Best holiday cities to visit in December
These places to visit in December are at their best when the lights go up.
1. New York City
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, and stays up through January 9. Seeing it costs nothing.
- What to do: see the tree, walk the Fifth Avenue window displays, skate at Bryant Park
- Where to stay: Midtown, within walking distance of the tree and the windows
- Cost: High. Plan on $150 or more a day before flights
2. Chicago
Christkindlmarket, a German-style holiday market, fills Daley Plaza from November 20 to December 24, 2026. Entry is free. A second market at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville stays open until December 31.
- What to do: mulled wine and pretzels at the market, the Magnificent Mile lights, Lincoln Park ZooLights
- Where to stay: the Loop or River North
- Cost: Medium, about $110–140 a day
Wear boots with grip. Chicago sidewalks ice over in December. See Best US cities for solo travel.
3. New Orleans
Many restaurants serve special Réveillon dinners in December. On Christmas Eve, dozens of bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River levee in St. James Parish, about an hour’s drive upriver.
- What to do: French Quarter decorations, a Réveillon dinner, the Christmas Eve bonfires around 7 PM
- Where to stay: the French Quarter or the Warehouse District
- Cost: Medium, about $95–125 a day
The bonfires move to another night if it rains. Check the Louisiana River Parishes tourism site that week.
4. Asheville, North Carolina
Christmas at Biltmore runs from November 6, 2026, to January 10, 2027. The house is decorated with more than 100 Christmas trees. Candlelight Christmas Evenings need a separate ticket.
- What to do: tour Biltmore House, browse downtown shops, drive part of the Blue Ridge Parkway on a clear day
- Where to stay: downtown or Biltmore Village
- Cost: Medium, about $90–120 a day plus Biltmore tickets
Popular Biltmore dates sell out, so book those tickets before your hotel.
5. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston stays mild in December, and the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park runs nightly from 5:30 to 10 PM, November 13 to December 31, 2026. It’s a 3-mile drive past more than 750 light displays.
- What to do: the light festival, walks through the Historic District, a boat or harbor tour on a sunny day
- Where to stay: the Historic District
- Cost: Medium to high. The festival charges per car (from $15 per vehicle in 2025)
Places to visit during Christmas in the USA
Christmas week brings the biggest crowds and the highest prices of the year. These 4 places are still worth it on December 24 and 25:
- New York City: the Rockefeller Center tree is up through January 9
- Asheville: Christmas at Biltmore stays open until January 10, 2027
- Louisiana’s River Parishes: the bonfires on the levee are lit on Christmas Eve
- Chicago: the Wrigleyville Christkindlmarket stays open until December 31 (closed Christmas Day)
For small towns with holiday markets and lights, see our list of Christmas towns in the USA. See Best solo weekend trips in the US.
Best places for snow and skiing in December
6. Park City, Utah
Park City Mountain is targeting November 20, 2026, as its opening day, and Deer Valley next door plans to open on December 5. Main Street has restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance of a lift.
- What to do: ski or snowboard, ride the Town Lift from Main Street, visit the Utah Olympic Park
- Where to stay: near Main Street, so you can walk to the Town Lift
- Cost: High. Lift tickets start at $98 a day with an advance Epic Day Pass; a 1-day pass starts at $141
Early December can mean limited open terrain. Opening dates depend on snow.
7. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a snowy New England village with a ski mountain about 15 minutes up the road. December brings the start of ski season and a quieter town before the holiday rush.
- What to do: ski at Stowe Mountain Resort, walk the village, try cross-country skiing
- Where to stay: Stowe village or along Mountain Road
- Cost: High
Check Stowe’s opening date on the resort’s website before booking.
Warm places to escape the cold
These 3 are the easiest picks.
8. Key West, Florida
Key West is the southernmost city in the continental US and 1 of the warmest places you can reach in December without a passport.
- What to do: beaches, snorkeling trips, the sunset gathering at Mallory Square
- Where to stay: Old Town, so you can walk or bike everywhere
- Cost: High. Hotels fill up fast for Christmas week
See beach destinations for solo travelers.
9. San Diego, California
San Diego has mild December days, and gray whale watching season starts in mid-December, with the most whales passing in mid-January.
- What to do: whale watching boat trips, La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park’s holiday events
- Where to stay: La Jolla or the Gaslamp Quarter
- Cost: Medium to high
10. Death Valley National Park, California
December is 1 of the best months to visit Death Valley. Days are mild, the summer heat is gone, and nights get cold.
- What to do: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point at sunrise, the Mesquite Flat sand dunes
- Where to stay: Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells, or a campground inside the park
- Cost: Low to medium if you camp
Pack warm layers for the evenings, and fill up on gas before you enter the park. See national parks for solo travelers.
Cheap places to travel in December
The cheapest way to travel in December is to go before December 18 and come home before Christmas week. These are the best places to travel in December on a budget:
| Place | Daily budget | Why it’s cheap |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | $95–125 | Free street music, affordable food, walkable French Quarter |
| Asheville | $90–120 | Small-town prices, free mountain views and downtown lights |
| Death Valley | Low if you camp | Campgrounds cost far less than hotels |
| Chicago (early December) | $110–140 | Free Christkindlmarket entry, cheap public transit |
Daily budgets include a basic room, cheap meals and local transport. For more ways to cut costs, read our budget travel tips.
Best places for New Year’s Eve
11. Las Vegas, Nevada
The Strip hosts fireworks at midnight, and hotels hold parties and shows all night. Book rooms early, because New Year’s Eve is 1 of the busiest nights of the year.
12. Orlando, Florida
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are decorated for the holidays through the end of December, and the weather is mild. Expect big crowds between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Tips for traveling in December
- Book holiday dates now. Flights and hotels for December 20 to January 2 fill up first and cost the most
- Take the first flight of the day. Morning flights have fewer knock-on delays, and winter storms make delays more likely later in the day
- Check event dates on official websites. Markets, light shows and ski openings change every year, and some sell out
- Pack layers. Even warm places get cold at night in December
- Get travel insurance. Winter storms cancel flights. Read our guide to travel insurance before you book
FAQ
New York City, Chicago and New Orleans for holiday events, Park City and Stowe for snow, and Key West and San Diego for warm weather.
The first half of December is 1 of the cheapest times of the year to travel. Christmas week and New Year’s Eve are among the most expensive.
Key West, San Diego, Death Valley and Orlando are the easiest warm picks. Hawaii and Southern California’s desert towns are warm too.
Park City and Stowe usually have snow by Christmas, though nothing is guaranteed. Check the resort’s snow report a week before you go.
Final takeaway
Of all the places to travel in December, New York City in the first week of the month is the easiest first pick: the tree is lit, the windows are up, and the Christmas crowds haven’t arrived yet. If you want warmth, choose San Diego for the whale season. If you want snow, choose Park City.
Last updated: November 2026
Sources: Rockefeller Center · Choose Chicago: Christkindlmarket 2026 · Explore Asheville: Christmas at Biltmore · Louisiana Travel: Bonfires on the Levee · Park City Mountain hours · San Diego Tourism: whale watching
