The best Winter festivals around the world in December 2024

December brings with it events of varied cultural, festive and lighting significance. All over the world winter celebrations enchants people and guests, inspiring them to experience holidays, creativity, and merrymaking. Below is the list of best winter festivals to be held in December 2024 bringing some amazing experience to enjoy in winter.

Winterlude – Canada

Winterlude focuses on the aspects of winter in Ottawa, Canada, the ice sculpture competition and outdoor ice-rinks. This is a festival of winter arts, meaning that the city turns into a winter wonderland. People skate on the Rideau Canal, while others watch and appreciate the colorful and insightful carved ice sculptures. Winterlude occupies its deserving place among the best winter festivals in the world, and people come with anticipation of cold weather.

Sapporo White Illumination – Japan

Sapporo White Illumination of Japan is made up of millions of LED bulbs that light up the town with unforgettable fairytale scenes. While many people put up lights and install winter-themed decorations, this December cultural celebration is a piece of art that auburns winter traditions mixed with modern aesthetics. Walking around the festival, we find only the streets and parks lit up in the snow; this magically romantic ambiance makes the festival receive a place among the most popular winter festivals around the world.

Christmas Markets – Germany

Christmas markets or Christkindlmarkts are traditional end-of-year festive fairs and perhaps the most emblematic of December. Places like Nuremberg and Dresden get into a festive mood where wooden stalls selling all sorts of handmade artifacts, Christmas carousels, glogg, cooked fruits, etc. These are not solely a shopping bonanza; the rising December cultural celebrations are in fact a chance to relish the Yuletide season and learn why these markets rank among the best festivals in December.

Harbin ice and snow festival – China

Being one of the largest winter festivals around the world, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China is the best winter festival to embrace the art of ice. This festival includes enormous sculpted ice objects, and lots of them are installed with lights that give a surreal atmosphere. For those visitors who prefer to engage in other activities such as sledding, skiing and others which are carried out under the snow, the place is also ideal for those persons. This festival highlights the breathtaking beauty and craftsmanship associated with December festivals around the world.

Festival of lights – Lyon, France

As much as Lyon’s Festival of Lights or Fête des Lumières is a unique and breathtaking cultural event where the city comes alive with creativity in fthe orm of lights. Lyon’s historic buildings and streets are lit by artists from different countries for those who want to see Winter differently. It is widely recognized as one of the best winter festivals and is an effective combination of preserving the spirit of a Romanian village and modern attractions for lovers of culture and travel.

Zermatt Unplugged – Switzerland

Zermatt Unplugged is an annual international music festival that is held in the stunning mountains of the valley of Zermatt in Switzerland. This winter music festival is characterized by very quiet and intimate concerts with musicians in beautiful surroundings. Ever since the yearly event has been recognized among the best winter festivals in the world where art and nature unite to welcome music lovers to this mountainous retreat.

Hogmanay – Scotland

Scotland’s Hogmanay is a very special New Year’s Eve celebration that lasts for several days and includes nighttime torchlight parades, concerts, and flames of fireworks. , Hogmanay, originating from pre-history is one of the most colorful cultural festivals in December, which encourages people to celebrate and share happiness irrespective of the freezing cold.

Pingxi lantern festival preview – Taiwan

Although the main Pingxi Lantern Festival is held in early 2025, the events in December are a good sign of the upcoming magical event. The people send up sky lanterns, where each one has someone’s dreams or desires inside of it. December cultural celebration holds the ability to offer spiritual and serene means through which the richness of Taiwan’s culture can be ascertained.

Aurora festival – Iceland

The Aurora Festival will take place in Iceland, focusing on the breathtaking luminosity of the Northern lights. As with guided tours, photography courses, and the Minnes Erikssen fairytale saga, it becomes a wonderful winter holiday. This festival is undoubtedly one of the best winter festivals in the world, thus gifting the audiences with a view of nature’s light show.

Dubai shopping festival – UAE

For warm December shopping and entertainment, the World Shopping Festival is located in Dubai. Free concerts, fireworks displays, and the best offers and discounts remain available to visitors during this event. So, it is a unique December festival around the world, intertwining luxury and excitement.

Experience these festivals with JetSaver

Through JetSaver, get the best deals from different airlines and online travel agencies, making your dream of attending those winter festivities across the world come through. If you are planning a trip to Canada, Japan, Germany, or any other country for icy adventure, a visit to the beautiful city of lights, or the famous Christmas markets respectively, JetSaver helps you to secure cheap and easy flight tickets. We want to take the strain out of planning your adventure so you can start creating your wonderful memories.