Christmas and New Year is a season when some cities truly come into their own, delivering a characterful blend of magic, tradition and seasonal indulgence - from the twinkling lights of London’s storied streets and the cosy pubs just off Dublin’s Grafton Street, to Edinburgh’s lively Hogmanay celebrations and Sydney’s spectacular skyline. See below for a few more expert tips on the best cities to spend Christmas and New Year.
NEW YORK
The City that never sleeps is a wonderful destination at any time of year but during the Holiday Season, New York City truly comes to life with endless sites, sounds and activities to entice even the Scroogiest of visitors! A stay at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel is the perfect place to start, with its glorious festive decorations and sigh-inducing Christmas lobby Christmas tree.
Stepping out onto Fifth Avenue is like walking onto a movie set, with the world-famous department stores fully dressed for the occasion. Be sure to allow space in your luggage for Christmas shopping – or just indulge in some window shopping to enjoy the best of the season’s creativity. Sak’s Fifth Avenue is always a sight to be seen – and a detour via Radio City Music Hall will bring you to the annual display of giant baubles on Sixth Avenue. Naturally a viewing of the giant tree at Rockefeller Plaza is a must – a tradition dating back to 1931 – but be sure to venture further into the Rockefeller Tower itself. Whizzing up to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck will provide the very best views of the city – including a perfect line of sight to the Empire State Building and the gloriously Art Deco Chrysler Building.
For the energetic, outdoor ice skating is a New York must-do. The Woolman rink at Central Park is arguably the most famous – and with good reason, for its glorious parkland setting with the skyscrapers of Manhattan rising up behind you, although there are plenty of other options. Bryant Park, located at 42nd Street, places you in the heart of Midtown and is even free of charge, just pay for skate rental (or pack your own!)
Having worked up a solid appetite, the city provides endless options to continue your Christmas tour. A short stroll through Central Park bring you to Tavern on the Green, famed for its evergreen decorations and enormous Christmas tree, whilst Midtown institution Papillon is a veritable snow scene of garlands, stockings, sparkling lights and seasonal magic. At the end of your day, be sure to make time for a classic martini at the fairytale-like Bemelman’s Bar.
LONDON
There’s something about London at Christmas that feels like stepping into a well-loved storybook. Maybe it’s the way the city, with its centuries-old architecture, drapes itself in lights - Oxford Street glittering like a child’s dream, and Covent Garden’s decorations adding a dash of Dickensian charm, right down to the grand Christmas tree (given by the Norwegian government to the UK every year for its support during World War Two) in Trafalgar Square. Then there’s the ritual of wandering through Liberty or Fortnum & Mason, where the window displays manage to be both over-the-top and somehow perfectly right, the kind that make you pause, no matter how cold it is, to admire the artistry of it all.
And if you’re up for a bit of romance, try skating at the ice rink outside the Natural History Museum. It’s one of those spots where Victorian elegance meets the giddy joy of winter, the kind that makes you feel like you’re part of a snow globe scene. Later, slip into the warmth of Claridge’s or Corinthia London, where holiday-themed teas feel more like delicious rituals than refreshments, served with a precision that’s both indulgent and a little over-the-top in the best way.
New Year’s Eve takes things up another notch. The fireworks along the Thames aren’t just a display - they’re a city-wide spectacle that lights up Big Ben, the London Eye, and the faces of everyone packed along the riverbanks. You can spring for VIP tickets if you like, which gets you into the best viewing spots, but honestly, even from a distance, it’s unforgettable.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh at Christmas has a kind of old-soul charm, like it’s been celebrating for centuries and has become very good at it. The medieval skyline, with its cobbled streets and that imposing castle perched above, looks even more striking wrapped in winter’s chill. The Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens is one of those places that’s worth braving the crowds for - mulled wine in hand, you’ll find yourself lingering over stalls selling things you didn’t know you needed, all while the scents of roasted chestnuts fill the air.
For a quieter moment, there’s always Glenkinchie Distillery, just a short drive away. A guided visit feels a bit like you’ve stumbled into a hidden corner of Scotland, with whisky tastings by a roaring fire - no tourists, just the warmth of good company and a dram that burns in just the right way.
The Balmoral is the place to stay if you’re looking to spoil yourself, with rooms that seem to frame views of the castle like a painting. And their Michelin-starred restaurant, Number One, makes a proper Christmas dinner - no frills, just the kind of honest, Scottish ingredients prepared by someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. 'Hogmanay' is Edinburgh’s own brand of New Year’s madness, complete with a torchlight procession, live music that spills into the streets, and fireworks that make the castle glow like something out of a fairy tale.
DUBLIN
Dublin doesn’t do quiet at Christmas, but that’s exactly what makes it so inviting. The city seems to draw you in with a pint of Guinness in one hand and a Christmas carol in the other. Grafton Street is at its best when it’s draped in lights, with street performers swathed in scarves and woolly hats belting out songs that make the air feel a little warmer. Brown Thomas is always a show-off this time of year, with window displays that beg you to press your nose against the glass like a kid, even if you’re just there to window shop.
And if you’re hungry, Chapter One or Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud are the kinds of places where you might be tempted to stay for hours, because why rush when the food is this good? It’s the sort of dining that makes you pause - elevated, sure, but with an Irish heart that’s still easy to recognise. The Merrion Hotel has its own brand of cosy, with fireplaces that you could practically fall asleep in front of after a day spent wandering through markets and exploring Dublin's finest hostelries.
New Year’s Eve is Dublin at its most exuberant - light shows dance over the River Liffey, and the city’s music scene is everywhere, in bars, on stages, spilling out into the night. If you want to do it right, snag a VIP package for a front-row view, but honestly, Dublin’s charm is that it’s just as fun to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, raising a glass as the fireworks light up the sky. It’s a city that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it makes the holidays feel like one long, joyful party.
ROME
Christmas in Rome has a certain weight to it - ancient, yet somehow eternal. There’s no escaping the history, but that’s part of the charm. The ancient piazzas fill with Christmas markets and beautiful nativity scenes. For those of a religious persuasion, midnight mass at St Peter's Basilica or the Pantheon holds a special significance, with hymns filling the historic domes, while crowds fill St Peter's Square on Christmas Day to witness the pope bestowing his blessing.
Rome’s best hotels - think Hotel de Russie or The Inn at the Spanish Steps - are masters of celebrations. And when it comes to food, well, Italy’s never shy about making a meal feel special. At La Pergola, you might find yourself lingering over a seasonal dish of truffle pasta and panettone longer than you planned, savouring every bite while the city glows outside.
New Year’s Eve in Rome? It’s a mix of ancient ruins and modern fireworks - historic squares such as Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona fill with Romans, visitors and a collective cheer as the clock strikes midnight. A rooftop restaurant is just the spot to observe the celebrations.
SYDNEY
Sydney does Christmas its own way - sun-soaked, easy-going, and a little bit glamorous. Forget snow; this is about barbeques by the beach, and the kind of December sunshine that makes you squint a little. Down by the harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge are draped in lights that dance on the water, and there’s a breezy sense of celebration that feels just right for a city that refuses to do winter.
The Park Hyatt Sydney is where you want to be for location, as well as a slice of the city with a little more polish. There’s something special about waking up to views of the Opera House, knowing that a day of alfresco dining and exploring awaits. For dinner, places like Quay or Bennelong pull out all the stops - think dishes that put Australia’s best ingredients front and centre, but with that little extra Christmas twist.
New Year’s Eve is Sydney’s big moment and it's one of the first cities in the world to see in each New Year - fireworks over the harbour that you’ve seen a hundred times on TV but feel completely different in person. A spot on the shore feels extra special when the whole city is cheering together.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Christmas in Rio is all about warmth, samba rhythms, and sunsets over the Atlantic. The city's beaches - Copacabana and Ipanema - take centre stage, swapping snow for golden sands and beachside caipirinhas. Christmas decorations shimmer in the tropical heat, with the iconic floating Christmas tree on Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas casting a glow over the water. It's a spectacle that feels distinctly Rio. Head to Santa Teresa or the bustling markets of Feira de São Cristóvão to pick up local crafts and sample the flavours of Brazil's holiday specialties like rabanada - sweet, cinnamon-dusted bread.
But the real highlight is New Year's Eve, or Réveillon. More than two million people dressed in white gather on Copacabana Beach offering flowers to the sea goddess Yemanjá, dancing under the fireworks that explode in a riot of colours over the ocean. If you want to elevate the experience, hotels like the Belmond Copacabana Palace throw all-night parties, with live music and views of the celebration from above. It's a season that hums with energy, where tradition meets tropical exuberance, and the spirit of Rio beats in every drum and wave.
