While a white Christmas is the quintessential symbol of the holiday season, those of us who call the tropics home know all too well that this is a fantasy. On the other hand, we have a tendency to overlook the fact that celebrating Christmas in the tropics can actually be quite enjoyable. In fact, people in other parts of the world would go to great lengths to escape the cold and visit tropical countries. Here are some of the top tropical Christmas getaways for an unforgettable celebration.

Thailand
There are not many Christians in this predominantly Buddhist country, and 25 December is not a national holiday except in several provinces. However, the spirit of Christmas is still very much present. You may find Christmas trees, lights and decorations in many malls over the holiday season. In fact, the Christmas period is the best time to travel to Thailand. When planning a trip to The Land of Smiles in December, you can pretty much count on the weather to be on your side, with lots of sunshine and very little to no rain at all. Daytime highs often hover around 25°C to 30°C while evening lows can dip to 15°C.

One of the most vibrant capitals in Southeast Asia, Bangkok is an effortless mix of the modern and the traditional, making it an absolute must-see. In this city, not only can you find trendy restaurants and exciting nightlife, but also discover Buddhist temples, discount shopping and wonderful street cuisine. For a beach break, head to Pattaya, which is situated about an hour south of Bangkok. Along with its reputation for a pulsating nightlife, Pattaya is famous for its fantastic water sports and diving excursions to some of Thailand’s top wreck sites.

If you'd rather stay on an island, Phuket is the place to go. The extent to which locals have adopted Western Christmas customs might surprise you. Even though many of them are either Buddhists or Muslims, they spare no effort to make sure tourists have the best Christmas ever. At several of the island’s five-star resorts, you’ll discover special Christmas meals and celebrations, along with games and activities suitable for the whole family.

Hong Kong
Thanks to its Winterfest, Hong Kong has firmly established itself as one of the best places to enjoy a tropical Christmas. There is solid justification for its global fame. The city morphs into a magical winter wonderland decked out in Christmas trees, artificial snow, fairy lights, Santa Claus and his reindeer statues and other seasonal decorations throughout the holiday season.Then there is Hong Kong Disneyland, which is an excellent choice for a Christmas vacation with the family. If Disneyland isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of activities to experience in the city such as festive parades, fireworks, free live performances and carolling. Carolers from local churches and schools perform in public spaces like parks and shopping centres in the days leading up to Christmas and on Christmas eve. Free performances are also usually presented by music groups and orchestras. And, don’t forget to spend time to appreciate the retail experience. To help clear out their inventory, many Hong Kong stores, including designer boutiques reduce prices and offer attractive discounts in the month of December.

Singapore
Despite the lack of winter wonderland trappings such as snow and reindeer, Christmas in Singapore is just as wonderful as it is anywhere else in the West. The dazzling display of colourful lights around Orchard Road is a must-see and will surely put you in a merry mood. Another fantastic location to witness an extravaganza of lights, sound and spectacle is at the annual Christmas Wonderland event at Gardens by the Bay. Dubbed Singapore’s biggest Christmas fair, it features a festive market, carnival games, rides, giant light sculptures, Santa’s Grotto and many other fun things to do and see. The artificial snow, towering Christmas tree and Christmas carols all contribute to the holiday spirit. It should come as no surprise that the popular event, which is expected to take place from 30 November to 26 December 2022 is likely to attract more than three million visitors.