White sand beaches, swaying coconut trees, a sunny shoreline, and a worry-free atmosphere make the Caribbean an ideal destination to spend Christmas on the beach. Many of the islands feature resorts with waterparks designed exclusively for kids, so if that sounds like the kind of vacation you’ve always wanted, the next step is to pack your bags and book your flights!
Consider destinations with short travel schedules, such as Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, if you’re seeking the ultimate family getaway for Christmas. Swimming options abound in Jamaica, including the Dunn’s River Falls and the Blue Hole, close to the all-inclusive family resort Beaches Ocho Rios. Relax at Beaches Negril, a water park directly on the shore, on the famed Seven Mile Beach.
If your kids enjoy the beach, they’ll love Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos, which was just rated the world’s most beautiful beach. Beaches Turks & Caicos is right on the beach and has 21 restaurants on-site, as well as one of the Caribbean’s largest water parks! Your family has unrestricted access to everything.
In addition to brilliant lights and spectacular fireworks displays throughout the holidays, all Beaches resorts offer Kids Camps with trained nannies, Sesame Street characters, snorkeling tours, a teen nightclub, and plenty of beach activities to make this Christmas one to remember for the entire family!
2. Make a mountain retreat
Some people prefer to avoid the cold over the holidays, while others prefer to revel in it. Skiing, warming your toes by the fireplace, and enjoying a good ol’ frosty Christmas are all activities that are long linked with the holiday season when it’s cold outside. That’s precisely what you’ll get if you choose a Christmas experience in the mountains, which is one of the most popular things to do around the holidays. Breckenridge or Aspen in the Rocky Mountains, Park City (east of Salt Lake City), Jackson Hole in Wyoming, or even Vail Mountain are examples of mountains in this meaning. One of the best parts of spending Christmas in the mountains is that at the end of a busy day, you can gather around the fireplace with some hot chocolate and the people you care about to bond and reminisce about previous Christmases.
3. Go to a theme park and stay there
If a theme park experience is added to the Christmas mix, the youngsters will undoubtedly struggle to keep their excitement in check, and why should they? After all, a Christmas vacation only happens once a year! Chocolate Town (Hershey park), which opens in 2020 and is expected to include about 45 rides for both adults and children, Santa’s Enchanted Forest (the OG of holiday theme parks) with over 100 rides, and, of course, Walt Disney World and even SeaWorld, Orlando, are among the best theme parks in the world for the holidays. If you’re searching for a fun Christmas activity, consider going to Santa’s Workshop in New York, which features a whimsical, old-fashioned “Christmas in the North Pole.” One-on-one experiences with Santa and his reindeer, tours of the facility, and more are all part of this experience, which has been going on since 1949.
Overall, there’s no better way to spend your family Christmas vacation than at a theme park, where you’ll be able to enjoy things like parades, light, and fireworks shows, and plenty of entertainment.
4. Take part in the winter celebrations in a small village
Little towns are a little out of the ordinary when it comes to Christmas vacations, but that’s part of what makes them so alluring. You’ll be able to enjoy a more peaceful and family-oriented holiday, which will serve to remind you of the true meaning of the holiday season. Santa Claus Town (Indiana) is one of the friendliest tiny towns to visit. Santa Claus Town has it all, from Christmas-themed lodging to restaurants and theme parks. If you’re looking for something similar, try Skaneateles, New York, which hosts an annual ‘Dickens Christmas’ event, or Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where you can take the kids to Dutch Winter Wonderland, Longwood Gardens, or any of the other local Christmas events that are sure to make your holiday celebration that much more meaningful.
5. Take the kids to see the Northern Lights
Who wouldn’t want to witness the Aurora Borealis at least once in their lives? Even while a sighting isn’t always assured, Alaska, Sweden, and Norway are among the most critical sites globally to catch a good view. You’ll be able to enjoy that white Christmas you’ve always wanted, tuned to perfection (glass igloos included!) in any of these locales. Korvatunturi, commonly known as Lapland (Santa Claus Village) in Finland, has long been renowned as the home of Father Christmas, or Santa Claus. As a result, a Christmas vacation in Lapland with children is regarded as “the perfect holiday experience.” Children can enjoy everything from husky sledding to reindeer sleigh rides to toboggan racing in this frosty winter wonderland. You may sell it to the kids as a terrific opportunity to hand-deliver a Christmas letter to Santa if you choose this spot over the other incredible locations to see the Northern Lights.
What are your plans for the holidays with your family?
There are plenty of Christmas vacation alternatives for families to choose from. It may not be easy to choose just one of these possibilities for your next vacation, but the rest can be saved for another time. Whether you decide to visit a big metropolis or relax at a Caribbean all-inclusive family resort, your vacation memories will last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hottest Christmas destinations?
Many countries south of the equator, including the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, South America, Australasia, and Southeast Asia, are hot at Christmas. We recommend the Caribbean for a lovely holiday in the mid-80s, with temperatures ranging from the early 70s to a scorching 110°F and beyond.
