15 Cities Around the World That Do Christmas in a Big Way

A festive outdoor Christmas market with decorated stalls, twinkling lights, and people walking in the snow. A grand, castle-like hotel adorned with lights rises in the background under a dusky winter sky.

Cities around the world transform completely when Christmas arrives: lights, colors, and magical scenes fill every street as you walk. From store windows that look straight out of a fairy tale to illuminated avenues that dazzle any visitor, tourist, or local, the festive spirit is unmistakable in the air.

Places like New York, with its unique energy, define the season with iconic decorations that attract millions. But it’s not the only one; many other cities shine with creativity and a special charm that makes December an unforgettable experience. In this article, we show you 15 destinations where the Christmas spirit truly sweeps you off your feet.

1. New York, USA

A yellow taxi drives through a snowy city street lined with tall buildings. A large, decorated Christmas tree is visible on the sidewalk, and other taxis are in the background. Snow and slush cover parts of the road.
Cristina / Pinterest.com

New York becomes a true Christmas stage: every avenue shines with lights, garlands, and decorations that look straight out of a movie. Store windows fill with magical designs that attract thousands of people, and it’s a dream to walk not only along the main streets but also through its smaller, hidden spots.

1. London, United Kingdom

A snowy street in London decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments, featuring a Christmas tree, people walking, and Big Ben and the London Eye visible in the background at dusk.
PremiumStuff.wiki / Pinterest.com

London dresses itself in pure magic at Christmas: streets like Oxford Street and Regent Street light up with dazzling displays that leave every visitor amazed. Christmas markets, the scent of hot chocolate, and classic decorations create a unique atmosphere in every corner. All of December is lived with a special charm, where London’s tradition and elegance make the city shine brighter than ever.

3. París, France

A cozy Parisian café called Le Compas is decorated with string lights and flowers. A large teddy bear sits at an outdoor table next to a Christmas tree on a cobblestone street at night.
jem / Pinterest.com

4. Vienna, Austria

Crowds gather at night in front of Vienna’s city hall, brightly illuminated for the Christmas market. A large red bow and “Wiener Christkindlmarkt” lights decorate the festive scene.
She Wanders Abroad / Pinterest.com

Vienna at Christmas is something truly unique: its palaces, squares, and historic streets fill with warm lights and elegant decorations. The Christmas markets, especially the one at Rathausplatz, offer the scents of spices, traditional sweets, and unique crafts. Everyone enjoys the magical Christmas atmosphere that Vienna brings to life.

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Aerial view of a festive Christmas market in a historic city square at dusk, with glowing market stalls, a large decorated Christmas tree, and a Gothic church in the background, surrounded by old buildings and crowds of people.
Kelly Prince-Wright / Pinterest.com

Prague is magical on its own, but even more so at Christmas. Its illuminated medieval architecture creates a fairytale-like setting. The Old Town Square fills with stalls, music, and sweet aromas that leave everyone enchanted, looking around in awe. Walking through its cobblestone streets in December is an unforgettable experience.

6. Tokyo, Japan

A nighttime city scene with Tokyo Tower illuminated in orange in the background. In the foreground, a street lined with tall buildings and trees covered in bright white and blue holiday lights. Cars drive along the road.
Cbiz / Pinterest.com

Tokyo surprises with a futuristic and dazzling Christmas: its avenues and shopping centers glow with spectacular illuminations. Neighborhoods like Shibuya and Roppongi turn into true light shows. The blend of Japanese tradition and modernity creates a unique atmosphere, very different from that of other cities.

7. Quebec City, Canadá

A festive outdoor Christmas market with decorated stalls, twinkling lights, people walking in the snow, and a large castle-like building in the background at dusk.
Pamela Reinhardt / Pinterest.com

A city that turns into a perfect Christmas postcard: snow, lights, and European-style streets that captivate instantly. Old Quebec looks like a magical village decorated with garlands and little illuminated houses.

8. Copenhagen, Denmark

A festive Christmas market at night features decorated stalls with string lights, small pine trees, and people shopping. In the background, a mountain is illuminated with blue light.
Happy to Wander / Pinterest.com

Copenhagen celebrates Christmas with that Nordic charm that makes everything feel cozy and warm. Tivoli Gardens fills with lights, pine trees, music, and small markets that delight everyone.

9. Nuremberg, Germany

A festive Christmas market with striped booths, twinkling lights, and crowds of people, set in front of a large, illuminated Gothic church in the evening.
Anonymous / Pinterest.com

Nuremberg is famous for its Christkindlesmarkt, one of the most traditional Christmas markets in the world. The streets fill with lights, spicy aromas, and classic handcrafted wooden toys. All of December is truly enchanting in this city.

10. Madrid, Spain

A grand building decorated with festive Christmas lights and a large Christmas tree at its entrance, with crowds of people gathered outside at dusk under a colorful, cloudy sky.
LetsTravel / Pinterest.com

Madrid shines with colorful decorations that light up every avenue and square. When Madrid’s vibrant energy blends with the magic of Christmas, it creates an unforgettable atmosphere that makes you want to visit.

11. Edinburgh, Scotland

A festive street scene at dusk with a decorated Christmas tree and glowing lights, a red double-decker bus, and Edinburgh Castle illuminated on a hill in the background. Wet cobblestone reflects the lights and people walk nearby.
Niki / Pinterest.com

Edinburgh celebrates Christmas with a perfect blend of history and festivity. Princes Street Gardens fills with attractions and lights. December in the city is lived with a unique Scottish charm that combines heritage and the magic of Christmas.

12. Zurich, Switzerland

A festive indoor Christmas market with brightly lit stalls and a towering, sparkling Christmas tree at the center, surrounded by people shopping and enjoying the holiday atmosphere under a high glass ceiling.
Joyce Nickel / Pinterest.com

Zurich dazzles with elegant lights that cover its entire historic center. The markets offer chocolates, crafts, and choir music. The city combines luxury, tradition, and a very special Christmas spirit that makes you want to wander its streets for hours.

13. Sydney, Australia

A vibrant fireworks display lights up the night sky above the Sydney Opera House, with large crowds gathered below to celebrate. The harbor and city lights are visible in the background.
Megan Short / Pinterest.com

Sydney experiences a Christmas unlike any other city, filled with light and summertime energy: colorful decorations, festive beaches, and open-air shows. The Opera House and Harbour Bridge light up to celebrate the season. The city offers a fresh, vibrant version of Christmas, along with fireworks that truly dazzle.

14. Tallinn, Estonia

A bustling outdoor Christmas market at night features rows of decorated stalls, a large lit Christmas tree in the center, and crowds of people walking on cobblestone streets among charming, historic buildings.
Robin Taylor / Pinterest.com

Tallinn looks straight out of a medieval book when Christmas arrives: snow-covered cobblestone streets, old houses, and a charming market. Town Hall Square fills with warm lights and inviting aromas. The atmosphere is intimate, perfect for an old-world fairytale Christmas.

15. Strasbourg, France

A festive European street scene with a decorated timber-frame building covered in Christmas lights, garlands, and teddy bears. A Christmas tree and shop signs stand outside as people walk on the cobblestone road.
Shoma Chakraborty / Pinterest.com
Author
Tatiana Alalachvily

Tatiana is a graphic designer specialized in marketing, with over 15 years of experience in the digital marketing world. Throughout her career, she's worked with a variety of brands, developing strategies that blend creativity, identity, and results and loves to churn out refreshingly engaging content for audiences across many content realms at the same time. Find her on Behance at, tatianaalalach, as well.