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Best Christmas holiday destinations

Where to hightail it to over the Christmas break – as well as the best sites to score the biggest holiday deals.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Last updated:

Whether you want to spend Christmas on sun-soaked islands like Fiji or experience a white winter in meccas like New York, we’ve personally shortlisted 10 top places to go this festive season – whatever your agenda.

Plus, we’ve included our top five sites to book holiday packages as well as the leading sales to save big on your Christmas trip. Hit here to skip to our list.

Top holiday destinations for Christmas

1. Best for FOMO: Bali

Bali is one of the top internationals spot for Aussie Christmas holiday makers. If you’re thinking of joining the masses this year, you can bet your bottom dollar that it’s THE place to go. Stick around until New Year’s Eve when the skies become frenetic with fireworks and celebrations last well into the next day.

  • Cost: High-end-priced accommodation and mid-range food
  • How long should I stay? 5-7 days
  • Recommended hotel: With its own beach, huge pool, and Jacuzzis the Melia Bali gives you more than one opportunity to spoil yourself at Christmas.

Book your Bali holiday

2. Best short international break: Auckland, New Zealand

Kicking off the festive season with a huge Santa’s parade and Christmas in the Park festival, Auckland goes all out at Christmastime. With the sunshine also comes the flowering of the red pōhutukawa, which is the Kiwi take on the Christmas tree.

  • Cost: Mid-range accommodation and reasonably-priced food.
  • How long should I stay? 3-5 days
  • Recommended hotel: You can count on festive feasts in Eight restaurant and seasonal high teas in the Lobby Lounge, when you book a Christmas stay at Cordis Auckland.

Book your Auckland holiday

3. Best local break: The Whitsundays

You can expect all the typical festive trimmings when you spend Christmas in the Whitsundays, as resorts lay on events like carols by candlelight and visits from Santa. For little ones, keep on top of our School Holidays Activities guide here.

  • Cost: Luxe accommodation due to high demand and high-end prices for Christmas Day dinners.
  • How long should I stay? 3-5 days
  • Recommended hotel: Spend Christmas in one of Peppers Airlie Beach’s spa apartments and indulge with a festive lunch in the onsite Tides restaurant.

Book your Whitsundays holiday

4. Best for a white Christmas: Lapland, Finland

There’s more than a handful of magical locations you could spend the holidays in for a white Christmas but if we had to pick one, it would be Lapland. Not only is it the home of Santa, but it’s graced with snow by the bucket fulls in December and offers festive activities such as reindeer rides and the chance to visit the man himself.

  • Cost: High-priced accommodation and meals due to its relatively remote location.
  • How long should I stay? 7-10 (in and around Lapland)
  • Recommended hotel: Make this a Christmas to remember by staying in the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort - Igloos and Chalets where its Finnish sauna shall keep you warm while its ski-in ski-out facilities can get you out on that powder.

Book your Lapland flight

5. Best for festivities: London

Offering Christmas shopping on Oxford Street, festive markets with mulled wine, a huge winter wonderland festival in Hyde Park and the possibility of a white Christmas, London is a huge crowd-pleaser when it comes to Yuletide trips.

  • Cost: Mid-range accommodation as competition keeps prices from soaring too high. Pricey food and drink, though.
  • How long should I stay? 7-10 days
  • Recommended hotel: Festive afternoon teas and Urban Grill Christmas meals are all available at Thistle Kensington Gardens.

Book your London holiday

6. Best for beaches: Fiji

Santa makes an appearance by speedboat at many Fijian resorts over Christmas and festive lunches and carol services all take place beneath the sun’s warm rays.

  • Cost: Luxe accommodation prices due to seasonal demand and high-end seasonal meals.
  • How long should I stay? 3-5 days
  • Recommended hotel: The Shangri-La's Fijian Resort & Spa launches itself into the festive season with a tree-lighting ceremony and Santa has been known to parasail into the resort on Christmas day.

Book your Fiji holiday

7. Best city break: Singapore

As if Singapore’s Gardens By The Bay light show wasn’t enough, the city shines brightly over Christmas as streets are transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. Hit up Orchard Road for lights, installations and the chance to snap a pic with Santa, or restaurant-hop to taste-test all manner of festive feast specials.

  • Cost: Mid- to high-priced accommodation due to peak season but well-priced food.
  • How long should I stay? 2-3 days
  • Recommended hotel: Stay in the thick of things in 4-star accommodation when you book a room at YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road. It boasts free Wi-Fi, swimming pool and breakfast daily.

Book your Singapore holiday

8. Best for island hopping: Krabi, Thailand

Eat your Christmas lunch overlooking the jewel-blue waters of the Andaman Sea and work off any excess with a walk along the powder-soft sands, or jumping on a ship to explore by water.

  • Cost: Mid-range-priced accommodation with plenty of budget-friendly places to eat.
  • How long should I stay? 5-7 days
  • Recommended hotel: Footsteps from Nopparat Thara Beach, Centara Anda Dhevi Resort and Spa features an outdoor pool, waterslides and Jacuzzi.

Book your Krabi holiday