Whether you’re escaping a Christmas at home for the first time or are a seasoned convert, enjoying the festive season abroad is the gift for all the family that keeps on giving.
What’s not to love? Say Sayonara to the supermarket queues! Have someone else cook the Christmas dinner (and do the washing up!). Avoid Boxing Day traffic jams whilst doing the rounds of relatives. And no need to nag about too much screen time with SO many exciting activities to choose from!
Here, we’ve chosen our favourite festive destinations that provide the perfect family Christmas holiday alternative, whether you’re after some guaranteed winter sun and beach fun or, conversely, want to turn the winter dial-up to the max in places like Norway or Canada. Whatever you prefer, here’s our winter wishlist for fantastic, festive escapes.
Probably our best-prepared guests ever, enjoying their family Christmas holiday in true, festive spirit!
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
Exploring the quiet waters of the Peñas Blancas river by boat, keeping watch for caiman, bats, monkeys and snakes. See our Costa Rica with Kids blog for more inspirational activities.
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
Walking across giant hanging suspension bridges in Arenal and whooshing down the volcano’s mutliple-stage zip-line. Exhilarating!
Swim in waterfalls, explore ancient ruins, and tuck into delicious food on a family Christmas holiday in Cambodia
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Having flown into the charming town of Siem Reap, you’ll be ready to explore what is arguably the highlight of any trip to Cambodia, Angkor Wat. It’s a vast temple complex and is best explored by bike or with your driver guide, and you can easily spend a few days doing it justice, perhaps Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, too. Watching the sun set over the complex is a Christmas present the whole family will love!
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Staying in a floating eco-resort in the Cardamom Mountains, kayaking through the mangroves, swimming in waterfall pools, or taking a boat ride to see the monkeys and birdlife that live in the jungle canopy. Alternatively, you could hang out on the idyllic islands of Koh Rong. Hammock, anyone? Check out our Cambodia with Kids feature for more inspiration.
How?
Cambodia Highlights or our combo trip, Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights
Visiting the world-famous pyramids on a family Christmas holiday is something the kids will never forget
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
It’s one of the quintessential Egyptian experiences: taking a felucca (a traditional sailboat) down the Nile, stopping at temples en route. Not only do you feel immersed in the culture, but it’s also slow travel at its best.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Taking a camel ride around the Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, coming up close and personal with The Sphinx. For more ideas on family-friendly activities, see our Egypt with Kids blog and our customer photos of Egypt gallery.
How?
Highlights of Egypt
Dog-sledding is exhilarating, huge fun and a Stubborn Mule favourite
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Prepare for possibly the most active, yet festive, day you’ve ever had, whether that’s dog-sledding with a team of huskies, going on a guided snow-shoe excursion keeping your eyes peeled for willow grouse or red fox, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling (min age 8 as passenger and 18 to drive), or learning about reindeer herding from the local Sami people.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Could there be a better way to see in the New Year than watching the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights? We can’t think of one! Get some tips on how to capture this stunning light show on camera.
How?
Norway in Winter
Enjoy long summer days and the great outdoors on family Christmas holidays in New Zealand
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Forget lounging around in dressing gowns opening the stockings, why not go for an explosive Christmas morning on the North Island. At Rotorua, there’s no shortage of bubbling mud and erupting geysers. Take a soak in the (very smelly) thermal pools before indulging in a traditional Maori hangi feast, watching the powerful Haka routine – beats turkey and carols.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
See in the New Year with a bang in the adventure capital of Queenstown. There’s something exciting here for all the family, from the Skyline Queenstown Gondola, reaching Bo’s Peak, or, not for the faint-hearted, taking a luge.
How?
Highlights of New Zealand in 2 weeks or our 3-week New Zealand Grand Tour
Family Christmas holidays in Belize offer incredible beaches, water sports, rainforest and Mayan ruins
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
As family Christmas breaks go, this is fairly hard to beat: waking up to the sound of howler monkeys (we admit, it’s a very loud, guttural roar) in a gorgeous Eco Lodge in Lamanai, Belize’s answer to the Amazon Rainforest. Go crocodile spotting, listen to and watch the colourful wildlife or walk to a local Mayan ruin.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Snorkelling in Shark Ray Alley – a channel where rays, sharks and turtles gather in crystal clear waters, undoubtedly one of the best places to snorkel in the world. See our Belize with Kids Top 10 and our customer photos of Belize and Mexico.
See the sights and enjoy the USA’s classic take on Christmas festivities
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Like many things here, it’s ‘go big or go home’ and the USA does the festive period like no one else. It might be too chilly to dip your toes in the Pacific, but head for the Los Angeles coastal area to join the crowds as they rollerblade along the prom. A joyful yet relaxed way to live like a local for a Xmas you’ll never forget!
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Where better to see the New Year in than Vegas, baby?! There are shows, the blingiest hotels and parties galore, whilst the entire 4-mile Vegas strip is closed to traffic from 6 pm to become a giant, pedestrian mall with a party atmosphere. At midnight, 80,000 fireworks make up one of the planet’s biggest and best displays.
How?
Classic California
Oman is a fabulous destination for family Christmas breaks, especially with the help of a knowledgeable guide
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Climb aboard your camel train and the whole family can head out into the desert, before enjoying a sumptuous, traditional lunch in a Bedouin tent.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Being a ‘dry’ country, you are free from the obligation of attending raucous parties. Instead (and all the better for it), spend the (hangover-free) day in the spectacular mountains at Jebel Shams, Oman’s answer to the Grand Canyon. The views will take your breath away. Check out our Oman with Kids Top 10 feature to see what else you could be doing.
How?
Highlights of Oman
Soak up the sunshine surrounded by beautiful karst scenery on a family Christmas holiday in Thailand
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
Enjoy an action-packed day in Kanchanaburi, home to the Bridge over the River Kwai. The afternoon is spent helping to care for elephants at a sanctuary, while the evening is spent on a floating jungle raft on the banks of the River Kwai.
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
After a busy trip touring the country’s key sites, it’s time to head for some R&R at the beach. Chill by the pool or head out on kayaks through the beautiful karst formations of the Andaman Sea before returning for a mouth-watering New Year celebration meal. See our Photos of Thailand and Thailand with Kids Top 10 features for more ideas.
The kids will love Mexico’s Yucatan beaches – perfect for a family Christmas holiday
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
You’re staying in a beautiful hacienda surrounded by lush plantations. The air is warm, the skies blue, and, after a lazy morning opening presents and enjoying a fresh fruit breakfast, you’ll head out to spend the afternoon swimming in an azure-blue cenote. What better way to end the perfect festive day than enjoying dinner on the terrace, sipping cocktails whilst listening to chirruping cicadas? See our Mexico with Kids Top 10 feature for more activity ideas.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Whilst Mexico is famed for its beaches, why not see in the New Year doing something different? Lake Bacalar is a 42-km-long, 2-km-wide lake renowned for its clean, turquoise waters. Make the most of the balmy temperatures, maybe stand-up paddle boarding or swimming before partying in the evening.
Work up an appetite snowshoeing and then tuck into Christmas dinner beside the log fire… bliss
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Mother Nature takes care of the winter wonderland backdrop in Lake Louise and Banff, so where better to spend the day unwrapping gifts, sitting around a roaring fire, and indulging than in a lodge here? If you don’t want to spend the day snow-shoeing or taking a horse and cart ride, enjoy the ‘hot chocolate trail’ or people-watch as you sit on the heated terraces.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Vancouver is a little wet and miserable at this time of year. Instead, Whistler’s slopes are at their best with both mountains open for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, fat biking, and more. Tubing, ice-skating, and snowmobiling are also on offer. Powder perfect! See our Canada with Kids Top 10 feature for ideas on family-friendly activities to do in Canada year-round.
Enjoy some festive family bonding in the Himalayas, with both gentle and challenging treks available
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
Spend the day doing what Nepal is best known for, trekking – but it’s superior trekking. After being brought tea and breakfast in your trekking lodge – a step up from the more ubiquitous tea houses – you can spend the day walking along the valley paths, being awed by the world’s most iconic mountain scenery.
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
It may be hard to tear yourself away from the luxury safari lodge in Chitwan National Park but rise early, and you’ll be rewarded by wildlife galore as you go on safari on the lookout for rhinos and tigers. As you are on the banks of the River Rapti, you can also head out by boat looking for crocodiles and other water-based wildlife in the afternoon, before being treated to a candlelit banquet back at the lodge. Check out our Nepal with Kids blog for more ideas on child-friendly activities.
A Sri Lankan safari is a popular activity on family Christmas holidays
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
Exploring the largest National Park in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu, on a search for leopard, crocodile and sloth bear. The day starts with a relaxing breakfast and time to open a present or two. In the afternoon you will take a safari in search of wildlife before returning back to an African-style safari camp for a slap-up supper. (See our Sri Lanka with Kids Top 10 for an inspiring overview of what you can do on family Christmas breaks.)
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
Enjoying the picturesque tea plantations of Ella, either relaxing by the pool or taking a hike through the plantations with superb views. The evening entertainment will be relatively low-key, but you can join other guests for a celebratory dinner.
There’s such a lot to explore in Colombia over the Christmas break
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Recovering from Christmas Eve! In Medellin, they go to town with the lights. Take an evening tour to add some real sparkle to your pre-Christmas Day celebrations and enjoy a snacking food tour of traditional buñuelos (dough balls) and natilla (caramel pudding) amidst all the razzle-dazzle. On Christmas Day you could enjoy a fascinating tour into the city’s infamous narco past, retold through some incredibly colourful street art. You could also visit a local children’s foundation that our partners support and become a real Father Christmas.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Christmas is a really important holiday for Colombia, and for the whole of December, there are celebrations and dancing in the streets culminating in New Year celebrations. What better spot to bring in the New Year than the Pearl of the Caribbean, Cartagena? Enjoy a magnificent fireworks display in this exquisite city, then escape to a Caribbean island for some R&R to recover. Note that most hotels have a minimum stay and should be booked far in advance. Quirky New Year Colombian tradition – at midnight, walk around town with a suitcase, which should bring you luck for lots of travelling in the following year. We like this!
How?
Best of Colombia or the more adventurous Colombia Off The Beaten Track. Also, see our Colombia with Kids round-up to get a feel of what you can do on a holiday here.
After a day packed with activities, relax on a gorgeous terrace overlooking Lake Atitlan
What will the weather be doing?
It’s the perfect time of year to go, with plenty of sunshine but not too hot. The rainy season will have recently ended, so everything looks lush and green.
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
At Christmas time in Guatemala, you could be out kayaking around Lake Atitlan and visiting the indigenous village of San Marco. Along the way, you could cliff jump and hike along ancient paths through some of the world’s most glorious scenery. And you could enjoy your Christmas dinner outside on a terrace, watching the sun set over the lake.
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
New Year celebrations throughout Guatemala are energetic and colourful, with all-night parties, dancing, live music, and fireworks. Any of the towns and villages that dot Atitlan’s shores should be fun – especially Panajachel.
How?
Best of Guatemala or combine with Belize on our Guatemala & Belize itinerary.
Stroll around Luang Prabang on a family Christmas holiday, one of South East Asia’s loveliest cities
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
This is the perfect time for some R&R. Although Laos is not a beach destination, in the south of the country, the Mekong is wide and home to some tropical-island paradises where you can stay in riverside bungalows in gardens with pools and loungers.
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
To welcome in the New Year, stroll past the sparkling golden temples of Luang Prabang down to the Mekong River, where you can enjoy an ice-cold drink as you watch life unfold on the river. Later, head to a nearby waterfall for an invigorating swim before dinner in a delicious local restaurant. See our Laos with Kids Top 10 round-up of the best family-friendly activities.
How?
Laos Highlights, or combine Thailand, Laos & Cambodia
Tracking the Big Five in South Africa – safaris can be adapted to suit all ages
What will the weather be like?
More sunshine than you could poke a candy cane at.
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Tracking the Big Five, but also black wildebeest, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, and more in the Eastern Cape, accompanied by an experienced guide adept at finding the best places to spot wildlife. It’s an early start, yes, but you’ll be able to open your stockings later in the day, perhaps when back at camp enjoying a slap-up lunch. (See our South Africa with Kids feature for lots more ideas.)
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Cape Town does New Year’s Eve well, it’s much more of a celebration than other destinations we travel to. Saunter down to the waterfront after enjoying an evening supper washed down with wine from local vineyards to watch a spectacular fireworks display.
It’s hard to imagine a New Year’s firework celebration that could be better than Sydney’s
What will the weather be like?
Hot and sunny every day… Done deal! Whilst those in the northern hemisphere are donning thermals and de-icing the car, you could be swanning around Sydney in the sunshine, sandboarding at Birubi Beach and catching the surf at Coffs Harbour.
What you could be doing on Christmas Day
Having a barbie on the beach, mate! Pack those prawns, barramundi, and snappers, and get grilling. Let the kids head out on SUPs or play beach volleyball whilst you luxuriate in the lack of washing up. And forget the Xmas Pud – it’s Pavlova all the way….
What you could be doing on New Year’s Eve
Two words. Fireworks. Sydney. That iconic sight of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House lit up beneath this spectacular display is now live in front of you rather than on TV over breakfast on yet another grey December day. An explosive end to the year – and an unforgettable start to the new one.
Wrap up warm and hike in incredible snowy landscapes, explore ice caves, and look for the Aurora Borealis
What will the weather be doing?
What will the weather be like? In a word, Cold! The clue is in the name, but that’s what makes Iceland a real winter-wonderland destination, ideal for a snowy, rather magical and atmospheric Christmas break. Temperatures are around zero degrees Celsius and days are short.
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
Soaking in the hot springs of the Blue Lagoon will be a selfie you can’t help show off to the ‘folks back home’, and a memorable way to spend Christmas hanging out with the locals. You could also be taking a whale-watching tour, traversing the Golden Circle, or swapping the turkey for the infamous fermented shark. Or not.
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
Does the idea of walking across a glacier (perfect at these freezing temperatures) tempt you? Or taking a crystal ice-cave tour? Or swapping NYE fireworks for the Aurora Borealis? Alternatively, you could be seeing in the New Year with a night in the capital, Reykjavik.
How?
Iceland in 7 Days or Iceland in 10 Days, depending on how much time you have. Many activities can be done year-round – see our Iceland with Kids Top 10 round-up.
Recharge the batteries on a palm-fringed Keralan beach before returning home
What will the weather be doing?
There’s a smaller weather window to visit India’s southern states, after April it’s too humid ahead of the monsoon, whereas July and August are ‘peak pour’. But Kerala is at its very best from November through March, meaning Christmas is an ideal time to visit.
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
Unlike the rest of the country, Christianity is the third largest practiced religion in Kerala and as such, Christmas Day is observed by nearly 20% of the southern state. You could spend Christmas Day based amongst the tea plantations of Munnar, in Raj-style bungalows (and G & T’s a-plenty), perhaps exploring Eravikulam National Park, getting up close to some of the world’s last Nilgiri tahr (endemic Indian goat) before coming back for an evening feast.
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
Fancy seeing in the New Year hanging out on a beautiful beach in Mararikulam, its soft sands palm-fringed, swimming in the sea to cool down? What better way to recharge the batteries before returning to ‘normality’ back home?
Cheers! Brazil is a top choice for family Christmas holidays
What will the weather be doing?
Think of Brazil and images of beach volleyball, sipping on cooling caipirinhas and swinging in hammocks rocked by gentle breezes come to mind. There’s a reason for that! Come Christmas time, the weather is hot, sunny and humid. In Rio, average temperatures are 24 degrees, 29 degrees maximum. Heaven!
What you might be doing on Christmas Day
Hit the beaches along the glorious Emerald Coast, samba your way through a few Xmas carols on the cobbled streets of colonial Paraty, or experience the mighty Iguazu Falls. (At this time of year they are at their most powerful as rising water levels will create a huge volume of water).
What you might be doing on New Year’s Eve
Rest assured, no self-respecting Brazilian would miss an opportunity for a party and New Year’s Eve is no exception! Join the fun-loving ‘Cariocas’ for Reveillon on Copacabana beach with live music, fireworks, and probably more than a few mojitos.
For more inspiration, see our Holidays with Teenagers, Active Family Holidays in Europe, Multi-Generational Holidays, or our handy calendar, Around the World In Six School Holidays.
For a summary of all our destinations, see our post on the Best Family Holiday Destinations Worldwide. There are many exciting places to visit and things to do for every type of family.
If you are ready to plan a family Christmas holiday for 2025 or 2026 (it’s never too early!), ring us at 01728 752751 during office hours or send your enquiry using our website contact form. We’ll do everything we can to find a great option for you and your family.