Strasbourg is very decorated for Christmas- you can wander around enjoying the lights and trees and wreaths without ever entering the market areas if you want.

Nice is also beautifully decorated at Christmas and the weather tends to be milder there.

Williamsburg

We did a combo trip of Paris and Strasbourg the week before Christmas a few years ago, and it was perfect. Lots of Christmas markets and lights.

Last Christmas, we did Tokyo and Bangkok, which were also surprisingly Christmas. In Tokyo, there was an adorable Christmas market with beautiful lights at the outside pavilion of the Tokyo Skytree. In Bangkok, there were huge Christmas displays and markets, especially at the enormous malls and department stores. Of course, the weather wasn't at all Christmas-y in Bangkok, but that was okay.

I've been to Cologne for the Christmas markets and it's fun but packed. I was visiting family a train ride from Cologne and I don't know that I'd say it's worth a whole flight from the US.

Strasbourg had wonderful decorations with their markers. Vienna is magical in late December. Munich has lovely decorations and markets. London has some nice lights along the main shopping streets and festive food.

London is fine before Christmas but NOT OVER CHRISTMAS ITSELF. Places are closed, transportation limited.

NYC is much more festive.

Frankenmuth MI
https://www.frankenmuth.org/christmas/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quebec City

I didn’t find Quebec City very Christmassy at all.

They have a great Christmas market that runs from late November until Christmas Eve.

Right. Lots of cities have the ubiquitous Christmas market.

I’m looking for destinations where much of the city/town is decorated.

I mean, DC and Baltimore have commercial Christmas markets yet neither city really has noteworthy holiday decor—not like NYC or London.

I’m going down a YouTube rabbit hole. Paris at Christmas doesn’t look quite as festive as NYC or London, but there are some lovely areas.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
https://www.visithistoricbethlehem.com/christmas/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quebec City

I didn’t find Quebec City very Christmassy at all.

They have a great Christmas market that runs from late November until Christmas Eve.

Anonymous wrote:Quebec City

I didn’t find Quebec City very Christmassy at all.

Quebec City

Anonymous wrote:NYC is incredible at Christmas but SO busy. Be prepared to be outside waiting in lines even to get in stores. The markets are PACKED with tourists. But we love it and have been many times.

Have you been to London at Christmas?

We’ve been to nyc in December before, but I’m wondering if other destinations are similar or better.

NYC is incredible at Christmas but SO busy. Be prepared to be outside waiting in lines even to get in stores. The markets are PACKED with tourists. But we love it and have been many times.

If you’ve traveled before Christmas (or during or shortly after), where did you see the most festive decor and holiday vibes?

How does NYC compare with London?

Beyond holiday markets, what destinations have Christmas trees and lights, etc. throughout the area?