Best vacation spots for a fabulous Summer Christmas - Fun in the sun!

The Travel and Home team gladly shares their favorite Summer Christmas Holiday Destinations. This is our personal choice; the places we love to visit over Christmas.

A list of the best places to spend your summer Christmas holiday:

Home is where the heart is, especially if your heart is happiest at home. It’s your cozy corner, your safe haven, and the perfect place to soak in the Christmas spirit. But for some, the heart wanders. If travel calls to you, the holidays are the perfect time to explore some of the world’s most charming destinations. Christmas magic can be found in every corner of the globe if you know where to look.

Experience the Disney Christmas Magic in the USA

You can book ‘n flight and experience the Disney Christmas Magic at Walt Disney World Resort. Or book your holiday anywhere in the world.

Easily book your summer Christmas Holiday

Orlando Florida

In Florida, you can swap your snow boots for flip-flops as you stroll along the shores of Miami Beach or explore the charming streets of St. Augustine.

For the young at heart:

Christmas at Walt Disney World; what more can you ask for? Experience the magic of Christmas in Orlando, Florida! Visit the enchanting Walt Disney World, where fairy lights adorn every corner, parades of beloved characters spread cheer, and Cinderella’s Castle shines in holiday splendor. Enjoy warm weather as you explore thrilling rides and festive decorations. The festive spirit is contagious and the weather in Orlando Florida in December is very pleasant – perfect for a summer Christmas.

TRAVEL TIP – Reserve Dining Early: Popular restaurants book up quickly during the holiday season. Make reservations in advance, especially for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals.

…and you definitely want to visit Disney Springs… and go on a Christmas tree stroll (“scavenger hunt”). Disney Springs is one of the best places you can visit during Christmas summertime.

South Africa and Australia

Australia and South Africa’s Christmas Traditions are pretty much alike: Celebrating the summer holiday with lazy days at the beach. Fairy lights, Christmas markets, and Carols by Candle Light events, as well as schools having nativity plays, from as early as the end of October and November. The traditional trifle is a firm favorite for after Christmas lunch. Lunch usually includes some or all of the following: Ham / Gammon, Turkey, Leg of Lamb, salads, cherries, prawns, and much, much more.

South Africans love to braai with friends and family on Christmas Day, and Christmas Eve is usually spent opening gifts around the Christmas tree. The Australian Barbeque is also a huge favorite this time of the year.

Cape Town is the place to be!

Watching the sunsets from the beach, enjoying sundowners in Campsbay, loving a braai at someone’s home, or just spending a lazy evening with some pretty spectacular views of sunsets: Christmas is a fun time here.

Celebrate Christmas with Watermelon and ‘Spanspek’, iced cream and berries, or a traditional ‘braai’.

Cape Town, South Africa, is where the Southern Hemisphere’s summer truly shines. Picture yourself celebrating the season at the foot of Table Mountain, enjoying a festive braai (barbecue) on the beach, or exploring the scenic wine routes under the warm sun.

In South Africa, Adderley Street Cape Town is bumper-to-bumper traffic in the evenings with everyone heading out to see the Christmas lights.

Australian Beach Days!

And then there’s Australia, where Christmas can mean anything from a barbecue on Bondi Beach to snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef—down under, it’s all about outdoor fun and adventure.

Australia’s famous Bondi beach is packed during Christmas and a favorite spot to hang out for both tourists and locals.

Discover the beauty of Australia

Places to see and visit.

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Fab places to stay in Cape Town

Enjoy summer on the beach.

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Reasons why you should visit

Camps Bay in Summer Time

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Celebrating Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere offers a unique twist on the holiday season. Down here, December marks the height of summer, so instead of snowflakes and hot cocoa, you’ll find sunshine, beach days, and barbecues. In places like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Christmas traditions blend the familiar with the season’s warm, vibrant energy.

A summer Christmas Holiday at the beach is fun for the whole family. No sitting around indoors or hiding away from the cold. Get out there and enjoy the sun.

Summer Christmas Markets

Travel Trivia

Australia

The Deutsche Schule Melbourne hosts a German Christmas Market which is a mix of Australian and German Christmas market traditions in North Fitzroy, Australia.

Travel Trivia

South Africa

Two Western Cape Christmas markets recently made the list for best Christmas Markets in the world: The Stellenbosch Slow Market and the Franschhoek Village Christmas Market.

Next up is: Hawaii

Christmas trees decorated with tropical flowers, Santa Clause in shorts and with his surfboard next to him, festive lights at night, and warm summer days, are what you can expect Christmas in Hawaii to be like. Shhhhh………It is said that Santa Clause “comes to Hawaii to warm up before Christmas starts at the North Pole”. Each year Hawaii plans special events in different towns to celebrate a Summer Christmas, like no other. Hawaii offers a tropical twist on Christmas with hula shows and luaus under the stars, all framed by the stunning backdrop of volcanic peaks and endless ocean views.

Experience Oahu at Christmas:

Oahu is a beautiful place to spend Christmas. Start by soaking in the festive spirit at Honolulu City Lights, a month-long celebration in downtown Honolulu. The event kicks off with an exciting opening night and features the dazzling Electric Light Parade on the first Saturday in December—a sight you won’t want to miss. For a touch of local charm, visit the Hukilau Marketplace for their annual Christmas celebration, where you can enjoy holiday festivities with a unique Hawaiian flair.

Food:

In Hawaii, Christmas dinner is a delicious reflection of the island’s diverse cultural mix. What’s on the table can vary widely depending on the household. You might find traditional holiday staples like ham, turkey, or roast beef, sitting alongside island favorites such as kalua pig, poke, lomi lomi salmon, mac salad, opihi, and manapua. The feast often includes sashimi, gyoza, lau lau, and huli huli chicken—just about anything that’s ono (delicious)! The blend of flavors and dishes represents the rich tapestry of ethnicities that call Hawaii home, making every Christmas meal a unique celebration of the islands’ culinary heritage.

Christmas Trees:

It’s not just all palm trees during Christmas time. You can buy traditional Christmas trees at several places that grow trees, including Kula Botanical Garden on Maui, Helemano Farms on Oahu, and the Hamakua Christmas Tree Forest on the Big Island.

Saying Merry Christmas in another language:

Mele Kalikimaka is such a lovely Christmas phrase to say – this video still explains it best:

Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere...

Imagine trading a roaring fireplace for a sandy beach, where Christmas Day might involve a picnic by the sea or a swim in the ocean. Many Southern Hemisphere countries have adopted European traditions, like Christmas trees and festive meals, but with a summer flair—think fresh seafood, cold salads, and outdoor feasts under the sun.

Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere is a reminder that the holiday spirit isn’t tied to a winter wonderland—it’s about celebrating with loved ones, no matter the weather. It’s a fresh, sun-soaked perspective on a beloved tradition.

If there is one thing you learn quickly when traveling abroad during Christmas, it is that actually, we are all very much alike.

All around the world people treasure that magical and special feeling that warms your heart during the time of Christmas.

No matter if you are spending it in the snow or on a sandy beach; Christmas is the time to share. Enjoy the festivities and remember to spread the joy.

Spiritual Christmas Holiday Destinations:

For those seeking a Christmas holiday that resonates with deep spiritual meaning, several destinations stand out. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is at the heart of the Christian story. Here, you can join pilgrims from around the world in Manger Square, attend Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, and experience the profound connection to the origins of Christmas. Rome is another powerful choice, where you can visit the Vatican and witness the Pope’s Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, surrounded by centuries of history and faith. In Spain, Seville offers a unique blend of spirituality and tradition, with its solemn yet beautiful Nativity processions, candlelit churches, and sacred music filling the streets. Jerusalem, where the three major Abrahamic religions converge, provides a deeply moving experience as you walk through the Old City, visiting sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall. These places offer more than just a holiday—they provide an opportunity to reflect on the true essence of Christmas in settings rich with history and faith.

For a summer Christmas with spiritual significance, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Seville might not fit the bill, as they experience winter in December. However, Rome, with its Mediterranean climate, can offer a mild and pleasant Christmas experience, though it’s still technically winter.