Considered to be one of the most popular festivals around the world, Christmas involves a religious and cultural celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed generally on December 25th every year. Christmas is a public holiday in many countries throughout the world and is celebrated culturally by a large number of Christian as well as the non-Christian population. The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. It involves gift-giving, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition; as popular tradition has it, an imaginary figure known as Santa Claus is associated with the task of bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season.
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Best Places to Celebrate Christmas
With Christmas just about a week away, many are already thinking about holiday travel plans. The Celebrations are brewing all over the world but you’ll happen to be a bit luckier if you are in one of the 10 places given as under:
1. Provence, South-East France
For those hoping to drift towards a place where the winters are fairytale-like, villages gone silent at summer’s end come back to life, music from the medieval churches fills the cobblestoned streets, the bustling Christmas markets bring beautiful treats; Aix-en-Provence is the correct destination. The place transforms itself into a Christmas fantasy with hundreds of twinkling lights, variously decorated trees, ornaments and toys. The specialty of Provence’s Christmas is the traditional large dinner which all locals and tourists have, called Le Gros Souper (“the big supper”); it consists of seven meat-free courses.
2. The Santa Claus Village, Finland
If you haven’t had enough of the big, fat bundle of joy, rug up and head north to Finland’s Arctic Circle. You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Lapland, Finland. It is known as Europe’s Christmas capital for a reason; the place has two different Santa themed parks, which include real reindeer, a tour of Santa’s workshop, and a meeting with the big man himself.
3. San Juan, Puerto Rico
The place celebrates a most unique and sunny Christmas with a salsa beat and a side-dish of baked pork. Christmas in Puerto Rico gets going early in December, and after the 25th becomes an intense two-week affair filled with food, family and parties. From mid-December the churches start conducting Christmas carols, while the exuberant groups of carolers travel from house to house, making merry. Christmas does become a distinctive yet amazing experience in the background of exotic flora and many sun-kissed beaches.
4. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In the Dutch Capital, the old-world charm is still alive with the of 16th- and 17th-century houses adorning it’s streets, strung with beautiful, twinkling lights right from early-December. The Dutch Christmas celebration starts with Sinterklaas (St Nicholas, patron saint of Amsterdam) arriving on December 5th bringing gifts for all the children and Christmas being celebrated on the 25th, a time reserved for family and close friends. Some of the major attractions during this holiday season would be the Amsterdam Light Festival, Christmas Circus, Its many markets (Sunday Market, Neighbor Food Market) etc. One can consider lingering through the Nieuwmarkt or Dam square on the New Year’s Eve with a bottle of champagne and gorgeous fireworks in the background.
5. New York, United States
Which is already one of the most iconic cities of the world adds to its enchantment in the months of December/January. The world’s tallest Christmas tree is lit at the Rockefeller Center with about 30,000 lights attached to 5 miles of wiring and topped off with a 550-pound star. Ice skating below the tree, having carriage rides through Central Park, checking out the elaborate department store displays, and strolling through some of the city’s classic brownstone-lined streets becomes one of the most cherished experiences. Also, one of the charms of Christmas celebration here is the Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker”. With all this and much more, New York certainly boasts of being one of the best cities to experience a grand Christmas day.
6. Santa Claus, Indiana
With a great name comes great responsibilities and the city certainly lives up to the expectations of it’s visitors. The famous city houses world’s only post-office with the Santa Claus name. The city also has world’s first theme park, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, featuring three of the top wooden roller coasters and the world’s longest water coaster. It brings various Christmas themed shops and attractions such as Santa’s Candy Castle, Santa Claus Christmas Store, Santa’s Stables, and more.
7. Nuremberg, Germany
Instead of heaving presents from the departmental stores try the Christkindlesmarkt held annually in Nuremberg, Germany, this festive season. With about two million visitors each year Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is one of the largest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. Attractions here are in the form of proffer toys, trinkets, candles, gingerbread and sweets to shoppers warmed by sizzling bratwurst and mulled wine. Best time to go out would be after dark when the lights create a fairy-tale spectacle and the surroundings look enchanting.
8. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
The Piñatas, posadas and ponche await you this festive season. The celebrations in this city starts from December 16th with a giant procession through town. Numerous posada re-enactments, fireworks, live music and dancing goes around the city’s main square El Jardin. Try the local drink ponche and the sweet bread Rosca de Reyes.
9. Quebec City, Canada
Lights, decorations and snow makes Quebec city one of the hottest Christmas destinations. The city bustles with holiday programs and activities satisfying all tastes, even those who are environment –friendly as one can see Christmas celebrations around a tree made from recycled sheet metal, with lights powered by the pedaling of nearby cyclists. Others rejoice candlelight evenings with sausage, roast chestnut and wine listening to stories of Charles Dickens, recounting the Christmas traditions of yore. Hiking, snowshoeing and skiing are other activities that can be taken up.
10. Prague, Czech Republic
The Cultural Capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, Prague has one of the grandest and fascinating Christmas celebrations. With its incredible Gothic and Baroque architecture, Prague gives way for dazzling decorations and lighting throughout the city. In addition, the various Christmas Markets in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square assure one of a memorable holiday experience.
These are the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas at.