The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into the Holiday Spirit

The holiday season is more than a time of year — it’s an atmosphere you step into. It’s the aroma of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, the swell of a live orchestra in a grand theatre, and the shimmer of lights on a frosty evening. The best way to fully embrace that magic is to layer your experiences: wander through festive markets, take in The Nutcracker, skate under a skyline, watch a tree come to life in a dazzling lighting ceremony, and, if you’re lucky, see Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before… or the Radio City Rockettes live.

From North America’s over-the-top holiday productions to Europe’s centuries-old market squares and river cruises, here’s your insider’s guide to the season’s most magical destinations.

North America: Where Holiday Magic Takes Center Stage

New York City, NY
New York in December is nothing short of a holiday pilgrimage. Spend your days at the Bryant Park Winter Village or Union Square Holiday Market, hunting for artisanal treasures and sipping hot cider. As evening falls, head to Lincoln Center for the New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker, where George Balanchine’s choreography and the snow-filled stage deliver pure magic. No trip would be complete without seeing the legendary Radio City Rockettes in their Christmas Spectacular, a high-energy blend of precision dancing, jaw-dropping sets, and holiday nostalgia. Add in a spin around the Rockefeller Center ice rink beneath the towering Christmas tree, or the larger, free rink at Bryant Park, and you have the perfect New York holiday day. If timing allows, catch Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before… at Madison Square Garden — a dazzling acrobatic twist on a Christmas classic.

Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia’s German-style Christmas Village in LOVE Park brings a European flair to the heart of the city, with bratwurst, ornaments, and glühwein at every turn. Pair your market stroll with the Pennsylvania Ballet’s timeless Nutcracker, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into your own holiday postcard. The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest offers ice skating with sweeping views of the Delaware River, while the City Hall tree lighting kicks off nightly light shows that sparkle against the historic architecture.

Quebec City, Canada
Few places capture the essence of a winter wonderland quite like Old Quebec. The German Christmas Market here meanders through cobblestone streets framed by 17th-century buildings dusted with snow. For an extra dose of seasonal magic, make the short trip to Montreal for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens’ Nutcracker, a whimsical, French-Canadian take on the classic. Lace up your skates at the Place d’Youville rink, where historic city walls form your backdrop, and join locals for the Old Quebec tree lighting, complete with choirs and a warm, communal spirit.

Houston, TX
In Houston, the holidays come with a dash of Texas flair — and plenty of sparkle. The city’s signature shopping event, the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market, is one of the largest Christmas markets in the country. For four days each November, NRG Center transforms into an enormous holiday emporium with hundreds of merchants selling everything from gourmet treats to designer décor, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Houston Ballet. Beyond the market, Houston’s artisan pop-ups and Holiday in the Park celebrations keep the festive energy going all season long. The Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker is a visual feast, widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world thanks to its elaborate costumes and intricate set design. Discovery Green’s outdoor ice rink adds a touch of winter charm to the city’s mild climate, while the Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular fills the night with live music, fireworks, and a massive tree lighting that rivals those in colder climates.

Boston, MA
Boston pairs old-world charm with modern holiday cheer. The Boston Winter Holiday Market at City Hall Plaza is perfect for browsing local and international gifts before making your way to the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker, famous for its giant dancing stuffed bears and richly traditional staging. Glide across the Frog Pond rink in Boston Common, then join the crowds for the annual tree lighting ceremony — a tradition dating back decades, with the tree gifted each year by Nova Scotia in gratitude for the city’s help after the Halifax Explosion of 1917.

San Francisco, CA
In San Francisco, the holidays are marked by the Civic Center Plaza Holiday Market and the sweet scent of chocolate drifting from Ghirardelli Square’s Winter Wonderland. The San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker sets Clara’s journey against a 1915 World’s Fair backdrop, adding a distinctly local touch to the story. Union Square’s outdoor ice rink sparkles beneath palm trees and high-end department store displays, while Pier 39’s nightly tree lighting transforms the waterfront into a dazzling spectacle. Don’t miss the life-sized gingerbread house in the Fairmont Hotel’s lobby, a local holiday legend.

Seattle, WA
Seattle’s Urban Craft Uprising Holiday Market showcases the region’s best independent makers, perfect for finding unique gifts. The Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker is a visual masterpiece, with exquisite costumes and a set design that feels like a snow globe come to life. Skate at the Seattle Center Winterfest rink, then head downtown for the Westlake Center tree lighting and fireworks. For something different, join the crowds along the waterfront for the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival — a fleet of decorated boats sailing Puget Sound with onboard carolers — or drive to nearby Bellevue for Snowflake Lane’s nightly parade and faux snow.

Europe: Markets, Magic & Holiday River Cruises

Europe’s holiday traditions run deep, with Christmas markets dating back centuries. Vienna’s Rathausplatz glows with warm lights and the scent of vanillekipferl, Strasbourg — the self-proclaimed “Capital of Christmas” — fills its squares with Alsatian specialties, and Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt opens with the angelic prologue of the Christkind herself. In the Alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria, Krampus parades bring a wilder side to the festivities, with horned, fur-covered figures rattling chains through the streets.

One of the most enchanting ways to experience these markets is by holiday river cruise. Imagine unpacking once, then sailing along the Danube, Rhine, or Seine as your ship docks in storybook towns. By day, you’re exploring markets overflowing with handcrafted ornaments and steaming mugs of glühwein; by night, you’re dining onboard as twinkling city lights glide past your window. Many river cruises offer themed excursions — think private market tours with local guides, Christmas concert evenings, or even cookie-baking classes with regional chefs. It’s an intimate, stress-free way to cover multiple countries and their unique holiday customs in one trip.

Hakata at Christmas

Asia: Unexpected Holiday Magic With a Twist

Holiday markets in Asia combine global traditions with local flair. In Hong Kong, WinterFest transforms the Central Harbourfront into a glittering celebration, complete with a towering Christmas tree, light shows, and festive market stalls. Tokyo’s Christmas Market at Meiji Jingu Gaien channels European charm with wooden huts, mulled wine, and Japan’s tallest Christmas pyramid, while seasonal pop-up ice rinks — like the one at Tokyo Midtown — offer a photogenic way to enjoy the season.

Rockefeller Center Ice Skating

Why This Works

The magic of the holidays is in the layering: start your morning at a festive market, spend the afternoon skating beneath fairy lights, watch the curtain rise on The Nutcracker or the Rockettes, then close the evening under a newly lit Christmas tree. Add a Cirque du Soleil holiday performance or a river cruise to the mix, and you’ll carry the glow of the season long after the decorations come down.

If you’re ready to step into the holiday spirit, I can help design a Custom Holiday Itinerary that blends markets, performances, and unique experiences — whether you want to market-hop across Europe, savor the best Nutcrackers in the U.S., or discover unexpected traditions around the world.