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Christmas is literally an excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast, every day, for a whole month (thanks for the advent calendar, Mum). And who wants to give that up? Not us… But, picture all those festive feels… on the beach.
Look at the Aussies every year – a barbecue on the sand might not feature roast potatoes, but pigs in blankets can still be on the menu. So, keep your fave traditions alive, just take them on tour somewhere hot. The UK struggles to come through with a white Christmas these days, so why not just change it up? ‘Tis the season for making cocktails and treating yourself after all, so it makes sense.
If you’re feeling convinced, check out our top picks for some hot festive fun…
Mexico loves a roast turkey, too
Mexico combines average temperatures that hover around the 20°C mark with stockings full of yuletide traditions. Santa-red poinsettia flowers deck the halls of hotels and homes, and you’ll be able to watch Posada parades, where kids act out Mary and Joseph’s journey to the famous stable. Turkey’s on the menu at a Mexican Christmas dinner, too, which is normally eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve – respect the lack of restraint. A classic Christmas Day here is also really chilled out (shock). Everyone’s recovering from the festivities of the night before, except instead of the sofa, you’ve got the beach for your afternoon nap. If you opt for a festive stay on the Riviera Maya, you’ll have 30 kilometres of coastline to pick from.
Keep your carols in the Canaries
The Canary Islands are famous for their year-round toasty temps. Tenerife boasts an average temperature of 23°C in December, so you can wave goodbye to Jack Frost and his nose-nipping ways as you board the plane. Plus, the whole island gets on board with the festive fun, so you’ll see loads of twinkly lights in the towns. Puerto de la Cruz goes all out with a full-on Christmas entertainment programme, complete with live bands and carol singers. While you’re there, you can sample some traditional festive Turron – this almond and honey-flavoured cake will make you forget all about mince pies…
Rum is the new Bailey’s in the Dominican Republic
Despite highs of 29°C on this Caribbean island, you’ll find lots of Christmas traditions to make you feel at home. Families do a big roast pork dinner on Christmas Eve, and you already know the rum cocktails here will be next level. New Year is the big one, though, and the Dom Rep celebrates festivities from October right through to January 1st. For an alternative and more active Christmas, you can even head out on a safari or go snorkelling with the sealife in the warm waters – Rudolf could never.
If you’re tempted by a hot festive holiday, pick yours from our Seasonal trips or browse our best deals.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Lily Owen
Page updated: 25/06/2025
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