Celebrate Christmas in Canada's Enchanting Destinations!

What better way to embrace the spirit of Christmas than by embarking on an enchanting getaway to Canada's winter wonderlands?

At Canada By Design, we have curated five extraordinary Christmas packages that promise to make your holiday season truly magical. Join us as we unwrap the delights of celebrating Christmas in Banff, traversing the Canadian Rockies by luxury train, and discovering the allure of Whistler's winter wonderland.

Why spend Christmas in Canada?

A Christmas surrounded by pine forest, blanketed in snow, with a warm fire burning and a log cabin in the distance. Or, an old stone city strung with twinkling lights, where narrow streets are bustling with people, and shopfronts glow gold with festive displays and mugs of hot mulled wine and cocoa steam.

Christmas traditions in Canada include winter activities like sledding and outdoor ice skating; visiting Christmas markets, relishing in sweet drinks like eggnog and hot chocolate; and savoring festive foods like butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, and, of course, the traditional turkey Christmas dinner.

Christmas in Canada has this and more, all connected by a vintage train quietly running through the snowy landscapes. It is, frankly, like a scene from a movie.

Credit: Destination Canada / Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Best Places to Spend Christmas in Canada

The best place to spend Christmas in Canada depends on your individual preferences. But across Canada, there are many places where the festive season shines.

For holiday travelers, our favorite Christmas destinations in Canada are:

• Banff
• Jasper
• Whistler
• Quebec
• The Yukon

We recommend these spots year after year to our guests seeking out that picture-perfect Christmas vacation. Of course, it depends on what they are looking for as to where we suggest.

Banff, Jasper, and Whistler are all the best places for Christmas for mountain-lovers. All offer snowy peaks lined with dusted pine forests.

Related Post: Winter in the Rockies: 9 Best Ways to Warm Up in Canada

For those looking for a more distinctly European Christmas atmosphere, both Quebec City and Montreal are infused with French-Canadian history and, at Christmas, trimmed neatly with classic decor.

And for that winter bucketlist item, the grand and awe-inspiring Northern Lights, there is no better place than the Yukon, which creates its own festive lights in the sky at night.

Our Top 5 Canadian Christmas Vacation Packages

We have selected five of our best winter wonderland vacation packages to make your festive season truly special.

The first three are our Christmas specials — each with departure dates aligned just so, to make sure your Christmas is spent in the most magical part of your trip.

The last two packages are our favorite winter trips. While not designed with Christmas in mind, we'd love to help you arrange them for the Christmas season.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

1. Christmas in Banff at the Castle

Step into a postcard-perfect Christmas scene as you arrive in Banff, Alberta, the best place in Canada for a cozy mountainside holiday escape.

Nestled amidst the majestic Canadian Rockies, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel awaits, a historic chateau fondly known as 'The Castle in the Rockies.' From the moment you arrive, you'll be immersed in the magic of the holiday season.

Each morning, wake up to breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and let the crisp winter air fill you with awe. Explore Banff National Park, transformed into a winter wonderland, with snowy trails and frozen lakes that beckon you to embrace the outdoors. Christmas Eve will be spent touring the frozen Lake Louise. Rent skates to glide on its surface, or snowshoe its lakeside trail.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning, enjoy a slow start to the most magical day of the season — we've left the morning open for you to relish in your own Christmas traditions, be it the rush of presents with the kids, or the quiet of the first coffee.

In the afternoon, venture out to embrace the season's spirit with a romantic sleigh ride through the wilderness, cuddled up under warm blankets with your loved ones.

And as the evening arrives — arguably the most anticipated part of most Christmasses — feast on holiday-inspired culinary delights crafted with love by master chefs at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. With a plate piled high with turkey, ham, and glistening vegetables, savor every bite as you enjoy the warmth of the roaring fireplace and the company of new friends (and none of the hassle of preparation or clean-up!).

Unwrap the magic of the snowy Canadian Rockies, and see why they are one of the best places to visit in winter.

Credit: Via Rail

2. Christmas in the Canadian Rockies

Hop onboard a cozy train journey through the Canadian Rockies this Christmas season.

Settle into your cabin onboard the sleeper train and feel the excitement of embarking on a journey through a winter wonderland. Through large windows, you'll witness stunning snow-kissed peaks and dense pine forests that welcome you to the Rocky Mountains.

At Christmastime, the trains don festive decorations, transporting you to your own Polar Express. Enjoy hot chocolate in the viewing dome and watch the snow fall around you.

Credit: VIA Rail

Neighbored by the peace and quiet of the Canadian backcountry, and a distinct lack of cell service, you'll have the chance to slow down and relish in the simple pleasures of the season — a good book enjoyed alongside snowy landscapes, a hearty three-course dinner, and spending quality time with the loved ones you travel with. Break out a board game in the Skyline lounge car or partake in the onboard holiday-themed entertainment and activities that promise to keep your spirits high throughout.

You'll wake from your night onboard the train to find yourself deep in the mountains. Enjoy breakfast as the sun rises over the Canadian Rockies and disembark the train to a snowy Jasper.

Related Post: Top 27 Things to Do in Jasper in Winter

Christmas Eve is your day to explore Jasper's active side. Walk through a plunging ice canyon, snowshoe its hidden trails, or mush through forested valleys with a team of sled-dogs.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, relax in Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and enjoy the dreamy scene of cabins lining Bow River. Get out in the snow on snowshoes or cross-country skis (both available to rent by the hour), then curl up by an indoor fireplace, with a glass of something warmly spiced and deliciously spiked.

For Christmas dinner, we've arranged for you to indulge your taste buds with a gourmet Christmas meal carefully curated to indulge in. Relish every bite as you celebrate the season in style, surrounded by the camaraderie of fellow travelers and to the tune of festive music. Your journey continues after Christmas Day, taking you to Banff National Park to explore both the iconic town nestled in the now-snowy Bow Valley and around the marvelous mountain landscapes on tailored tours and excursions.

Experience the magic of Christmas like no other this year on our version of the 'Polar Express'.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

3. White Christmas at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Welcome to Whistler, British Columbia, where Christmas magic comes alive amidst the snow-covered mountains and the charming village ambiance. Holiday spirit is found between the chalets and on the slopes.

Start your trip in Vancouver, where the Vancouver Christmas Market stalls and Capilano Suspension Bridge lights provide a merry start to your Christmas vacation.

Then, we've treated you to a private transfer along the ever-scenic Sea-to-Sky highway. At this time of year, snowy mountains surround you as you drive along fjords and inlets towards Whistler.

There, Whistler offers a selection of winter adventures that cater to all visitors. Embrace the exhilaration of an action-packed day on the mountains, creating memories of laughter and excitement with friends and family.

Credit: Ziptrek Eco Tours

Dog sledding, snowmobiling, ziptrekking, snowshoeing, and mountain-top fondue accessed by a Snowcat, say no more. We've left what exactly up to you, but we will be on hand to guide you to what fits your entire family best.

After embracing the slopes however you see fit, indulge in après-ski bliss, warming up with delectable treats and hot beverages while sharing laughter and stories with fellow adventurers.

Christmas Day

After two days exploring Whistler's activities, both Christmas Eve and Day are yours to enjoy as you please.

Young guests can enjoy Christmas cookie making, while older ones might enjoy a glass (or two) of something more spirited.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

On Christmas evening, there is a grand family Gala to attend — a lavish buffet dinner and dance in Fairmont Chateau Whistler's Macdonald Ballroom awaits.

Accompanied by live music, delight in the merriment of an evening spent among family, new friends, and fellow travelers, before retiring to your Chateau room for one last night in this winter wonderland.

This trip is our favorite to recommend to families, and Whistler at Christmas is perfect for the entire family, especially those who love winter sports.

Credit: Destination Canada

4. Montreal & Quebec City by Rail | Winter Splendors

Relax into the season on a winter train trip to Quebec City's cobbled streets and Montreal's European markets.

Arrive in Montreal by train to enjoy the winter festival that is the city at Christmas. Markets can be found across Montreal, and we highly recommend exploring one on a food tour or shopping between them all for unique gifts. We've given you the choice between either a private food tour, to be shown the best spots by a local, or a walking tour to explore the city's history and architecture instead.

Then, board your second train of the trip to travel between Montreal and Quebec City, relishing in the spirit of the season with a relaxing three-hour rail journey through snowy Quebec landscapes.

Credit: Destination Québec Cité

Quebec City is not only home to the best Christmas market in Canada, but might be our favorite city to visit at Christmastime, too.

While here, we've included a private walking tour of Old Quebec to introduce you to its highlights. At Christmas, you'll see iconic streets decked in sparkling lights and lined with Christmas trees, city squares holding outdoor ice skating, and historic masterpieces dusted with snow. Your private guide will introduce you to each.

Both Quebec City and Montreal feel like stepping into a little slice of Europe in Canada, all the more perfect to experience the sort of Christmas magic you felt as a child — one oftentimes lost to the stresses of preparation. On a holiday tour, you can instead let festive spirit fill each day to the brim.

Credit: Northern Lights Resort & Spa

5. Northern Lights Resort & Spa | Winter at its Best

Let us welcome you to Canadian Christmas the right way, with natural light shows in the sky, and deep, fluffy snow on the ground. The Northern Lights are a bucket-list item for most. And, if they're not, they should be. Luckily for us, Canada is home to some of the best Northern Lights viewing in the world.

Just a short hop from Vancouver — by way of scenic small-plane flight — you'll find a true winter wonderland. And, while we understand the cliche, we can't help but use it.

Upon your arrival in Whitehorse, you'll be transferred to Northern Lights Resort & Spa where log cabins and glass-fronted chalets look over icy forests and stunning mountains.

A city tour of Whitehorse, an introduction to snowmobiling, guided nature walks, and a visit to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and Eclipse Hot Springs make up your days, which each start and end with delicious and hearty meals to keep you warm in the snow.

But the real attraction here is the night sky.

Credit: Northern Lights Resort & Spa

Every night, you're welcomed to guided viewings of the Northern Lights from around a bonfire — complete with s'mores and hot chocolate in hand. Or, relax in your private chalet, where you can stay warm while watching the lights through its glass front. And if the lights show while you're asleep, you'll be woken up, gently, to enjoy them.

For a unique bucket-list Christmas vacation, nothing can beat visiting the Yukon and witnessing the Northern Lights on Christmas Eve night. While we can never promise they will show on any exact day, with a little bit of Christmas magic, anything is possible.

Credit: Canada By Design

Book Today with Canada By Design

Let Canada By Design be your guide to a joyful experience this holiday season.

Whether you're seeking a romantic trip, a family adventure, or exploring on your own, enjoy the magic of Christmas in Canada and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Reach out to one of our Travel Designers to create a custom winter trip that's just for you, or visit our Unforgettable Winter Vacations in Canada page for winter trip ideas and bestselling Canadian train trips and luxury vacations.

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