15 Festive City Tours Worth Booking

1.Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 838 reviews · 4 hours · from $46Our pick

Ride from Midtown Manhattan through Hudson Yards and Brooklyn to Dyker Heights, where you walk among lavish Christmas displays. Guides such as Jay, Jorge, Tanya, and Emily add local history and humor, while stops at Bay Ridge and DUMBO provide skyline views. Spanish and English tours are available.

“Augustine was a good tour guide in making sure everyone was in attendance following along. His light saber was a great idea and was able to be seen from a distance. I appreciated the bus and the bus driver Amari because it was cold outside and to have a warm bus available to take us to and back was convenient. The Christmas music was great. I was thinking it would be nice if there were some Christmas snacks. But overall, it was worth the bus ride in the cold with Bay Ridge and DUMBO included.”

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2.New York City Christmas Lights Private Horse Carriage Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 237 reviews · 45 to 50 minutes (approx.)

Spend 45 to 50 minutes in a private horse carriage for up to four people, beginning in Central Park and continuing along Fifth Avenue. Your driver points out holiday displays, Saks Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Blankets are supplied, and drivers such as Omer, Atakan, and Muhammad may stop for photos.

“Had a wonderful evening carriage ride to see the Christmas lights on Christmas evening. Atakan was our driver and Freddie was our horse. Atakan did an awesome job showing us the window displays and light shows. Great vantage point without being in the crowds. My husband and I were given a blanket to keep warm in the temps and the selected Christmas music was perfect. Atakan took our photo while in the carriage and got to take a few pics with Freddie afterward and even fed him a couple of carrots. It was the quintessential NYC experience. Highly recommend! A must do activity. Thank you Atakan & Freddie!”

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3.Quebec City: Christmas Magic Walking Tour in Old Quebec

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 146 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

Walk through Old Quebec with a costumed English or French-speaking guide, visiting Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica, and Place Royale. Expect a history-led tour with Christmas stories, lively character narration, stairs, cold-weather walking, and a small hot chocolate.

“We loved our tour guide and the entire experience! We learned about parts of Quebec we never would’ve known about. Could not recommend this tour enough!”

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4.Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 112 reviews · from $299

Spend 90 minutes inside Radio City Music Hall for the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, with precision dance, Santa, Toy Soldiers, bright stage effects, and the Living Nativity. Choose from available showtimes and seat sections, then use your mobile ticket at the Rockefeller Center venue.

“The whole show! It was way more than I was expecting! The lights, the other dancers and performers, and Santa did a fabulous job!”

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5.Christmas Holiday Tour of Manhattan

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 56 reviews · from $25

Walk Manhattan’s Christmas highlights with an English-speaking guide such as Gabby or Luke. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Bryant Park, 5th Avenue, and Macy’s during a lively two-hour tour.

“We had an amazing time. We weren’t sure about walking but Gabby made it so fun! We saw everything and she made sure we were all safe and enjoyed our time! She answered all our questions and had the best attitude! Thank you Gabby!! A must if your in NY, ask for Gabby!”

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6.New York City Christmas Holiday Statue and Skyline Cocoa Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85Top rated

Cruise New York Harbor aboard the classic Yacht Manhattan or Yacht Manhattan II for 90 minutes of skyline views, holiday décor, narration, and one included drink. You’ll pass Battery Park City, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty from comfortable indoor seating or the outside deck.

“Great cruise! We saw all the great sights along the River! The crew was fantastic and the food and beverages were spectacular! I highly recommend this river cruise on your trip to New York City!”

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7.New York City Christmas Holiday Lights and Markets Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · from $59

Start at Columbus Circle at 3 pm for a guided walk through Manhattan’s Christmas markets, Fifth Avenue windows, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Grand Central. Guides such as Joseph, Charlie, Charles, and Kathryn add holiday stories, shopping tips, and movie connections. Expect crowds, cold weather, and plenty of walking.

“We covered a lot of ground… Saturday night was rough since crowds and long lines made it difficult to see anything substantial in the time allotted. Charlie, our guide, was cheerful and kept calm in the chaos. I would recommend the tour, but go on a weeknight, not the weekend.”

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8.Christmas Light Private Carriage Ride New York City

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 49 reviews · 40 to 45 minutes (approx.)

Share a private, 40 to 45 minute carriage ride for up to four adults through Midtown’s holiday lights. Guides such as Nasir, Honor, and Onur have taken guests past Rockefeller Center, Saks, Radio City, and Fifth Avenue, with blankets, photos, and a rain roof included.

“Our driver (Nasir) was prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable about holiday traditions in and around our tour area.”

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9.Nuremberg: Christmas City Culinary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 40 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Spend two hours walking Nuremberg’s Christmas markets with an English or German guide. Taste sausages, Lebkuchen, and hot wine, then visit the Children’s, International, and Partner Cities markets. Guides such as Claudia, Martina, and Justina add local history and practical market tips.

“Our guide, Martina, was very professional and knowledgeable. She told us about the history of the market, how things came to be, and how some things are still continued to this day. The food and drink options were delicious! We saw many unique items that we hadn't seen at other Christmas Markets within other German cities. We would recommend this tour!”

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10.Salzburg Christmas Market & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $348

Walk Salzburg’s Christmas markets and old town with an English-speaking guide, visiting the cathedral, St. Peter’s Abbey, Getreidegasse, and Mozart sites. You’ll hear local stories, taste gingerbread, receive a Salzburg mug, and finish near the market with time for a warm drink and food.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our time with our guide! She was thoughtful and very kind and showed us some of the best out of the way areas and the best places to purchase local items. The food tastings were also great!”

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11.Christmas Eve City Tour with Dinner & Midnight Mass

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 25 reviews · 6 hours · from $172

Spend six Christmas Eve hours touring London by luxury coach, from Big Ben and Westminster Abbey to St Paul’s and the Tower. A professional English-speaking guide, a three-course Covent Garden dinner with prosecco, and a service at St Martin-in-the-Fields round out the evening. Guide Zo Zo has earned special praise for warmth and humor.

“La visite de la ville en autocar dure trop longtemps. On passe plusieurs fois par les mêmes lieux. Le restaurant est un bel établissement, mais l'organisation est un désastre. La messe est un moment magique, avec une belle chorale et se déroule dans les temps. La prise en charge pour le retour à notre hôtel est bien organisé. Mention à notre chauffeur et à notre guide !”

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12.City tour through Nuremberg with the little train – Christmas tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $13Best value

Ride an enclosed little train around Nuremberg’s Old Town and the outside of its medieval walls during the Christmas season. The 40-minute tour leaves from Hallplatz, uses English audio commentary, and returns to the same point. It is a handy orientation ride when cold weather or limited time makes walking less appealing.

“Lovely little tour around the city,great way to find out where you want to visit. Lovely coffee shop near by”

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13.Self-guided city walking tour in Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews

Use your phone and WhatsApp to follow a private, self-guided route from Amsterdam Centraal to the Rijksmuseum. Along the way, learn facts about the Jordaan, Anne Frank House, Begijnhof, Leidseplein, and Museumplein. Start and pause when you like, with no in-person guide or attraction tickets included.

“I absolutely loved the variety of stops and especially the vouchers they give you out. Definetelly reccomend!”

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14.Bayreuth: Christmas city tour in German

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 2 hours · from $14

Walk through Bayreuth for two hours with a German-speaking guide, visiting the New Palace, Hofgarten, Margravial Opera House, Wahnfried gardens, and castle tower. Anita and Monika Stock are among the guides praised for clear, engaging storytelling. The tour ends at the Christmas market.

“Informativer Stadtrundgang (wichtig) - ab keine Weihnachtstour um 10:30 (nicht so wichtig)”

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15.City tour and Santa Claus village visit in Lapland

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 6 reviews · 3 hours · from $68

Spend three hours exploring Rovaniemi with an English-speaking guide and included transfer. You’ll hear how the city became Finland’s Lapland capital, cross the Arctic Circle line, meet Santa Claus, shop for Arctic souvenirs, and send a Christmas letter from Santa Claus Village.

“Franchement pas besoin de prendre un guide il vous sert juste de taxi 116 euros pour 2 ça fait super cher ...... Il faut mieux se débrouiller soit même prendre un taxi que vous allez payer environ 15 euros ou un bus qui doit être à 4 euros. Conclusion ne prenner pas de guide ça sert à rien.”

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