Ten unexpected destinations where Christmas is surprisingly huge

Move over North America and Europe: You’ll find plenty of festive fun and decorations in places you never imagined would be tinsel towns.

Dubai, UAE

Christmas descends on Dubai Mall and its more than 1200 shops.Credit: iStock

Improbable as it might seem, Dubai goes mad for Christmas – though, not surprisingly, a very commercial version of it that coincides with the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival. Festival City Mall has a Santa’s grotto, and all the malls are sumptuously decorated, sporting forests of Christmas trees. Some resort-hotels such as Al Habtoor and Madinat Jumeirah have traditional-style Christmas markets. Expo City Dubai is turned into a vast Winter City with another market, fairground and Christmas events. See visitdubai.com

Tokyo, Japan

Christmas illuminations at Shinjuku Southern Terrace.Credit: Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau

As if there isn’t enough neon happening in Tokyo, Christmas lights add to the glow and are often animated or accompanied by music. The best might be in Marunouchi, Akihabara, Keyakizaka Street and outside Tokyo Midtown shopping mall. Wonderful shop window displays are Christmas-themed. Meiji Shrine might be dedicated to Shintoism, but it hosts a German-style Christmas market. The only disappointment? Japan’s idea of Christmas dinner: a KFC meal followed by strawberry cake. See gotokyo.org

San Jose, Costa Rica

Many overseas Christmases are secular, but in Catholic Costa Rica midnight Mass is a key event, and Jesus, not Santa, leaves presents beneath the Christmas tree. It’s also festival time, with Christmas trees everywhere (the largest in La Sabana Park), parades, fairs, rooftop fireworks, a Festival of Lights, and on December 27 the National Carnival. Zapote district also has its own festival over the week between Christmas and New Year. See visitcostarica.com

Singapore

Festive street decorations in Singapore.Credit: Singapore Tourism Board

Of all Singapore’s shopping streets, lights and decorations are best along Orchard Road, which also has a Christmas Eve street party. But the best place to be is at Gardens by the Bay, which hosts a Christmas Wonderland of light displays, carnival rides and street stalls. There are other pop-up Christmas-themed parks around the city with food stalls and ice rinks. The year-round Snow City Singapore has actual snow, sometimes falling from the ceiling in flurries. See visitsingapore.com

Seoul, South Korea

The fashion district Myeong-dong puts on a bustling night-food market during Christmas.Credit: Getty Images

Expect plenty of glitter and giant inflatable figures in streets and shopping malls; the Magic Castle outside Lotte World mall is fabulous. Distinctive Korean Santas are dressed in either green or blue and wear top hats. You have a reasonable chance of a white Christmas and, if not, you can always take a spin on ice rinks (the best is in Seoul Plaza) beneath twinkling lights. The Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon Stream is magical. See visitseoul.net

Gramado, Brazil

Festive street decorations outside St Peter’s Cathedral, Gramado, Brazil.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

This southern mountain resort, which was settled by 19th-century German immigrants, is well known in Brazil for its traditional Christmas display of 2 million LED lights, plus nativity scenes, festive events such as concerts, and a parade that features floats and Christmas characters. The town’s alpine architecture, Christmas trees and imported reindeer give it a European feel. The event runs for 80 days, and features several spectacular shows. On Christmas Eve, midnight Mass is followed by fireworks. See visitbrasil.com

Macau, China

Christmas in Senado Square, Macau, China.Credit: iStock

The former Portuguese colony and Asia’s capital of gambling goes all out at Christmas, and not just with the decorations and buffet dinners you get in its themed casinos. The city, too, features street lighting, Christmas trees, nativity scenes and fireworks displays, as well as a small European-style market. To add to the festival feel, the Macau Light Festival (which runs between December and February) illuminates building facades and hosts glowing light installations. See macaotourism.gov.mo

Medellin, Colombia

The Festival of Lights along the Medellin River.Credit: Getty Images

Millions of coloured lightbulbs go into creating the Festival of Lights along the Medellin River, depicting towering biblical and cartoon characters – some more than 20 metres tall – and historical scenes, to which are added illuminated fountains, a whopping Christmas tree, food stalls and occasional fireworks. The spectacle has spread over the years to parks, some avenues and the facade of the cathedral. The city’s neighbourhoods also vie to win awards for the best lighting. See colombia.travel

Hong Kong, China

The Statue Square Christmas Tree.Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Hong Kong’s annual WinterFest brings spectacular lighting to Central’s streets and harbourfront buildings. Shopping malls such as Harbour City, Elements and 1881 Heritage compete for the glitziest decorations. European-inspired Christmas markets are small but enjoyable, while Statue Square has the most impressive Christmas tree: 30 metres of glass, glittering with crystals. Disneyland Resort and Ocean Park get merry with themed activities and festival lighting. Linger until New Year’s Eve for some of the world’s best fireworks. See discoverhongkong.com

Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa has much in common with Australia at Christmas, with summer luring locals to beach barbecues and backyard get-togethers. Similarly, local animals make an appearance amid the Christmas decorations, such as dolphins pulling Santa’s sleigh along Adderley Street, which hosts Cape Town’s best night market. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the V&A Waterfront host charming carols by candlelight; the latter also has a Santa’s Village. See capetown.travel