Top Places to Drive to This Christmas

Christmas Events in the United Kingdom

Looking to enjoy the magic of Yuletide across the UK? Discover festive events and celebrations in charming English cities with a car hire from Dollar. Rent a car from us and find your way to all the best Christmas spots, making this holiday season one to cherish for a long time!

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Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

Step into London’s biggest festive fair with ice skating, circus shows, Christmas markets, and live music. Enjoy a classic Christmas atmosphere with twinkling lights and warm mulled wine.

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Christmas at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew

Watch the trees come alive with glittering lights that pave the way to illuminating installations at one of the finest after-dark Christmas events in the country.

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Nutcracker Ballet at the London Coliseum

Witness the festive season’s classic ballet performance, an enchanting spectacle of stunning choreography and magical storytelling.

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Edinburgh Christmas Market

Located on East Princes Street Gardens, this festive market offers gourmet food, handcrafted goods, and thrilling rides on the Big Wheel, Scotland’s largest Ferris wheel. The bright lights and festive tubes make it a must-visit during the Yuletide season.

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The Castle of Light

Watch Edinburgh Castle, the Defender of the Nation, illuminated in a mesmerising after-dark show featuring immersive and interactive installations alongside mouthwatering snacks and drinks from food vendors.

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Christmas Folk Cruise

Enjoy a Christmasy evening on the Firth of Forth with toe-tapping live music by Pure Malt as you cruise under iconic bridges alongside great company and festive cheer in this three-hour cruise.

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The Twilight Trail

Witness Mayfield Park transform into a sea of stars as it hosts an immersive light and sound show that is sure to add joy to your Christmas. Enjoy starry lantern installations, enchanting soundscapes, and spectacular light displays.

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Christmas at Cockfields

Have a meet-and-greet with none other than the grand old man himself - Santa Claus - in his grotto and choose a gift from his magical woodland toy shop. Afterwards, enjoy some marshmallow toasting with Christmas carols.

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Christmas at Heaton Park

Experience an unforgettable Christmas at this fair decked with colour-changing globes of light, gigantic flowers, and neon strings that seem to be reaching for the heavens above.

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Bath Christmas Market

Watch the picturesque paths of Bath transform into a festive and magical experience with the Christmas market, which features 230+ twinkling chalets running through the city’s historic monuments, with delicious food and beverage stalls along the way.

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Bath on Ice at the Royal Victoria Park

Atmospheric lights, wintery festive music, cosy bar, and seasonal drinks that warm the soul - that’s what you experience here. So put your skates on and soak up the Christmas euphoria.

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12 Days of Christmas at Prior Park

A family favourite Christmas destination, the 12 Days of Christmas at Prior Park offer mesmerising and enchanting interpretations that bring to life festive tales designed to entertain children and adults alike.

Best Countries to Celebrate Christmas

Italy

Italy is magical during Christmas, with cheerful lighting and festive markets filling its towns. Rome’s Vatican City hosts a midnight Mass, and in Naples, you’ll find intricate nativity scenes. Head to the northern cities like Milan or Venice to enjoy bustling holiday markets, perfect for finding pretty souvenirs and delicious seasonal treats.

France

France celebrates Christmas in style, from Paris’ dazzling Champs-Élysées to the Alsace region’s picturesque Christmas markets. Strasbourg, known as the ‘Capital of Christmas,’ offers beautiful decorations and mulled wine. Embrace the festive spirit across the country with elaborate Christmas feasts featuring dishes like roast goose, bûche de Noël, and local cheeses.

Germany

Germany is known for its traditional Christmas markets, with towns like Nuremberg, Munich, and Cologne offering some of the best. Sip on hot mulled wine, enjoy roasted chestnuts, and shop for handcrafted gifts. The festive exuberance fills every corner, and the sight of beautifully decorated Christmas trees adds to the enchanting holiday atmosphere.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, Christmas is marked by warmth and tradition. Dutch cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam light up with festive markets and ice rinks. Families gather for hearty feasts, including treats like kerststol and oliebollen, making it a cosy and memorable season across the country.

Christmas Celebrations by Country

Considering a Christmas expedition across Europe? Explore the charm and joy of different countries during the festive season. From sparkling Christmas markets to lively festive events, there’s Christmas cheer in every nook and cranny. Hire a car from Dollar and travel comfortably and smoothly, enjoying the holiday festivities at your own pace.

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Rome

The city’s Piazza Navona restyles itself into a vibrant and cheerful Christmas market with sweet treats, artisanal crafts, and nativity scenes. Consider visiting the Vatican for a special Christmas Eve Mass - a spiritually uplifting way to embrace the holiday spirit.

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Milan

This Italian city lights up with the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Christmas market which has been a Christmas tradition since the 16th century. Take a trip to the grand tree at Piazza Duomo or skate about, under the twinkling lights at the city's numerous ice-skating rinks.

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Naples

Naples is famous for its handcrafted nativity scenes on Via San Gregorio Armeno, located in the historic district of downtown Naples. The entire city buzzes with street performances, light shows, and sparkling Christmas markets featuring local delicacies.

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Paris

The City of Lights wears an aura of radiance during Christmas with lavish light displays across trees between Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. And when the evening gets chilly, grab a glass of mulled wine at the Christmas market pop-ups as you relish delicacies and browse unique goods.

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Strasbourg

Known as the ‘Capital of Christmas’, Strasbourg is undoubtedly a must-visit during the festive season. Its Christkindelsmärik is among Europe’s oldest Christmas markets. Enjoy the dazzling illuminations and charming wooden chalets with delicious Alsatian treats.

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Nice

Head south for a Mediterranean Christmas in Nice, where the Christmas village of Place Masséna offers a festive blend of Christmas stalls, vivid light displays, and thrilling rides.

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Berlin

The German capital stirs to life with decorated streets, lit-up city squares, Christmas markets, and classical and Gospel concerts. Hop on to the Christmas bus tour, explore the Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace, and sip on a warm mug of Glühwein - blissfully Christmasy!

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Munich

Munich’s Marienplatz hosts a traditional Bavarian Christmas market with mulled wine, gingerbread, and handmade ornaments. Don't miss the Tollwood Winter Festival for a unique cultural spin on holiday celebrations.

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Dresden

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, one of Germany’s most legendary Christmas markets, dates back to 1434. Delight in traditional baked goods like stollen, and explore artfully decorated stalls in this historic city.

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Amsterdam

Watch the canals sparkle as they reflect the Amsterdam Light festival. Visit the Christmas market at Museumplein to enjoy skating, local treats, and festive stalls for the perfect Yuletide setting.

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Rotterdam

Rotterdam’s Christmas markets and Winter Festival bring a modern twist to the holiday season. Admire the light installations, enjoy ice skating at Schouwburgplein, and shop for quirky local crafts in this vibrant city.

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Eindhoven

This Dutch city celebrates the season with its annual ‘Fijne Feestdagen Festival,’ featuring light art installations, an inviting winter market, and a convivial wintery atmosphere where you can warm up with a glass of mulled wine.

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FOR RENTALS IN ITALY - from 15th Nov to 15th Apr many cities in specific Italian regions are required by law to restrict rentals to only those vehicles equipped with snow chains or winter tyres. To comply with these regulations, Dollar equipped vehicles with snow chains - the price is included in the rental charges as Winterisation fee. Hence, for these vehicles there’s NO NEED TO BOOK snow chains as Extra.

IMPORTANT: Please check the rate details of your quotation on the right of this web page to verify if your booking includes Winterisation fee before booking snow chains in Italy.