Traveling for Christmas is one of the most popular ways to spend the holiday season. A winter getaway to a cabin in the mountains, a tropical beach resort, a lake house, a city, or a quiet country cottage can be both an adventure and a relaxing escape from the everyday. Plus it offers a fun, unique opportunity: hosting a Christmas Eve party while on vacation.
Celebrating Christmas Eve away from home is a lot different than throwing a party in your own home. You’re working with a rental property, hotel room, Airbnb, or a resort villa. You may have limited decorations, space, different kitchen tools, or unfamiliar environment. But it’s exactly these differences that can make your Christmas celebration more special, more creative, and more meaningful.
Here’s a complete list of Christmas Eve Vacation Party Ideas to decorate, plan activities, serve food, make memories, and have a magical holiday celebration no matter where you’re staying.
Why Celebrate Christmas Eve While on Vacation?
Traveling for Christmas lets you enjoy the holidays without the stress of hosting the whole family or putting your own house together for a holiday gathering. Instead you can:
Get away from daily chores and stress
Explore a new environment
Relax in a cozy, beautiful setting
Spend uninterrupted time with friends and family
Make lasting, unique memories
The fun part is you can enjoy all your favorite holiday traditions—just in a new location.
Traveling for Christmas is fun for everyone: families, groups of friends, couples, and even solo travelers. Christmas Eve is the perfect night to create your own festive celebration on vacation.
1. Decorating for Christmas on Vacation
You don’t need boxes and boxes of decorations to make a Christmas atmosphere. Packing the right stuff and using the space creatively can make any hotel, vacation rental, or resort space feel festive.
Pack Travel-Friendly Decorations
Lightweight, foldable, or compact décor pieces are the way to go:
Battery-powered string lights
Mini foldable Christmas tree
Small ornaments
Stockings
Garland or ribbon
Holiday-scented candle or diffuser
Holiday tablecloth or runner
Christmas cards for display
Holiday blanket or pillow cover
These items pack almost no space, but instantly make the room feel Christmassy.
Use What Your Rental Already Has
Vacation rentals come with features that have natural charm:
Fireplaces
Wooden beams
Beautiful windows
Cozy couches
Outdoor areas
Neutral shelves or mantels
Hang lights around windows, drape garland over mantels, or place your mini tree on a table. Showcase the natural beauty of the space to set the holiday mood.
Create a Cozy, Inviting Atmosphere
You can make the space feel magical by:
Turning off glaring overhead lights
Using soft string lights
Playing gentle Christmas music
Adding holiday scents—pine, cinnamon, vanilla, orange, or cloves
When the room feels warm and inviting, soft and subtly scented, the party already feels more festive.
2. Planning a Christmas Eve Dinner or Holiday Feast
Another highlight of traveling for Christmas is spending your vacation time cooking or serving food without all the stress. Even if you buy pre-made foods, you can put together a beautiful and delicious meal to celebrate.
Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas
If you’re in a vacation rental with a kitchen, a simple, yet festive, menu could include:
Baked pasta or lasagna
Rotisserie chicken
Pre-seasoned ham or turkey breast
Mashed potatoes
Store-bought rolls
Holiday charcuterie board
Bagged salad
Christmas cookies or bakery treats
Hot cocoa or mulled wine
These items require minimal cooking or clean-up, but still create a lovely vacation celebration.
Fun Christmas Eve Cooking Activities
Food prep can be a fun part of the party. Some ideas:
Cookie decorating
Gingerbread house building
Creating a hot chocolate bar
Making mulled wine or spiced apple cider
Preparing a festive snack board
These activities can be more hands-on ways to bring guests together and create holiday fun, especially for kids.
3. Christmas Eve Vacation Party Activities
The activities you plan are the heart of any party. Christmas Eve on vacation gives you chances to do traditional holiday activities and have new experiences that are unique to where you’re staying.
1. Christmas Movie Night
Set up your rental or hotel room like a cozy movie theater with holiday movie classics such as:
Home Alone
The Grinch
The Polar Express
Elf
A Christmas Carol
Miracle on 34th Street
Add blankets and snacks and you have the perfect kid-friendly activity.
2. Gift Exchange or Travel-Friendly Presents
Small gifts that pack easily make fun and simple gift exchanges.
Gift ideas include:
Local souvenirs
Candles
Journals
Mini ornaments
Hot chocolate packets
Travel-sized beauty products
Handmade letters or notes
Gift exchange styles:
Secret Santa
White Elephant
“One gift each” simple exchange
Gift exchanges are always something guests can look forward to on Christmas Eve.
3. Christmas Crafts and DIY Fun
Crafting is a great activity for adults and kids, especially when you’re celebrating the holiday away from home.
Try:
Ornament decorating
Christmas card making
Coloring pages
DIY photo props
Gingerbread house making
Activities like these are more keepsakes to remember the trip.
4. Game Night at Your Vacation Rental
Games are always a great way to bring laughter and excitement. Pack small games or use what’s available at your location.
Great ideas include:
Card games
Uno
Pictionary
Scrabble
Christmas trivia
Scavenger hunts
Charades
Games keep the evening full of energy and connection.
5. Take Christmas Photos
Capturing holiday photos is easy when you’re somewhere new and have new backdrops.
Try holiday pictures:
By the decorated tree
Wearing matching pajamas
In the kitchen while cooking
Outdoors in snow or local scenery
At sunset or nighttime lights
Around a fireplace
Photos like these capture memories and reflect the joy of celebrating Christmas in a new place.
4. Ideas for Different Types of Travelers
A Christmas Eve vacation party can be customized for whatever type of group you’re with. Here are some ideas for families, couples, friends, and solo travelers.
Christmas Eve Vacation Ideas for Families
Kids will always remember the magic of celebrating Christmas away from home. Try activities that focus on creating an enchanting experience, such as:
Family decoration time
“Christmas Eve surprise bag” filled with treats
Reading Christmas stories
Tracking Santa online
Cookies-and-milk station for Santa
Bedtime gift like coloring book or pajamas
Christmas Eve Vacation Ideas for Couples
Couples can use their vacation to create an intimate, romantic Christmas Eve by:
Cooking dinner together
Setting up a fireplace date
Writing love notes
Taking cozy photos
Going stargazing
Enjoying a hot tub soak
Exchanging gifts
Watching romantic holiday movies
A Christmas getaway gives couples time and privacy to relax and reconnect.
Christmas Eve Vacation Ideas for Friends
Celebrating Christmas with friends is lively, full of fun, and packed with laughter.
Try:
Holiday pajama party
Potluck dinner
DIY cocktails or mocktails
Friendship gift exchange
Group movie marathon
Photo booth corner
Board game tournament
Activities like these make lasting memories and deepen friendships.
Christmas Eve Vacation Ideas for Solo Travelers
Solo Christmas Eve on vacation can be restorative, peaceful, and meaningful.
Solo ideas include:
Reading a favorite book
Treating yourself to a beautiful dinner
Watching the sunset
Journaling reflections on the year
Nighttime walk to see lights
Video calling loved ones
Planning a self-care relaxing evening
Solo Christmas Eve doesn’t have to be lonely—it can be empowering and peaceful.
5. Use the Unique Features of Your Vacation Destination
The area where you’re staying can make your Christmas Eve celebration even more unforgettable. Seek out what’s special near you.
If you’re at a snowy mountain cabin:
Build a snowman
Make s’mores by the fire
Go stargazing
Take winter photos outdoors
If you’re at a tropical beach destination:
Make a sand “snowman”
Sunset picnic
Decorate seashells
Nighttime beach walk
If you’re in a city:
Visit Christmas markets
See holiday lights or displays
Attend live music or show
Explore festive restaurant streets
If you’re at a country cottage:
Take cozy nature walks
Build a small fire pit (if allowed)
Enjoy quiet reading time
Watch wildlife or birds
Let the local environment inspire your Christmas Eve celebration.
6. Explore Local Christmas Traditions
Every place you travel has its own holiday traditions. Seek out:
Christmas markets
Holiday parades
Winter festivals
Local bakeries with seasonal treats
Street performances
Cultural holiday customs
Midnight church services
These activities bring depth and culture to your Christmas vacation.
7. Staying Connected While Traveling
If you’re far from family or friends back home, there are plenty of ways to stay connected:
Video calls
Sharing photos
Opening gifts together virtually
Watching a holiday movie at the same time
Reading bedtime stories over video for kids
Connection creates a warm feeling for your Christmas Eve, no matter where you travel.
8. Capture Memories of Your Christmas Eve Vacation
Your Christmas Eve celebration on vacation is special and deserves to be remembered. Capture:
Decorations
Dinner table setting
Candid moments
Group photos
Quiet reflections
Local scenery
Fun activities
Memories like these will help you remember the joy and beauty of celebrating Christmas away from home.
Final Thoughts
A Christmas Eve vacation party is a chance to combine the magic of the holiday season with the adventure of travel. Whether you’re celebrating at a cabin, hotel, villa, or Airbnb, you can create a warm, joyful, and unforgettable Christmas Eve with meaningful traditions, delicious food, cozy decorations, and fun activities.
Christmas is about memories and people, not a specific place. Wherever you travel, your Christmas Eve celebration can be full of love, comfort, and holiday magic.
Save pin for later
