If you’ve ever dreamt of swapping thongs for thermals, there’s a host of destinations where Christmas actually looks like the postcards. Imagine snow piling high outside, fairy lights twinkling, and markets dishing out spiced mulled wine by the mugful. From Canada’s ski towns and Japan’s powder slopes to Europe’s storybook squares and neon-lit winter festivals in China, here are the best places to have a white Christmas - no matter your budget.

Best for: Skiers, families, outdoor adventurers

Wanting a proper white Christmas? Banff in the Canadian Rockies has you covered. Think snow-dusted pine forests, frozen lakes begging to be skated on, and ski runs that’ll make you feel like you’re in a movie. Sunshine Village and Lake Louise serve up world-class slopes, while Banff town itself comes alive with twinkling lights, hearty food and cosy alpine vibes.

Best for: Families, couples, Christmas shoppers

Few places do Christmas like New York. Picture the Rockefeller Centre tree lit up against the night sky, horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping through the snowflakes in Central Park, and shop windows on Fifth Avenue dressed to the nines. Whether you’re ice-skating under fairy lights or going big on that shopping spree of a lifetime, NYC in December feels straight out of a romance.

Best for: Food lovers, culture seekers, Christmas market enthusiasts

Munich sets the bar high for a Christmas getaway. Case in point? It's Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt glowing under the town hall clock tower. Expect steaming mugs of mulled wine, tantalising bratwurst sizzling on the grill, and handcrafted ornaments at every turn. Not enough? Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of Germany’s most famous Christmas markets, is just a day trip away.

Best for: Festival goers, families, snow enthusiasts

When it comes to a white Christmas with a wow factor, Harbin goes big. Every year, the city transforms into a frozen wonderland for its famous Ice and Snow Festival, with towering ice palaces lit up in neon and streets lined with intricate sculptures. The city’s Chinese–Russian mix shows up everywhere, from onion-domed cathedrals to hearty local staples like smoky red sausage, crusty rye bread and steaming bowls of borscht. It’s the perfect fuel for snowy adventures.

Best for: Families, couples, winter adventure seekers

If you’ve ever dreamt of Christmas straight out of a storybook, you can read it page by page in Lapland. Santa’s ‘official’ hometown is in Rovaniemi, up in Finland’s Arctic north, where reindeer and huskies pull sleds through snowy forests. On clear nights, you might even see the Northern Lights across the sky. From log cabins to glass igloos, everything here is built to make Christmas feel special.

Best for: Skiers, couples, luxury travellers

Few places scream ‘white Christmas’ quite like the Swiss Alps. Picture snow piled high on timber chalets, ribbons of ski runs carving through valleys, and steaming pots of cheese fondue to thaw out frosty fingers. Zurich and Lucerne bring easy train links and twinkling Christmas markets. The luxurious-as St. Moritz delivers the alpine glamour that’s lured travellers here for generations.

Best for: Nature lovers, adventure travellers, couples

Up in Norway’s Arctic north, Tromsø delivers a Christmas like no other. By day, dog sleds race through snowy forests and fjords shimmer under low winter sun. By night, the Northern Lights can steal the show, painting the sky in green and violet streaks. Add in Oslo’s Christmas markets and cosy city cafés, and you’ve got a holiday that is festive traditions meets Arctic adventure.

Best for: Nature lovers, couples, winter explorers

Does your idea of Christmas magic involve steaming hot springs, snowy waterfalls and folklore? Iceland is the place for you. Reykjavik twinkles with Christmas lights strung along colourful streets, while the Golden Circle turns into a frozen wonderland of geysers and icy cascades. Add in the chance to soak in the Blue Lagoon while the snow is falling, and you’ve got a holiday that feels equal parts merry and otherworldly.

Best for: Skiers, families, Japan addicts

Niseko, on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, is world-famous for its light, powdery snow (it’s the kind skiers and snowboarders cross the globe for). The resort is made up of four linked ski areas, so there’s plenty of terrain whether you’re just finding your feet or chasing black runs. Off the slopes, it’s all about steamy onsens, even steamier bowls of ramen, and settling in to gaze upon the volcano of Mount Yotei. If you’ve got time, Sapporo’s White Illumination festival is a snowy side trip about two hours away.

Best for: Couples, culture lovers, Christmas market wanderers

Few cities look more like a fairy tale at Christmas than Prague. Think spires dusted with snow, cobbled lanes glowing with lanterns, and the Old Town Square transformed into one of Europe’s most famous Christmas markets. Wooden stalls overflow with mulled wine, spiced gingerbread, and hand-carved toys, all under the glow of a towering Christmas tree. Add in Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces, and a sprinkle of the dramatic stories of the historic centre, and you’ve got a joyful romantic escape on your hands.