6. New York

One of the world’s biggest holiday destinations, New York‘s most famous tourist spots get a yuletide makeover in the run-up to Christmas. Check out the dazzling Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center, with its 30,000 twinkling fairy lights; stroll along Fifth Avenue where the shops are aglow with festive window displays; go ice skating in Central Park; or marvel at Macy’s fantastical Santaland. If you really want to get in the mood, get tickets to one of the city’s famous Christmas shows – the Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas spectacular, with its living nativity and flying Santa, is a huge favorite, as is St John the Divine’s Winter Solstice.

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7. Boston

It’s hard to believe that back in the 17thcentury, Christmas was banned in Boston, but the city has wasted no time in making up for it. With holiday markets, candlelight carols, ice-skating on frozen lakes and an abundance of festive shows, there’s plenty to do in the Massachusetts capital. Don’t miss a look at the Faneuil Hall tree, a glittering marvel dripping with ornaments; the historic Christmas trees on Boston Common; or a visit to the Stone Zoo’s Zoolights with its mind-blowing lightshow.

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8. Budapest

The ancient buildings of Budapest shimmer with Christmas lights in the winter months, making it one of the most atmospheric times to explore the historic city. Warm up frosted digits in a steaming outdoor pool at one of the city’s famous bathhouses; tuck into home-made strudel and töki pompos (oven-baked doughballs) at one of the city’s many Christmas markets; ice skate on the Városligeti Tó lake before a backdrop of the towering Vajdahunyad Castle; or go sledging with the locals at the Normafa park.

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9. Brussels

In a country famed for having not just one, but two Santas (St. Nicholas and Pere Noel) it’s no surprise that the Belgium capital makes the most of its yuletide celebrations. Brussels‘ annual ‘Winter Wonders’ Christmas market was voted the ‘most original in Europe’ by British tour operators and features 2km of stalls, a giant Ferris Wheel and fairground, a sledding track, ice rink and a series of music concerts and lightshows on the famous Grand Place. There’s even a Food Plaza where you can sample local specialties like sweet Belgium waffles, croustillons (sugared doughnuts) and, of course, plenty of delicious Belgium Chocolates.

10. Madrid

Madrid is in the mood for a fiesta during the Christmas season and there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained, from the Christmas market in Plaza Mayor to a number of pop-up ice rinks. The Christmas season officially starts on December 15th, marked with a huge show in Plaza de Oriente, and culminating with the vibrant Three Kings Parade on January 5th, an annual procession of colorful floats and a walking nativity, marching through the city streets.

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