Best Christmas & New Year Holiday Ideas 2025-26
Spending the holidays abroad should feel magical — not mass-produced. On GuidesFinder you talk to local experts directly and co-create an itinerary that hits your personal sweet spot: family-friendly markets, Michelin-star dinners, or warm-weather beach fireworks. Below you’ll find hand-picked destinations for 2025–26 with climate, crowd and date intel — plus a step-by-step guide to hiring the perfect private guide.
| Theme | Region | Best dates | Average temp. | Crowd level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Christmas markets | Germany, Austria | 28 Nov – 23 Dec | 28°–41°F (−2°–5°C) | Very high |
| Festive routes in Italy | N & S Italy | 8 Dec – 6 Jan | 32°–50°F (0°–10°C) | High |
| Christmas lights Portugal | Lisbon, Porto, Madeira | 24 Nov – 6 Jan | 50°–72°F (10°–22°C) | Medium |
| Paris & Alsace magic | France (Paris, Strasbourg) | 17 Nov – 7 Jan | 30°–45°F (−1°–7°C) | Very high |
| Festivals & fireworks | Dublin, Ireland | 14 Nov – 1 Jan | 38°–48°F (3°–9°C) | Med-high |
| Warm winter escape | Thailand & Vietnam | 20 Dec – 10 Jan | 75°–86°F (24°–30°C) | Medium |
Note: Sources: 1991–2020 climate normals (DWD, Météo-France, IPMA, Met Éireann, TMD, NCHMF) & national tourism boards (pulled July 2025).
Italy Christmas Itinerary 2025 — Markets, Midnight Mass & Fireworks
Primary keyword: private Christmas tours 2025
Key dates: 8 Dec 2025 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) kicks off the season; markets run to 6 Jan 2026.
Highlights & Things To Do in Italy at Christmas
- Mercatini di Natale in Trento & Milan: try panettone + vin brûlé.
- Glass-blowing workshop on Murano — craft your own ornament.
- Underground Nativity scenes in Matera with an art historian.
- Midnight Mass tickets in St Peter’s Basilica + VIP pass on Via della Conciliazione.
- New Year’s Eve yacht facing Castel dell’Ovo for firework dinner.
Insider tip: Trenitalia releases the holiday timetable ~60 days out — grab Executive seats early for lounge access.
Portugal Christmas Lights 2025 — Lisbon, Porto & Madeira
Secondary keyword: best Christmas market tours
Key dates: Lisbon lights 24 Nov – 6 Jan; Guinness-record fireworks Madeira 31 Dec.
Highlights & Things To Do in Portugal at Christmas
- Tuk-tuk photo safari through Alfama look-outs.
- Vintage 1994 Port tasting at Graham’s cellars.
- Balcony box in Funchal for the Atlantic fireworks parade.
- Day-trip to Óbidos for chocolate & ginjinha festival.
See private guides in Portugal
Insider tip: Sit right-hand side LIS → FNC for that cliff-hugging landing view.
Vienna Christmas Markets & Classical Music (Austria)
Key dates: 6 Nov 2025 – 6 Jan 2026.
Highlights & Things To Do in Austria at Christmas
- Hidden courtyards with crowd-free craft stalls.
- Private punsch & Sacher tasting in a historic café.
- Evening concert in Musikverein’s Golden Hall — Europe’s top acoustics.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt — Germany’s Iconic Fair
Key dates: 28 Nov – 24 Dec 2025.
Highlights & Things To Do in Germany at Christmas
- Bake your own Nürnberger Lebkuchen in a family bakery.
- VIP gallery for the Christkind opening prologue.
- Fachwerk old-town walk to the Imperial Castle.
Insider tip: Visit mid-week mornings — zero queue for Rostbratwurst.
Paris & Alsace Christmas Magic — Lights, Wine & Top Views
Secondary keyword: European Christmas vacations
Key dates: Champs-Élysées lights 17 Nov – 7 Jan; Strasbourg market 28 Nov – 24 Dec.
Highlights & Things To Do in France at Christmas
- After-hours roof shoot atop Galeries Lafayette.
- 1st-class TGV to Strasbourg with on-board Gewürztraminer tasting.
- Champagne toast in VIP zone on Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
- Cellar tour at Ruinart, Reims — barrel sample Millésime 2014.
Tropical New Year — Warm Winter Holidays Thailand & Vietnam
Secondary keyword: warm winter holidays Thailand
Key dates: Dry season mid-Dec → Mar; Danang NYE fireworks 31 Dec; Phuket street parties 30–31 Dec.
Highlights & Things To Do for Warm Winter Holidays
- Beach-front villa on Non Nuoc with private chef lobster BBQ.
- Lantern-making class in Hoi An + evening release.
- Charter speedboat from Phuket to Phi-Phi at sunrise 1 Jan.
- Rooftop gala at Banyan Tree Bangkok — panorama of Chao Phraya.
See guides in Vietnam | See guides in Thailand
Insider tip: Apply for e-visa at least two weeks out; Vietnam counters close early on 31 Dec.
Dublin Winter Lights & NYF 2026 — Ireland
Key dates: Winter Lights 14 Nov – 1 Jan; New Year Festival 29 Dec – 1 Jan.
Highlights & Things To Do in Ireland at Christmas
- Private tour + cellar dinner in Dublin Castle.
- 12-year Jameson & mince-pie pairing.
- VIP riverfront spot on Custom House Quay for countdown.
- Dawn lottery inside Newgrange passage tomb (40 people/day).
Insider tip: Enter the solstice lottery ASAP — usually closes early November.
⚠️ Dates, transport schedules and visa rules are current as of 14 Oct 2025 and may change without notice. Verify with your guide or official sources before booking flights.
Checklist — How to Hire a Local Guide on GuidesFinder
- Go to the Private Tour Guides page.
- Select your destination in filters (country, city).
- Refine with filters: guide language.
- Open a guide’s profile to review bio, licences, photos and reviews.
- Click “Message Guide” and send a request with dates, group size, interests and budget.
- Agree details in writing: route, total price, what’s included, deposit and cancellation terms. Keep confirmations.
- Keep the message thread and your guide’s contacts handy until meetup day.
- After the tour, leave a review — it helps the community and boosts the guide’s ranking.
Need more details? Check our Traveler FAQ for payments, visas and last-minute changes.
How to Plan the Perfect Private Holiday Tour
- Define your travel style: family, foodie, culture-heavy or adrenaline. Clear goals save countless emails.
- Reality-check the budget. Add a 15% buffer for surprises.
- Sort paperwork: valid passport, visa (if needed), travel insurance covering planned activities.
- Message your guide with dates, headcount, wishlist and budget.
- Lock in the itinerary & price in writing; clarify on-site expenses and deposit policy.
- Agree on payment method — cash on arrival, bank transfer, or online link.
- Do a 72-hour final check-in: meeting point, backup contact, weather plan B.
- Review & share once you’re back — good karma and community credibility.
Wrap-up: Plan Early, Travel Smart
Peak season means peak demand: the earlier you talk to a local guide, the better your shot at VIP balconies, concert tickets and crowd-free mornings. GuidesFinder connects you directly — no middlemen, no hidden fees — so every tour above can be tailored to your pace and wallet.
Chat with a local guide today and design a 2025–26 Christmas or New Year getaway that’s truly yours.