It’s never too early to start planning ahead for the holiday season.
With Christmas less than 16 weeks away, if you want to take your celebrations international this year, then you’ll need to book flights sooner rather than later.
Wondering where to go?
Google Flights has analyzed its search data for the holiday season so far and found that these are the top 5 international destinations this holiday season:
1. Tokyo, Japan
I always get so excited when I see Tokyo on lists like these, as it’s my favorite city in the world and I love writing about it!
Christmas isn’t a national holiday in Japan, but the holiday season is still a great time to visit.
You’ll find that Tokyo focuses on the fantasy and commercial aspects of the holiday rather than the religious ones.
So expect Christmas lights, huge Christmas trees, and European-style Christmas markets.
As an added bonus, because Christmas isn’t a national holiday, everything is still open, so you won’t have to slow down the pace of your vacation.
I recommend visiting Yomiuri Land, which has one of the city’s best seasonal illumination displays.
Visit in the evening and ride the Ferris wheel to enjoy spectacular nighttime views of the Tokyo skyline in the distance. Admission tickets cost 1,800 yen ($12.53) each.
And for your Christmas dinner?
Eat Kentucky Fried Chicken! I love this story, which is a stroke of genius on behalf of KFC’s marketing team.
In the 1970s, tourists in Japan couldn’t find a traditional meal to eat during their Christmas vacation. KFC executives recognized the absence of a traditional Japanese Christmas meal and saw an opportunity to market their chicken as something to eat on Christmas day.
Now ‘Kentucky for Christmas’ is seen as the traditional Japanese Christmas meal: But be warned.
Japanese JKC Christmas boxes are available to pre-order from early November, and people queue around the block to get into the restaurants on Christmas day, so plan ahead if you want to take part in this quirky but fun tradition!
2. Cancun, Mexico
It was a surprise not to see Cancun on the top of this list, as it is generally considered America’s most popular international destination!
And if you like your holiday season hot, Cancun is a great place to be. Christmas day on a white sand beach in your swimsuit does sound heavenly.
Along with early spring, the winter months are the best time to visit Cancun.
The hotels in the hotel zone have a reputation for going all out for the holiday season and ensuring their guests get into the festive spirit.
You’ll find Christmas trees, lights, and other ornate decorations.
You can also celebrate the unique Mexican holidays of Las Posadas & Día de los Reyes. Las Posadas takes place from December 16 to December 24th and recreates the journey Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem.
And at the beginning of December, Cancun hosts an elaborate Christmas show and parade. The parade goes down Avenida Tulum, one of Cancun’s main roads that is easy for tourists to get to from the hotel zone.
Just want to relax and unwind? Hit the beach, enjoy a cocktail around the pool, and enjoy a tropical Christmas.
3. London, UK
As a native Brit, I firmly believe that there’s no better time to be in London than at Christmas.
Twinkling lights, Christmas shopping crowds, and the smell of traditional roasting chestnuts bring the already vibrant city even more to life.
Combine a shopping spree with a chance to see the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street.
And if shopping gets your juices flowing, then no festive visit to London is complete without a trip to Harrods to visit their annual Christmas store and check out the Christmas goodies in the food hall.
The Harrods tea rooms also offer a festive afternoon tea which is exceptional.
Think cranberry and butter roast turkey sandwiches, warming gingerbread delice and a raspberry Linzer bauble with crème Chantilly.
But this isn’t a stop for budget travelers at £75 per person!
To burn off those calories, head to Hampton Court Palace for ice skating. You can admire the Grade I-listed royal palace as you whizz around on your skates.
Closer to central London there is also an excellent seasonal ice skating rink at Somerset House. Stop for hot chocolate on the terrace afterwards, which offers excellent views of the River Thames.
4. Paris, France
Paris: The city of lights, the city of love, the city of… Christmas?
Actually, yes! If you’re looking for traditional Christmas markets and twinkling lights then this might well be the best option on this list.
Shopping in the Galeries Lafayette department store is a Parisian Christmas institution, and its festive merchandising displays are some of the best I’ve seen.
Ice skating under the Eiffel Tower is one of my favorite Christmas memories, but sadly there is no rink here for 2024.
This year the best place to skate will be the Grand Palais des Glaces. It is a gigantic and iconic ice rink that is reopening in the city for the holiday season for the first time in 5 years!
For Christmas markets, look to the little wooden chalets outside the Notre Dame Cathedral.
There is a small Christmas market on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower, and there is a larger traditional market in the Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde.
It’s also worth noting that winter (even Christmas) is low season in Paris, so you if you want to enjoy traditional attractions (such as climbing the Eiffel Tower, or visiting the Lourve) then it’s a great time to visit.
5. Manila, Philippines
Perhaps the most unexpected destination on this list is Manila, but this should come as no real surprise!
The Philippines is a great place to spend Christmas because Filipinos take the season very seriously.
Known locally as Pasko, Christmas is the most celebrated holiday in the Philippines.
The food here is exceptional, with traditional dishes such as bibingka and lechon taking center stage.
But there’s plenty to see and do too. Some of the holiday highlights in the destination include the Ayala Triangle Lights Show, which combines lights, colors and projections with fun Christmas tunes.
To embrace the real religious spirit of Christmas watch the Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros. This is an elaborate parade dedicated to the Virgin Mary with each carriage covered in flowers and carrying an image of the Blessed Mother.
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