Traveling around the world lets you experience a different culture in each place you visit. Different cultures also mean that they celebrate holidays a bit different from what you are accustomed to. Here are some of the best holidays around the world for kids to experience.
Tips on Planning Holiday Trips with Your Family
1. Book your trips in advance.
Planning a vacation during the holiday season is a lot of unnecessary hassle. To avoid high prices and limited availabilities, book your trips in advance. There are lots of platforms that offer advance booking and vacation packages like Skyscanner and Expedia.
2. Look for travel packages.
Travel packages are one of the most efficient ways to plan a family vacation. Find good vacation packages that will fit your traveling needs. Even rental cars and activity reservationscan be included in vacation packages. Tours4Fun also provides vacation packages that include tours and activities you can do with your family.
3. Pack your things wisely.
Pack your things depending on your location. Some trips don’t require jackets, while others require multiple layers of clothing. It also depends on what you plan to do on your trips. Don’t bring swimwear if you don’t plan to swim. On the contrary, even if your destination has no pools or beaches, but you really want to swim in the hotel pool, then bring your swimsuits.
4. Ensure the safety of your home.
Taking a family vacation should not be stressful for you. To relax your mind while you travel, try hiring a house sitter that can watch over your house while you are gone! These professional guardians can take care of your house or even just your pets.
>> Keep the kids entertained with some crayons for your travel.
5. Stay connected.
Internet connection is something that we can consider a necessity for everyone. For example, we can be strolling down the beach, and then suddenly, you need to access your work e-mails because your boss calls you. Roaming charges of your service provider can sometimes get too high, and you don’t want to risk it so getting a Wi-Fi hotspot that works anywhere is a good investment.
Holidays for Kids in the Americas
Holiday celebrations in the Americas highlight some important things such as family and tradition. The “American” Thanksgiving evolved from being a thanksgiving for a good harvest to being thankful for your family. Mexico honors the dead and offers food for them, while Brazil provides a great tradition in welcoming the new year.
Pros
- Winter sports (North America)
- Amazing views
- Family-oriented celebrations
Cons
- Crowded during the holidays
- High cost in terms of lodging and transportation
- Delayed flights due to heavy snowfall
USA – Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving holiday is a holiday that’s centered on giving thanks for the good harvest and sacrificing for another good harvest. It is celebrated in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Liberia, and Saint Lucia. In the United States, they also celebrate the “first thanksgiving” between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.
Highlights:
- Unique food experience
- Thanksgiving Parade
- Family traditions
Important Details
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is the ultimate highlight, especially for children. The Residence Inn in Manhattan provides a great view of the parade, and you can also get your Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel. You can also explore New York and visit Times Square, Central Park, and other beautiful New York landmarks. Try this helicopter tour for a magnificent aerial view of New York.
Mexico – Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos directly translates to “Day of the Dead”. In Mexico, it is a 3-day festivity with food, festivals, parades, and solemn traditions. The main purpose of Día de los Muertos is to honor and remember our dead family members. Locals celebrate this by offering food on the headstones of their departed family members or creating precious altars at their homes with the picture of their loved ones and putting food offerings.
Highlights:
- Street parades
- Night Markets
- Unique traditions
Important Details
Even if Día de los Muertos is about deceased loved ones, it is a celebration for the family. They offer food, have a party with music and drinks, and some even stay at the cemetery through the night. They even decorate the headstones so that the dead may find them when they return. The streets of Mexico City have been the epicenter of every Día de los Muertos celebration in Mexico. The street parades with colorful designs and skull-painted dancers, the night markets, and the undeniably scrumptious food will give you the best memories you will have in your Día de los Muertos trip. Check the best hotels in Mexico City here.
Brazil – New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve may be celebrated all around the world, but Brazilians have their own tradition of celebration. In Rio de Janeiro, at the Copacabana Beach, the largest crowd gathers to celebrate the coming of the new year. The center of all festivities is always located at the front of Copacabana Palace. The main stage is located here, but the whole Copacabana Beach is full of people celebrating the coming of the new year. One important note: everyone wears white during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Copacabana. It symbolizes their hope for prosperity and peace.
Highlights:
- Concert stages throughout the beachfront
- Unique traditions of welcoming the new year
- Lots of parties
Important Details
A New Year’s Eve trip to Rio costs around 4000 USD for the whole family if you stay at the Copacabana Palace. Another tradition that you should try is to jump over 7 waves at midnight. They also believe that the color of your underwear signifies something. Pink means good luck in love, red is for passion, green for health, yellow for wealth, and so on. If you want to save some money, you can also attend parties at the hotels without staying there. An entrance fee will be charged since you are not staying at the hotel. The fee can cost 100-300 USD. While you’re in Rio, you can also try other activities that the place has to offer.
Holidays for Kids in Europe
Traveling to Europe during the holiday season is an amazing experience, especially for the kids. Each country provides a unique twist on the Christmas tradition that we all know. The gifts, foods, and even Santa Claus gets a spin in each country.
Pros
- Fun and exciting activities
- Christmas Markets in almost every city
- Unique food experiences
Cons
- High cost compared to other regions
- Cold weather
- Shorter daytime
England – Christmas Eve
Christmas eve in England is highlighted with traditions and food that you will surely love. Children visit Father Christmas to give him their wish list for Christmas. Christmas carols on churches are also one of the main festivities during Christmas eve. The morning of Christmas day is when you open the gifts. Christmas Dinner is characterized by roasted turkeys and the finale – Christmas pudding.
Highlights:
- Traditional Christmas Dinners
- Christmas Carols
- Pantomimes
Important Details
The Congham Hall in Norfolk offers fantastic packages during the Christmas Season. It offers Christmas dinners and other activities like axe throwing, spa and relaxation times, and Christmas day church with a chance to greet the Royal family.
Spain – Three Kings
The Christmas celebration in Spain is a bit longer than usual. It stretches up to January 6th, which is the celebration of the three kings bringing gifts to baby Jesus or the Epiphany. The Christmas gifts are usually given on January 6th compared to December 25. There are also street parties and parades where children usually receive candies and sweets, and gifts. Roscón de Reyes is also a tradition during this day, so even in bars and restaurants, you may get served this cake with dried fruits and whipped cream.
Highlights:
- Street parades
- Religious traditions
- Unique
Important Details
Hotel Primero Primera is a great hotel to stay in Barcelona where the Three Kings Parade is abundant. It costs around 200USD per night in this hotel. You can also check out Madrid since it has lots of parades as well. These two Spanish provinces host the largest amounts of Three Kings parades in Spain.
Germany – Christmas Markets
The Germans have the best Christmas markets during the Christmas season. One of the most known is the Leipzig Christmas Market. It is one of the largest and one of the oldest, dating back to 1458. They host more than 250 stalls that feature majestic food and a medieval market. They have a large Christmas tree that goes as high as 20 meters and a Ferris wheel that measures 38 meters high.
Highlights:
- Fun rides
- Scrumptious culinary offerings
- 20 meter Christmas tree
Places to Visit
Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof is one of the hotels nearest to the market square where the Leipzig Christmas Market sets up. It is near to a lot of restaurants and attractions, perfect for people who love to walk around. Room reservation rates start at around 200USD per night. Check this for some of the things you can do while in Leipzig.
Holidays for Kids in Asia
Asia has its own unique beliefs, so the Holiday season in this area is unique per country. These beliefs define the way they celebrate the Holiday season. From food to experiences, each country. The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, so its holiday season is greatly influenced by this, while India has a large Hindu population, so this is their holiday season. The observance of the lunar calendar gives China a unique celebration of the Spring Festival. These are the best holidays for kids in Asia.
Pros
- Lowest price range in this list
- Lots of fun activities
- Family-oriented celebrations
Cons
- Hot weather compared to other regions
- Crowded places
- Expensive flights
Philippines – Christmas Season
The Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the whole world. It starts on September 1 and ends on December 31. The -Ber months are filled with the Christmas spirit. Malls get filled with Christmas songs, Christmas rice cakes are being sold on the streets, and Christmas lights and décor are being put up as early as mid-September. Misa de Gallo (Rooster’s Mass) or Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) is the mass celebrated by Catholics every day until Christmas starting 9 days before Christmas.
Highlights:
- Christmas eve parties
- Misa de Gallo
- Unique Christmas decorations
Important Details
The Hyatt Regency Manila at the City of Dreams offers a great room rate, and they have Christmas shows during the Christmas season. One room costs around 170USD per night. You can also check out the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga.
India – Diwali
Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated for 5 days during fall. The date varies, but it usually falls in late October or early November. It celebrates light over darkness and good over evil. They celebrate it with anything bright. Candles, firecrackers, paper lanterns, everything bright. Sweets and gift-giving are also a huge part of this tradition. It’s like a Hindu Christmas.
Highlights:
- Diwali shopping
- Rangoli – colorful artwork using rice and other colorful materials
- Clay Lanterns
Important Details
If you want a guided tour in Varanasi, check this tour packages in Varanasi. The best place to stay in Varanasi is at the Amritara Suryauday Haveli. The room rate starts at 160USD per night.
China – Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year happens every February. It is a celebration filled with traditions for clothing, food, and decorations. Some of the events that happen during the Lunar New Year are dragon dances, fireworks shows, and the Spring Festival Gala. The Spring Festival Gala is some kind of a performance show broadcasted on television. It features Chinese opera, lion and dragon dances, acrobatics, and singing performances that highlight the Chinese culture.
Highlights:
- Dragon and Lion Dances
- Fireworks show
- Red pockets
Important Details
Check out the Waldorf Astoria in Beijing near Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The rooms here start at 250 USD per night. There are lots of activities you can do in Beijing even after the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Holidays for Kids in the Middle East
The holidays in the Middle East focuses on the various religious traditions found in this area. The Hanukkah of Judaism and Eid al Fitr of Islam. The Middle East is the birthplace of most religions in the world so experiencing these traditions is just right when you visit these places.
Pros
- Diverse set of activities
- Learn amazing facts about their cultures
- Amazing views
Cons
- Crowded especially on holidays
- Hot weather (Eid al Fitr)
- Deserts can get super cold during December
Israel – Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or the festival of lights, is a 9-day event that commemorates the rededication of the second temple and the recovery of Jerusalem. Each day, Jewish people light one candle on their Menorah. Some of the things to do during Hanukkah include attending a Menorah lightning, eating sufganiyot, and other regular activities like going to the museum and attending live shows during Hanukkah.
Highlights:
- Menorah public lighting
- Sufganiyot (Jelly-filled donuts with unique flavors)
- Dreidel games
Important Details
The Royal Beach Tel Aviv is a nice hotel to stay in if you visit Israel during Hanukkah. It is near restaurants and museums you can visit during your downtime. The room rate starts at 300 USD. There are also other activities you can do in Tel Aviv like historical tours, art tours, among others.
UAE – New Years Eve
New Year’s Eve celebration in Dubai is certainly one of the most extravagant in the world. It is full of parties, concerts, and events happening during New Year’s Eve. The main attraction is the fireworks display when the clock strikes midnight. Burj Khalifa features a magnificent firework display every year. Be sure to check that out.
Highlights:
- Fireworks display
- Beach parties
- Lots of activities to choose from
Important Details
You should check out Fairmont Dubai if you are looking to stay at a Hotel. It has excellent amenities and very close to a lot of places you would want to visit. There are lots of fun and exciting activities to do in Dubai.
Saudi Arabia – Eid al Fitr
Eid al Fitr is the end of the 30-day fasting month of Ramadan. It is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. Most of our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate Eid by having a feast of food and preparing new clothes and shoes. Families also gather after Eid prayers, and they have a nice meal together. Some traditions include giving money to children and giving gifts.
Highlights:
- The busiest day of the year
- Lots of activities and traditions for families
- Rich cultural experience
Important Details
Stay at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh and explore the beautiful sites and attractions of Saudi Arabia. There are lots of activities you can do while in Riyadh. Visit the National Museum and go on cultural and historical tours. You can also enjoy King Abdullah Park and its colorful flowers and beautiful trees, or check out the Riyadh Zoo and its large collection of Animals.
Final Notes
Every culture celebrates the holidays a little bit differently than your own culture. Experiencing different cultures makes you more knowledgeable and understanding towards other people. If we start sharing these holidays around the world for kids, they can learn these lessons while they are still young. It can help them grow in the right direction.
What’s Next?
Ready to experience different cultures with your kids? Check out the next article!