As we gear up for Christmas 2018, we thought we’d share a few of our favourite festive season cities.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna has one of the most dazzling Christmas seasons in the world. Every year the city is transformed into a winter wonderland where you can wander through Christmas markets, listen to choral music, watch marionette shows and feast on roasted chestnuts, hot-spiced wine and gingerbread. There’s no such thing as post-Christmas blues – November is Ball Season in Vienna with over 450 events hosted throughout the city. These continue well into summertime. Website: www.aboutvienna.org
Ball season in Vienna.
Santa Fe, USA
Perched between snow-covered mountains and vast deserts, Santa Fe in New Mexico is arguably America’s best city to visit over Christmas. From 23 to 26 December, it is transformed into a magical Christmas showcase. Hundreds of thousands of candles glow in the town square, bonfires are lit around the city plaza and art galleries open their doors to the public. Nearby ski runs and train rides for kids add to the festivities. The city’s ancient Native American heritage and spirit make it extra special this time of the year. Website: www.santafe.org
Photo credit: Mark Kane.
Santa Fe Plaza Xmas lights
Christmas on the Santa Fe plaza.
Helsinki, Finland
Christmas in Finland – Santa’s home – is bucket list material. Starting at the beginning of December, Helsinki pulls out all the stops to make the festive season as magical as possible. Wander through the city’s many open-air Christmas markets, relish warm honey cake and admire the Northern Lights that come out to join the party. Join a Santa workshop, listen to music on the streets and catch a ride on a reindeer sled. Christmas doesn’t get better than this. Website: www.visitfinland.com
Photo credit: www.jussihellsten.com
