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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
From ice skating rinks to Christmas markets, these airports make holiday travel fun
Summer Hull has been covering (and using) travel tips, rewards credit cards and loyalty programs for over a decade. She has flown close to a million miles, often on points and miles and with her family in tow.
Madison Blancaflor is the managing editor for TPG's content operations team. She focuses on helping TPG's broader editorial team bring news, features and advice to readers. She has nearly six years of experience covering the credit cards and travel industries.
also contributed to this story
November 24, 2023 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Airports worldwide enhance the holiday travel experience with festive amenities, including Christmas markets, themed entertainment and seasonal activities.
Munich International Airport features a Christmas market with ice skating, curling, artisan shopping and live music from mid-November through December.
Chicago O’Hare and Helsinki Airport offer unique decorations and interactive holiday installations, while Singapore Changi hosts a large-scale Festive Village with themed attractions and sleepover events.
Some airlines operate special seasonal flights for children with serious illnesses, providing memorable inflight experiences and celebrations.
What to consider
Holiday-themed airport events and markets are typically available only during specific dates, so timing your travel is important for participation.
Some activities, such as ice skating or curling, may require a small fee, while others are free to access.
Airport lounge access, expedited security programs and dining benefits can help ease holiday travel stress, but eligibility and availability vary.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed guide to standout holiday airport experiences and practical tips for navigating busy travel periods with less stress.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year ... to be at an airport. No, seriously. Hear us out.
For many reasons, holiday travel can be challenging, but your time at the airport doesn’t have to be miserable. The airport can be an almost jolly part of the holiday travel experience if you end up at one that gets into the holiday spirit. There are a few airports that pull out all the stops, complete with festive activities and amenities that go well beyond a brightly decorated Christmas tree or menorah display.
This time of year, certain airports worldwide host ice skating rinks, full Christmas markets and even flights to the “North Pole.” Here are some of the most impressive ways to get in the holiday spirit while transiting through airports this holiday season.
Europe’s tradition of charming Christmas markets returns to Munich International Airport (MUC) from Nov. 17 through Dec. 31, 2023. It runs every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (except Christmas Eve, when it closes at 4 p.m.).
There's ice skating and curling every day on the fir tree-lined ice skating rink from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It costs just 5 euros ($5.43) to skate (and skate rental is free) for an unlimited period or 25 euros ($27.13) to use a curling court for an hour.
Here, you can stock up on handblown glass ornaments, artisan crafts and mulled wine. If shopping isn’t your thing, listen to live music or, depending on when you pass through, enjoy a magic show, face painting or even a visit from the big man himself.
At Terminal 3 in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), the iconic 8-foot-long red bows, 7,500 white lights and numerous illuminated doves weren’t just props used as the McAllister family ran down the hallway in “Home Alone.” These holiday decorations have been a staple of this international hub for decades.
The airport's #ChiOnTheFly entertainment brings Santa and Mrs. Claus and live music to the airport through the holiday season.
While in Chicago, keep an eye out for Santa on the decorated Chicago Transit Authority’s Allstate CTA Holiday Train, which has been around since 1992 (minus a few years during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic).
If your flights take you near Gate 40 at the Helsinki Airport (HEL), you can pop into a free Christmas Cabin with an elf door, a Finnish sauna and the sights and smells of the holiday season.
FINAVIA HELSINKI AIRPORT
Should you hope to see the Finnish Christmas Cabin but won’t make it through the airport during the holiday season, don’t worry. It’s there year-round, so it will be waiting whenever you visit Helsinki.
Did you know that occasionally, United Airlines offers fantasy flights, seasonal flights that involve bringing the holidays to especially festive airport gates for some special families? For more than 30 years, the team has created these holiday experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The airline works with local hospitals at its different hubs and changes up the recipient base annually.
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These short flights take off, fly around and give the kids and their guardians an incredible inflight experience before landing at the “North Pole,” where Santa and his elves (in this case, United employees and volunteers) greet children and throw an awesome holiday luncheon.
This year's theme is Candy Wonderland, with a "snow show" several times every evening, candy-themed carnival games, a mega-bouncy house, go-karts, an ice house and a sweet train ride. The indoor winter wonderland also has live musical entertainment.
If you really love spending time at the airport, there's a "Candylicious Night at the Airport" sleepover which includes a chocolate workshop, tours of the airport and even a pop-up tent in the middle of all the candy fun.
We hope you’ll encounter holiday magic and excitement no matter which airports you transit through this season. However, if your trip ends up feeling like it was orchestrated by the Grinch instead of Buddy the Elf, here are some tips to keep you moving:
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
