8 Places That Are Warm in December in the U.S.

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the holiday celebrations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are no exception. These two cities may be about an hour apart, but since they share a major airport, we’re giving you the goods for both. Expect temps around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, though they can drop down to the 40s at night.

Over in Dallas, you can check out the 12 Days of Christmas outdoor display or illuminate your night with over one million lights at the annual Holiday at the Arboretum. The Neuhoff Family Christmas Village also puts on a European-style Christmas market, plus you can get your festive fill at City Hall Plaza’s Deck the Plaza, where you’ll find a massive tree lighting, Winter Wonderland experience, and traditional holiday treats like hot cocoa, spiced cider, and cookies. There’s also a holiday parade, Christmas concerts, and more.

In Fort Worth, don’t miss the decked-out homes sporting holiday decorations for Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place and stop by to peep the light display at the Modern Art Museum. For a pinch of Texas during the holiday season, head to the Stockyards where a cowboy-clad Santa rounds up folks for photo ops.

Hotel ZaZa

The hype over hygge might be waning, but our love for a Danish Christmas stands strong. Luckily, you don’t have to travel across the Atlantic to experience an epic Danish Christmas celebration; all you need to do is head to Solvang, a small Danish town about 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara. The entire month of December is dedicated to Yulefest, where you can learn about the town’s history, meet the Claus family, sing Christmas carols, see holiday lights, experience a festive tree-lighting ceremony, and enjoy a parade, just to name a few. Plus, the temps will be in the mid-60s.

The Hamlet Inn

Christmas on the water? Sure, if you’re soaking in the California sun at the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Here, trade in your snow boots for flip-flops and join onlookers as they watch festively decorated boats sail past the city. Restaurants and bars get in on the action with deals, parties, and great holiday cheer on tap. The best part is that the weather is in the 70s, meaning you could even go for a Christmas surf.

Live in the lap of luxury at The Resort at Pelican Hill

St. Petersburg boasts 361 sunny days per year, making it a no-brainer to visit during the holidays. In December, you can still go to the beach (yes, you read that correctly) and temperatures are in the 70s. As far as festivities go, they’ve got Enchant Christmas, the world’s largest Christmas light maze paired with a holiday market (both are held in the city’s domed baseball field). Folks also pile into cars to drive through festive neighborhoods that are lit with bright lights and displays. There are also Christmas-themed concerts by the Florida Orchestra and performances like the Nutcracker at Mahaffey Theater. Just north, you can also watch the twinkling lights pass by as boats make their way through the Tarpon Springs Boat Parade.

The Hollander

How better to spend the holidays than by soaking in the sun on a tropical island -- no passport needed. Head to Oahu for the Honolulu City Lights, a month-long celebration that includes a 50-foot Christmas tree, light parade, and festivities that last long after the sun goes down. Between holiday celebrations, mix in some snorkeling, sailing, and beach time, and swap out traditional warm holiday drinks with fun, frozen cocktails. While you’re here, take the time to celebrate traditional Hawaiian culture and to learn about this beautiful island chain’s history before it became a part of the United States.

The 639-room Outrigger Waikiki Beach

While Miami is a hot spot come wintertime, we’d like to propose a more chill, but equally warm, option: Fort Lauderdale. Here, you can hit the beach, then cruise down the three-mile-long decorative display of lights set up for the Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park. Keep the radio off, roll the windows down, and take in the lights while listening to a festive playlist. Looking for a more water-based activities? The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade hosts an over-the-top and festively decorated boat show on the Intracoastal Waterway. Or, hop aboard the city’s water taxi for a tour of  the holiday light displays on local mansions along the Intracoastal Waterway. Just be sure to pack your bathing suit and shorts, as Christmastime weather in Fort Lauderdale is in the high 70s.

Visit Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach

Southern charm mixes well with the holiday spirit, and Charleston’s warm weather that hovers in the low 60s is an added bonus for folks looking to escape the snow. Christmas may not be white, but it’ll be full, thanks to areas that exude holiday cheer and "A Christmas Carol" vibe. Take candlelit tours of the 19th-century Nathaniel Russel House or check out the city’s annual Holiday Festival of Lights. It’s a great way to incorporate a bit of history and modern Christmas traditions into one trip -- scarves and mittens need not apply.

Housed in a beautifully renovated mansion dating back to the mid-1800s, the Jasmine House Inn

With tons of free activities all year long, we can’t get enough of this freewheeling city. Around the holidays, you’ll find free holiday concerts at St. Augustine Church and at the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. Wilder events include an annual boozy Running of the Santas, which ends with an open bar and a hilarious Santa costume contest. There’s also the Krampus parade along the Bywater for those who are interested in a more morbid take on Kris Kringle. More traditional activities include a production of "A Christmas Carol" and the holiday-themed transformation of Fulton Street, where you can grab festive drinks, light decorations, and lots of spiced treats.

Located right on the border of the French Quarter and the Central Business District, The SaintYou’ll Also Like:

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