CHRISTMAS WORLDWIDE

Festive Tours & Day Trips: Our 15 Picks for December

331 tours  ·  from $9 a head

The 15 best festive tours & day trips you can book this season, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason; start there.

London: Christmas Lights Bus Tour With Live Guide - The route through Regent Street and Oxford Street
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London: Christmas Lights Bus Tour With Live Guide

1.London: Christmas Lights Bus Tour With Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5,410 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $33Our pick

Spend 60 to 90 minutes touring London’s festive lights with an English-speaking guide such as Brennan, Shaun, Ethan, or Emma. See Regent Street, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, and the London Eye from an open-top bus. Choose an upper-deck view or the warmer lower deck, and dress for winter weather.

“This was a great way to see the Christmas lights in London! We sat on the top of the bus in the covered part which made for a great view but kept us warm. Our guide was funny and informative. We were stuck in traffic for a bit but still had a great time. Highly recommend!”

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London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide - The Strand and the fairy lights near the Savoy
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London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide

2.London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,040 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Ride from the London Eye through The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Fortnum & Mason, and Big Ben. A live English-speaking guide provides history, jokes, and festive facts during the 60 to 90 minute loop. Arrive early for the best chance of an open-top seat, and dress warmly.

“Very nice live guide. He was lovely, fun and very good speaker . It was a cold evening, but we did not feel it during our journey- enjoyed unique information about Christmas in London- traditions, buildings, lights!”

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Paris: Tootbus Open-Top Christmas Bus Tour - From Boulevard des Capucines to the Opera
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Paris: Tootbus Open-Top Christmas Bus Tour

3.Paris: Tootbus Open-Top Christmas Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,365 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

Ride an electric green Tootbus through Paris after dark, passing the Opera, Place Vendôme, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and department stores. You get a 90-minute route, Christmas music, audio commentary in 10 languages, Wi-Fi, and access to four self-guided Tootwalks through the app.

“This was a cute trip especially for your first time around the city. I was travelling alone with my toddler and never know that mood at 6pm. She enjoyed it. The crew was so courteous and helped get us up to the top and took care of getting our stroller tucked away. Found them to be very pleasant and all around a fun 90 mins with lasting photos.”

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NYC: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Skyline View Bus Tour - Meeting at Junior’s and leaving Midtown
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NYC: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Skyline View Bus Tour

4.NYC: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Skyline View Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,192 reviews · 4 hours · from $69

Ride from Midtown to Dyker Heights with a live English or German guide, stopping for sunset views at Battery Park City and skyline photos at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Guides such as Stefan and Glen add city stories, while one hour on foot takes you past the neighborhood’s most decorated homes. The tour ends near Bryant Park’s Winter Village.

“Fantastic! Guide really welcoming and clear. Good stops for photos. Christmas decorations were superb. Just could have done with 90 mins walk round the Dyker Heights houses rather than 60mins”

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London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus Open Top - Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and London after dark
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London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus Open Top

5.London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus Open Top

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,132 reviews · 1h 15m · from $37

Ride through central London for 75 minutes on an original 1960s Routemaster. Your English-speaking guide adds jokes, music, and history as you pass Oxford Street, Regent Street, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, major department stores, and seasonal displays. Top-deck seating is guaranteed, but seats are first come, first served.

“Really enjoyed this trip. Great way to see the Xmas lights. Our guide, Ben, was informative and funny imbibing the fun and ambiance of Xmas. Could highly recommend this trip 👍”

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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guided Tour - Walking through Dyker Heights
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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guided Tour

6.Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 920 reviews · 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $63

Ride from Midtown Manhattan to Dyker Heights with a local guide, walk the two brightest streets, then stop near the Brooklyn Bridge before ending at Bryant Park. Guides including Jorge, Gary, Mike, Jose, Antonio, Matt, and Alvin have led departures. Expect crowds, cold weather, and about an hour on foot.

“Great tour guide( Jorge) gives a lot of details and history about NYC. Lights are amazing. We went on Christmas Day so it was really crowded!”

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New York City: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour - Starting at Times Square and crossing Manhattan
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New York City: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

7.New York City: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 838 reviews · 4 hours · from $46

Ride from Midtown Manhattan through Hudson Yards, Chelsea, the Battery Tunnel, and Brooklyn to Dyker Heights. Walk among spectacular holiday displays, then stop in DUMBO for Manhattan skyline views before returning near Bryant Park. Guides such as Jay, Jorge, and Tanya add local stories, music, and practical help along the way.

“Impressive our guide was really helpful and informative I went with my young family and they absolutely love it Highly recommend”

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London: Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus - Trafalgar Square, St James’s and Piccadilly Circus
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London: Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus

8.London: Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 770 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $48

Board an open-top 1960s Routemaster at Embankment for a 90-minute Christmas lights tour through London’s West End. An English-speaking guide such as Rory, Lola or Katie shares festive facts while music plays onboard. Expect Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and the London Eye, with an optional drop-off at Trafalgar Square.

“We all really enjoyed the tour and Lola was a great guide.”

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From Manhattan: 4-Hour Brooklyn Christmas Magic Tour - Leaving Midtown with a moving city introduction
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From Manhattan: 4-Hour Brooklyn Christmas Magic Tour

9.From Manhattan: 4-Hour Brooklyn Christmas Magic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 606 reviews · 4 hours · from $54

Travel from Midtown Manhattan to Dyker Heights with a live English or Spanish guide, walk through dazzling Christmas displays, then stop in Dumbo for Brooklyn Bridge and skyline photos. Guides such as Steve and Sebastian add city stories and humor, while an air-conditioned vehicle handles the long trip across Brooklyn.

“Sebastian was lovely. Kept the group all safe and together. Lots of information on the journey about different things too which was great.”

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Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour - The Midtown meeting point and ride to Brooklyn
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Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour

10.Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 591 reviews · from $60

Ride from Midtown Manhattan to Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge for a guided walk past extravagant Christmas displays. Guides such as Camila, Daniel, Steve, and Mo add stories, humor, and festive energy. The four-hour outing also includes a Brooklyn Bridge or DUMBO-area photo stop before returning to Times Square.

“Excellent from start to finish, Camila was very knowledgeable with amazing facts and kept us entertained with her music on the walks. Added bonus for the stop off at Dumbo.”

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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour - Walking the decorated streets for one hour
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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

11.Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 270 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

Ride from midtown Manhattan to Dyker Heights with guides such as Dave, Fred, or Jay, then walk among Brooklyn’s lavish Christmas displays. The four-hour evening also includes Lower Manhattan commentary, Fulton Ferry skyline views, Washington Square Park, and a finish near the Rockefeller Center tree. Expect cold weather, hills, crowds, and roughly an hour on foot.

“Guide was Very knowledgeable, and friendly as well! Great fun ! Comfortable bus with the large windows”

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Brooklyn: Dyker Heights Christmas Walking Tour - Starting at Gigi’s Bakery on 4th Avenue
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Brooklyn: Dyker Heights Christmas Walking Tour

12.Brooklyn: Dyker Heights Christmas Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 249 reviews · 1h 30m · from $21Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Gigi’s Bakery, then walk about three miles through Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. You’ll see the neighborhood’s most elaborate Christmas displays, hear about Lucy Spata and local decorating traditions, and learn the unwritten rules behind the lights. Guides have included Derek, Max, Nick, Nic, and Catherine.

“I am already a Brooklynite, but I wanted to take my LOs out to see the lights which they actually enjoyed. Even though the weather was not up to part, the light displays and big houses trumped that aspect. Thank you to our tour guide Catherine, who was knowledgeable of the history of Dyker Heights and Brooklyn and made the experience even more exciting.”

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London: Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus - Oxford Street: London’s brightest shopping corridor
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London: Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus

13.London: Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 245 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $43

Ride through central London for 90 minutes on a restored vintage double-decker, passing Oxford Street, Regent Street, Knightsbridge, Big Ben, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square. An English-speaking guide provides live commentary, with guides such as Clive, Toby, and Frank praised for humor and local detail. Upper-deck seating is not guaranteed.

“Good idea. Ended well. Company needs to have better back up plans when equipment fails.”

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Brooklyn Dyker Heights Christmas Wonderland Bus Tour - Lower Manhattan from the bus window
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Brooklyn Dyker Heights Christmas Wonderland Bus Tour

14.Brooklyn Dyker Heights Christmas Wonderland Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 245 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $54

Ride from Midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn with a guide such as Sebastian, Steve, or Millie, stopping for a one-hour walk through Dyker Heights Christmas displays and a photo stop in DUMBO. Expect holiday music, city history, crowds, cold weather, and possible traffic delays. The tour returns to 200 W 53rd Street.

“Nice easy tour to do in early evening with kids ages 6-12. Very colorful. Dress warm. Had a great time!”

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London: Christmas Lights Santa Sleigh Open-Top Tour - Starting at Embankment Station
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London: Christmas Lights Santa Sleigh Open-Top Tour

15.London: Christmas Lights Santa Sleigh Open-Top Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 233 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $43

You’ll spend 90 minutes on an English-led open-top bus tour from Embankment, passing the Strand, St James’s, Piccadilly, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Whitehall, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Festive music plays onboard, though the upper deck can be cold and music may be hard to hear there. Finish at Trafalgar Square or return to Embankment.

“Quand on se trouve en haut du bus, la musique ne fonctionne pas. Le trajet est extrêmement court et dans les embouteillages. Un prix exorbitant (160 euros pour 5 personnes). Une véritable arnaque. Un conseil : prenez le bus 453 ; il fait le même trajet ; on voit très bien les illuminations et cela ne coûte pas grand-chose.”

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