Vrbo: where to go in December

Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Celebrate the season with these festive destinations

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The best places to travel in December include world-class ski resorts, festive cities, and sun-soaked beach destinations. Traveling during this month means celebrating the holidays like a local, whether that's ice skating in the shadow of snow-capped peaks or singing carols overlooking golden-sand beaches. From cozy city apartments to alpine ski lodges and oceanfront villas, you'll encounter a great range of vacation rentals for your December getaway.

Fresh snowfall means ski season is in full swing in destinations like Aspen and Snowmass. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, breathe in the bracing mountain air as you carve up the snow on some of the country's best pistes. For holiday vibes, Europe's cities are a must. Stroll around Berlin's fairytale markets, gaze in awe at London's elegant winter lights, or join a Christmas service at the Vatican in Rome.

If the start of winter has you craving warmer climes, you'll be pleased to know that some of the best places to travel in December are sun-soaked beach destinations. Slap on the sunscreen as you laze on Miami's South Beach or try your hand at surfing on Maui. The Bahamas is another popular destination for a December getaway thanks to its Caribbean beaches and warm weather.

Maui

Maui, Hawaii

#1 in Best Places to Visit in October 2025

Tropical beach weather positions Maui as one of the best warm places to visit in December. Sunny days with temperatures well into the 70s make Hawaii perfect for an escape from the winter chill. Swap snow for sand and catch a tan on Makena, snorkel around Kapalua Bay, or ride the waves at Honolua. In December, you can also witness humpback whales in Lahaina Harbor. Maui is more than just beaches: Hit the trails at Iao Valley State Park or drive the legendary Road to Hana for a glimpse of the island's remarkable rainforest scenery.

 

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Grand County

Grand County, Colorado

#2 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Grand County in Colorado is one of the best places to go in December for a white Christmas. If you're in town over the holidays, don't miss the Christmas Eve torch light parade or the New Year's Eve fireworks over Grand Lake. Snowfall and chilly temperatures make this Colorado mountain town a favorite for those seeking winter sports. Hop on a snowmobile for a high-octane ride through snow-covered trails or speed full throttle down icy slopes on an ice tube. Fat biking and cross-country skiing are also on offer in Grand County in winter. For something more downtempo, try your hand at ice fishing.

 

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Big Island

Big Island, Hawaii

#3 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

The island of Hawaii enjoys temperatures in the 80s during the winter, making it one of the best warm places to visit in December. Pack your sunscreen—it's perfect weather for lazing on Hapuna's golden sands and splashing in the waves off Punalu'u's volcanic beaches. You may even witness sea turtles during December. Away from the shores, delve into brooding landscapes of the Volcanoes National Park, home to ancient lava fields and steaming geysers. When night falls, visit Mauna Kea's world-famous observatory for extraordinary stargazing. The clear skies at this time of year are great for seeing constellations and meteor showers.

 

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Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

#4 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

When it's winter sports and mountain town vibes you're craving, Jackson Hole has to be on your radar as one of the best places to visit in December. With fresh snow blanketing the Tetons and temperatures dipping into the 20s, you'll enjoy perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding. For a one-of-a-kind experience, plunge into the Granite Hot Springs. Here you can soak in steaming hot waters while overlooking the snowy wilderness. December's crisp mountain air brings out the local wildlife, from elk herds to soaring eagles. Back in the village, hit the ice rink in Town Square and skate under the iconic antler arches.

 

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Leavenworth

Leavenworth, Washington

#5 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

With its Bavarian character and holiday charm, it's no wonder Leavenworth stands out as one of America's best destinations in December. Temperatures float around 30°F and there's a good chance of snow, adding even more festive vibes to this German-style town. Wrap up warm as you explore the annual Christkindlmarkt. Leavenworth's Christmas market feels straight out of the Alps, with its twinkling lights and wooden stands selling everything from local crafts to steaming mulled wine. You can also catch choirs, carol singers, and local bands performing each day. A short hop out of town, snow tubing and sledding down Leavenworth Ski Hill await.

 

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Park City

Park City, Utah

#6 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

This enchanting ski resort town lies just a short drive from Salt Lake City and boasts world-class winter sports. Hurtle down its pulse-pounding slopes on skis or a snowboard before gliding down some of the country's longest tubing lanes. Back in town, you'll encounter lively après skis in cozy bars and restaurants. There's more than just winter sports, too. Each December, Park City turns into an authentic Christmas wonderland with holiday shopping, festive music, and giant snow globe decorations on Main Street.

 

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Snowmass and Aspen

Snowmass & Aspen, Colorado

#7 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Pack your ski coat, woolly hat, and festive sweater: Aspen and Snowmass steal the show as two of the best destinations to go in December. Colorado's premier ski resorts transform into enchanting Christmas villages in the run up to the holidays, with a packed events calendar including everything from parades to ice sculpture exhibitions and carol singing. When action calls, hit up the pistes. The 4 mountains surrounding Aspen and Snowmass offer some of the country's best slopes, with skiing and snowboarding for all experience levels. If you're craving more high-speed thrills, zip down the mountain on the one-of-a-kind alpine coaster.

 

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Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley, California

#8 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

For a yuletide getaway that promises winter sports and Christmas vibes, Squaw Valley (now renamed Olympic Valley) in California contends for one of the best places to travel in December. Significant snowfall and chilly temperatures make this prime time for skiing and snowboarding. From steep slopes to wide bowls, you'll enjoy a variety of landscapes spread across 6 peaks. The aerial tram ride boasts extraordinary views of Lake Tahoe framed by snow-quilted pine forests and mountains. After a day on the slopes, Squaw Valley's December festivities promise live music, fire pits, and seasonal treats like mulled wine. There's even an ice-skating rink.

 

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Telluride

Telluride, Colorado

#9 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Snowy days and a postcard-worthy mountain backdrop make Telluride one of the best places to visit in December for a joyful winter escape. You'll feel like you're at the North Pole with the town's colorful Christmas celebrations: Expect festive train rides, ice skating, and Santa meet-and-greets. The downtown's Victorian architecture only adds to the vibe. Venture out and you'll encounter some of the country's best winter sports. Beginners can learn on gentle runs and wide-open slopes while seasoned skiers can try their hand at thrilling vertical drops. If you're seeking something more chilled out, snowshoe along scenic trials dotted with frozen waterfalls.

 

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Florida Keys

Florida Keys,Florida

#10 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

The Florida Keys’ pleasant temperatures and sunny days mean this coastal haven deserves a spot on your list of the best warm places to travel in December. While other parts of the country experience the winter chill, here the mercury remains stable in the 70s—perfect weather for lazing on Sombrero Beach's sugar-white sands. The dry conditions also make this one of the best times of year for seeing rainbow-colored marine life in the Gulf's sprawling coral reefs. While you may feel like you're in the Caribbean, December in the Florida Keys still promises festive spirit with carol concerts and Christmas shopping.

 

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Steamboat Spring

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

#11 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Steamboat Springs is a contender for one of the best places to travel in December for those craving a magical winter escape. This enchanting mountain town in Colorado hosts a multitude of seasonal events, including Christmas markets, firework displays, and traditional parades. The fresh snow makes for excellent skiing conditions, too. Many of the slopes even open after dark for one-of-a-kind night skiing sessions throughout December. When you're not chasing the thrills, soothe your ski-worn muscles with a dip in the town's hot springs. The popular wellness center is home to water slides and outdoor thermal pools, and you can even indulge in spa treatments and massages.

 

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New York City

New York City, New York

#12 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

The opportunity to see some of world's most iconic landmarks decorated for Christmas makes New York City one of the best places to travel in December. The Big Apple takes on a different kind of vibe during the holidays, with events like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting and New Year's Eve in Times Square a must. Marvel at the elaborate window displays of the department stores along Fifth Avenue, skate on Central Park's vast ice rink, and catch a festive show on Broadway. December's cold temperatures in New York mean you could even experience a white Christmas.

 

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London

London, England

#13 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

With its Victorian atmosphere, elegant Christmas decorations, and packed events calendar, it's easy to see why London is among the best places to visit in December. From Regent Street's sparkling lights to Trafalgar Square's towering tree, the UK capital feels like a fairy tale in December. Browse the traditional Christmas markets along the South Bank, go ice skating at one of the royal palaces, or enjoy live music and festive rides in Hyde Park. For heartwarming Christmas traditions, don't miss a traditional carol service at St Paul's Cathedral. A short tube ride away, pick up holiday gifts in Oxford Street's world-class stores.

 

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Bahamas

Bahamas, Caribbean

#14 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Hot weather and sunny days thrust the Bahamas high up the list of the best warm places to go in December. This sublime Caribbean archipelago promises temperatures in the 80s and over 7 hours of sunshine each day throughout December. Swap your winter coat for your bathing suit and soak up the rays on Paradise Island. Here, you'll encounter some of the Bahamas' most luxurious beach resorts. If you're near Nassau for the holidays, don't miss the Junkanoo Festival where you'll witness colorful costumes and lively parades with music and dance as islanders celebrate Christmas.

 

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Rome

Rome, Italy

#15 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Rome ranks among the top places to go in December for a festive city break that's packed with tradition. Catch a glimpse of the twinkling Christmas Tree in St. Peter's Square before losing yourself among Piazza Navona's yuletide markets. For a distinctly Rome experience, join the crowds for Midnight Mass in the Vatican or take your seat for a performance of the Nutcracker at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Rome's world-famous opera house. Despite the city's infectious festive vibe, December typically sees fewer tourists in the Eternal City. This means you can explore iconic attractions like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain without the crowds.

 

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Berlin

Berlin, Germany

#16 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

With its holiday markets and festive lights, Berlin earns its spot as one of the best places to travel in December. Wrap up warm as you browse the hundreds of stalls at Charlottenburg, Berlin's elegant Baroque Palace. Over near Alexanderplatz, ride the Ferris wheel before trying seasonal treats like gingerbread and glühwein. Some of the city's most impressive decorations await in Kurfürstendamm, where you'll also encounter world-class shopping ideal for picking out festive gifts. Another unmissable attraction is the Christmas Garden at the Botanical Garden. This circular trail enchants with its fascinating light installations, ice-skating rink, and fairytale-like atmosphere.

 

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Telluride

Miami, Florida

#17 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

If you're desperate to swap the winter chill for sunny beach weather, Miami is one of the best warm places to go in December. Ditch your gloves and scarf—this sun-soaked corner of Florida promises balmy daytime temperatures in the mid-70s and nighttime lows in the 60s. Sip on mojitos in the lively bars along Ocean Drive, hit up South Beach for some serious tanning, or kick back under the swaying palm trees near Crandon Park. While it may feel like a summer vacation, Miami is not without its holiday vibes. You'll encounter festive events throughout the city, like holiday carols at Miami's historic Deering Estate.

 

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The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds, England

#18 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

As far as the best places to visit in December go, few destinations come close to the Cotswolds. This storybook region of England promises a tempting mix of rural walks, cozy villages, and old-world Christmas charm. The idyllic village of Castle Combe promises a traditional English Christmas, with its carol concerts, festive lights, and quaint pubs serving typical festive fare. Be sure to try the “pigs in blankets” dish. A short drive away, the regal Blenheim Palace awaits with its yuletide splendor. Slip into some skates and glide across the ice rink under the shadow of its opulent Christmas tree.

 

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Azores

Azores, Portugal

#19 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

The Azores is one of the best places to visit in December thanks to its agreeable weather and year-end festivities. These verdant Portuguese islands promise comfortable temperatures with average highs in the mid-60s and lows in the 50s, making for ideal conditions to explore the islands' wonders. Hike around the volcanic Sete Cidades lagoon or witness the steaming volcanic geysers at Furnas. The capital, Ponta Delgada, enchants with its sleepy squares, centuries-old architecture, and festive decorations. December is also low season in the Azores, so you'll enjoy smaller crowds and great deals on vacation rentals.

 

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Paros

Paros, Greece

#20 in Best Places to Visit in December 2025

Few tourists and mild weather position the Greek island of Paros as one of the best places to travel in December. The cooler temperatures deter beach goers, meaning you can often score off-season savings on vacation rental deals. It's also the perfect time of year for hiking the scenic Byzantine Trail and climbing the picturesque Kefalos Hill without scorching under the sun. Delve into the otherworldly Antiparos Cave and explore traditional whitewash villages like Lefkes, Marpissa, and Naoussa. With fewer crowds, you can expect a more intimate experience, and, at times, you may feel like you've got the island to yourself.

 

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Methodology

We have curated these lists of top destinations by month by combining real booking data and expert insights. Some destinations were chosen based on actual booking data, reflecting popular choices for trips during a particular month. Additionally, our travel editors used their expertise to select other destinations, ensuring a well-rounded and inspiring list. This ranking is designed to provide helpful ideas and guidance for planning your trip in a particular month, offering a mix of trending spots and expert recommendations.

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