Top Winter and Holiday Family Vacations

Are you looking for the perfect family getaway this holiday season? With so many amazing destinations to choose from, the hardest part will be deciding where to go! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Here are our top 10 Family-Friendly Holiday Destinations that promise festive fun and unforgettable memories.

Remember, your vacation can be the ultimate gift for your family. Ready? Let's go!

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Family Ski Holiday

1)  Ski Vacations

For families who love the snow, there's nothing like hitting the slopes. Whether you’re seasoned skiers or just starting out, ski resorts offer a magical winter wonderland. Besides skiing and snowboarding, enjoy other family-friendly activities such as snow tubing, ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Top Ski Destinations:

-Lake Tahoe, CA and NV: Lake Tahoe offers stunning scenery perfect for a holiday getaway. Don't miss the Heavenly Holidays event at Heavenly Village, which includes nightly light shows, a holiday parade, and fireworks.

-Sun Valley, ID: Sun Valley offers a Winter Wonderland Festival that includes tree lightings, ice shows, and visits from Santa.

-Jackson Hole, WY: Experience the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Holiday Roundup, featuring caroling, torchlight parades, and fireworks displays.

-Aspen, CO: Aspen’s “12 Days of Aspen” offers festive activities daily, from concerts and ice skating to a holiday market and visits from Santa.

-Vail, CO: The annual Vail Holidaze includes tree lighting, lantern walks, and a New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade.

-Breckenridge, CO: Breckenridge hosts the Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas, a festive event where hundreds of Santas race down Main Street.

-Stowe, VT: Stowe's Winter Carnival features ice carving contests, fireworks, and family games under a blanket of snow.

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Santa enjoying a holiday cruise

2) Holiday Caribbean Cruise

Imagine a stress-free holiday cruising through the warm Caribbean waters. With onboard festive décor, mouth-watering meals, and exciting entertainment, a cruise is an excellent way for families to bond without the hassle of holiday prep. 

Top Family Cruise Lines:

-Royal Caribbean: Offers a “Festive Holiday cruises” with special holiday-themed activities, including tree lighting ceremonies, holiday shows, and character meet-and-greets.



-Disney Cruise Line: Known for its “Very Merrytime Cruises,” featuring holiday décor, themed parties, and a Winter Wonderland Ball complete with a snowfall in the atrium.

-Princess Cruises: Enjoy “Holidays at Sea” on Princess Cruises, where you can partake in festive dining experiences, tree lighting ceremonies, and special holiday shows. The kids will love the holiday-themed activities, such as gingerbread house decorating and seasonal crafts.

-Norwegian Cruise Line: Their “Winter Wonderland” includes festive decorations, holiday shows, and gingerbread house-building activities.

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Rockefeller Christmas Tree

3)  New York City

Experience the holiday magic in the city that never sleeps. From the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, NYC offers an unparalleled holiday experience.
Must-See Highlights in New York include:

-Radio City Rockettes: The “Christmas Spectacular” with the Rockettes is a must-see show filled with dazzling kicks and holiday cheer.

-FAO Schwarz: Visit the iconic FAO Schwarz toy store to explore its extensive and whimsical toy collection, and don’t miss the giant piano from the movie "Big"!

-Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: Marvel at the majestic Christmas tree, a holiday beacon adorned with thousands of lights and ornaments. Ice skate under the sparkling tree for an unforgettable holiday experience.

-Dyker Heights: Take a tour to the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights neighborhood in Brooklyn, known for its extravagant holiday decorations.

-Holiday Markets: Visit the Bryant Park Winter Village, Union Square Holiday Market, or Columbus Circle Holiday Market for unique gifts, artisan goods, and festive foods.

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European Christmas Markets

4) European Christmas Markets

For a step back in time, head to Europe’s enchanting Christmas markets. These markets bring fairytales to life with charming booths, Christmas ornaments, and the delicious aroma of hot Glühwein.
Top Locations:

-Germany: Don’t miss the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world, featuring charming stalls and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

-Austria: The Vienna Christmas Dream market in front of City Hall offers ice skating, a Ferris wheel, and a carousel, along with traditional crafts and treats.

-Switzerland: Zurich’s Christmas village at the Sechseläutenplatz offers a magical atmosphere with beautifully decorated stalls and a large ice rink.

-London: Visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for its festive rides, market stalls, ice skating rink, and magical ice kingdom.

-Paris: Explore the Champs-Elysées Christmas Market, which transforms the iconic avenue into a winter wonderland with festive lights and delicious treats.

-Munich: The Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz offers traditional Bavarian crafts, mulled wine, and gingerbread.

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Tropical Holiday Boat Parade

5) South Florida Tropical Christmas

Forget the cold and embrace a tropical Christmas in South Florida. From illuminated boat parades to sandy Christmas trees, there's something uniquely festive about spending Christmas in the sun.
Highlights:

-Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade: This dazzling parade features over 100 elaborately decorated boats, complete with carolers and entertainment cruising through the Intracoastal Waterway.

-Sandi Tree in West Palm Beach: Marvel at the 35-foot-high sand Christmas tree, “Sandi,” which features nightly music and light shows.

-Delray Beach’s 100-ft Christmas Tree: Take a walk inside this iconic tree for a unique holiday experience and enjoy the surrounding holiday village and carousel.

-South Florida Beaches:  Picture yourself relaxing and put your toes in the sand while hearing the calming sounds of the ocean while your family enjoys the beach. 

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Orlando "ready-made" Christmas Celebration

6) Orlando Theme Parks

Orlando transforms into a holiday wonderland this time of year. From dazzling lights to festive parades, Orlando’s theme parks are a magical holiday destination.
Must-Visit Parks:

-Walt Disney World: Experience the “Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party” at Magic Kingdom, featuring special parades, fireworks, and meet-and-greets with Santa.

-Universal Studios Orlando: Celebrate “Grinchmas” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure with live retellings of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and holiday-themed encounters.

-SeaWorld Orlando: Don’t miss the “SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration,” complete with live shows, festive lights, and holiday-themed animal encounters.

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Hawaii is a great Holiday Vacation Destination

7)  Hawaii

Trade the winter blues for tropical hues in Hawaii. Experience the Aloha spirit in a tranquil paradise where you can celebrate the holidays on the sandy shores under the warm sun.
Top Islands:

-Oahu: Enjoy the Honolulu City Lights, a month-long celebration with light displays, parades, and festive concerts at Honolulu Hale.

-Maui: Visit Lahaina for its famous Banyan Tree adorned with thousands of Christmas lights and enjoy local hula performances and festive bazaars.

 -Kauai:  Don’t miss the Festival of Lights at the Historic County Building and experience the island’s laid-back holiday charm at various local festivities.

-Big Island: Attend the Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade and explore the festive decorations in historic Kailua Village. Experience local traditions like the Waimea Town Christmas Twilight Parade.

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Visit Vancouver for the Holidays

8) Vancouver, Canada

Celebrate a snowy Christmas in Vancouver, where you can enjoy both the bustling city and ski resorts close by. Visit festive markets, take a walk through the VanDusen Festival of Lights, or journey to Whistler for world-class skiing.
Top Activities:

-VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights: A stunning display with over one million lights, whimsical installations, and delightful pathways to explore.

-Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas: Experience a magical holiday season with mountaintop activities like visiting Santa’s workshop, ice skating, and sleigh rides.

-Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: The Canyon Lights event transforms the park into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights adorning the suspension bridge and treetop walkways.

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Christmas in Rome is Magical

9) Italy

Italy offers a magical blend of history, culture, and holiday charm. From the famous Christmas markets to mass at the Vatican, Italy provides a rich holiday experience.
Top Cities:

-Rome: Attend the midnight mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for a spiritual and awe-inspiring experience. Don’t miss the famous Christmas market at Piazza Navona, filled with festive stalls and street performers.

-Florence: Visit the Florence Christmas Market at Piazza Santa Croce, inspired by traditional German markets, and enjoy ice skating at the Florence Winter Park.

-Venice: Take a stroll through the festive market at Campo Santo Stefano and enjoy the dazzling light displays reflecting on the canals.

-Milan: Explore the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Christmas Market near the Sforza Castle and witness the stunning Christmas tree at Piazza del Duomo.

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Christmas on the Beach in Cancun

10) Mexico

Celebrate Christmas with fiestas, piñatas, and warm hospitality in Mexico. Enjoy beautiful beaches, vibrant cultural traditions, and delightful cuisine.
Top Destinations:

-Cancun: Stay at one of the many all-inclusive resorts that offer a range of holiday-themed activities, from Christmas buffets and beach parties to festive shows and kids’ clubs.

-Puerto Vallarta: Experience the traditional Mexican Posadas, lively processions reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for lodging, and enjoy festive performances at the Malecon.

-Cabo San Lucas: Enjoy holiday dinners, live shows, and festive activities at all-inclusive resorts while soaking up the sun on pristine beaches.

-Mexico City: Visit the Zócalo square to see the impressive giant Christmas tree, ice skating rink, and cultural shows.

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So there you have it – our top 10 Family Holiday Vacations. Whether it's snowy peaks, tropical escapes, or bustling cities, these destinations promise a holiday full of joy and cherished memories. Ready to book your holiday getaway? Contact us at Top Group Travel and let’s make this holiday season one to remember!

Check out our Gift of Travel dedicated page for more ideas:

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