Your idea of Christmas might be very white, very cold, and involve repeats of Home Alone, or it might be less white snow and more white sands, more piña colada than your nan’s sherry. Whether you’re after that classic Christmas trip or would rather boldly go somewhere no snowman has been before, we’ve rounded up a few of the best places to spend Christmas abroad.

Start with a stroll through Bryant Park’s Winter Village, where the smell of cinnamon and roasting chestnuts could make even a Scrooge crack a smile. Grab a hot cider that’s warm enough to scald your tongue, and weave through a maze of stalls selling everything from handmade ornaments to artisanal scarves you didn’t know you needed. Then, when you’re ready for a sit-down, head over to Rolf’s, a restaurant so over-the-top with Christmas decorations it’s like Santa’s workshop threw up on it—in the most delightful way possible, of course. For a more casual bite, Serendipity 3 is perfect for indulging in a Frozen Hot Chocolate, which, despite its confusing name, will make you forget it’s freezing outside.

And speaking of cold, if you’re really leaning into the whole winter wonderland vibe, take a spin around the ice rink at Central Park’s Wollman Rink – where you can gracefully wobble around until a seven-year-old whizzes past and takes your pride down with them. Oh, don’t miss Macy’s Holiday Window Display either, and for the ultimate selfie, head to Saks Fifth Avenue at night when their light show turns the front of the building into a display so bright you’ll squint like you’re looking at your mum’s Christmas jumper. Although, a top tip from us to you – go early and enjoy it in the daytime (slightly less spectacular) or go laaaaate at night to try and avoid the crowds. You won’t escape them entirely, but it’ll be a bit less of a sardine can squeeze.

And because this is New York at Christmas, it’d be remiss of us not to chuck in a few iconic film moments you can recreate, from the The Plaza Hotel to the Gapstow Bridge in Central Park, which’ll will have you feeling like Kevin McCallister in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Head to the Rockefeller Center to recreate that scene from Elf, or go to Bloomingdale’s, the department store where Jonathan Trager from Serendipity bought that legendary black cashmere glove. Finally, make your way to 5th Avenue, where you can take in the same twinkling shop windows featured in Miracle on 34th Street. And then end your journey at Macy’s, the backdrop of that very film, where Santa himself convinced a cynical city that magic was real. Aw.

Catch a plane-sized sleigh to New York

Okay, so if you’re all about the Silent Night part of Christmas, Las Vegas miiiight not be for you,  because nothing says “peace on earth” quite like neon lights, the sound of slot machines, and Elvis impersonators in Santa suits. BUT, if you’re tired of the usual mince pies and quiet carols, Vegas is ready to serve up a festive season that’s less Silent Night and more “Let’s see if I can hit the jackpot before midnight.” This is a city where Christmas gets turbocharged by more wattage than your local high street ever dreamed of.

First up, you’ll want to wander down The Strip. The Bellagio Fountains put on a special holiday display to the tune of classics like Santa Baby, and don’t miss The LINQ Promenade, where a giant Christmas tree, light shows, and a zip line overhead set the scene for holiday cheer, Vegas-style. Feeling fancy? Head to The Venetian for their winter wonderland, complete with an ice-skating rink that’ll have you gliding past gondolas and wondering what dimension you’ve stumbled into.

Hungry after all that? Swap your Yorkshire puds for a visit to Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. Nothing says Christmas like watching someone try to eat their steak so blue it still has a heartbeat while Ramsay’s voice blares out insults on the TV screens. And if you’re after the ultimate, eyebrow-raising festive experience, catch a holiday-themed Cirque du Soleil show.

Las Vegas is one of the great places to spend Christmas abroad if you’re not one for all the hullabaloo back home – sure there’ll be lights, and a lot of ’em, but that’s just Vegas. Plus it’s a great way to experience the city without the crowds (or the crazy temperatures), so call it your Christmas gift from you to you. The only thing to note is that quite a few shows won’t be playing directly around Christmas time, but pretty much everything else will be rearing to go.

Catch a plane-sized sleigh to Las Vegas

Swap the woolly jumpers and freezing toes for sandals and temperatures that’ll have you sweating through your holiday best. Sure, you’ll miss the “frosty mornings” and “cosy firesides,” but who needs that when you’ve got tuk-tuks weaving through traffic like they’re auditioning for Fast & Furious and street food so good it’ll make you question every turkey dinner you’ve ever had?

Like Vegas, Bangkok is another of the great places to spend Christmas abroad if Christmas ain’t really your thing. But that doesn’t mean you can completely avoid the festive cheer here, though it is definitely more low-key. The ICONSIAM mall will be decked out in fairy lights and massive Christmas trees that seem determined to out-glam each other. Take a boat ride up the Chao Phraya River and catch the view of these glowing giants, all while sipping on a coconut because, hey, why not?

If you fancy something a bit more traditional (or as traditional as it gets in Bangkok), head to CentralWorld for the Christmas market. It’s got stalls selling gifts, food, and drinks—but don’t expect mulled wine here; you’re more likely to find a coconut shake or mango sticky rice, which is arguably better anyway. And don’t miss the chance to visit one of the rooftop bars like Sky Bar at Lebua, where you can toast to Christmas with a cocktail – not a sad prawn cocktail, a proper cocktail.

The Great Gatsby Market, held at the large K Village Community Mall at the bottom of Sukhumvit Soi 26, only lasts for a week each year. They set up over 150 stalls here – food, drink, Christmas carols, and games, with the theme being a 1920s American Gatsby style. Look out for all the vintage photo ops! And for a really strange experience, on Christmas Day you could even pop in for a tropical Mass at the Assumption Cathedral, the principal Catholic church of Thailand.

Catch a plane-sized sleigh to Bangkok

Antigua, a jewel of the Caribbean, is one of those places where life moves at a pace that’ll have you forgetting your to-do list exists. But it’s not all just sunbathing and sipping on rum cocktails (though that’s a solid start). Antigua’s got a rich history woven with tales of pirates, British naval heroes, and old sugar plantations, and its culture is as colourful as its sunsets, with a mix of African, British, and Creole influences that come through in everything from the music and festivals to the food that’ll have you reaching for second (or third) helpings.

Here, the only ice you’ll find is floating in your rum punch. Forget roasting chestnuts by the fire – here, you’ll be roasting yourself on a beach that’s so picturesque it makes Blackpool in July look like a drizzle-soaked postcard. Antigua’s got 365 beaches, so if one’s a bit crowded (because everyone else had the same genius idea), just toddle along to the next one. It’s like an advent calendar, but every door opens to a stretch of white sand and turquoise sea.

For a spot of festive culture, head to Nelson’s Dockyard for their Christmas Day Champagne Party. No mince pies or awkward family board games in sight – just live music, boat parades, and locals and tourists alike raising a glass in the sun. And if you’re craving some more Christmas cheer,  check out the Carols by Candlelight at the Antigua Recreation Ground. Yes, it’s carol singing, but done in flip-flops and floral shirts.

Just don’t expect a traditional Christmas dinner – here, it’s all about grilled lobster and jerk chicken on the beach.

Catch a plane-sized sleigh to Antigua

While your mates back home are defrosting their car windscreens and trying not to slip on black ice, you’ll be swapping the tinsel for a tan, sipping on an iced latte as you try to wrap your head around palm trees strung with fairy lights.

First stop? Mall of the Emirates, where you can shop till your wallet weeps (and enjoy the decorations, especially in the Fashion Dome, if that’s your thang) and then nip over to Ski Dubai – an indoor ski slope complete with penguins and enough fake snow to make you forget it’s 25°C outside. Feeling a bit more outdoorsy? Head to Global Village, back open for the season (until May 2025), where you can sample festive treats from around the world, pick up a bauble or three, and watch shows that range from the dazzling to the downright bizarre. They’ve even added new pavilions this year, from Jordan to Sri Lanka.

If you’re still not feeling Christmassy enough, the Dubai Opera puts on The Nutcracker, whilst the Zabeel Theatre puts on Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There’s even a Christmas market here! Starting on 6 December, the Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market runs the gamut from a tree that’s almost as tall as the Burj Khalifa (well, sort of – 36 feet), an array of seasonal food stalls, and a gingerbread house – of course.

Catch a plane-sized sleigh to Dubai