Get excited about Christmas with these 5 special festivals around the world.

1. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, United Kingdom

Winter Wonderland is the largest Christmas festival in the UK, held annually in London at the southeast corner of Hyde Park. This year, the festival runs from November 17, 2023 to January 1, 2024, extending through the New Year's holiday. The event will be open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, except on Christmas Day.

From thrilling rides to family-friendly performances, classic festive food to the latest London street food, cozy bars to a legendary icy kingdom, Winter Wonderland is a dream for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in a vast space filled with countless exciting activities during Christmas. As night falls, Hyde Park transforms with a myriad of sparkling lights.

2. Budapest Christmas Market - Hungary

Budapest's Christmas Market is located in Vorosmarty Square and near the Basilica. Vorosmarty Square is situated right in the heart of the city and is Budapest's oldest Christmas market. Here you'll find dozens of wooden stalls, a concert stage, thousands of handcrafted gifts, and "very Christmas" foods like Kurtoskalacs (chimney cakes), sausages, mulled wine, roasted vegetables, and street snacks like Langos and dodolle (potato dumplings).

Meanwhile, the Basilica stands out with its Christmas laser shows on the cathedral itself and an ice rink surrounding the large Christmas tree. This year, the fair runs from January 18th until the first day of 2024.

3. Winterfest Yacht Parade, USA

If you're looking for a new experience this Christmas instead of just watching the snow fall, then watching cruise ships celebrate the biggest holiday of the year is sure to be a unique and special experience.

The Winterfest cruise parade takes place annually in December in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It's one of the most spectacular Christmas festivals in the world. Along the Intracoastal Waterway, visitors can admire the beauty of giant cruise ships illuminated by countless lights during the Christmas season.

4. Christmas Festival in Strasbourg, France

The Strasbourg Christmas market is held annually from the last week of November to the end of December in Grande Ile, Strasbourg, France. It's home to Europe's oldest Christmas market, with the first one dating back to 1570. With over 300 local stalls selling decorations and gifts for the holidays, visitors can indulge in shopping for charming items or traditional gifts, such as small cookies called "bredle" and mulled wine.

This year, the festival runs from November 24th to December 24th. Throughout this period, the streets are beautifully decorated, and the sparkling windows illuminated with lights create an even more vibrant atmosphere. Every year, a 30-meter-tall Christmas tree is brought to Kléber Square and decorated in a spectacular and dazzling way, becoming an important symbol of Christmas in Strasbourg, France.

5. Berlin Christmas Market, Germany

As Christmas approaches, the city is filled with dazzling colors, with beautifully decorated Christmas trees and sparkling lights lining the streets. Numerous markets are scattered throughout the city, each offering its own unique style and exciting experiences. However, the most popular markets are located near Charlottenburg Castle and the market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Additionally, Weihnachtszauber, located in the magnificent Gendarmenmarkt square, is one of the most beautiful markets with a wide selection of arts and crafts to choose from. If you're interested in sports and recreational activities, head to Winter World in Potsdamer Platz. It offers winter sports activities, including skiing, ice skating, and ice rinks with free lessons for children.

Bi Le