Romantic Christmas Destinations

Instead of the typical contenders for a romantic Christmas vacation, such as New York or Paris, go to cities that served as the backdrop for your favorite Hallmark Christmas movies. These destinations boast beautiful scenery, dreamy decorations, and a genuine excitement for the holidays. If it’s good enough for Hallmark’s romance stories, it’s good enough for your story!  

Whether you're planning a surprise trip for your hopeless romantic partner or simply dreaming of a festive escape filled with fairy-tale romance, these three destinations deliver that quintessential Hallmark magic. 

Hallmark’s holiday films often whisk viewers away to fictional kingdoms and snowy European settings—and no real-world city captures that mood quite like Vienna. The Austrian capital is a masterclass in old-world charm, particularly in December when the streets are lined with glowing lights, snowflakes dance through the air, and the aroma of roasted chestnuts wafts through cobbled alleys. 

Vienna feels like a place where a holiday romance could begin with a chance meeting at a Christmas market and end with a magical waltz beneath the stars. 

Romantic Date Night Ideas in Vienna: 

• Explore the Christmas Markets: Vienna is home to over a dozen markets, but the most romantic are the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, set against a glowing neo-Gothic city hall, and the Schönbrunn Palace market, which pairs imperial elegance with festive cheer. Enjoy the aromas, tastes, sights, and sounds as you browse stalls selling mulled wine, handmade ornaments, gingerbread hearts, and traditional Austrian crafts. 

• Attend a Classical Christmas Concert: Vienna is the birthplace of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, so it's only fitting to attend a concert at Musikverein or the Vienna State Opera. These historic venues often host holiday-themed performances in December. The soft glow of chandeliers and velvet-lined balconies sets the perfect romantic tone. 

• Go Ice Skating at Wiener Eistraum: Hold on tight to your partner and skate hand-in-hand across the open-air rink in front of Vienna’s City Hall. With holiday music playing and the soft glow of lights all around, it’s the perfect setting for laughter, a few wobbly turns, and maybe even a picture-perfect kiss to end the night. 

• Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: For a moment straight out of a Hallmark script, book a traditional Fiaker carriage ride. Glide past baroque architecture, lit Christmas trees, and buzzing streets with a blanket on your lap and the rhythmic clip-clop of horses setting the scene. 

If you're dreaming of a Christmas movie village come to life, look no further than Leavenworth, Washington. Tucked into the Cascade Mountains, this Bavarian-style town turns into a living snow globe every December. Think gingerbread-style architecture, snowy rooftops, and millions of twinkling lights. 

Leavenworth doesn’t just resemble a Hallmark setting—it is one. You’ll recognize it from “Cloudy with a Chance of Christmas” and “All I Want is Christmas.” With its cozy lodges, sleigh rides, and bustling Christmas markets, it offers everything you’d want from a romantic holiday escape. 

Romantic Date Night Ideas in Leavenworth: 

• Walk Through the Village of Lights: Leavenworth’s most famous attraction is the Village of Lights, where over half a million lights drape every building, tree, and lamp post. Stroll hand-in-hand through the illuminated streets, or catch a live performance in the town square. 

• Shop at the Christkindlmarkt: Held annually around Thanksgiving weekend, the town’s Christkindlmarkt features local vendors, carolers, and hot cider. Pick out a handmade ornament together to commemorate your trip, and enjoy warming treats like German sausages, glazed almonds, or mulled wine in keepsake mugs. 

• Stay in a Romantic Lodge: Book a stay at a mountainside lodge or cozy bed-and-breakfast, like Posthotel Leavenworth, which offers European-style spa amenities, fireplaces, and beautiful views of the snowy Cascade Range. After a day in the cold, curl up together with cocoa by the fire. 

• Go Sleigh Riding or Snowshoeing: Outdoor enthusiasts can take a scenic horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Icicle Valley or snowshoe through a forest trail lined with frosted pine trees. It's a romantic way to unplug and reconnect—just like a snowy Hallmark love story. 

British Columbia is the place where Hallmark magic happens. From Vancouver to the picturesque small towns of Fort Langley, Maple Ridge, and Squamish, British Columbia has served as the filming location for dozens—if not hundreds—of Hallmark’s holiday romances. 

And it’s easy to see why: snow-dusted streets, inviting storefronts, mountain vistas, and friendly small-town energy make it feel like you’ve stepped straight into a scene from “Christmas in Evergreen” or “A December Bride.” 

Romantic Date Night Ideas in British Columbia: 

• Explore Holiday Markets and Light Displays: Towns like Maple Ridge, Ladner Village, and Burnaby host winter light festivals, European-style markets, and tree-lighting ceremonies that rival their movie counterparts. Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, decked out in thousands of lights, makes for a stunning evening walk that’s both thrilling and romantic. 

• Stay in a Boutique Inn or Resort: From inviting bed-and-breakfasts to luxe mountain retreats like Harrison Hot Springs Resort, BC offers plenty of warm and intimate options for couples. Many inns offer fireplaces, holiday-themed packages, and special events like cookie-decorating nights and holiday brunches. 

• Take a Christmas Craft Workshop Together: Sign up for a wreath-making, ornament-painting, or cookie-decorating workshop in a local BC town like Langley or White Rock. These hands-on experiences not only make for fun and memorable moments but also give you keepsakes to bring home, just like the thoughtful, heartfelt gifts often exchanged in Hallmark holiday movies. 

• Recreate a Hallmark Scene: Watch your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie filmed in BC, then visit that exact spot the next day—whether it's a festive café or a snowy town square. Make your own movie moment with mistletoe, matching scarves, and maybe even a spontaneous snowball fight. 

To truly live your Hallmark movie fantasy, add a few extra touches to your trip: 

• Pack matching pajamas, holiday sweaters, or festive socks for a snowed-in night. Hot cocoa by the fire tastes better with a little bit of silliness and cheer.  

• Schedule a photoshoot in front of the town tree or market lights – matching holiday sweaters optional. Alternatively, if you prefer not to buy new clothes just to match, consider a theme, such as monochrome, gold or silver accessories, or bold colors.  

• Start a small tradition, whether it’s collecting a local ornament, baking cookies from a town bakery’s recipe, or writing each other a holiday card during the trip. 

• Channel the heartfelt gestures seen in Hallmark films with a small, meaningful gift—a handwritten note, a framed photo from the trip, or something your partner has been longing for since the beginning of the trip. 

Final Thoughts: Your Own Love Story Awaits 

Whether you're sipping glühwein in Vienna, cuddling up in a chalet in Leavenworth, or walking the same streets where your favorite Hallmark stars once filmed in British Columbia, you’ll feel like the lead in your own holiday romance. 

And isn’t that what makes the season so special? The lights, the love, the moments that feel almost too magical to be real—but somehow are. 

So this Christmas, don’t just watch a Hallmark movie—live one. 

Planning your own Hallmark moment someday? Bookmark this post for inspiration—or let me know what destination you'd add to the list! 

---

Tropical Sunset Travel, LLC is an expert travel agency based in Charleston, South Carolina. We book travel for couples, families, and groups to travel to destinations around the world. No matter what type of vacation you are dreaming of, our travel services can assist you. We also feature top vacation package options to help inspire you!  The Tropical Sunset Travel Blog is a great place to learn about top destinations and vacation options. Please visit our website for agency information and more. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more travel information and deals!