The holiday season has officially arrived. December is traditionally the month of celebration for many major holidays, including Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, along with many smaller holidays. For those looking to travel and immerse themselves in a new holiday experience, here are five destinations where holiday traditions and culture are celebrated.

holiday traditions
Photo courtesy of Andrew F Kazmierski via Shutterstock

New York, New York

From Thanksgiving to the New Year, New York City is the best city in the United States to witness the holiday spirit. From the Rockefeller Christmas Tree to the decorations in department stores like FAO Schwartz, the whole city becomes a Winter Wonderland. Catch a Rockettes show at Radio City or go ice skating at Bryant Park throughout the season or visit on Thanksgiving Day for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or become one of the millions to ring in the New Year at Times Square.

Hong Kong

Ta Chiu, one of Hong Kong’s most important holidays, is celebrated on December 27th. During this holiday, those who participate pray to the ghosts of their ancestors and the gods with their wishes for the coming year. A priest then makes a list of everyone gathered at the festival, attaches it to a paper horse, and lights it on fire, believing that the list will be delivered to the ancestors in heaven.

Helsinki, Finland

While Christmas is traditionally a quiet affair at home, Finland is home to many traditions on New Year’s Eve. Traditionally, people gather in Senate Square for a national New Year’s ceremony with speeches by religious or political figures and the singing of the national anthem. However, the more interesting part to the celebration is the magic as people attempt to predict the future and bring good fortune through tricks, such as the casting of the tin, where a horse shoe is used to predict the coming year.

holiday traditions
Photo courtesy of Klara Z via Shutterstock

Budapest, Hungary

Each year, thousands gather in Budapest to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah with the Festival of Lights. This event, which grows bigger every year, centers around the Dohany Street Synagogue, one of the largest synagogues in the world. Entertainment varies by year but typically includes concerts, theater performances, and a fair.

Japan

For travelers looking for an alternative to the typical party atmosphere of the New Year, head to Japan. Omisoka takes place on New Year’s Eve when families gather together for a meal around 11pm, usually consisting of long noodles which they believe will lead to good health, before heading to a shrine or temple. Omisoka is considered the second most important day of the year, second only to the first day of the year. A bell is traditionally struck 108 times to signify the desires that cause human suffering.

What are your favorite travel holiday destinations?

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Sky Fisher is a small-town country girl with a passion for travel. She has a love affair with Central America and currently calls Costa Rica home. Follow her adventures at Sky vs World.

Sky Fisher

Sky Fisher is a small-town country girl with a passion for travel. She has a love affair with Central America and currently calls Costa Rica home. Follow her adventures at Sky vs World.

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