If you’re looking for a destination for your family’s next Christmas holiday, you might want to consider Mexico. Other family Christmas holiday destinations include France’s Valkenburg and Germany’s Nurnberger Christkindlesmarkt. And, of course, there’s England’s Bath Christmas market! These destinations offer a festive experience the whole family will enjoy. Here are a few ideas for the best family Christmas holidays in 2022.
Mexico’s best family Christmas holiday destination
If you’re looking for a holiday destination that’s both festive and affordable, Mexico’s highlands are the place to go this holiday season. Los Cabos is often described as ‘paradise on earth’ and boasts some of the best weather conditions of the year, with temperatures reaching 81degF during the coldest months. This festive destination is an excellent choice for a family Christmas holiday.
Oaxaca is one of the country’s most architecturally beautiful cities, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city sits at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountain range, and is known for its Mole sauce (chocolate). The city’s unique Christmas celebrations are particularly festive, with the “breaking of the plates” ceremony taking place between December 16 and 31.
Germany’s Nurnberger Christkindlesmarkt
If you’re planning a Christmas vacation for your family, one of the most magical places to visit is Germany’s Nurnberg Christkindlesmarkt. This famous market dates back to at least 1530. In 1545, Protestant reformer Martin Luther introduced the angel-like Christkind. Today, the Nurnberg market is one of the most beloved Christmas celebrations in the world. The Nurnberg market celebrates the birth of Jesus, and its tradition of the Christkind Angel is similar to Santa Claus in the US. The idea of the Nurnberg Angel has roots in the times of Martin Luther, who sought to move away from the veneration of Catholic saints and change the gift-giving tradition. Luther told children that the Christkind was coming to bring them gifts.
The market in Nuremberg isn’t only a Christmas market, though. Outside of the market, the city has plenty to offer. There is a world-famous fruit and nut market, the Sister Cities Market, located just steps away from the main square. There, shoppers can find unique gifts and regional foods made of local ingredients. You can also find local coffee from Nicaragua or lavender honey from Provence. For families with small children, there is also a Children’s Market just a few steps from the main square.
France’s Valkenburg
If you’re looking for a truly unique Christmas market this holiday season, consider visiting France’s Valkenburg. This 17000-resident village turns into a Christmas town during the holidays, with two traditional Christmas parades and a Christmas market inside a cave. Visitors can also enjoy the mural paintings that decorate the cave walls and meet Santa Claus. There are also holiday lights and festive decorations all over town.
French holidaymakers can also celebrate Whit Monday, a Christian holiday that marks the descent of the Holy Spirit, the dove that symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Although not a national holiday, Whit Monday is an important Christian day, so you can celebrate it on the holiday. A day to celebrate Easter is also celebrated in France on June 6, which makes it an excellent time for holidaymakers. The weather is usually warm, so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and bring your camera!
England’s Bath Christmas Market
Thousands of visitors flock to England’s Bath Christmas Market each year for the festive shopping experience, which includes over 150 pop-up chalets, carolers and mulled wine. This unique market is set in the picturesque streets surrounding the World Heritage site of Bath. The market is also renowned for selling products that are distinctively British. Over 70% of the stallholders are local and most products are handmade.
The city is a beautiful setting to visit during the winter holidays, with beautiful architecture and a vibrant Christmas market. Bath is also a popular place for adventure enthusiasts, with the Cheddar Gorge and the Longleat safari park nearby. You can also play mini-golf and ice-skate outdoors. Stonehenge is also within driving distance, which makes it a great destination for a family Christmas.
Europe’s Strasbourg
If you’re looking for a family Christmas destination in 2022, look no further than Europe’s Strasbourg. Set in the Alsace region of France, this historic town is home to the oldest Christmas market in the country. Its Gothic cathedral and UNESCO-listed Old Town make it a beautiful sight all year round, but during the festive season, Strasbourg becomes the World’s Christmas Capital.
The Christmas market in Strasbourg is one of the most popular markets in Europe, with 300 wooden chalets lining the streets. This festive market has been celebrating Alsatian Christmas traditions for over five centuries. It features everything from hand-crafted toys to mulled wine and festive ornaments. The city also hosts a Sharing Village, allowing visitors to donate to local charities while they shop. In 2022, the Christmas market will celebrate its 500th anniversary, making it one of the most beautiful and popular markets in the world.
New York City’s Dickens Village
Plan a trip to New York City’s Dickens Village this Christmas and celebrate the holiday season in a way that’s both authentic and fun. In the Merchant’s House Museum, you’ll enjoy a live performance of Dickens’ beloved story A Christmas Carol, which is reimagined as a musical by Jack Thorne. The Merchant’s House Museum is also home to a collection of antiques, including a large selection of Christmas decorations.
The Dickens Village’s annual Christmas celebration begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues every weekend through December 18. The festivities include live entertainment, shopping, horse-drawn carriage rides, and lots of traditional holiday fare. In 1867, Dickens conducted 400 readings in the US. The Dickens Village is a living history museum, and visitors are sure to find a Christmas tradition that matches their taste.