Not everyone dreams of roast turkey, board games, and cosy fires at Christmas. For some, the idea of swapping wrapping paper for adventure, or twinkling lights for a star-filled sky, feels far more exciting. If you’ve ever thought about doing something different, why not make this the year you try one of these unique Christmas holidays?
From chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland to celebrating winter festivals in Japan, or even going on safari in South Africa, these unusual Christmas destinations prove that the festive season can be magical in more ways than one.
Iceland: A Christmas Under the Northern Lights
Forget fairy lights, nothing beats the natural glow of the Aurora Borealis. In Iceland, December brings long nights and a high chance of seeing the sky dance with ribbons of green and purple light. It’s an experience that feels both otherworldly and deeply festive, like nature’s very own Christmas show.
Christmas in Iceland comes with its own quirky traditions too. Instead of Santa, children look forward to visits from the 13 mischievous “Yule Lads,” who leave little gifts in their shoes in the run-up to Christmas. Reykjavik is beautifully decorated, with ice rinks, markets, and hot chocolate stalls creating plenty of festive cheer.
And when you’re not gazing at the skies, you can soak in the Blue Lagoon’s steaming geothermal waters, trek across glaciers, or explore ice caves. An alternative festive trip to Iceland is one you’ll never forget, a true blend of adventure and wonder.
Japan: Winter Festivals and Illuminations
If you’re looking for a Christmas filled with colour and spectacle, Japan is an inspired choice. While Christmas here is more of a cultural celebration than a religious one, it’s embraced with dazzling light displays, seasonal foods, and joyful festivals.
Tokyo comes alive with winter illuminations that rival any in Europe — think entire districts glowing with millions of LEDs. In Osaka, the Universal Studios Japan theme park hosts festive parades and shows, while Kyoto offers a quieter, more traditional atmosphere with serene temples dusted in winter snow.
Food is also a huge part of the fun. Families often mark Christmas with special cakes topped with strawberries and cream, and fried chicken has surprisingly become a festive favourite thanks to a decades-old marketing campaign.
Visiting Japan at this time of year gives you a completely different take on the holiday season. It’s a unique Christmas holiday that combines tradition, modern spectacle, and plenty of surprises along the way.
South Africa: Safari for the Festive Season
For something truly out of the ordinary, why not spend Christmas on safari? In South Africa, December falls in the middle of summer, making it the perfect time to head out on game drives and spot the famous Big Five.
Picture it: instead of decorating a tree, you’re watching elephants bathe in a watering hole. Instead of opening presents in a living room, you’re listening to lions roar under a star-filled sky. Safari lodges often put their own twist on the season, with festive dinners served al fresco and stockings hung above the firepit.
Beyond the wildlife, South Africa offers stunning coastlines, vineyards, and vibrant cities. Cape Town, with its blend of beaches, mountains and culture, is the perfect place to round out a safari Christmas.
Choosing South Africa as your unusual Christmas destination means swapping snow for sunshine, and traditions for adventure, and that’s what makes it so unforgettable.
Why Choose an Alternative Christmas Trip?
There’s something freeing about doing Christmas differently. Whether it’s chasing the Northern Lights, immersing yourself in Japanese festivals, or heading out on safari, these alternative festive trips give you stories you’ll be telling for years.
Instead of the usual routine, you’ll return home with memories that feel extraordinary: the moment the aurora shimmered above your head, the first taste of a Japanese Christmas cake, the thrill of spotting a leopard in the wild.
And that’s the beauty of unusual Christmas holidays, they don’t erase tradition, they just add new layers of meaning to the season.
Journeys Made: A Christmas Gift That Keeps the Memories Alive
Of course, the best part of these festive adventures is the memories you bring home. That’s where Journeys Made comes in.
Our personalised travel keyrings with engraved country tokens are a thoughtful way to capture the places you’ve been. Imagine gifting a loved one a keyring with Iceland, Japan or South Africa added as tokens, a travel keepsake that celebrates not just a trip, but the story of a Christmas spent differently.
Whether you’re planning an unusual Christmas destination this year or simply dreaming of one for the future, a Journeys Made keyring makes the perfect Christmas gift — small enough to tuck into a stocking, but meaningful enough to last a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Christmas doesn’t have to look the same every year. It can mean chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, marvelling at winter festivals in Japan, or spending the day on safari in South Africa. These unique Christmas holidays prove that the festive season is about more than routine, it’s about joy, wonder and the memories you create.
And when the decorations are packed away, those memories deserve to stay with you. A Journeys Made travel keyring is more than a gift; it’s a way of carrying your adventures close, wherever life takes you next.