Christmas vacations: 15 of the best places to go

<strong>Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland:</strong> Santa Claus meets with children at his office near Rovaniemi. Located in Lapland, Rovaniemi's Santa Claus Village amusement park is a snow-covered wonderland of reindeer rides, ice castles, snowmobiles and igloo hotels where Christmas holds sway 365 days a year.

Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland: Santa Claus meets with children at his office near Rovaniemi. Located in Lapland, Rovaniemi's Santa Claus Village amusement park is a snow-covered wonderland of reindeer rides, ice castles, snowmobiles and igloo hotels where Christmas holds sway 365 days a year.

Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images

<strong>Bethlehem, Pennsylvania:</strong> Sharing the same name as the birthplace of Jesus in the Bible, the Pennsylvania version of the city goes all out for the holiday. Pictured is a Christmas Eve vigil at the Central Moravian Church.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Sharing the same name as the birthplace of Jesus in the Bible, the Pennsylvania version of the city goes all out for the holiday. Pictured is a Christmas Eve vigil at the Central Moravian Church.

H. Mark Weidman Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

<strong>Bath, England:</strong> This historic city -- known for its Jane Austen ties and ancient Roman baths -- knows how to make a splash with its Christmas market.

Bath, England: This historic city -- known for its Jane Austen ties and ancient Roman baths -- knows how to make a splash with its Christmas market.

Orietta Gaspari/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images

<strong>San Fernando, Philippines:</strong> Home to the Giant Lantern Festival, the city is a visual wonderland at Christmas, such as this footbridge looking out over festive, illuminated decorations.

San Fernando, Philippines: Home to the Giant Lantern Festival, the city is a visual wonderland at Christmas, such as this footbridge looking out over festive, illuminated decorations.

Vejay Villafranca/Bloomberg/Getty Images

<strong>Barcelona, Spain:</strong> Artists dressed as the Three Kings -- Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar -- arrive aboard a boat to Bogatell Beach in Barcelona on January 5, 2021, during Epiphany celebrations.

Barcelona, Spain: Artists dressed as the Three Kings -- Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar -- arrive aboard a boat to Bogatell Beach in Barcelona on January 5, 2021, during Epiphany celebrations.

Pau Barrena/AFP/Getty Images

<strong>New York City:</strong> The biggest city in the United States knows how to do Christmas right. Here's a view of the Rockefeller Plaza ice skating rink with the annual Christmas tree.

New York City: The biggest city in the United States knows how to do Christmas right. Here's a view of the Rockefeller Plaza ice skating rink with the annual Christmas tree.

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

<strong>Nairobi, Kenya:</strong> A group of Kenya acrobats entertains people on Christmas Day. Most offices in the majority Christian nation shut down days before Christmas and reopen after the New Year. Kenyans take a collective break to relish long conversations and buffets filled with traditional delicacies.

Nairobi, Kenya: A group of Kenya acrobats entertains people on Christmas Day. Most offices in the majority Christian nation shut down days before Christmas and reopen after the New Year. Kenyans take a collective break to relish long conversations and buffets filled with traditional delicacies.

Boniface Muthoni/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

<strong>Nuremberg, Germany:</strong> The second largest city in Bavaria, the crafts and goodies at Nuremberg's Christmas market are a big draw.

Nuremberg, Germany: The second largest city in Bavaria, the crafts and goodies at Nuremberg's Christmas market are a big draw.

Charles_fotos/Adobe Stock

<strong>Bogotá, Colombia:</strong> The capital city is renowned for its lights, including this previous tunnel-like installation at Usaquen Park.

Bogotá, Colombia: The capital city is renowned for its lights, including this previous tunnel-like installation at Usaquen Park.

Devasahayam Chandra Dhas/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images

<strong>Valletta, Malta:</strong> The Mediterranean island goes all out for the holiday. This Christmas nativity scene was set up in the streets of Valletta, the capital.

Valletta, Malta: The Mediterranean island goes all out for the holiday. This Christmas nativity scene was set up in the streets of Valletta, the capital.

Patryk_Kosmider/iStock Editorial/Getty Images

<strong>Quebec City, Canada:</strong> Rue du Petit-Champlain in the historic core of the city makes a nice setting for a wintry Christmastime stroll.

Quebec City, Canada: Rue du Petit-Champlain in the historic core of the city makes a nice setting for a wintry Christmastime stroll.

Anjelika Gretskaia/Adobe Stock

<strong>San Miguel de Allende, Mexico:</strong> This popular haven for artists is great place to celebrate Christmas with generally temperate, autumn-like weather.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: This popular haven for artists is great place to celebrate Christmas with generally temperate, autumn-like weather.

Megapress/Alamy Stock Photo

<strong>Salzburg and Oberndorf, Austria:</strong> Release Krampus! A man dressed as Krampus, the companion of St. Nicholas and one of Austria's unique Advent traditions, makes his way during a traditional procession.

Salzburg and Oberndorf, Austria: Release Krampus! A man dressed as Krampus, the companion of St. Nicholas and one of Austria's unique Advent traditions, makes his way during a traditional procession.

Kerstin Joensson/AP