10 Christmas Destinations in Asia That Light Up During the Holidays
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And if you’re hitting the road instead of staying home during the holidays, then you might as well make your way to destinations overflowing with Christmas spirit. All over the world, big cities and small villages alike transform into dazzling places fit for holiday festivities. Magical Christmas destinations in Asia get decked out in twinkling illuminations, gigantic holiday trees, and over-the-top light shows. And if it’s the quintessential white Christmas you’re dreaming of, the winter festivals in Asia are the stuff of fairy tales.
Keep reading to find the best places to find holiday cheer this Yuletide season.
Best places to spend Christmas in Asia
1. Seoul – South Korea
While magical any season, Seoul truly transforms into a holiday wonderland in December. The streets come to life with buildings adorned in colourful décor and twinkling lights throughout the capital. Revelry and cheer crop up from everywhere but there’s no doubt that the main event is the Seoul Christmas Festival at Cheonggye Plaza. Here you’ll find glittering holiday-themed illuminations, Christmas trees, and charming photo hotspots.
Christmas markets spring up in various places in Seoul, from a European-inspired one in Seongbuk District to a vibrant bazaar in Itaewon. Get into the spirit of the holidays by watching The Nutcracker ballet or showing up for Lotte World’s festivities featuring parades, performances, and even a full-fledged Santa Village. Every winter, an ice-skating rink even emerges at Seoul Plaza.
Travellers with more time to explore can even visit the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong just outside the borders of Seoul. The spellbinding display of the Lighting Festival every winter makes this part of South Korea one of the most arresting Christmas destinations in Asia.
2. Tokyo – Japan
Christmas isn’t a public holiday in Japan, but that doesn’t keep the city of Tokyo from sparkling with holiday spirit during the merriest season of the year. The celebrations rival the best Christmas towns in Asia and the world, with bustling holiday markets and brilliant illuminations lighting up the entire city.
Roam the streets to soak in the festive atmosphere, especially at popular light-up displays like the Tokyo Midtown Christmas Illumination in Roppongi, Blue Cave in Shinagawa, and the Marunouchi Illumination. The city is also known for its jolly German-style markets at places like Tokyo Solamachi and Roppongi Hills, where you can enjoy last-minute shopping, Christmas carols, and delicious German food and drinks.
Finally, don’t let the holidays pass without indulging in fried chicken at KFC. It may sound strange, but fried chicken during Christmas is actually an offbeat Japanese tradition!
3. Sapporo – Japan
The capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo is a picture-perfect place to spend a white Christmas in Asia. Against a backdrop of pretty lights and gently falling snow, the picturesque city embraces the cozy atmosphere of winter.
The Sapporo White Illumination and holiday market at Odori Park is a must-visit, whether you’re browsing for gifts, sipping on hot wine, or just basking in the festive vibes. If you’re looking for a European-style Christmas market in Asia, this one’s your pick. We also recommend making time to visit Jozankei Shrine for the Jozankei Onsen Snow Light Path, where thousands of snow candles light up during the wintertime.
The city is also known for hosting one of the best winter festivals in Asia: the Sapporo Snow Festival. Typically held in February, this popular week-long event features spectacular snow and ice sculptures in three Sapporo sites, including Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsu Dome. Be prepared for crowds; the Snow Festival attracts over 2 million travellers every year!
4. Singapore
Singapore is dazzling enough the rest of the year, but it turns up the magic every year during the holidays. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised — the Lion City is famous for top-notch entertainment, after all! During the yuletide season, this gleaming urban playground puts together the merriest setting you can imagine so you can end the year with a bang.
Shopping hotspot Orchard Road is at the center of the action, with brilliant illuminations and Christmas carols for the festive season. Multiple other light shows ignite the streets of Singapore, but a definite standout is Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. Besides snapping photos of the mesmerizing light displays, travelers can indulge in carnival games, enjoy live performances, and meet Santa Claus.
5. Manila – Philippines
No one celebrates Christmas in Asia as long as Filipinos; in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, the holiday season starts as early as September. That means you’ll get to soak in the merriment for longer when you’re in the country! Not many travellers linger in Metro Manila when exploring the Philippines, but few places are more vibrant than this buzzy capital when it’s the Christmas season.
Manila is famous for its massive number of shopping malls, and each one is awash in festive vibrance: towering Christmas trees, fairy lights everywhere, and Christmas tunes played on a loop. Even jeepneys blare familiar carols all day long! The devout troop to churches before dawn for Simbang Gabi (Night Mass), a nine-day series of Masses leading up to Christmas. Meanwhile, local events to look forward to include the Ayala Triangle Lights and Sounds Show in Makati and the dazzling fireworks display at SM Mall of Asia.
6. San Fernando, Pampanga – Philippines
Once you’ve seen San Fernando during the Christmas season, you’ll find it impossible to imagine a more devoted place to the holidays. Every year, this city in Pampanga hosts the Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul), a famous event showcasing massive parols (local Christmas lanterns) handcrafted by residents of local villages.
San Fernando’s various holiday festivities will keep you busy through the season, from the bright installations at Capital Town Pampanga to the new Christmas village at Orchid Gardens Resort Complex. It’s not a shock that this city in Pampanga is hailed as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. Although it doesn’t attract as many foreign tourists as other parts of the country, San Fernando is certainly one of the must-visit Christmas destinations in Asia.
7. Taipei – Taiwan
As with most countries in East Asia, Christmas isn’t a public holiday in Taiwan. Despite that, Taipei overflows with holiday spirit once December hits. Make a beeline for Banquiao District in New Taipei City, where you’ll find the dazzling Christmasland. This glorious event involves spectacular illuminations, fun activities, and elaborate Christmas trees — the works!
And Taipei’s festive spirit doesn’t stop at Christmasland. Ji-Qing Christmas Alley is a must-visit for holiday lovers. Here, residents decorate their homes elaborately, a neighborhood tradition that has grown to draw the world’s attention for the past two decades. Take to the streets on New Year’s Eve, preferably at Taipei 101, where the fireworks show is a spectacle worth braving the crowds for.
8. Hong Kong
Although it’s another country that doesn’t celebrate December 25 as an official holiday, Hong Kong deserves a place in any list of festive Christmas destinations in Asia. If your idea of celebrating involves neon light shows, holiday markets, and world-class dining opportunities, then this urban playground won’t disappoint.
Be dazzled by the Symphony of Lights, a neon lights show projected on the iconic Hong Kong skyline across Victoria Harbour. Holiday offerings also include a slew of yuletide events, like Christmas Town and Christmas Wonderland at West Kowloon Cultural District. Meanwhile, families can spend a day (or two) at Hong Kong Disneyland to explore the theme park’s array of holiday-themed activities, performances, and fireworks.
9. Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia
Maybe Kuala Lumpur isn’t top of mind when thinking of Christmas destinations in Asia. But if you haven’t been to the capital of Malaysia during the holidays, then you’re missing out. This is your chance to see what’s up in this vibrant tropical city during December!
Catch the extravagant holiday displays in the many shopping centers of KL, from Pavilion Mall to Suria KLCC to MidValley Megamall, then step out for the charming Christmas bazaars around the city. Best of all, local cuisine in Malaysia is among the best in Asia, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for a feast on Christmas Eve.
10. Goa – India
If it’s a party you’re craving for your Christmas in Asia, then look no further than India. Find wild parties and music on the beautiful shores of Goa; you’ll come across the best seaside ragers at beaches like Anjuna and Arambol Beach. Revellers troop to Vagator Beach yearly for the Sunburn Festival, a three-day event known as one of Asia’s biggest EDM festivals.
Since Goa is home to a relatively large population of Catholics, there’s plenty of holiday cheer on the streets. Wander the alleys to enjoy the sight of India’s beach and party capital all lit up in twinkling lights, colorful decor, and poinsettia flowers. Some travelers even partake in traditional activities like caroling and Midnight Mass.
We’re looking forward to spending the holidays exploring these Christmas destinations in Asia — maybe we’ll even see you there. Ran out of time to fly out for Christmas? Well, it’s never too early to plan next year’s festivities. Happy holidays!
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