10 Unexpected Places to Celebrate Christmas

In this tropical metropolis of Buddhist wats with their colorful upturned eaves, where locals have never seen a fleck of snow, Christmas literally lights up the central Siam neighborhood with dazzling illuminations—buildings, bridges, lampposts, sidewalk food stalls, even tuk-tuks are garlanded with fairy lights. The Peninsula Plaza is the most photographed building, though Grand Hyatt Erawan, Four Seasons and the InterContinental consistently present all-out extravaganzas as well; enormous decorated trees and holiday buffets add to the festive mood. High-end shopping malls—Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, and MBK—decorate to the nines; locals flock here for selfies—though the special promotions certainly entice as well. And for more last-minute shopping, several holiday markets offer more standard Christmas fare; for singular gifts, check out Tribes Christmas Market, Knack Market and the Goethe Institut’s German-style Weihnachtsmarkt (also featuring German winter food, homemade pastries and mulled wine).

Merry Christmas in Thai: S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ wạn khris̄t̒mās̄

Morocco may be mostly Muslim, but Marrakesh has been rated in the world’s top ten holiday shopping destinations. And who wouldn’t want to shop for that special gift for everyone on their list in its 18 souks featuring some 40,000 artisans? We’re talking beautiful Berber carpets, intricate lanterns, and leather bags. But the Christmas possibilities don’t stop there. While most of the city will be going about their daily business, you’ll find pockets of celebrations including decorated trees in shopping centers, holiday sweets like bûche de Noël in bakeries festively wrapped in holiday paper, and specially themed feasts in hotels and restaurants including La Table du Riad.

Merry Christmas in Moroccan: Milad Mubarak (though remember that in Islam, Muslims don’t wish “Merry Christmas”)

Christmas can be found with all the trimmings in the Indian capital if you know where to look. Connaught Place, in the heart of the city, buzzes with lights, decorations, and street vendors (try the Peanut and Jaggery Chikki, a traditional Indian candy). Christmas markets spring up, the most popular being the German Christmas Market at German House, beloved for its grilled sausages, beer, and Christmas cakes. The Imperial offers a sublime Christmas Eve turkey dinner—worth the stop if just to see the over-the-top decorations. And, of course, there’s shopping. Khan Market, DLF Promenade Mall (Vasant Kunj), and South Ex are all decked out in their Christmas finery, with Select Citywalk in Saket boasting India’s largest Christmas tree—70 feet tall.

Turkey may be secular, but a tiny Turkish town called Demre gave birth to the original jolly St. Nick (except here he’s called “Noel Baba”), a 4^th-century bishop known for his giving ways. As the stories go, his various do-goodings included dropping gold coins down chimneys where poor girls lived to rescue them from slavery. He was transformed into Sinterklaas in Holland (and similar personas in other European countries), and later Santa Claus in North America. Today he’s celebrated in Demre with a four-day festival centering around his Feast Day (December 6). Services are held during this time at the Father Christmas Museum (Noel Baba Müzesi), an ancient Byzantine church where St. Nick originally was buried.

Merry Christmas in Turkish: Mutlu Noeller

In this atheist realm, the spirit of Christmas has arrived—at least in the commercial sense. It’s said to be the year’s second most celebrated fête after the Spring Festival, a time to eat and go out … and shop. Indeed, Sheng dan lao ren (literally, old Christmas man) makes guest appearances in elaborately decorated shopping malls, where special promotions are in full swing. For something a little more yuletide (and commercial), there’s always the in&out Christmas Market, a five-day extravaganza at the upscale Yintai Centre with food, crafts, and live performances; or the Hutong’s Winter Fayre, a Christmas institution among ex-pats. But it’s not all about the almighty renminbi. The Beijing Playhouse produces a Christmas-themed play. You can find your roast goose and champagne at the Conrad Beijing’s extravagant Christmas Eve buffet (or any other number of decked-out luxury hotels). And eight churches, including Xuanwumen, Beijing’s oldest Catholic church, offer Christmas services.

Merry Christmas in Chinese: Sheng Dan Kuai Le (Mandarin) or Seng Dan Fai Lok (Cantonese)

Sugary sand beaches and turquoise waters are not exactly what the cards and carolers extol in their interpretations of Christmas. But you can still find touches of holiday spirit in this tropical getaway. The colonial town of St. George sponsors a Christmas Walkabout showcasing historic homes flamboyantly decorated for the season and historical reenactors roaming the candlelit streets. Santa himself makes an appearance at the Hamilton Santa Parade. Though the best way to celebrate the season has to be at the intimate Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, which offers Christmas brunch including an array of tantalizing holiday desserts. Eggnog after snorkeling, anyone?

The Saigonese love a celebration, and during Christmas—one of the top four annual festivals in this Buddhist land—they go all out. Streets in District 1 (especially Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue) are bedecked with brilliant light spectacles and Christmasy decorations, and posh shops have caught onto the season’s retail side with super tempting displays. On Christmas Eve, live fireworks explode overhead and Santa Clauses skitter around on scooters. The Vietnamese dress up in their holiday best to experience it all, taking selfies and throwing confetti along the way. You’ll find Christmas feasts in the major hotels, including the swank Hotel Continental, which adds a dash of colonial glam with its Gala Dinner. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is the place to go for midnight mass.

Merry Christmas in Vietnamese: Chuć Mưǹg Giańg Sinh

In this Buddhist land, Christmas kicks off in early December, complete with brilliantly illuminated spectacles that turn streetscapes into joyful displays of glittery LED lights, projections on buildings, and stunning fireworks. Check out Omotesando and Marunouchi for some of the very best; Roppongi Hills also has a Christmas market complete with hot cocoa, German sausages, and handmade ornaments. Though while it may look a lot like Christmas, the holiday (which is actually not a holiday, since people have to work) is more of an excuse for a romantic date night. On December 24, lovers stroll to see the Christmas lights then go out to a candlelight dinner and exchange gifts. The Christmas Day feast, shared with family and friends, is champagne and KFC, followed by Christmas sponge cake (check your emojis—the cake one is actually Christmas cake). On December 26, every single trace of Christmas magically disappears as the Japanese prepare for New Year’s.

Merry Christmas in Japanese: Meri Kurisumasu

This sunny little Asian island may very well vaunt the world’s most flamboyant Christmas displays. In Orchard Road’s shopping belt, flickering fairy lights outline nearly every building, crawling up skyscrapers and taking over entire fronts of department stores. Animated Santas wave, snowmen wink, and reindeer jump through glittering trees. It’s like stepping into Santa’s Toyland—except, it’s real (though the snow is fake). The celebration continues with yuletide feasts at Singapore’s long list of impressive restaurants; Park Hotel Alexandra’s The Carvery, Oxwell & Co., and Brasserie Les Saveurs at the St. Regis are excellent choices.

Merry Christmas in Singapore: Sheng Tan Kuai Loh (Mandarin)

Sultry KL goes all out in its pursuits (Petronas Towers reigned as the world’s tallest building for six years, after all), so the fact that it lies just a few degrees north of the equator doesn’t hinder its Christmas spirit at all. Bright fairy lights decorate trees and stylish high-rises. Department stores outdo each other with themed adornment, whether it’s “Elf Yourself A Merry Christmas” (a previous theme at Suria KLCC) or “Christmas Enchantments” (Pavilion KL). Year-end sales make everyone happy, and Christmas markets abound, from the bustling stalls at Hartamas Shopping Center to Art Market Malaysia, featuring local artisans. And since every Christmas requires the opportunity to overstuff, trendy restos serve up holiday meals—from Kwee Zeen’s delectable buffets to Dome’s sharing platters.

Merry Christmas in Malaysia: Selamat Hari Krimas