6 Festive History Tours Around the World to Book Before December

1.Christmas in New York: Private Holiday History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165Our pick

Walk through Manhattan’s holiday heart with a private guide, starting at Herald Square and visiting Macy’s, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Expect stories about Santa, Christmas customs, department-store traditions, and New York’s seasonal spectacle. Children 7 and under go free with an adult.

“Had a great time learned so much from one tour guide to another well done my friend looking forward to seeing you again perhaps in Philly -Highly recommend you will be amazed thanks Kevin !”

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2.Historic Christmas tour of Lübeck

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 47 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $17Best value

Meet under Lübeck’s Holsten Gate for a 90-minute German-language costume tour through the old town and Christmas market. Your guide may appear as merchant’s wife Veckinchusen, a merchant, or Dr. Grabow from Buddenbrooks. Expect stories, legends, Advent customs, cobblestones, and a small group of up to 20.

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3.New Year’s Eve Drinks, History and Ball Drop Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 11 reviews · 8 hours · from $350

Start at Grand Central with a guide-led Prohibition story, then visit three historic bars and speakeasies. Enjoy included drinks at the first two stops and a four-hour open bar from 8 PM to midnight. The final venue offers an exclusive 54th Street viewing area, though the ball is about 12 blocks away.

“I want to be as fair as possible. The staff were amazing, and the drinks package was great, as were the bars they took us to. A fair bit of walking, but doable. The thing that I was most dissatisfied with was the distance we were from Times Square. My fault for not investigating this thoroughly before I booked it. We were way too far away, in my opinion. If I had known this, I would not have booked it. I honestly thought we would be in Times Square, so when midnight arrived, I was very disappointed.”

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4.Walking Tour of Historic Dresden with a Christmas Touch. Small group tour.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · from $25

Walk Dresden’s old town with a guide such as Karen or Lawrence, tracing its medieval, Baroque, wartime, and postwar story. See the Zwinger, royal landmarks, Brühl’s Terrace, and a Christmas market with time for Stollen, Glühwein, and Saxon decorations. The group is capped at 17 people.

“Wow! Tour guide was so knowledgeable and English was excellent!!! She was accommodating to the group needs and wove history and current architecture and christmas season together for a very worthwhile excursion! Highly recommend.”

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5.Lübeck: Christmas Market and Historical City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews

Start beside Lübeck’s Holsten Gate and follow a private guide through the city’s Christmas markets, including the craftsman market at St. Petri, the Town Hall market, and the historic market by Marien Church. Choose a one-hour or 1.5-hour walk in English or German, with time to pause for mulled wine.

“The tour was absolutely great. The city guide absolutely infected us with her enthusiasm. It was informative without giving too many "metrics". Anytime again.”

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6.Festive Faro: Historic Christmas Lights & Market Delights

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $396

Follow a private English-language tour from Faro’s Arco do Repouso to the Municipal Market, with Christmas lights, Largo da Sé stalls, the cathedral, Chapel of Bones, and Jardim da Praça Silva Porto. Sophia may guide your group. The route is short, but the advertised Christmas elements and vehicle should be confirmed before booking.

“Do not book this trip. There is no Christmas tour in Faro. Sophia our tour guide was fabulous and improvised to accommodate the false advertising of this tour. We paid $400 for a 2 hour tuk tuk tour. RIP off”

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