The festive season brings magic to cities and towns across the globe, transforming ordinary streets into fairy‑tale wonderlands. If you’re dreaming of dazzling light displays, warm mulled wine, glimmering skylines, or a stroll under glimmering arches, now’s the time to pick your next getaway. Here are some of the world’s top destinations for Christmas and holiday lights, each offering something unique.

Places To Find The Most Magical Christmas Lights Around The World

London, UK

London is often at the very top of European Christmas‑lights lists.  Areas like Regent Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden and the riverside south‑bank areas light up annually with elegant decorations, festive shop‑fronts, and Christmas trees, a must for anyone looking for a classic holiday city vibe. Add to the mix winter markets, cozy cafés, and easy connectivity, and London becomes a top pick for travellers seeking sparkle + convenience.

New York City, USA

Few places deliver holiday lights like New York, the iconic tree at Rockefeller Center, glittering streets, storefront displays on fifth avenue and ice‑skating under the lights make it a festive classic. The tree lighting tradition dates back decades, and for many, seeing the Rockefeller tree is synonymous with Christmas in New York. Pair your lights tour with winter strolls or holiday shopping for a full NYC holiday experience.

Medellín, Colombia

For a completely different vibe such as warm climate, Latin American energy, Medellín is hard to beat during Christmas. The city becomes a dazzling spectacle of lights along its river and major avenues. The festival atmosphere, illuminated riverbanks, neon displays, local food and street performers, makes it ideal for travellers who want lights + nightlife + culture. 

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo brings a modern, dazzling twist to Christmas, neon, LED, imaginative illuminations. For example, the scenic light-up of the Rainbow Bridge and winter-themed displays in shopping & entertainment districts make Tokyo a festive urban wonder. For travellers who love vibrant city nights, dining, shopping and a high-tech holiday aesthetic, Tokyo offers a Christmas unlike the typical snowy‑Europe version, but just as magical. 

Vienna, Austria & Other Classic European Cities:

European cities like Vienna, and picturesque towns like Colmar, France, with its charming half‑timbered houses, come alive in December with Christmas lights, markets, and a fairy‑tale atmosphere. The Times 

Cities with classic charm mixed with holiday tradition give that old‑world Christmas feel: cobblestone streets, church spires, warm lighting, mulled wine, perfect for anyone wanting a nostalgic holiday. 

Add Christmas markets, local crafts, festive foods, and you have a full European holiday package, light shows included.

Here's How To Choose The Right Light‑Display Destination

When picking your next holiday trip to chase Christmas lights, think about what kind of holiday you want:
City lights & shopping + winter vibes → London, New York, Tokyo
Tropical warmth + lights + nightlife → Medellín
Old‑world charm, cozy markets & fairy‑tale aesthetics → Vienna, Colmar, smaller European towns
Mix of modern and traditional lighting → Tokyo, European capitals

Also consider: weather (snowy vs mild), crowd levels, travel budget, and how much time you have.

Many of these cities switch on their lights from late November / early December, a bit before Christmas. That’s good news if you like an early festive start. Book flights and accommodations early! Christmas period draws big crowds, especially in popular cities. For European & U.S. trips: dress warmly; for warm‑climate cities like Medellín, pack accordingly. Combine your lights‑visit with local experiences: holiday markets, festive food, local concerts, ice skating, or sightseeing.

Here's Why Christmas Lights Make A Great Travel Theme

Travelling for Christmas lights is more than just seeing pretty decorations, it’s about holiday spirit, joy, shared memories, magic in ordinary streets. Lights bring ambience, atmosphere, and the feeling of celebration.

Whether you want to wander through snowy streets under golden lights, feel the buzz of a neon‑lit metropolis, or stroll by a river decked with colourful bulbs, a Christmas lights getaway makes the season truly special.