Winter Getaways for December: Five Places Worth the Journey
Updated: 18 hours ago
Lamplit markets, northern skies, and one summer in the south.
By: The Editors of HomeFindss
December divides travellers into two camps, and neither is wrong. One wants cold air, woodsmoke and a market stall at dusk. The other wants the year’s last weeks spent somewhere the sun still keeps its hours. Five places hold up to the month, each with its own way of keeping it. Choose how you want December to feel.
1.
Vienna, Austria: A Christmas Made of Light and Music
Vienna treats December as a civic occasion. The markets open ahead of the month, and the city arranges itself around them, from the lamplit stalls of the Vienna Christmas Market at Rathausplatz to the quieter courtyard at Schönbrunn. Expect handmade ornaments, spiced wine and the smell of roasting chestnuts in the cold.
Why December?
The markets: More than twenty across the city, each with its own character, from handcrafted glass and ornaments to Austrian pastry and savoury street food.
The music: Classical concerts of Mozart and Strauss, in rooms built for them, including the State Opera.
The ice: Outdoor rinks set against the city’s grand façades.
PS: Choose the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market for a quieter, more historic evening. It suits couples and families who prefer an atmosphere to crowds.
2.
Reykjavik, Iceland: Long Nights, Wide Skies
December in Iceland is short on daylight and generous with everything else. Snow settles across the lava fields, the city strings its streets with lights, and on a clear night the Northern Lights move across the sky above it.
Why December?
Northern Lights: The longest nights of the year give the best odds of seeing the aurora. Cloud cover decides the rest, so allow several evenings.
Winter days: Glacier hiking, ice caving and snowmobiling, all best done with a local guide.
Christmas in the city: Lit streets, small local markets and traditional Icelandic holiday dishes.
PS: Book a guided Golden Circle tour to see geysers, waterfalls and volcanic craters under fresh snow.
3.
Cancun, Mexico: Christmas Without the Coat
For travellers who would rather trade the parka for a linen shirt, Cancun holds December at around 27°C (80°F): warm, bright and less humid than the summer months. December is high season here, so flights and rooms reward early booking.
Why December?
The weather: Sunshine, low humidity and warm evenings.
The water: Unhurried days on white-sand beaches and in the turquoise Caribbean.
The season: Resorts and local venues mark Christmas and New Year’s Eve with feasts, fireworks and live performances.
PS: The Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichén Itzá add history and sea views to the week. Plan a full day for Chichén Itzá.
4.
Quebec City, Canada: Old-World Christmas, Closer to Home
Quebec City brings a European December to this side of the Atlantic. Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is all stone buildings and cobbled lanes, and in December it is lit from end to end.
Why December?
Old Quebec: A walk through twinkling lights and festive windows in one of North America’s most storied streets.
The German Christmas Market: Traditional food, mulled drinks and gifts in the German style.
Winter days: Skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne and skating on the city’s open-air rinks.
PS: Drive out to Montmorency Falls, just beyond the city, to see the waterfall frozen in its winter setting.
5.
Cape Town, South Africa: Christmas in Midsummer
In the southern hemisphere, December opens the summer, and Cape Town keeps the holidays in a different climate: warm days, long light and a city fully out of doors.
Why December?
Summer days: The beaches, vineyards and mountains are all at their best.
The festive season: Outdoor concerts, street parties and barbecues on the sand, with a South African spirit.
The outdoors: Hike Table Mountain, visit Cape Point, and take the scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak.
PS: End a day at the V&A Waterfront for festive shopping, live music and dinner by the harbour.
FAQ
Where can I see the Northern Lights in December?
Reykjavik, Iceland. December has the longest nights of the year, which improves the odds, but cloud cover decides the rest, so allow several evenings.
Is December a good time to visit Cancun?
Yes. Temperatures sit around 27°C (80°F) with lower humidity than in summer. It is high season, so book flights and rooms early.
What is Cape Town like in December?
Summer. Expect warm days, open-air concerts and beach barbecues, with Table Mountain, Cape Point and the vineyards at their best.
Which December getaway is closest for Canadian travellers?
Quebec City. Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site, pairs a German Christmas market with skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
December can be wintry or warm, quiet or lit from end to end. Whichever you choose, start planning now, and let the year close somewhere worth remembering.
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