December transforms the world in ways that still leave me speechless. Last winter, I watched snow fall on Bavarian castles while standing in Neuschwanstein’s courtyard, and I swear it felt like stepping into a snow globe come to life. The whole scene looked exactly like the fairy tales I grew up reading, only this was completely real. Some places just hit different when winter rolls around.
From soaking in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon while snow fell on my eyelashes to watching the sunset turn Banff’s Lake Louise into liquid gold, these are the most beautiful places in December that make you question reality. Let me share my 7 favorite winter wonderlands that prove sometimes the most magical month of the year needs to be experienced to be believed!
How to save money on the best places to travel in December
Looking to score cheap flights on December travel destinations? Before diving deeper into the best places to travel in December, I want to share a quick tip on saving BIG on airfare.
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Top Must-See Places in December
Visiting December destinations? Experience a winter wonderland in Lapland, Finland, marvel at festive illuminations in Tokyo, Japan, enjoy the holiday magic of New York City, USA, or soak up the summer sun in Cape Town, South Africa. Whether you’re looking for snowy adventures, vibrant city celebrations, or warm coastal escapes, December has something for everyone!
1. Lapland, Finland
- 📍 Location: Northern Finland, within the Arctic Circle, about 830 km north of Helsinki
- 🏆 Best For: Northern Lights hunters 🌌, winter adventure seekers ❄️, Christmas enthusiasts 🎅
- 📸 Top Experiences: Meeting Santa in Rovaniemi, dog sledding through snow-covered forests, witnessing the aurora borealis
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-March for peak winter magic and Northern Lights (December has special Christmas activities) ✨
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Fall asleep under the dancing Northern Lights
Ever dreamed of quitting your job to chase the Northern Lights? Lapland has that bucket-list magic without needing to resign. This Arctic paradise transforms into a real-life winter wonderland in December with snow-draped forests and reindeer-pull sleighs.
Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi to cross the Arctic Circle and meet the man himself. I never thought I’d feel childlike wonder again until witnessing the Northern Lights paint the sky in swirls of green and purple. Try snowmobiling across frozen lakes or warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna.
Spend a night in a glass igloo watching the aurora dance overhead. The perpetual “blue hour” during polar nights gives everything a surreal glow that feels like stepping into another dimension. Lapland in December is pure magic for travelers seeking an enchanted escape from ordinary life.
Looking to save BIG on airfare? I recommend signing up for Dollar Flight Club. Thanks to DFC, I’ve saved $5,000+ on travel this year…so I couldn’t recommend it more!
2. Tokyo, Japan
- 📍 Location: Eastern coast of Honshu Island, central Japan
- 🏆 Best For: Urban explorers 🏙️, culture seekers 🏮, foodies 🍜
- 📸 Top Experiences: Viewing winter illuminations, soaking in outdoor onsen, exploring bustling holiday markets
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December for fewer tourists, stunning light displays, and festive atmosphere 💫
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Park Hyatt Tokyo – Luxurious accommodations with panoramic city views
That promotion you just earned deserves a celebration in Tokyo, where December transforms the metropolis into a dazzling kingdom of lights and wonder. The city erupts with spectacular illumination festivals that turn urban parks into magical light kingdoms. Nabana no Sato’s tunnel of light and the blue “cavern” at Tokyo Midtown feel like walking through frozen starlight.
I’ve traveled extensively, but nothing compares to the contrast of ancient traditions beside hyper-modern experiences here. Duck into a traditional izakaya to warm up with hot sake and shabu-shabu, or join locals at an outdoor onsen with mountain views. The digital art wonderland of teamLab Borderless creates a sense of existing in multiple worlds simultaneously.
Snow is rare in December, but the crisp air brings exceptional clarity to views of Mt. Fuji from observation decks like Shibuya Sky. Don’t miss the New Year’s preparation rituals at temples and shrines that begin in mid-December. The festive atmosphere makes this the perfect time for thirty-somethings seeking both cultural immersion and urban excitement.
3. New York City, USA
- 📍 Location: Northeastern United States, where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean
- 🏆 Best For: Holiday enthusiasts 🎄, urban photographers 📸, theater lovers 🎭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Ice skating at Rockefeller Center, watching the holiday windows at Fifth Avenue, experiencing the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Early to mid-December for festive atmosphere without the peak holiday crowds 🎁
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The Plaza Hotel – Iconic luxury hotel overlooking Central Park with holiday decorations
Your childhood holiday movies come alive in New York City this December. The Big Apple doesn’t just celebrate the holidays, it invented the modern Christmas experience. The towering Rockefeller Center Christmas tree becomes the beating heart of festivities amid Art Deco splendor.
✈️ My #1 Tip for Cheap Flights:
If you’re not using Going, you’re probably overpaying for flights. I’ve scored roundtrips to Europe for under $300 - and I never would’ve found them on Google Flights.
Their free version is great, but Premium is where the real magic happens. I recommend doing the 14-day free trial. And right now, you can get 25% off Premium or Elite with my code: JON25.
Seriously, it’s the best travel decision I’ve ever made (in 8+ years).
My perfect NYC day includes morning coffee while people-watching at Bryant Park Winter Village, followed by twilight strolls down Fifth Avenue to witness legendary department store windows. Each neighborhood offers unique magic—from the European-inspired winter markets to spontaneous carolers in Washington Square Park.
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through a snow-dusted Central Park for unexpected enchantment. The city’s energy shifts, becoming both more frantic and joyful in this magical season. For thirty-something travelers who grew up watching “Home Alone 2” and “Elf,” December in New York offers nostalgia with a sophisticated twist.
4. Cape Town, South Africa
- 📍 Location: Southwestern tip of Africa, nestled between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean
- 🏆 Best For: Summer seekers ☀️, wine enthusiasts 🍷, outdoor adventurers 🏄♀️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking Table Mountain, exploring vibrant beach towns, witnessing the Festive Lights Switch-On
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December for perfect summer weather, festive celebrations, and lively beach atmosphere 🌊
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The Silo Hotel – Stunning architectural marvel overlooking the V&A Waterfront
Escape winter altogether and swap your holiday sweater for swimwear in Cape Town. This December paradise offers a seasonal flip for Northern Hemisphere travelers with long, sunny days perfect for exploration. Table Mountain stands as a majestic sentinel over a city where cosmopolitan energy meets natural splendor.
The famous Festive Lights Switch-On parade transforms Adderley Street into a carnival of music and color. I could spend weeks hopping between the pristine beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, where turquoise Atlantic waves crash against white sand beneath the Twelve Apostles mountain range. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront comes alive with open-air concerts and markets.
Just 30 minutes away, Stellenbosch wine region offers vineyard picnics against mountain backdrops. For career-focused thirty-somethings needing a true escape, December in Cape Town provides the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. The southern summer sun rejuvenates winter-weary spirits and offers a completely different holiday experience.
5. Sydney, Australia
- 📍 Location: Southeast coast of Australia, capital of New South Wales
- 🏆 Best For: Summer seekers ☀️, beach lovers 🏖️, cultural enthusiasts 🎭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Watching New Year’s fireworks over Sydney Harbor, swimming at Bondi Beach, attending outdoor Christmas concerts
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December for summer festivities and beach weather (temperatures average 75-85°F) 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Park Hyatt Sydney – Luxury waterfront hotel with unrivaled Opera House views and walking access to The Rocks and harbour attractions
Sydney transforms into a sun-drenched paradise while the northern hemisphere shivers in winter. December marks the beginning of Australian summer, perfect for trading snow for sand. The city buzzes with festive energy as Christmas decorations adorn the streets and beaches filled with sunbathers.
The iconic Sydney Harbor becomes magical with the Opera House and Harbor Bridge illuminated against warm evening skies. I’ve never seen a more spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration than Sydney’s harbor fireworks display. Bondi Beach offers perfect swimming conditions, while coastal walks reveal hidden coves and ocean vistas. For a uniquely Australian Christmas, join locals for “Carols by Candlelight” in the Royal Botanic Garden or watch Santa arrive on a surfboard at the city beaches.
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
- 📍 Location: Southwestern Iceland on Faxaflói Bay, world’s northernmost capital city
- 🏆 Best For: Northern Lights chasers ✨, hot spring soakers ♨️, winter adventurers ❄️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hunting for the Aurora Borealis, bathing in geothermal pools, exploring ice caves
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December for peak northern lights visibility, winter wonderland scenery, and cozy Yule celebrations 🕯️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Downtown Reykjavik – Walking distance to restaurants and the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church
Reykjavik in December is a realm of enchanting contradictions where darkness brings the most magical light shows on earth. With only 4-5 hours of daylight, the city compensates with dazzling holiday illuminations and the Northern Lights that frequently paint the night sky.
Iceland‘s capital embraces winter with geothermal warmth. The famous Blue Lagoon invites visitors to soak in mineral-rich waters while steam rises into the frigid air. I could spend hours watching the steam meet cold air while feeling completely cozy. December brings traditional Icelandic Yule celebrations with 13 mischievous Yule Lads making appearances throughout the month.
Venturing beyond reveals landscapes from a winter fairytale. Thingvellir National Park offers frozen waterfalls and ice caves glowing in surreal blue hues.
7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 📍 Location: Southeastern Brazil along Guanabara Bay, nestled between mountains and Atlantic coastline
- 🏆 Best For: Beach enthusiasts 🏖️, nature lovers 🌴, celebration seekers 🎉
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing on Copacabana Beach, visiting Christ the Redeemer statue, attending Reveillon (New Year’s) celebrations
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December for summer weather, festive atmosphere, and fewer crowds than Carnival season 🌡️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Santa Teresa Hotel RJ – Chic hillside retreat with scenic views, tropical gardens, and quick access to downtown and coastal attractions
Rio de Janeiro sparkles with particular magic in December as summer hits full stride in the Southern Hemisphere. The “Marvelous City” boasts temperatures in the high 80s, perfect for enjoying its legendary beaches beneath the watchful Christ the Redeemer statue.
December builds to one of the world’s greatest New Year’s celebrations. Reveillon gathers over two million white-clad revelers on Copacabana Beach for concerts and spectacular fireworks. I’ve never felt more connected to celebration than when jumping seven waves at midnight among locals for good luck.
December offers ideal conditions for experiencing Rio’s natural wonders. Take the cog train through Tijuca National Park to reach the iconic Christ statue, or ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views where jungle-covered mountains meet crystal blue waters.
