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Best Christmas market destinations in Asia

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Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
9.5
Orchard Road held its first official Christmas light-up on 13 December 1984. That first display used about 2,000 bulbs and drew an estimated 2.99 million visitors. By 1985 it had over 400,000 bulbs. The tourist board made the event annual. It continued through SARS, the Great Recession and COVID-19.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
  • 🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
  • 🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Hibiya Park hosts a German-style Christmas market built around a 14-metre wooden pyramid from Dresden. Past editions had more than 20 food and drink outlets plus vendors selling imported gifts. Glühwein is served in red and white varieties. Visitors pay a deposit for the mug and can return it or keep it.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savour sushi at a local eatery
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
9.3
A 20-metre outdoor Christmas tree rises about six storeys in Statue Square Garden. The 2025 Winter Wonderland in Central added 12 festive chalets. A nightly projection show lit eight landmark buildings, including the HSBC Main Building and the Bank of China Tower. The season ran from mid-November into early January.
Highlights:
  • 🥢 Shop and eat street food in Mong Kok’s bustling markets
  • ⛴️ Sail across Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry
  • 🌇 Ride the Peak Tram and admire skyline views from Victoria Peak
Bangkok
The city of contrasts and chaos
8.6
Towering trees at the Emporium rise several storeys and make popular photo spots. Shopping centres in the Ratchaprasong district, including CentralWorld, put up festive lights. Siam Paragon adds colourful displays. ICONSIAM has hosted a riverside countdown on the Chao Phraya. Thai handicrafts sell at Emquartier and Terminal 21.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Watch the sunset over Wat Arun by the Chao Phraya River
  • 🚤 Take a boat ride through Bangkok’s bustling floating markets
  • 🏯 Visit the glittering Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple
Shanghai
A dazzling mix of modernity and tradition
9.0
Christmas is not a public holiday in China, yet the city celebrates anyway. Jing'an and Paulaner both run Christkindlmarkts. Huaihai Road and Nanjing West Road light up with decorations. Xintiandi offers bars and dining for evenings. Churches such as St. Ignatius Cathedral hold Christmas Eve gatherings and choir performances.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Wander through Yu Garden and explore its traditional pavilions
  • 🏙️ Take the world’s fastest elevator to Shanghai Tower’s observation deck
  • 🌃 Admire Shanghai’s skyline from The Bund promenade at night
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
8.6
Christmas Day is a public holiday in South Korea. Shops and cafes stay open. Seoul Winter Festa fills Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza and DDP from mid-December to early January. Shinsegae lights up its Myeongdong facade nightly. Cheonggyecheon Stream gets a free lantern festival after mid-December.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Admire Seoul’s skyline from N Seoul Tower at sunset
  • 🛍️ Shop and eat street food in bustling Myeongdong
  • 🏯 Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the royal guard ceremony
Bangalore
India’s Green and Tech Capital
6.8
Commercial Street vendors sell handmade ornaments, decorations and festive wear. Plum cakes and cookies fill the stalls. St. Mary's Basilica draws thousands of devotees to Midnight Mass. Cubbon Park adds festive lighting and illuminated walkways for evening strolls. Large malls also put up tall trees and run holiday workshops.
Highlights:
  • 🔬 Explore the tech-inspired exhibits at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
  • 🌳 Stroll through Cubbon Park’s lush greenery and old banyan trees
  • 🏛️ Visit the magnificent Vidhana Soudha and marvel at its neo-Dravidian architecture
Beirut
The Paris of the Middle East
7.1
Around 90 wooden huts and stalls fill Martyrs' Square during the holiday market. Entry is free. The municipality works with organisers to host artisans, small business owners and home-based producers. Organisers reported at least 25,000 visitors in the early weeks. Batroun and Aley run their own markets nearby.
Highlights:
  • 🕌 Explore Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque’s stunning architecture
  • 🏺 Visit the National Museum to see ancient artifacts
  • 🏛️ Wander historic Martyrs' Square and nearby downtown
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