Christmas Holidays 2026 & 2027
Christmas holidays somewhere hot with On the Beach. Enjoy your 2026 Christmas break in the sun with deposits from €10pp.
Summer holidays are out, Christmas holidays are in! More and more people are choosing to swap the grey skies and rain and spend their Christmas in the sun. Whether you fancy topping up your tan on an all-inclusive jolly in Greece, soaking up the sun on holidays to Tenerife, or exploring a destination a little further away such as Mexico, we have the perfect Christmas holiday for you - even if it's already November and you're on the hunt for a last minute break! Wondering what kind of festive holidays 2027 has in store? We've got you.
Christmas holiday deals
We see you. Christmas is fab and all, but there’s only so much that turkey, telly and tinsel can do to raise the spirits when the skies outside are greyer than a newspaper that's been caught in the rain. Why not swap the snow for sunshine and bag yourself a holibob that’s truly top-tier? Imagine the heat of the sun rather than the heat of an oven you're trying to fit too many things into, imagine kicking back poolside with a tipple in hand, while everyone back home argues over who cheated at charades. Bliss. And don’t worry - you won’t miss out on the festive feasting. Plenty of resorts go full-on Christmas mode, which means there’s every chance you’ll be piling your plate high with turkey, trimmings and maybe even a whopper of a pudding (minus the washing up). Then it’s straight into the pool instead of into an itchy Christmas jumper.
There are plenty of places serving up a healthy dash of winter sun, but if you really want to go all-out, it has to be Dubai. And if we're talking specifics, and you really wanna go big, then Rixos The Palm Hotel and Suites has loads to sing and dance about, go All-Inclusive in style, with 6 restaurants, swim up bars, a spa, access to the worlds largest waterpark. Best Christmas prezzie ever, are we right or are we right?!
Popular Christmas breaks
In case you missed the memo, Christmas holidays don't have to mean cold weather (not unless you want them to), which is why we're all in favour of a bit of beach time, the names a dead giveaway, right? The good news is, you can ditch the de-icer and snag the factor 50 because your next hit of sunshine is lit a few hours away. Cyprus has over 320(!!) days of sunshine each year (rub it in why don't you), which makes it a 10/10 pick for a warm winter break. Tenerife is up there too, with year-round sun and plenty of restaurants open on Christmas Day, while Malta has a more traditional vibe with temperatures at the perfect in-between.
Long haul Christmas holidays
If you're not one to shy away from a long flight (and honestly, when there's a hot meal, a snuggly blanket, a neck pillow and a bunch of films and TV shows at your fingertips, who's to complain?), then long-haul Christmas jollies are where it's at. Whether you're whisking the whole fam away for some Florida fun, diving into the glitz and glam of Dubai, or donning your skimpiest swimwear somewhere in the Caribbean, we've got the perfect picks to level-up your festive celebrations this year. We're talking more palm trees than fir trees, sandcastles over snow angels, and cocktails over mulled wine. Who said Christmas can't be exotic?
Top 10 Sunny Christmas holiday destinations (the ultimate lineup)
We've done the hard work so you don't have to. Here are the destinations that are absolutely nailing it for Christmas, whether you're after guaranteed sunshine, festive markets, or somewhere the kids will actually remember when they're older.
1. Tenerife, Canary Islands 🥇
Why it's ace: Year-round sunshine, loads of direct flights, and you can literally have Christmas dinner with your toes in the sand. A gorgeous 20-22°C even on Christmas Day itself.
Perfect for: Families who want guaranteed weather without the faff of a long-haul flight.
Flight time: 4 hours
2. Dubai, UAE 🏙️
Why it's ace: Where else can you hit the slopes in the morning and the beach in the afternoon? Dubai goes absolutely massive for Christmas – think decorations that put Oxford Street to shame and resorts that are basically seven-star palaces.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants luxury and heat, plus that "how is this even real?" factor when you're sending photos back home. The Burj Khalifa all lit up for Christmas is genuinely something else.
Flight time: 7 hours
3. Lanzarote, Canary Islands 🌋
Why it's ace: Tenerife's cooler, more chilled-out cousin. You've still got the guaranteed sunshine (18-21°C), but it's quieter, the lunar landscapes are properly Instagram-worthy, and the all-inclusive resorts know exactly what they're doing. Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca are where it's at.
Perfect for: Couples after something romantic and relaxed, or families who prefer a quieter vibe. The volcanic scenery makes it feel a bit more exotic than your standard beach holiday.
Flight time: 4 hours
4. Orlando, Florida 🎢
Why it's ace: Two words: Disney. Christmas. Universal Studios goes all-out too, and seeing theme parks covered in fairy lights and festive decorations is genuinely magical. Plus, Florida's sitting pretty at 23°C in December, so you can do the parks during the day and hit the pool in the evening.
Perfect for: Families with kids who'll lose their absolute minds meeting Santa at Disney World. It's pricey, but the memories? Priceless.
Flight time: 9 hours
5. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands ☀️
Why it's ace: The beaches are unreal (Maspalomas sand dunes, anyone?), the weather's spot-on at 19-22°C, and enough things to do (like water sports for example) to keep even the most hyperactive kids entertained.
Perfect for: Families and groups who want variety. Beach day, hiking day, water park day – you can mix it up without everyone getting bored.
Flight time: 4.5 hours
6. Barbados, Caribbean 🏝️
Why it's ace: Proper Caribbean vibes with rum punch on tap and beaches so stunning they don't look real. It's 27-29°C in December, the locals go all-out for Christmas with parades and parties, and you can swim with sea turtles (which definitely beats a walk in the freezing cold UK countryside).
Perfect for: Couples who want that once-in-a-lifetime romantic Christmas, or families ready to properly push the boat out. All-inclusive resorts here are next level.
Flight time: 8.5 hours
7. Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt 🏖️
Why it's ace: Ridiculously good value, consistently hot (22-24°C), and the all-inclusive resorts are absolutely massive with everything you could want. Plus the Red Sea snorkelling and diving is world-class. Seeing a sea turtle beats seeing Aunt Maureen any day of the week.
Perfect for: Budget-conscious families who still want heat, decent food, and activities. Your money goes way further here than most places.
Flight time: 5 hours
8. Cancún, Mexico 🌴
Why it's ace: Tropical heat (26-28°C), stunning white-sand beaches, Mayan ruins if you fancy a bit of culture, and Mexican hospitality that's genuinely off the charts. The all-inclusive resorts here are enormous and the food is unreal.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants that "pinch me, is this real?" Christmas experience. It's exotic without feeling too far from home (in terms of facilities and comfort levels).
Flight time: 10 hours
9. Cyprus 🇨🇾
Why it's ace: Not scorching hot (16-19°C), but way warmer than back home, and it's absolutely steeped in history. Think ancient ruins, gorgeous beaches, and tavernas serving food that'll ruin every Greek restaurant back home for you. It's also cheaper than most winter sun spots.
Perfect for: Older couples or anyone who wants warmth but not intense heat, plus a bit of culture thrown in. Perfect for a chilled Christmas escape.
Flight time: 4.5 hours
10. St Lucia, Caribbean 🌺
Why it's ace: Arguably the most beautiful Caribbean island (fight us), with those iconic Piton mountains, rainforest zip-lining, and beaches that belong on screensavers. It's 27-29°C and luxurious as anything. Proper bucket-list territory.
Perfect for: Honeymoons, milestone anniversaries, or anyone who's decided they deserve something spectacularly special this Christmas. It's premium-priced but absolutely worth it.
Flight time: 9 hours
Whatever your vibe – budget beach break or blow-the-budget luxury – there's a Christmas holiday here with your name on it. And the best bit? Zero brussels sprouts required. 🎄☀️