There are many destinations around the world that become magical at Christmas time. From a snow covered Central Park in New York to the magic created inside Walt Disney World in Florida.
Top attractions from around the world have been ranked in a new study to see which comes out on top for spreading the most Christmas joy. Taking the top spot globally is a UK destination, which may come as a surprise to some. Warner Bros Studio Tour London has been ranked the best in the world, with a 9.75/10 Christmas joy score.
The tour takes visitors behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter series. Fans can explore the sets, props and costumes used in the films.
Over the winter period, the sets even get a festive makeover as part of the Hogwarts in the Snow feature. Coming in at the same on the list created by travel experts at AttractionTickets.com is Central Park in New York City.
New York dominates the top 15 with five entries including Bryant Park, The Met, Top of the Rock, Times Square, and Central Park – making the city the Christmas joy capital of the world.
Grand Place – Grote Markt in Brussels, Belgium comes next, followed by Bryant Park and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Another UK destination on the list is Center Parcs, Longleat Forest.
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark has been given a Christmas joy score of 9.4, while Center Parcsm Sherwood Forest is just behind at 9.3.
Disneyland Paris, Center Parcs, Elveden Forest and The Met – Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York follow next. Oliver Brendon, travel expert and CEO at AttractionTickets.com, said: “Whether you’re booking a last-minute holiday for 2025, or planning your Christmas break for 2026 already, this data is a great indicator of where you’re likely to experience the most festive joy around Christmas time.
“It’s no surprise that New York locations, like Central Park and Times Square, performed well due to their global appeal, but it’s great to see how more traditionally family-orientated holidays, like Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris, are proving just as impactful when it comes to Christmas joy.
“From the data, it’s clear that the settings where people feel most festive are those that are internationally sought-after and have Christmas-specific events, alongside encouraging inclusive family-centred experiences.”
Top 15 destinations that bring the most Christmas joy
1. Warner Bros Studio Tour London (UK) – 9.75
1. Central Park (New York, USA) – 9.75
2. Grand Place – Grote Markt (Brussels, Belgium) – 9.7
3. Bryant Park (New York, USA) – 9.65
4. Walt Disney World Resort (Florida, USA) 9.55
5. Center Parcs – Longleat Forest (Wiltshire, UK) – 9.45
6. Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen, Denmark) – 9.4
7. Center Parcs – Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire, UK) – 9.3
8. Disneyland Paris (France) – 9.25
8. Center Parcs – Elveden Forest (Suffolk, UK) – 9.25
9. The Met – Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA) – 8.8
9. Old Québec (Québec City, Canada) – 8.8
10. Top of the Rock (New York, US) – 8.7
11. Eiffel Tower (Paris, France) – 8.65
11. Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Vienna, Austria) – 8.65
12. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (Québec City, Canada) 8.6
13. Kew Gardens (London, UK) – 8.55
13. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna, Austria) – 8.55
13. Prague Castle (Czech Republic) – 8.55
14. Universal Orlando Resort (Florida, USA) – 8.5
14. Times Square (New York, USA) – 8.5
14. Universal Studios Hollywood (California, USA) – 8.5
15. Liseberg Park (Göteborg, Sweden) – 8.4
