Your Guide To Next Level Christmas Market Destinations

Get in the festive spirit in style with a Christmas shopping trip a world away from the everyday.

Whether you’re hoping to enjoy a traditional festive break wandering amidst European-style market stalls or crave something new and exotic, we invite you to immerse yourself in the activities and attractions available in a myriad of our luxury destinations. Wrap up warm and hit the world-famous shops and stores of New York City, where you’ll be wowed by the incredible opportunities for festive fun. Malta also promises cooler weather, though this Mediterranean paradise offers sea views and walks along the beach as well as the chance to hit the Christmas markets. Experience the best of Europe in one go with a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas market river cruise or, for winter sun and a blend of traditional and modern, Dubai promises to surpass all your expectations. Spend your days lounging on a sun-kissed beach before heading over to a mix of merry stalls and mega malls to do your Christmas shopping. Discover what each option has to offer and get ready to add a little festive sparkle to your Christmas shopping escape.

Dubai

Jet off on a winter sun holiday to Dubai for a blend of warm weather, luxury surroundings and Christmas magic. Dubai showcases a variety of traditional, European-style Christmas markets as well as modern, sleek shops and boutiques inside monumental malls. If you’re seeking the former, the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market has a huge Chrstmas tree, wooden huts selling food, drinks and gifts, seasonal activities like gingerbread house decorating and music. You can also meet Santa Claus and ride on the North Pole Train! The Global Village also transforms over the Chirtsmas period to become a hive of winter escapades. Browse the array of stalls, have fun on the carnival rides and admire the twinkling lights. Al Habtoor City, located in the heart of the city, becomes the Winter Garden, where seasonal joy and culinary delights merge to create one unforgettable experience. There’s the stunning gardens, pop-up shops and a kids’ play area to keep you entertained for hours. For incredible light shows at IMAGINE, bespoke shopping and Santa’s grotto, make sure you visit Dubai Festival City Mall.

Thailand

Visit Thailand on a Christmas holiday for unrivalled sunny days and blissful white-sand beaches. Mix all the best bits of a Thailand escape with festive Christmas markets to make sure you enjoy everything on offer at this special time of year. Bangkok is a hub for Christmas activities and attractions. Spend the day at CentralWorld Christmas Village, also known as “Merry Ville”, where you can admire the biggest display of Christmas decorations in the capital, a giant Christmas tree, shopping stalls and a snow machine that brings your white Christmas dreams to life. Ensure you stop by the ICONSIAM mall for its annual River Park Christmas Market. Overlooking the Chao Phraya River, you can experience the light shows and the largest outdoor Christmas tree in Thailand, as well as festive shopping. For a more traditional Thai encounter, Asiatique the Riverfront invites holidaymakers to shop on the water at nighttime for some seasonal magic blended with Thai charm. Chiang Mai also has its own Christmas market: Winter Festival Chiang Mai boasts over 100 vendors, delicious food and winter workshops.

New York

A winter holiday to New York is sure to warm your heart with its many exciting Christmas markets. Wrap up warm as you explore the chilly winter wonderlands that include traditional markets selling festive gifts and unique souvenirs. Take in all the sights, smells and sounds as you walk around, sip on steaming mugs of mulled wine or hot chocolate and snack on gingerbread and freshly roasted chestnuts. One of the biggest markets in New York is Bryant Park Winter VIllage. This hotspot for yuletide fun has its own ice skating rink, a multitude of boutique shops and epic views of the iconic Empire State Building. Columbus Circle Holiday Market is conveniently located in Central Park, making it a perfect place to stop by while you discover the other joys of New York City, like shopping on 5th Avenue and dining in Times Square. There’s also the Grand Central Holiday Fair and Union Square Holiday Market for even more festive spirit. Book a walking tour of the city to see them all with a knowledgeable local guide.

Best Of The Rest

There’s even more amazing festive markets to explore this Christmas. For luxury that rivals Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, should be at the top of your bucket list. Visit Abu Dhabi Mall Winter Village for arts and crafts, live performances, parades and more. There’s also Yas Winter Fest, on the marvellous Yas Island, where the family can enjoy a snow park, carnival, artisan markets, stage shows, outdoor cinema screenings and a visit from Santa. Escape to Malta for the wondrous Valletta Christmas Village, situated on the picturesque Valletta Waterfront, for a life-size nutcracker soldier and local treats like honey rings, almond pastries and helwa tat-Tork. For more seasonal excitement, take off to Japan for a visit to the extravagant Tokyo Christmas Market at Meiji Jingu Gaien. Offering a taste of Europe in Asia, browse handmade wares and enjoy the German-inspired food, drinks and décor. A Christmas holiday to Singapore means you can explore the Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. This vast outdoor space is filled with lights, carnival rides and market stalls on “Mistletoe Alley”.

Christmas Market Cruises

Why not opt for a Christmas market cruise across Europe, the home of many of our Christmas traditions, to satisfy your craving for festive fun? That way, you can visit multiple markets all in one action-packed itinerary. Navigate many of the most iconic European rivers, like the Seine, Rhine, Danube and Main, and stop off at the world-famous markets of destinations in France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland and the Netherlands. River cruises during winter often means bundling up in cosy clothing and admiring snowy scenery as you leisurely sail to enchanting and historical cities. Disembark and explore the market stalls selling traditional gifts, dine of moreish bites like bratwurst, drink hot mulled wine and treat yourself to something sweet like a macaron. There’s an abundance of river cruise holidays to choose from on world-class ships from Scenic River Cruises, AmaWaterways Cruises, A-Rosa River Cruises, Emerald Cruises and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.