Where to go in December

Alumbrado season — Medellín's Christmas light festival transforms the valley into one of the world's most extraordinary illuminated cities.

Dry-season clarity returns for Christmas — posadas, piñatas, and 21°C days with cold nights.

NYE fireworks that define a city — 26°C summer, Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and eye-watering prices.

Peak season at full intensity — perfect weather, Dubai Shopping Festival launches, NYE fireworks at Burj Khalifa are world-class.

Christmas Hoi An is genuinely magical — lanterns and festive lights, though rain is still frequent.

Dry season quality returns with Christmas prices — book months ahead for December Tulum.

Christmas lights, a good Caga Tió tradition, and prices well below summer.

Christmas escape from northern Europe — 18°C and sunshine when London is grey and frozen.

Christmas Lisbon is genuinely festive and far less expensive than Northern European capitals.

Quiet and cold — early December still has foliage; after that, Kyoto at its most contemplative.

Christmas market season — Old Town Square transforms into one of Europe's most magical winter scenes.

Peak month: near-perfect weather meets Christmas/New Year demand and premium prices.

Darkest nights, Christmas in Reykjavik, epic New Year bonfires — and aurora every clear night.

Illuminations season — Tokyo goes all-in on Christmas lights despite not celebrating Christmas.

Peak season with Christmas and New Year premiums — spectacular conditions, maximum prices.

Peak summer with Christmas premium — spectacular conditions, maximum prices.

Vienna's most celebrated month — Christmas markets are among Europe's finest, prices reflect it.

Winter quiet with Christmas atmosphere — the presepe tradition and empty village lanes.

Christmas in Rome is genuinely beautiful — festive markets, nativity scenes, and reasonable prices.

Cold and wet — but Istanbul at Christmas is quietly atmospheric.

Almost completely closed — honest advice: choose a different Greek destination in December.

Dry season fully established, Christmas and New Year demand driving prices to annual highs.

Christmas in New York is as cinematic as the movies suggest — and priced accordingly.

Cold but clear — Christmas markets and a very dry sky for winter palace photography.

Christmas in Paris is genuinely spectacular — expensive, cold, but worth considering once.

Christmas market season — the canal ice rinks and winter lights make this worth considering.

Christmas lights on Regent Street, mulled wine in Borough Market — cold but London earns its festive reputation.

Festival season begins — spectacular city energy, 246mm of rain, and prices approaching Carnival level.

The wettest month and the most festive — Orchard Road Christmas lights rival anywhere in Asia, NYE over Marina Bay is spectacular.

Very wet, mild, and quiet — Christmas in Dubrovnik is atmospheric but damp.

Wet season proper — heavy rain returns alongside Christmas holiday tourists and the year's warmest sea.

Christmas and New Year drive prices back up — peak crowds meet peak monsoon.