FROM THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE TO THE HEART OF FRANCE’S GRAND EST REGION, THESE SUGAR-PLUM SNOW GLOBES CAPTURE THE MAGIC OF THE YULETIDE SEASON WITH SPARKLE AND SPIRIT

BY AMANDA McCOY

ROVANIEMI,
Finland

Blanketed in snow and shimmering under the Northern Lights, Rovaniemi, Finland, feels like the setting of a modern fairytale. Perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, this Lapland capital is officially recognized as the hometown of Santa Claus, and during the holidays, the entire hamlet hums with a kind of wonder that feels both nostalgic and otherworldly. Visitors can cross the Arctic Circle line at Santa Claus Village, meet the man in red himself, send postcards from the official Santa Claus Post Office, and zip through the snow on a reindeer or husky sleigh. For the more adventurous, snowmobile safaris, ice fishing, and Northern Lights excursions offer a taste of Arctic adventure, while families can wander through glowing ice sculptures at Snowman World or sip hot chocolate by an open fire as the sky ripples with aurora greens.

When choosing where to stay, Rovaniemi offers cozy luxury in every form: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is perhaps the most enchanting, with its nest-like suites framed by panoramic windows that look out over pine forests and, if you’re lucky, the dancing Northern Lights. For a truly once-in-a-lifetime stay, the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos in nearby Sinettä lets guests fall asleep beneath a glass dome as snowflakes drift above. Dining is an experience in itself; try Nili Restaurant for refined Lapland flavors like sautéed reindeer and cloudberry parfait, or Roka Kitchen & Wine Bar for warm, soul-nourishing comfort food. What makes Rovaniemi so magical isn’t just its Santa associations; it’s the way the entire region embraces the season. Between the scent of wood smoke, the deep quiet of Arctic nights, and the laughter of children echoing off the snow, Rovaniemi captures the essence of winter wonder.

santaclausvillage.info, visitrovaniemi.f

STRASBOURG
France

Each winter, Strasbourg, France, trans forms into the beating heart of European holiday spirit – and with good reason. Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” this Alsatian gem has hosted one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets since 1570. The city glows under millions of twinkling lights, its cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses draped in pine garlands and ornaments. At the center of it all, Place Kléber shimmers beneath Strasbourg’s towering Great Christmas Tree, a 100-foot evergreen that becomes the city’s glittering icon. Wander through the Christkindelsmärik, where more than 300 wooden chalets sell everything from handmade ornaments and Alsatian pottery to warm spiced wine and bredele (traditional Christmas cookies). The scent of cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, and mulled wine fills the air, while carolers, light shows, and choirs create an atmosphere so enchanting it feels like stepping into a snow globe.

When it’s time to warm up, Strasbourg offers no shortage of cozy spots to stay and dine. For a touch of fairytale elegance, book a room at Hotel Cour du Corbeau, a 16th-century inn turned luxury boutique hotel, or Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel & Spa, just steps from the city’s festive core. At dinnertime, indulge in Alsatian comfort food at Chez Yvonne or La Corde à Linge, where tartes flambées, foie gras, and hearty choucroute are served beside flickering candles and vintage wood beams. For fine dining, Au Crocodile, a Michelin-starred institution, offers a sophisticated spin on regional flavors. What makes Strasbourg truly magical, though, is its balance of grandeur and intimacy Gothic cathedrals and glowing canals meet the warmth of a small village celebration. Between the markets, music, and unmistakable scent of vin chaud in the air, Strasbourg doesn’t just celebrate Christmas, it becomes it. noel.strasbourg.eu

QUEBEC CITY,
Canada

In winter, Quebec City, Canada, feels like a portal straight to Old Europe only with an extra dusting of snow and the kind of cheer that makes even the coldest nights glow. The cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, morph into a living snow globe as garlands twinkle over centuries-old stone buildings and the scent of maple taffy fills the air. The city’s German Christmas Market transforms the historic quarter into a wonderland of wood chalets and sparkling lights, where visitors can sip warm wine, browse handmade gifts, and sample Québecois treats like poutine, tourtière, and sugar pie. In nearby Place D’Youville, lace up your skates for a spin around the open-air rink beneath the illuminated walls of the old city, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snow-draped streets while church bells ring in the distance. Come January, the Quebec Winter Carnival brings parades, ice sculptures, and the famous snowman mascot Bonhomme to town, proving that the magic here lasts well past Christmas.

For lodging, the city’s crown jewel is Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, an opulent castle-like hotel perched high above the St. Lawrence River, its turrets glowing like a scene from a holiday film. Cozy boutiques like Auberge Saint Antoine and Hotel 71 offer equally charming stays, blending modern luxury with historic flair. Warm up over dinner at Aux Anciens Canadiens, where traditional French-Canadian comfort dishes are served in one of the city’s oldest houses, or enjoy a fireside glass of wine at Le Sam Bistro inside the Château Frontenac. What makes Quebec City so magical this time of year isn’t just the snow or the lights, but the way it turns winter into a celebration. quebec-cite.com

CRESTED BUTTE,
Colorado

High in the Elk Mountains of Colorado, Crested Butte is a quintessential wintry wonderscape, its Victorian-era town center framed by snow-dusted peaks and twinkling lights. From the annual WinterGlow tree-lighting spectacle on Elk Avenue with cookies, local music, and luminaries, to the cozy Makers Market showcasing handcrafted gifts by more than 25 local artisans, the season beckons revelers with warmth, charm, and community spirit. Add the breathtaking spectacle of Mt. Crested Butte’s torchlight parade and fireworks on December 31, where ski instructors carve glowing S-lines down the slopes to ring in the new year, and you’ve got a holiday recipe that’s one part outdoor adventure, one part small-town magic, and all old-fashioned festivity. travelcrestedbutte.com

DOOR COUNTY,
Wisconsin

This 2,370-square-mile stretch (with nearly 300 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline) in northeastern Wisconsin is lauded as the Cape Cod of the Midwest, comprising 19 distinct communities all brimming with classic small-town charm. While summer is traditionally high season (think cherry picking, stargazing, kayaking, or snapping pics of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant’s famous goats on the roof), during the holiday season, the peninsula buzzes with festive fanfare, from caroling and carriage rides to meet-and-greets with Santa and his jocular elves. Warm up with Glühwein (mulled wine) as you browse local artisan goods at Sister Bay’s Christkindlmarkt, a European-style Christmas market held over three weekends (November 28-30, December 5-7 & 12-14), then continue your shopping at dozens of art galleries and boutiques throughout the county for one-of-a-kind giftables. Be sure to nab a bag of cheese curds to bring home! For a full list of holiday happenings, visit doorcounty.com/events

SOLVANG,
California

Nestled in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, this SoCal enclave transforms into a storybook Danish village at Christmastime complete with half-timbered architecture, twinkling lights, and a lively “hygge” atmosphere that radiates festive charm. From November 28 to January 4, the town’s annual Solvang Julefest invites visitors into its festive embrace with nightly light-and-music shows in Solvang Park, a grand Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5, and the signature Julefest Parade on December 6 with over 400 participants and 50+ floats. Meanwhile, the streets host European-style night markets on Wednesdays (December 3, 10 & 17) and Christmas carolers rove downtown Saturdays between 5–8 p.m. solvangusa.com