Where to go · CHRISTMAS WALKING TOURS
The cheapest way into a festive city, and usually the best. These 15 walks cover the markets, the lit streets and the traditions behind them, priced by length, with a note on the ones that include a tasting.
Join an English-speaking guide such as Derek, Max, Nick, or Rose for a 90-minute evening walk through Dyker Heights. You’ll see extravagant homes, hear the story of Lucy Spata and the neighborhood’s holiday codes, and get plenty of photo stops. The walk covers about 3 miles, so bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes.
“Very interesting walk trip. Nice and helpful guide. Really recommend”
Ride from Coventry Street through Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, and Grosvenor Square. An English-speaking guide provides live commentary, while audio guides in 10 languages, Wi-Fi, a Christmas playlist, and app-based walking tours add flexibility. The one-hour route is wheelchair accessible.
“Not great if you don't speak English. We are bothered by the noise the guide makes with his microphone and we can't hear the audio through the headphones which barely work. We also spend more time in traffic jams and are stuck in place for an hour, in short I don't recommend it.”
Walk through Old Quebec with a licensed guide in period costume, seeing Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica, and Place Royale. Expect strong historical storytelling, French heritage, and a small Christmas touch rather than a tour devoted entirely to holiday customs. English and French tours run year-round, rain or shine.
“Loved the history and enthusiasm of the guide!!! Would highly recommend for all!!!!”
Join a small walking group in York at 4pm for a 90-minute Christmas tour led by guides such as Sarah. Hear how Roman Saturnalia, Viking midwinter customs, medieval beliefs, Dickens, mistletoe, chocolate, and York’s Christmas markets shaped the holiday you know today.
“The whole walk was excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable. Made York’s history come to life. Well done.”
Join a guide such as Tom, Henry, Carlos, or Jack for a 90-minute Christmas walk from Covent Garden to Trafalgar Square. Expect festive lights, market stalls, holiday stories, and one complimentary glass of hot spiced mulled wine. The group is capped at 10 people, making it easier to hear and ask questions.
“Henry was very friendly and a great guide. Great stories and history telling of many Christmas traditions including Santa Claus along the route we walked.”
Walk Midtown New York at Christmas with a local guide, beginning at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and ending near Macy’s Herald Square. You’ll see Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Fifth Avenue displays, Bryant Park’s holiday market, the Diamond District, and other landmarks. Guides such as Gabby, Cameron, Luke, and Patrick bring history and humor to a crowded evening route.
“Although it was a rainy night it would have been nice if our tour guide would have paused and recommended picture spots and gave time to take pics at some of the different locations, especially in front of the Rockefeller tree. That’s mainly why I purchased our family of 5 tickets. Instead I just got the tree itself from a side view. I thought he was leading up to a pic spot.”
Join Bobby’s Bike Hike at 11:30 a.m. for a three-hour winter walk through central Chicago. You’ll see Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, State Street, and Christkindlmarket while sampling deep-dish pizza, a Chicago-style hot dog or Italian beef, Palmer House brownies, and holiday cider. Guides such as Mickey, Brooke, Julia, and Lillian lead groups of up to 15.
“Loved the option to have a beer tasting from the local brewery and our tour guide was awesome. The food was delicious and the pizza from Lou Malnati’s pizzeria was the best deep dish we’ve ever had.”
Join Brooklyn Unplugged Tours for a 90-minute evening walk through Dyker Heights, where decorated homes turn ordinary residential streets into a holiday show. Guides such as Ryan, Slava, John, and Derrick share neighborhood stories and point out notable houses. Expect crowds, cold weather, uneven sidewalks, and about three miles of walking.
“Excellent experience and must do if in NYC for the holidays! I would highly suggest using a tour guide as you learn so much about the history and houses in Dyker Heights.”
Join Schwarzwald drag queen Betty BBQ for a 60 to 70 minute Christmas walk through Freiburg. Expect festive lights, city anecdotes, playful adult humor, and her trademark Schallala rather than a standard history tour. The German-language show suits adults who enjoy comedy and can manage a walking route in cold weather.
“Schöner Spaziergang durch das winterlich beleuchtete Freiburg mit Betty BBQ. Er/Sie konnte uns interessante Anekdoten über Freiburg erzählen und hat Stimmung in die Gruppe gebracht”
Join Richard Chambers for a small-group walk through Dickens’s London, from Temple Station to Leadenhall Market. In 2 to 3 hours, you’ll connect A Christmas Carol with old courts, taverns, coffee houses, the Royal Exchange, and the turkey-buying scene. Groups are limited to 10, and the tour runs in English.
“Richard Chambers led our group on a fact-filled tour of the locales in the life of Charles Dickens, and their influence on his works. He let us in on the real-life people and places that shaped the locations and people in his stories with the skill of a true detective. If you want to know, you have to take the tour with him! Ps give this guy a raise!”
Meet your English-speaking local guide by Flying Tiger near Torvehallerne for a three-hour Christmas walk through Copenhagen. Learn about Viking-era Yuletide customs, sample æbleskiver, gingerbread, gløgg, and julebryg, then finish with a traditional Danish gift game at Taphouse.
“Me and my Mum had the most amazing tour with Therese. She was so knowledgeable and engaging and we loved the stops for food and the game at the end, thank you so much!”
Start at Columbus Circle at 3 p.m. and follow a guide through Manhattan’s Christmas markets, Fifth Avenue windows, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Terminal. You’ll shop for crafts and food, hear holiday stories, and spot movie locations. Guides such as Joseph, Charlie, Charles, and Kathryn have led this route.
“Store windows on fifth avenue and Saks music/light show were great. Kathryn’s sharing of various pictures of the mansions and other historical sites were interesting.”
Follow guides such as Ollie, Nelson, Bahara, Sabrina, and Mariana through London’s brightest Christmas districts. The 2.5-hour walk links Regent Street, Soho, Mayfair, Bond Street, Carnaby Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Hyde Park, with caroling, local treats, and seasonal stories. Expect crowds, cold weather, and a brisk pace.
“Baja did a nice job of showing us the major Holiday areas and giving us some background on each area. Beware to use go Google maps and not Apple Maps to find the meeting place. We were in the wrong spot. Luckily it was a small group and they were nice enough to wait 5 minutes for us.”
Follow a French, English, or Spanish-speaking guide through Strasbourg’s illuminated squares and seven Christmas markets. You’ll hear local holiday traditions, see artisan stalls, and have time to spot bretzels, spaetzle, crepes, and gifts. The two-hour walk ends with mulled wine or hot juice. Groups are limited to 10 people.
“Our guide was a excellent he made the experience 🥰”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Sarah, Kathinka, Alex, or Finn for a three-hour evening walk through Berlin’s Christmas markets. See Brandenburg Gate, Bebelplatz, Humboldt Forum, Nikolaiviertel, and Alexanderplatz while learning about Berlin and German holiday customs. Food, drinks, and transport costs are your responsibility.
“Excellent trip. Takes you to Christmas markets you would not normally see. Our tour guide Rachel was excellent.”
Pick a market, a sleigh, a stage or a river.
