Best Christmas Vacations for Families in the US

Dreaming of a family Christmas vacation? Not sure where to go? Then this blog post is for you! From twinkling cities to snowy small towns, warm beaches to sub-zero mountain summits, we’ve curated a list of the best Christmas vacations for families across the US. Moreover, we’ll reveal the stunning area timeshare rentals where you can enjoy a home away from home for the holidays, without cramming the family into a hotel room or committing to long-term vacation ownership. The temperature is falling, the holiday spirit is rising, and these rentals won’t be available for much longer. So, let’s get started!

What Makes a Great Family Christmas Vacation?

One family’s idea of the perfect Christmas vacation isn’t necessarily the same as the next family’s. However, the best Christmas vacations for families usually have a few things in common.

• Family-Friendly Holiday Events: Think parades, meet-and-greets with Santa, and light shows.
• Attractions for All Ages: Whether you prefer relaxing at the beach, Christmas shopping downtown, getting active in the great outdoors, or chasing your next adrenaline fix at the theme parks, make sure there are attractions for everyone in the family to enjoy.
• Good Weather: This can mean different things to different families. Are you looking for a warm-weather escape from the cold, or are you the type of family who embraces winter weather?
• Spacious Accommodations: When traveling as a family, it’s important to have a comfortable place to unwind between activities. Spacious, home-like accommodations can go a long way toward helping you rest up for another day of fun.

1. Orlando, Florida: Best Family Vacation for Christmas Magic in the Most Magical Place on Earth

Orlando is undisputed as the family vacation capital of the world. But did you know it’s also one of the best family-friendly holiday vacation destinations? From theme park events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to ICE!, an annual event at the Gaylord Palms hotel featuring dazzling ice sculptures, holiday shows, and festive activities, Orlando offers no shortage of ways to celebrate the holiday season. And with average temperatures hovering between 70 and 73 degrees, you can run here, there, and all around the square without melting away.

Christmas Events in Orlando

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (EPCOT)
• Grinchmas (Universal’s Islands of Adventure)
• ICE! (Gaylord Palms)
• Dazzling Nights (Leu Gardens)

Orlando Timeshare Rentals for Your Family Christmas Vacation

• Westgate Vacation Villas Resort: Westgate Vacation Villas Resort offers spacious studio, one-, and two-bedroom accommodations just minutes from the parks. Studios come equipped with a kitchenette while one- and two-bedroom suites feature a full kitchen, perfect for cooking Christmas dinner. Don’t feel like cooking? On-site dining lets you leave the prep and cooking to the professionals! Other amenities at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort include heated pools, a waterpark, a fitness center, a game room, and scheduled activities for the whole family.
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort: Comprising four “villages,” this sprawling family-friendly resort has everything you need to make lifelong vacation memories right onsite. Among Orange Lake Resort’s staggering array of amenities you’ll find championship golf, miniature golf, themed restaurants, and beach-style pools. Meanwhile, villa-style accommodations provide the perfect holiday home base, with all the space and creature comforts you need to feel at home on your Orlando Christmas vacation.

2. Park City, Utah: Best Family Vacation for a White Christmas

Is your family dreaming of a white Christmas? Make their dreams a reality with a trip to Park City, Utah! Every year around Christmastime, Park City becomes a winter wonderland complete with sleigh rides, twinkling lights, and of course, world-class ski resorts. With its cozy, small-town vibes, holiday cheer, and endless snow-bound activities, it’s perfect for adults and kids alike.

Christmas Events in Park City

• Torchlight Parade (Deer Valley Resort)
• Electric Light Parade (Main Street)
• Snowfest (Park City Resort)
• Park City’s Holiday Spectacular (Egyptian Theater)

Timeshare Rentals in Park City

• Marriott’s Summit Watch: Stay right in the heart of the action at Marriott’s Summit Watch, located on Main Street in downtown Park City. Everything from shopping and dining to the town ski lift is within walking distance, while on-site amenities like an indoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center bring the fun to you. Summit Watch offers studio guest rooms and one- to two-bedroom villas with full or partial kitchens and other home-like comforts.
• Park Plaza Resort: This family-focused, all-suite condo resort is the ultimate home base in the Wasatch mountains. Take advantage of shuttle service to winter events, dining, and skiing. Or, stay onsite and enjoy the indoor pool, sauna, and game room. Accommodations range from studios to junior, one-, and two-bedroom suites and feature full or partial kitchens. Select units boast fireplaces and in-unit washers and dryers.

3. Destin, Florida: Best Family Christmas Vacation for Beachside Relaxation

If your family wants a warmer, more relaxed Christmas, Destin should definitely be on your radar. Mild temperatures are ideal for walks on the beach and other outdoor activities. Meanwhile, holiday celebrations like waterfront light displays and festive boat parades ensure you don’t lose touch with the Christmas spirit.

Christmas Events in Destin

• Baytowne on Ice Ice Skating Rink (Baytowne Wharf)
• 12 Nights of Lights (Baytowne Wharf)
• Mistletoe Market (HarborWalk Village)
• Jolly Jubilee (Destin Commons)
• Destin Boat Parade (Destin Harbor)

Timeshare Rentals in Destin

• Bay Club of Sandestin: Nestled within the sprawling Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Bay Club of Sandestin promises a quiet oasis where you and your family can enjoy what matters most—each other! Book a tee time at one of four on-site golf courses, or charter a boat from the marina and set sail on a family fishing excursion you won’t soon forget. If you run out of things to do onsite, don’t worry; you’ll find over 40 restaurants, upscale shopping, live entertainment, and pristine beaches within walking distance of the resort. Every one-bedroom suite at Bay Club comes with a full kitchen, separate living and dining areas, and free WiFi. Most units feature a furnished balcony.
• Wyndham at Majestic Sun: With a beachfront location perfect for quiet seaside strolls, indoor pools ideal for winter swimming, a fitness center where you can work up a sweat, and massage services to work out the knots after the gym, Wyndham at Majestic Sun offers the ultimate quiet Christmas beach vacation for families. When you aren’t enjoying the on-site amenities, dolphin cruises offer a comfortable, relaxing way to see these charming creatures in their natural habitat, while the Indian Mound Museum, with America’s largest collection of Southeastern indigenous ceramic artifacts, is a must for the history, paleontology, anthropology, or pottery buff in your family. Accommodations at Majestic Sun include one-bedroom, one-bedroom deluxe, and two-bedroom suites, and come with a full or partial kitchen and free Wifi.

4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Best Family Vacation for a Cozy Mountain Christmas

If your idea of the perfect family Christmas involves cozy cabin vibes, holiday crafts, plenty of natural beauty, and festive cheer to spare, Gatlinburg, Tennessee delivers. Christmas in Gatlinburg is nothing short of magical, as chimney smoke mingles with mountain mist and Winterfest sets the town aglow with millions of Christmas lights strung across town. One town over in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is widely considered one of the best holiday events in America, with everything from festive shows to towering Christmas trees to holiday-themed shopping and dining.

Christmas Events in and Near Gatlinburg

• Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Dollywood, Pigeon Forge)
• Mingle and Jingle with Kris Kringle (Ober Gatlinburg Adventure Park)
• Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade (Downtown Gatlinburg)
• Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta (Anakeesta Mountain Adventure Park)

Timeshare Rentals in Gatlinburg

• Gatlinburg Town Square: Located within walking distance of downtown, Gatlinburg Town Square puts you just steps from Gatlinburg’s best Christmas events and attractions, and just minutes from Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Other nearby attractions include golf, horseback riding, downhill and cross country skiing, and boutique shops selling hand-crafted Christmas decorations and holiday ornaments. Onsite, you’ll find an array of top-notch amenities to enhance your vacation, including an indoor swimming pool, a picnic area, a children’s playground, and a fitness center. Choose from a studio, one-, two-, or three-bedroom suite and enjoy a mix of home-like comfort and rustic-chic design.
• Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park: Your kids are sure to love everything about this Westgate resort, especially the indoor water park. At 60,000 square feet, Wild Bear Falls Water Park lets you make a splash any time of year with waterslides, a lazy river, a zero-entry pool, and more! But that’s not all this resort has to offer. From a marketplace to bars to scheduled activities, there’s something for every member of the family! Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Water Park boasts an array of studios and multiroom villas, many of which feature fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, private balconies, and in-unit washers and dryers.

Find Your Family’s Christmas Vacation With Timeshares Only

Still searching for that perfect Christmas vacation for your family? It’s just a few clicks away—with Timeshares Only. Our resale marketplace has timeshares for rent around the world, including in top Christmas destinations like New York City, London, Paris, and beyond. Explore our full selection of timeshare rentals at the link below, using the filters to tailor your search to your exact needs. Need assistance? Call or email us and let one of our friendly rental specialists help you find the best Christmas vacation for your family today!