The Best Family Holidays in Asia for Christmas

Thailand offers one of the most balanced family holidays at Christmas: cool mountain air in the north, tropical ease in the south and warm hospitality everywhere in between.

Chiang Mai & the Golden Triangle: Cool-climate Christmas

Northern Thailand moves at a gentler pace, with beautifully comfortable weather in December. Stay at Four Seasons Chiang Mai, nestled among rice paddies with hands-on family activities, or Anantara Chiang Mai, an elegant riverside base for exploring the old city. Spend your days walking along Chiang Mai’s historic walls, visiting artisan villages or trekking with a guide to nearby hill tribe communities. Seasonal markets and evening festivals bring a festive atmosphere to the city, with lanterns, food stalls and music filling the streets. For a deeper immersion in nature, head north to the Golden Triangle, where Four Seasons Tented Camp and Anantara Golden Triangle offer responsible elephant encounters and jungle adventures.

Phuket: Island joy for all ages

For a sun-soaked Christmas by the sea, Phuket is an easy and rewarding choice. Family-friendly luxury resorts offer spacious villas, excellent kids’ clubs and well curated festive experiences. Consider the panoramic views and contemporary design of COMO Point Yamu, the relaxed elegance of Rosewood Phuket, or the expansive beachfront setting of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. Days can be spent snorkelling coral reefs, exploring Phang Nga Bay by longtail boat or simply relaxing beside clear turquoise water. As evening falls, Christmas and New Year celebrations appear across the island, with fireworks, lanterns and excellent dining overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Christmas in Sri Lanka engages all the senses: tropical air scented with spice, birdsong at sunrise, beach barbecues in place of winter roasts and space for children to roam between ocean and jungle.

South Coast: Sea air and festive sunshine

December marks the start of the dry season along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. Stay at Kumu Beach, Fort Bazaar or The Sun House, where heritage character blends effortlessly with barefoot luxury. Spend mornings surfing or whale watching near Mirissa, and afternoons exploring the cobbled streets and galleries of Galle Fort. Christmas Day might mean a relaxed lunch of grilled seafood and chilled rosé, followed by a swim in the pool and a sunset walk along the beach.  Amangalla is another Lightfoot favourite over the festive season, when a Christmas Eve gala, festive cocktails, canapés and live music bring a sense of occasion and celebration to this historic grand dame.

Safari Christmas: Wild and unforgettable

Head east along the coast to Yala National Park, where guided game drives reveal elephants, crocodiles and, with luck, elusive leopards. Properties such as Leopard Trails and UGA Chena Huts offer immersive safari experiences with expert guides and campfire dinners after dark, alongside spacious private villas close to the wilderness. For something more remote, Gal Oya Lodge offers the chance to watch elephants swimming between forested islands on the vast Senanayake Samudraya reservoir. Further north, within the Cultural Triangle, UGA Ulagalla offers tranquil pool villas surrounded by forest and paddy fields, making it an excellent base for exploring Sri Lanka’s wild elephant habitats, ancient cities and sacred sites.

Japan offers a particularly atmospheric setting for the festive season. Winter illuminations brighten city streets, mountain landscapes turn white with snow and the country’s remarkable food culture adds its own festive pleasures.

Tokyo: Lights, culture and contrast

Tokyo comes alive in December. Wander through seasonal illuminations in districts such as Roppongi and Ginza, or skate beneath the city lights at a festive ice rink. Families might enjoy a day at Tokyo Disneyland, while older travellers can explore Shinjuku’s hidden alleyways with a local guide before settling in for an exceptional sushi experience. For something more immersive, spend time with a master artisan learning the art of kintsugi, where broken ceramics are repaired with lacquer and gold. A memorable day trip leads to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques bathe in steaming hot springs surrounded by snow.

Kyoto: Traditions and lantern-lit streets

Kyoto feels especially atmospheric in winter. Stroll through the lantern-lit streets of Gion on Christmas Eve, widely considered a romantic evening in Japan, or visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove during its seasonal illuminations. Step inside a traditional workshop to see hand-painted bridal kimonos created by skilled artisans, or join a private dashi tasting experience at a long-established Kyoto restaurant. Seasonal kaiseki meals offer a refined expression of winter cuisine, while Japan’s festive traditions bring their own distinctive touches, such as the well-known popularity of fried chicken on Christmas Day!

Mount Fuji: Winter tranquillity

While climbing season has ended, nearby hot spring towns offer beautiful winter views of Mount Fuji. Relaxing in an outdoor onsen as snow settles across the landscape is one of Japan’s most restorative experiences.

Travel tip: Around New Year (from 30 December to early January), many smaller restaurants and shops close as people return home to their families, so it is worth planning key experiences in advance.

Vietnam works particularly well for family travel in December, with cooler weather in the north and sunshine in the south.

Hanoi & Halong Bay: Culture and calm

Explore the lively streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, visit the historic Temple of Literature or enjoy a traditional water puppet performance at one of the city’s historic theatres. From here, travel to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise aboard a luxury junk. Kayak among limestone islands, swim in quiet coves and watch the sun set over the emerald water from your private deck.

Ho Chi Minh City: Energy and contrast

In the south, Ho Chi Minh City offers a dynamic contrast. Stay at Park Hyatt Saigon, which well located for exploring the city’s colonial architecture, vibrant markets and excellent dining scene. Spend your time discovering hidden cafés, visiting historic landmarks or taking a guided street food experience that reveals the city through its flavours.

Island retreat: Con Dao & Phú Quốc

A short flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s southern islands offer two distinct styles of coastal escape. For something secluded, the Con Dao archipelago feels remote and unspoilt. At Six Senses Con Dao, villas stretch along a protected bay, with wide sandy beaches and clear waters ideal for snorkelling and boat trips. Phú Quốc offers a more relaxed, family-friendly setting, with resorts such as La Veranda Phu Quoc, known for its colonial-style charm, and Salinda Resort, a contemporary beachfront option. Calm waters make it ideal for swimming and snorkelling, with days spent island-hopping by boat or unwinding by the sea.