Christmas & New Year
Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
The second-biggest travel stretch of the US year. Fares and hotel rates climb for the same few dates, so decide early which kind of Christmas you want: snow and markets, big-city lights, or warm sand.
The holidays are the one trip where the dates choose you. Everyone flies in the same two weeks, so the difference between a stressful and a smooth Christmas trip is mostly decided months earlier: which days you fly, which kind of place you pick, and what you lock in first.
This guide puts those decisions in order. It covers the dates that move prices, a booking countdown, and six very different ways to spend the season, each with a realistic day count and budget range. Prices are orientation, not quotes, so always verify before you book.
Dates that change the plan
- Thu Nov 26
Thanksgiving
The single busiest US travel weekend. Black Friday flight and hotel sales start around it, which makes it a good moment to book December.
- Late Nov
Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt opens
Traditionally opens on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent. Confirm on the official site before building a trip around the opening night.
- Sun Nov 29
First Sunday of Advent
By now nearly every Christmas market in Germany and Austria is open, and the weekends get crowded.
- Early Dec
Rockefeller Center tree lighting
Traditionally the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. Midtown hotels are busy from here until New Year's.
- Dec 18–21
US school breaks begin
Exact dates vary by district. This is when family demand, and prices, jump.
- Thu Dec 24
Christmas Eve
In much of Europe, markets, shops and many restaurants close by early afternoon. Book dinner ahead or plan to eat at your hotel.
- Dec 25–26
Christmas & St. Stephen's Day
Two public holidays in Germany and Austria. Museums and shops are mostly closed, but churches and concerts are not.
- Thu Dec 31
New Year's Eve
Hotels in popular cities commonly require 2–4-night minimum stays. Fireworks events may need tickets.
- Jan 2–3
The big return
Among the busiest airport days of the season. A Monday or Tuesday flight home is usually calmer.
- Wed Jan 6
Epiphany
A public holiday in Austria and parts of Germany. Right after it, hotel rates usually drop sharply.
Open one door at a time
Tap each one. Timings are typical booking patterns for orientation, not guarantees.
01120 days outPick your kind of Christmas
Snow and markets, big-city lights or a beach. This one choice sets every price after it, so make it before you compare flights.
0290 days outBook flights to Europe
Seats on the most popular dates (Dec 19–23 out, Jan 2–4 back) sell first. Shifting by a day or two often saves more than waiting for a sale.
0375 days outHold hotels that sell out
New York, Rovaniemi, central Vienna and Caribbean resorts over New Year's go first. Pick free-cancellation rates so you can keep adjusting.
0460 days outBook domestic flights
Holiday fares within the US tend to climb steadily from here. Compare nearby airports and flying on the holiday itself.
0545 days outReserve the thing you'd hate to miss
Husky rides and Santa experiences in Lapland, Christmas Eve dinners, New Year's Eve events and popular concerts all have limited capacity.
0630 days outCheck passports and entry rules
Confirm passport validity and whether any new EU entry requirements apply to your dates. Use only official government sites.
0714 days outBuild a winter-storm plan B
Snowstorms at US hubs are the classic holiday disruption. Avoid tight connections and know your airline's rebooking policy.
083 days outPack for cold and dark
Layers, waterproof boots and a power bank. Northern cities get dark around 4 pm, and in Lapland it's much earlier.
Pick your kind of Christmas
01Christmas markets in Germany & Austria
- Markets
- City lights
- Days
- 6–9 days
- Budget
- $160–300 / person / day
Mid-range, excluding flights. December round trips from the US East Coast often run $700–1,400 in economy. Verify before booking.
Best for: A first Christmas in Europe, and anyone who travels for food and mulled wine.
One country per trip is enough. Nuremberg to Vienna is easy by train, and the markets feel different enough to be worth doing both. Snow isn't guaranteed.
Read the guide →
02Santa's hometown in Lapland
- Snow
- Family
- Days
- 4–6 days
- Budget
- $300–550 / person / day
December is Rovaniemi's most expensive month. Reindeer, husky and snowmobile trips often cost $150–300 each.
Best for: Families with young kids, and near-certain snow.
The Arctic Circle in December means only a few hours of daylight. Plan outdoor activities around midday and keep evenings for aurora hunting.
Read the guide →
03New York at Christmas
- City lights
- Family
- Days
- 3–5 days
- Budget
- $350–650 / person / day
Hotels in the weeks before Christmas and around New Year's are among the most expensive of the year. Dec 26–30 is sometimes a little softer.
Best for: Window displays, skating and a big-city Christmas without a passport.
The tree, the windows and the lights are free. The hotel isn't. Staying in Brooklyn, Long Island City or Jersey City can save a lot for a short subway ride.
Read the guide →
04A European-style Christmas, closer to home
- Snow
- Markets
- Days
- 3–5 days
- Budget
- $180–320 / person / day
Mid-range, excluding flights. Prices are usually in Canadian dollars, so check the exchange rate when you compare.
Best for: Old-town charm and a German-style Christmas market without a transatlantic flight.
Snow is far more likely than in most of Europe, and it's genuinely cold. Pack for temperatures well below freezing.
05Swap snow for sand
- Warm
- Days
- 7–10 days
- Budget
- $250–600 / person / day
Dec 20 – Jan 3 often brings holiday surcharges and minimum stays at resorts. Early December is usually cheaper.
Best for: Couples and families who'd rather spend Christmas in a swimsuit.
The dry season is just starting in December, and many resorts put on special Christmas and New Year's dinners, often at a premium. Check what your rate includes.
A drive-to New England Christmas
- Snow
- Family
- Drive-to
- Days
- 3–4 days
- Budget
- $200–400 / person / day
Ski-resort lodging peaks Dec 26 – Jan 1. Village inns away from the slopes are usually cheaper.
Best for: Northeast families who want a white Christmas without an airport.
Snow before Christmas isn't guaranteed at lower elevations. Towns near the ski areas are the safer bet if snow is the point.
Read the guide →All budgets are per-day orientation ranges, not quotes. Verify prices before booking, and check entry, health and safety requirements with official sources.
What catches people out
- 01
Assuming the markets run through New Year's
Most German and Austrian markets close on Dec 23 or 24. A few in Vienna and elsewhere reopen as New Year's markets. Check before booking a late-December trip for the markets.
- 02
Arriving on Christmas Eve afternoon with no dinner plan
In Central Europe, much of the city shuts down from early afternoon on Dec 24. Book a restaurant or choose a hotel that serves dinner.
- 03
Tight connections through snowy hubs
A 50-minute layover in Chicago or Denver in late December is a gamble. Leave at least two hours, or fly nonstop even if it costs more.
- 04
Missing New Year's Eve minimum stays
The cheap one-night rate you found may not be bookable on Dec 31. Popular hotels often require 2–4 nights, so read the rate rules.
- 05
Buying insurance after a storm is forecast
Weather that's already forecast or named is usually considered a known event and excluded. Buy cover when you book, and read what "weather delay" means in your policy.
Before you book
Is it cheaper to fly on Christmas Day?
Often, yes. Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1 are frequently among the cheapest days in the holiday window because demand is low. It isn't guaranteed, so compare in a fare calendar.
When do European Christmas markets close?
Most markets in Germany and Austria close on Dec 23 or 24, though some stay open a few extra days or turn into New Year's markets. Dates change every year, so check each market's official site.
How far ahead should I book Christmas flights?
For flights within the US, many travelers aim for October to mid-November. For Europe, 3–5 months ahead is a common target. The most popular dates sell first, so being flexible by a day or two usually matters more than timing a sale.
Where can I get a snowy Christmas without flying to Europe?
Quebec City and ski towns in Vermont or the Rockies are the most reliable options within easy reach of the US. Snow is never guaranteed, so choose higher elevations if a white Christmas is the whole point.
