Looking to escape for the holidays or plan an unforgettable Christmas break? Our new data-led study has revealed the destinations that spark the most Christmas joy around the world, based on the sentiment of hundreds of thousands of online reviews.
Our researchers analyzed over 180 destinations, ranking each by a combined score of average online ratings and a specific "Christmas Joy Score" determined by how often the word "Christmas" appeared in 4 and 5-star reviews.
A Global Look at the Most Festive Holiday Destinations
Topping the global list are two festive favorites: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and the iconic Central Park in New York City. While the Studio Tour brings Harry Potter’s snowy Hogwarts to life, Central Park delivers those timeless winter scenes you've seen in every holiday movie. For American travelers, Central Park isn't just close to home, it's also the country's leading source of yuletide cheer according to our data.
Other standout US destinations include Bryant Park, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood locations.
The Top 15 Christmas Joy Destinations
Rank | Destination | Avg. Online Review Rating | No. of 4/5 Star Reviews Featuring "Christmas" | Christmas Joy Score (out of 5) | Total Joy Score (out of 10) |
1 | Warner Bros Studio Tour London (UK) | 4.75 | 931 | 5 | 9.75 |
1 | Central Park (New York, USA) | 4.75 | 746 | 5 | 9.75 |
2 | Grand Place - Grote Markt (Brussels, Belgium) | 4.7 | 977 | 5 | 9.7 |
3 | Bryant Park (New York, USA) | 4.65 | 939 | 5 | 9.65 |
4 | Walt Disney World Resort (Florida, USA) | 4.55 | 795 | 5 | 9.55 |
5 | Center Parcs - Longleat Forest (Wiltshire, UK) | 4.45 | 690 | 5 | 9.45 |
6 | Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen, Denmark) | 4.4 | 927 | 5 | 9.4 |
7 | Center Parcs - Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire, UK) | 4.3 | 741 | 5 | 9.3 |
8 | Disneyland Paris (France) | 4.25 | 795 | 5 | 9.25 |
8 | Center Parcs - Elveden Forest (Suffolk, UK) | 4.25 | 768 | 5 | 9.25 |
9 | The Met - Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA) | 4.8 | 341 | 4 | 8.8 |
9 | Old Québec (Québec City, Canada) | 4.8 | 328 | 4 | 8.8 |
10 | Top of the Rock (New York, UK) | 4.7 | 609 | 4 | 8.7 |
11 | Eiffel Tower (Paris, France) | 4.65 | 440 | 4 | 8.65 |
11 | Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Vienna, Austria) | 4.65 | 267 | 4 | 8.65 |
12 | Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (Québec City, Canada) | 4.6 | 286 | 4 | 8.6 |
13 | Kew Gardens (London, UK) | 4.55 | 664 | 4 | 8.55 |
13 | St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna, Austria) | 4.55 | 354 | 4 | 8.55 |
13 | Prague Castle (Czech Republic) | 4.55 | 314 | 4 | 8.55 |
14 | Universal Orlando Resort (Florida, USA) | 4.5 | 482 | 4 | 8.5 |
14 | Times Square (New York, USA) | 4.5 | 448 | 4 | 8.5 |
14 | Universal Studios Hollywood (California, USA) | 4.5 | 260 | 4 | 8.5 |
15 | Liseberg Park (Göteborg, Sweden) | 4.4 | 253 | 4 | 8.4 |
Key Highlights for US Travelers:
New York City is the Christmas Joy Capital with five spots in the top 15, including Central Park, Bryant Park, The Met, Top of the Rock, and Times Square. The city's mix of classic winter charm and festive programming makes it the ultimate Christmas vacation spot, not to mention how great the city is for celebrating New Year’s Eve too.
Theme Parks also bring the Christmas cheer. With their immersive holiday events and parades, it's really no surprise that Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and Universal Studios Hollywood ranked so highly.
Holiday joy isn’t just in cities either. For those visiting the UK this year, it may be worth taking a look at forested resorts like Center Parcs. Our data shows there's strong interest in cozy, rural British retreats where families can connect in a festive setting.
Historic charm still matters as well. Places like Brussels, Vienna, and Old Québec ranked highly thanks to their traditional Christmas markets and fairy-tale architecture, suggesting that timeless ambiance is a key ingredient in holiday joy
Plan Your Joy-Filled Christmas Getaway
Whether you're in the mood for the sparkle of NYC or the festive magic of Universal Orlando Resort’s Wizarding World, there’s a destination waiting to add some serious joy to your Christmas plans. Explore holiday ticket deals and plan your next festive adventure with us today.
