12 Trending Christmas & Winter Travel Destinations For 2026

Global travel search platform Skyscanner has identified 12 trending destinations that are gaining popularity for Christmas and winter 2026 travel, based on rising flight search demand from around the world. The list highlights places known for snow, festive markets, winter food and seasonal charm, making them top picks for holiday trips.

For decades, Christmas was a stationary event—a ritual confined to the living room and tethered to family lineage. However, the last ten years have witnessed a quiet revolution. December has become a season of global movement, where travelers trade the familiar for places that feel more aligned with their "festive ideal."

Driven by a desire for atmospheric truth, this migration is about finding the specific version of winter we've seen in cinema or read about in childhood. Whether it is the silence of an Arctic forest or the spiced scent of a medieval square, we are no longer just taking a holiday; we are searching for a sense of place.

Global travel search platform Skyscanner has identified 12 trending destinations that are gaining popularity for Christmas and winter 2026 travel, based on rising flight search demand from around the world. The list highlights places known for snow, festive markets, winter food and seasonal charm, making them top picks for holiday trips.

Define Your December: Five Ways to Celebrate

Before booking a flight, it is essential to identify your "festive personality." Not all winter wonderlands are created equal.

The 12 Ultimate Destinations for a Season of Meaning

1. Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland: The Arctic Fairytale

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Situated on the exact line of the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is where folklore meets reality. It offers a rare, "blue-light" stillness known as Kaamos (the polar night), where the sun barely skims the horizon.

• The Experience: Beyond meeting Santa, engage in Sámi-led reindeer safaris or sleep in glass igloos designed to offer a 360° view of the Aurora Borealis.
• The Flavor: Warm up with Glögi (spiced berry juice) and sautéed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and tart lingonberry jam.
• Best For: Families and those seeking a literal "storybook" winter.

2. Zermatt, Switzerland: High-Altitude Elegance

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Under the jagged silhouette of the Matterhorn, Zermatt offers a car-free sanctuary. The silence here is physical; only the sound of horse-drawn carriages and the hum of electric taxis break the Alpine air.

• The Experience: Zermatt is for "slow luxury." Take the Gornergrat Cogwheel Railway for panoramic glacier views, or enjoy "Après-ski" culture in sophisticated mountainside lounges.
• The Flavor: Traditional Cheese Fondue and Raclette, paired with crisp Valais white wines.
• Best For: Couples and luxury-seekers who prioritize privacy over pageantry.

3. Nuremberg, Germany: The Guardian of Tradition

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Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt is the global gold standard. The city enforces strict rules: no plastic garlands and no mass-produced music. It is a "Little City of Wood and Cloth."

• The Experience: Look for the Zwetschgenmännle (little prune people)—unique figurines made from dried fruit. The market is presided over by the Christkind, a local girl chosen every two years to represent the holiday spirit.
• The Flavor: Tiny Nuremberg Bratwurst (grilled over beechwood) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread) that has been baked here since the 14th century.
• Best For: Pure traditionalists and history buffs.

4. Prague, Czech Republic: A Gothic Winter Tale

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Prague's Old Town Square, with its astronomical clock and Týn Church, looks like a handcrafted toy chest when dusted in snow.

• The Experience: The atmosphere is defined by contrast—the dark, Gothic architecture against the warm, golden glow of the market stalls. Don't miss the local carollers performing in the square.
• The Flavor: Trdelník (sugar-coated chimney cakes) and Hot Honey Wine (Medovina).
• Best For: Culture lovers and photographers.

5. Vienna, Austria: The Grand Symphony

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Vienna treats Christmas with the grace of a ball. The city's imperial history is on full display at the Rathausplatz, where the Neo-Gothic City Hall provides a stunning backdrop for ice skating and markets.

• The Experience:Attend an Advent concert in a Baroque cathedral or retreat to a historic coffee house like Café Central to escape the chill.
• The Flavor: Vanillekipferl (almond crescent cookies) and warm Punsch.
• Best For: Those who enjoy classical music and European refinement.

6. New York City, USA: The Cinematic Spectacle

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New York is the epicenter of holiday energy. It is a high-octane experience that feels like stepping into a film set, from the Rockefeller Center tree to the Rockettes at Radio City.

• The Experience: Walk the "Holiday Windows" route along Fifth Avenue, where department stores compete with museum-grade art installations.
• The Flavor: Gourmet Hot Chocolate and oversized New York pretzels from street vendors.
• Best For: Groups and travelers who thrive on city bustle and grand displays.

7. London, UK: A Dickensian Modernity

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London leans into its literary history. While Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park offers high-energy thrills, the smaller markets at the Southbank or the lights of Regent Street offer a more nostalgic charm.

• The Experience: Explore the West End for festive theater or head to the historic Liberty London for artisan ornaments.
• The Flavor: Warm Mince Pies and traditional British Christmas puddings.
• Best For: Families and those who love high-end shopping and theater.

8. Reykjavik, Iceland: The Raw Alternative

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Iceland offers a wild, untamed December. With only 4–5 hours of daylight, the focus shifts to the Yule Lads(13 mischievous folklore characters) and the search for the Northern Lights.

• The Experience: Soak in a geothermal pool (like the Blue Lagoon) while snow falls around you, or explore natural ice caves.
• The Flavor: Laufabrauð (leaf bread)—thin, crispy flatbread with intricate hand-cut patterns.
• Best For: Adventure travelers and those who find traditional markets too commercial.

9. Tallinn, Estonia: Medieval Intimacy

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Tallinn's UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Europe. In December, the cobblestone streets and iron lanterns create a hushed, medieval atmosphere.

• The Experience: The market in Town Hall Square is small and focused on Estonian hand-knitted woolens and wooden crafts.
• The Flavor: Blood sausage with lingonberry jam and the local Vana Tallinn
• Best For: Travelers seeking a quiet, historic retreat.

10. Shirakawa-go, Japan: The Meditative Winter

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This village is famous for its Gassho-style farmhouses, with steep thatched roofs designed to look like "hands in prayer." There are no traditional Christmas lights here—only the soft glow of the village "light-up" events.

• The Experience:Focus on the architecture and the silence of the deep Gifu mountains. Staying overnight in a traditional farmhouse is a bucket-list experience.
• The Flavor: Hida Beef and Miso grilled on magnolia leaves (Hoba Miso).
• Best For: Those seeking a spiritual, non-Western winter experience.

11. Hallstatt, Austria: Alpine Serenity

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Perched on a narrow strip of land between the Dachstein mountains and a glassy lake, Hallstatt is the ultimate "slow travel" destination.

• The Experience: Without the massive crowds of Vienna, you can truly appreciate the Alpine air. Visit the Salzwelten (salt mine) or simply walk the shoreline at dawn.
• The Flavor: Freshly caught lake trout and Austrian Strudel.
• Best For: Photographers and couples wanting to escape the noise.

12. Quebec City, Canada: The North American Frontier

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Quebec City is the most European city in North America. The Petit-Champlain district, with its stone buildings and heavy snow, feels like a piece of France frozen in time.

• The Experience: Ride the historic toboggan slide at Dufferin Terrace or visit the German Christmas Market located in the heart of the Old City.
• The Flavor: Maple taffy cooled on fresh snow and hearty Tourtière (meat pie).
• Best For:Families wanting European charm without the long-haul flight.

Master Planning: Timelines and Logistics

Why These Destinations Are Trending

Skyscanner's travel data shows that for winter 2026, many travellers are looking beyond warm weather escapes — they want authentic winter experiences that include snow landscapes, traditional markets, and local seasonal treats. Destinations with unique cultural winter traditions and strong festive atmospheres are seeing particularly strong growth in search interest.

Analysts note that the combination of snow, food and shopping experiences from mulled wine and gingerbread to handcrafted gifts, plays a significant role in shaping traveller choices for the holiday season.

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