Why Visit Your City This December? 🎄✨

[Oksana127]

The holiday season brings magic to every city — what makes yours special in December? Share your festive spots, markets, treats, or traditions that guests can’t miss!

Here in Riga (Latvia), December is pure enchantment:

-Twinkling Christmas markets in the Old Town 🍷🎁

-Cobblestone streets and medieval charm ✨ 

-Seasonal Latvian treats like gingerbread cookies 🍪

 

Guests visiting Riga in December will experience warmth, lights, and unforgettable holiday vibes! ❄️

Now it’s your turn — what makes your city magical in December?

[Anan871]

In my city, the historic town square is where December truly comes to life. The lights go up, local bakers start offering seasonal treats you only see once a year, and the little crafts market becomes the coziest place to browse in the evenings. It’s easy but feels fantastic every time.

[Emilie]

@Anan871 Which city are you from? It sounds like a lovely place to visit for the end of year festivities 😊

[Genoveva25]

In Galloway NJ we are 20 minutes away from Atlantic City where all the casino are beautifully decorated. The Irish pub is a must to see during the holidays. The Airbnb is less then 10 minutes from Historical Smithville Village and Renault Winery were they are ready for the holidays with so many festive decorations and activities Smithville Village lakeRenault wineryIrish pubIrish pub

[Andrea6232]

Buongiorno @Oksana127 ,

Venice is magical in all seasons, but in December it is particularly beautiful with its Christmas decorations, such as this nativity scene in a gondola 😍

Andrea

[Emilie]

@Andrea6232 I had never thought that gondolas could be seasonally decorated, how cute! Are many of them adding little touches like this?

[Andrea6232]

@Emilie this is the only one I saw in 20 years visiting Venice 😂

[Emilie]

Hi @Oksana127, 

Seeing how the festive season transforms different parts of world is one of my favourite things, thank you so much for starting this conversation! Riga looks beautiful in December, are there any other Latvian treats that are specific to this season?

Although I have just moved out of London, I still consider it to be my city as it had been for years -and it's quite magical this time of the year. We have many Christmas markets to keep us busy, full of spiced and warm smells -but the most fun thing to do in my eyes are light trails. I've added some photos below from previous years s✨

@Emiel1 @Jim-and-Caroline0 @Hayley185 @Tariq52 @Casa-De-La-Tierra0 @Jamie1262 @Katarzyna87 @Peter4379 To name just a few other hosts from around the world -how does your city or area change as the end of the year draws near?

Emilie

[Kotrecia0]

NoogaLights Drive-Thru Holiday Lights

Drive through a spectacular light show near Chattanooga with lots of illuminated displays — great for families and all ages. NoogaLights in Soddy Daisy Holiday Drive‑Thru Light Show

🎄 Holiday Trail of Lights (City-Wide)

Chattanooga’s festive lights include walk-through displays, illuminated parks, and holiday décor around downtown and local attractions — including immersive light shows like NoogaLights at the Choo-Choo. 

🌟 Asian Lantern Festival at the Zoo

See nearly 50 giant handcrafted silk lantern scenes — mythical creatures, fantasy landscapes, even Santa’s workshop — in an illuminated night walk at the Chattanooga Zoo (runs through mid-January).

Holiday Markets & Shopping Events

🎁 Christmas at the Choo-Choo

Join a festive holiday market at the historic Choo-Choo district with local vendors, holiday music, décor, and seasonal fun. 

🎄 Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market (Camp Jordan)

Indoor holiday market with 140+ vendors, free Santa and Grinch photos, food, and crafts — perfect for unique gift shopping. 

Hosted by Touch the Sky Events & Promotions, LLC ® at Arena Camp Jordan.

🎉 Local Holiday Markets & Pop-Ups

Smaller community markets (e.g., at The Commons in Collegedale and vendor pop-ups around town) are common in late Nov & Dec for unique gifts and seasonal snacks. 

🎅 

Parades & Family-Friendly Festivities

🎄 Red Bank Christmas Festival & Parade

Annual local Christmas festival with food vendors, kids’ activities, and a parade — a fun community event during the season. 

🎅 Holiday Market & Tree Lightings

Various neighborhoods and parks often host tree lighting ceremonies and holiday lights celebrations through December — check local listings closer to travel dates.  

[Simone1229]

@Oksana127 Hi Oksana127, the Airbnbs I manage are in Italy, around beautiful lake areas like Lake Garda in the north and Lake Bracciano near Rome. It’s a bit hard to answer because we’re currently in the low season  for example, in Salò (on Lake Garda) the town is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights, there’s an ice-skating rink, and lovely holiday markets. Can I just say that visiting for the Italian food alone is already a good reason? hahaha The truth is, winter here is quiet and not many people visit, but in summer we truly give our best! Riga looks amazing though, I hope to visit it someday too!

[Alex]

Hi @Simone1229! 

I think that Italian food is ALWAYS a good reason to visit Italy. 😋 I went to Turin during the winter and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Is Turin near your city?

[Simone1229]

Hi, no, Turin isn't close, but you know, if you exclude areas like mine, which is all about lakes, relaxing on the beach, and summer vacations, as well as seaside resorts, cities are beautiful at Christmas. Just a stay in Turin, Milan, Florence, or Venice is enough to change everything. Verona, another beautiful city, is close to the lake, but it's rare for people to come and stay with me and then go to Verona for the day. That only happens in the summer.

[Alex]

I'm sure areas like yours must be beautiful during the winter, @Simone1229. Do you get snow in Italy during the winter? I imagine that everything located near the Alps must be especially beautiful during this time of year. Speaking of seasons, what's your favourite season? ☃️

[Simone1229]

That's right, snowy places are enchanting in winter, as are all mountain areas. I don't like the cold, I prefer summer both for the climate and for work, as that is our high season. @Alex 

[Janet1700]

Nairobi in December is typically hot and dry with cloud cover on and off.

 Nairobi flaunt the bragging rights as the only city with a National park in its midist. And not a zoo, a national Park where people can go for a safari and see Lions,

 zebra's, giraffe's, rhino's, buffalo's and a wide area of bird life unique to Nairobi.

 And guess what? Right next to the park, the reason and elephant sanctuary where baby elephants are looked after to be rewilded in the future hundreds of kilometers away.

 Other done your excitement, please come carrying a very good camera for the park is huge.

 And an fyi, Nairobian's leave the city en masse for Christmas and New Year in the villages, 

 to be with parents, siblings, relatives and childhood friends for the festivities. Making Nairobi rather empty, but a good time to explore the city.

 I hope to see you soon in My City.

 Cheers

Janet.