You love the holidays. Or maybe you don’t. Either way, there comes a moment when the endless loop of carols, the twinkling lights in every shop window, and the pressure to be merry start feeling like too much.
Some years, you just want to step off the holiday carousel and land somewhere that operates on a completely different calendar. A place where December 25th is just another Tuesday, where no one expects you to wear a Santa hat or sing along to anything.
Here’s the good news: half the planet celebrates other festivals, follows different traditions, or simply treats late December like any other time of year. Your escape plan is easier than you think.
Best Places to Visit to Avoid Christmas
These destinations offer you a genuine break from holiday overload while giving you incredible experiences that have nothing to do with mistletoe or gift exchanges. Each spot on this list operates on its own rhythm, far removed from the Christmas frenzy you’re trying to escape.
1. Marrakech, Morocco
Picture this: you’re sipping mint tea in a riad courtyard while the call to prayer echoes across terracotta rooftops. There’s no tinsel here. No reindeer decorations. Morocco is a Muslim-majority country where Christmas simply doesn’t register on the cultural radar.
The medinas of Marrakech pulse with their usual energy in late December. Spice vendors still pile their pyramids of saffron and cumin. The Jemaa el-Fnaa square fills with storytellers and acrobats just like it does every other day of the year. You can lose yourself in the souks, haggling over leather bags and hand-woven carpets, and Christmas won’t cross your mind once.
What makes this place brilliant for your escape is the weather. While much of the northern hemisphere freezes, Marrakech enjoys pleasant temperatures hovering around 18-20°C (64-68°F). You can explore the Majorelle Garden, wander through the Bahia Palace, or take a day trip to the Atlas Mountains without dealing with crowds of holiday tourists. The city moves at its own pace, completely indifferent to the calendar date that’s causing stress everywhere else.
Your evenings? They’ll be filled with tagines and couscous in local restaurants where the only special occasion being celebrated is dinner itself. The riads offer peaceful retreats with their characteristic interior gardens and fountains, and you’ll find that the absence of holiday decorations creates a kind of mental spaciousness you didn’t know you needed.
2. Kyoto, Japan
Japan does something interesting with Christmas. They’ve imported some commercial aspects (mostly KFC dinners and strawberry cakes, oddly enough), but it’s not a national holiday. Life continues. Shops stay open. Nobody gets overly sentimental about it.
Kyoto offers you an especially serene escape. The ancient temples don’t suddenly sprout Christmas lights. The bamboo groves of Arashiyama remain timelessly beautiful, completely unchanged by what’s happening in Western countries. You can spend your days temple-hopping through Fushimi Inari’s thousands of vermilion torii gates or contemplating the rock garden at Ryoan-ji, and the experience remains purely Japanese, purely focused on centuries-old traditions that have nothing to do with December 25th.
Here’s what actually matters in late December in Japan: preparation for the New Year, which is the country’s most significant holiday. If you stay through January 1st, you’ll witness something far more meaningful than Christmas. Families visit shrines for hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year), temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight, and the entire country resets. It’s beautiful.
The winter illuminations you’ll see aren’t Christmas lights. They’re Japanese light displays that happen to occur in winter. There’s a difference. They’re elegant, artistic, and completely secular. Plus, December means fewer crowds at popular sites, reasonable hotel prices, and the chance to experience kaiseki meals in traditional ryokans without the tourist crush. Your trip becomes about Japanese culture, full stop.
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai operates in its own category. Yes, you’ll see some Christmas decorations in the massive malls because the city caters to international residents and tourists. But step outside those air-conditioned consumer palaces, and you’re in a Muslim country where the holiday has zero cultural weight.
What you get instead is a city obsessed with luxury, innovation, and spectacle that has nothing to do with Western holidays. You can spend your days lounging on pristine beaches where the only thing being celebrated is sunshine in December. The desert beckons for dune bashing and camel rides. The souks offer gold, spices, and textiles in settings that feel authentically Middle Eastern.
The genius of choosing Dubai is that everything stays open. Restaurants, attractions, and shops all operate normally because December 25th is just another Thursday or Friday to them. You won’t face that weird dead zone that happens in Christian-majority countries where cities shut down, and you’re left with limited options. Here, life hums along at full speed. You can visit the Burj Khalifa, explore the old Dubai Creek area, or take a day trip to Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque without holiday interruptions.
The weather? Pretty much perfect. Temperatures hover around 24°C (75°F), making it ideal for outdoor activities. Your evenings might involve dining at world-class restaurants or watching the Dubai Fountain show, and Christmas won’t be part of the conversation. The city’s focus stays firmly on its own ambitious vision of itself.
4. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is predominantly Hindu, which means your December experience centers on daily offerings to gods, temple ceremonies, and the island’s unique spiritual rhythm. Christmas exists only in tourist areas catering to Western visitors, and even there, it’s minimal.
Your days can unfold in rice terraces that cascade down hillsides in shades of green that somehow seem impossible. You can visit temples like Tanah Lot or Uluwatu, perched on cliffs above crashing waves, and participate in ceremonies that have been happening for centuries. The Balinese calendar is lunar, packed with festivals and holy days that have nothing to do with Christian traditions. If you time it right, you might witness a temple anniversary celebration or a traditional dance performance that offers genuine cultural immersion.
The beaches of Seminyak or the quiet shores of Amed provide perfect spots for doing absolutely nothing. Yoga retreats in Ubud let you reset your mind while gamelan music drifts through the tropical air. You can get a traditional massage, learn to cook Indonesian dishes, or simply sit in a warung (local eatery) eating nasi goreng while watching daily life unfold around you.
What’s particularly beautiful about Bali in late December is that the island doesn’t change its character for anyone. The offerings of flowers and incense still appear on doorsteps every morning. The temples still host their elaborate ceremonies. Your experience becomes about Indonesian culture, Hindu spirituality, and tropical relaxation. Christmas becomes irrelevant. That’s exactly what you’re after.
5. Tel Aviv, Israel
Israel celebrates Hanukkah in December, which sometimes overlaps with Christmas but is an entirely different holiday with its own meaning and traditions. In Tel Aviv specifically, you’ll find yourself in a thoroughly secular, beach-oriented city where Christmas barely registers.
This city buzzes with energy year-round. The beaches along the Mediterranean stay active. Cafes fill with locals sipping cappuccinos and arguing about everything under the sun. The Carmel Market overflows with fresh produce, spices, and street food that has nothing to do with holiday fare. You can explore the Bauhaus architecture of the White City, wander through the artsy neighborhoods of Florentin or Neve Tzedek, or simply enjoy the fact that in a Jewish-majority country, December 25th holds no special significance whatsoever.
The food scene alone justifies your trip. Hummus, falafel, shakshuka for breakfast, fresh fish from the Mediterranean, these flavors dominate your palate instead of gingerbread and eggnog. The nightlife continues unabated because, again, it’s just another night. Tel Aviv doesn’t slow down for anyone.
If you want a bit of Christmas-adjacent culture, Jerusalem is only an hour away, and there you can observe how different communities mark the season in their own ways. But you can just as easily skip it entirely and stay in Tel Aviv, soaking up sunshine, eating incredible food, and experiencing Israeli culture on its own terms. December means pleasant weather here, perfect for beach walks and outdoor dining, with temperatures around 18°C (64°F).
6. Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam is about 8% Catholic, thanks to French colonial influence, but Christmas isn’t a public holiday. Hanoi treats December 25th like any other day. Markets stay open. Street vendors still serve pho from dawn till dusk. Life continues its usual, wonderfully chaotic course.
You’ll find yourself navigating streets packed with motorbikes, each one a mobile testament to Vietnamese ingenuity. The Old Quarter’s 36 streets, each traditionally dedicated to a specific trade, offer endless exploration. You can watch artisans craft traditional crafts, sample street food that costs less than a dollar, or simply sit in a cafe watching the human river flow past. The energy is intoxicating and has nothing to do with Western holidays.
Late December in Hanoi means cooler weather, making it perfect for walking tours and outdoor activities. You can take a cruise through Ha Long Bay, explore the ancient temples and pagodas scattered throughout the city, or visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and learn about modern Vietnamese history. Your evenings might involve egg coffee (a Hanoi specialty), water puppet shows, or simply wandering through night markets where the festive spirit comes from local vitality, not imported traditions.
What’s refreshing about Vietnam is how unapologetically itself it remains. The country celebrates Tet (Lunar New Year) with real fervor in January or February, and that’s where cultural energy gets focused. Your December visit lets you experience authentic Vietnamese culture without holiday filters. The food alone, from banh mi sandwiches to bun cha noodles, keeps you happily distracted from whatever’s happening elsewhere.
7. Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal is predominantly Hindu and Buddhist, which means Christmas is virtually invisible here except in the occasional tourist-oriented hotel. What you get instead is a city nestled in the Himalayas where spirituality takes entirely different forms.
Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, despite earthquake damage, still showcases incredible medieval architecture. Temples dedicated to Hindu gods and Buddhist stupas dominate the skyline. Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest in the world, draws pilgrims who walk clockwise around it, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras. You can join them, not as a tourist stunt but as a genuine moment of participating in centuries-old spiritual practices that have nothing to do with Christmas.
The surrounding valley offers Bhaktapur and Patan, ancient cities with their own squares, temples, and timeless rhythms. You can watch potters shape clay on traditional wheels, observe metalworkers crafting Buddhist statues, or simply sit in a courtyard cafe drinking masala tea while life unfolds around you. The Himalayas loom in the distance on clear days, a reminder that you’re somewhere truly different from anywhere else.
Trekking opportunities abound if you want to get active. December offers clear skies and stable weather, making it prime time for trails like the Everest Base Camp trek or shorter routes in the Annapurna region. Even if you’re not into hardcore hiking, day trips to Nagarkot or Dhulikhel provide mountain views and peaceful retreats from the city. Your focus shifts entirely to natural beauty and physical challenge. Christmas doesn’t enter the equation. That’s the point.
8. Tunis, Tunisia
Tunisia flies under the radar for many travelers, which is part of its appeal. This North African country, predominantly Muslim, offers Mediterranean beaches, ancient ruins, and Saharan adventures without any Christmas presence.
Tunis itself blends French colonial architecture with traditional medinas. You can explore the ancient city of Carthage, once Rome’s great rival, where ruins overlook the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean. The Bardo Museum houses an incredible collection of Roman mosaics that will make you forget entirely about whatever holiday you’re escaping. The medina of Tunis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers winding streets, traditional souks, and a glimpse into daily Tunisian life that remains unchanged by Western holiday calendars.
Beyond the capital, Tunisia opens up in fascinating ways. The amphitheater at El Djem rivals Rome’s Colosseum. The cliff-top village of Sidi Bou Said, with its blue and white buildings, provides postcard-perfect Mediterranean views. If you head south, the Sahara Desert awaits with opportunities to ride camels, sleep in Berber tents, and watch sunsets over sand dunes that stretch forever.
December weather in Tunisia is mild and pleasant, perfect for exploring without the scorching summer heat. Your meals center on couscous, brik (a crispy pastry), and fresh seafood, accompanied by mint tea. The hospitality is genuine, the prices are reasonable, and your experience stays firmly rooted in North African culture. Christmas? It’s simply not part of the picture.
9. Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist, with Hindu, Muslim, and Christian minorities. While some Christians celebrate Christmas, it’s a minor affair that doesn’t affect the country’s overall atmosphere. Colombo, the commercial capital, keeps its usual pace throughout December.
This island nation offers an incredibly diverse experience in a small package. From Colombo, you can easily reach ancient temples like Dambulla or Sigiriya (a fortress atop a massive rock outcropping), tea plantations in the central highlands, or pristine beaches along the coast. The variety is remarkable. You can go from urban exploration to wildlife safaris to beach relaxation without spending hours in transit.
Buddhist temples are central to Sri Lankan culture, and visiting them provides a window into spiritual practices that predate Christianity by centuries. You’ll see monks in saffron robes, elaborate Buddha statues, and devotees bringing flower offerings. The energy is peaceful, contemplative, and entirely separate from Western holiday stress. The country celebrates its own festivals, like Vesak in May, with real enthusiasm, but December remains relatively quiet on the religious calendar.
Sri Lankan food deserves special mention. The curries are complex, layered with spices and coconut milk. Hoppers (bowl-shaped pancakes) make perfect breakfast vehicles for eggs and sambols. Your days might include surfing lessons in Arugam Bay, hiking through hill country, or simply watching elephants at an ethical sanctuary. The experience stays distinctly Sri Lankan, and that’s exactly what makes it perfect for your Christmas escape.
10. Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, literally and culturally. Istanbul is predominantly Muslim, meaning Christmas has minimal presence except in areas heavily frequented by tourists. What you get instead is a city with layers of history, incredible architecture, and a culture that’s confidently its own.
The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia face each other across a plaza, monuments to different faiths and empires. You can lose entire days exploring the Topkapi Palace, haggling in the Grand Bazaar, or taking a cruise up the Bosphorus. The city’s energy is palpable. It’s ancient and modern simultaneously, and it moves to its own rhythm that has nothing to do with Western holiday calendars.
Turkish food makes this trip worthwhile all by itself. Fresh bread, kebabs, mezze platters, Turkish delight, and countless cups of dark, sweet Turkish coffee. You can eat at fancy restaurants or hole-in-the-wall spots where locals crowd in for lunch, and everything tastes incredible. The hammams (traditional baths) offer a uniquely Turkish experience of steam, scrubbing, and relaxation that feels luxurious and ancient at once.
December in Istanbul means cooler temperatures, fewer tourists than summer months, and a chance to experience the city without overwhelming crowds. You can visit the Basilica Cistern, explore the colorful Balat neighborhood, or simply drink tea by the Bosphorus, watching ships pass between continents. Your days fill with Byzantine history, Ottoman architecture, and contemporary Turkish culture. Christmas doesn’t factor in. You’re too busy experiencing one of the most fascinating cities on Earth.
Wrapping Up
Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is permission to skip the holiday entirely. These ten destinations let you do exactly that, offering rich cultural experiences that operate on completely different calendars and traditions.
Your escape doesn’t mean you’re running away from anything. You’re running toward something else: new experiences, different perspectives, and the freedom to spend late December however you want. Pack your bags. Your Christmas-free adventure is waiting.
