Christmas & New Year All Inclusive Holidays 2026/2027
Swap cold, dark UK winter days for sunshine, beaches and festive family time away. For Christmas and New Year, the strongest options are the Canary Islands, Egypt and long-haul favourites such as Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
Planning a Christmas or New Year Holiday
Christmas school holiday dates vary around the UK, but most families have a break covering Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Always confirm your child's exact school dates before booking.
🎄 Christmas Abroad
Many larger all inclusive resorts offer festive decorations, Christmas meals, children's activities and seasonal entertainment, although the exact programme varies by hotel.
🎆 New Year in the Sun
New Year's Eve can be a major event at resort hotels, with gala dinners, live entertainment and celebrations. Some hotels charge separately for festive gala events, so check before booking.
Why Families Look for Winter Sun at Christmas
December in the UK means short days, cold weather and long nights. A festive holiday somewhere warmer can give families outdoor time, pool days and a completely different Christmas experience.
Where Can You Go for Christmas & New Year?
These are the main winter-sun destinations from the GoAllInclusive.com collection that make the most sense for a festive family break.
Tenerife
Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas are among the most dependable European-region choices for festive sunshine.
Festive-season feel: Mild to warm and bright.
Explore Tenerife All Inclusive Holidays →Gran Canaria
Maspalomas, Puerto Rico and Playa del Ingles are strong choices for beaches, family resorts and winter sunshine.
Festive-season feel: Mild to warm and sunny.
Explore Gran Canaria All Inclusive Holidays →Lanzarote
Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen offer dry winter sunshine, established resorts and relaxed family holidays.
Festive-season feel: Mild, bright and often dry.
Explore Lanzarote All Inclusive Holidays →Fuerteventura
Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa Calma and Jandia are ideal for families who want beaches and a breezier winter climate.
Festive-season feel: Mild to warm and breezy.
Explore Fuerteventura All Inclusive Holidays →Egypt
Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh offer warmer daytime temperatures, Red Sea beaches, snorkelling and large all inclusive resorts.
Festive-season feel: Warm and sunny.
Explore Egypt All Inclusive Holidays →Mexico
Cancun and Riviera Maya are excellent long-haul choices for hot weather, tropical beaches and large festive all inclusive resorts.
Festive-season feel: Hot and tropical.
Explore Mexico All Inclusive Holidays →Jamaica
Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios combine Caribbean warmth, beaches and large all inclusive resorts with a lively atmosphere.
Festive-season feel: Hot and tropical.
Explore Jamaica All Inclusive Holidays →Dominican Republic
Punta Cana and Bavaro offer broad beaches, tropical heat and large all inclusive resorts that suit Christmas and New Year breaks.
Festive-season feel: Hot and tropical.
Explore Dominican Republic All Inclusive Holidays →Compare Christmas & New Year Destinations
Think about how warm you want it, how far you are prepared to fly and whether your priority is pool weather, beaches, resort entertainment or a shorter journey.
| Destination | Festive-Season Feel | Why Consider It |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | Mild to warm and bright | Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas are among the most dependable European-region choices for festive sunshine. |
| Gran Canaria | Mild to warm and sunny | Maspalomas, Puerto Rico and Playa del Ingles are strong choices for beaches, family resorts and winter sunshine. |
| Lanzarote | Mild, bright and often dry | Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen offer dry winter sunshine, established resorts and relaxed family holidays. |
| Fuerteventura | Mild to warm and breezy | Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa Calma and Jandia are ideal for families who want beaches and a breezier winter climate. |
| Egypt | Warm and sunny | Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh offer warmer daytime temperatures, Red Sea beaches, snorkelling and large all inclusive resorts. |
| Mexico | Hot and tropical | Cancun and Riviera Maya are excellent long-haul choices for hot weather, tropical beaches and large festive all inclusive resorts. |
| Jamaica | Hot and tropical | Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios combine Caribbean warmth, beaches and large all inclusive resorts with a lively atmosphere. |
| Dominican Republic | Hot and tropical | Punta Cana and Bavaro offer broad beaches, tropical heat and large all inclusive resorts that suit Christmas and New Year breaks. |
Which Festive Destination Suits Your Family?
Shorter Winter-Sun Flight
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the easiest choices if you want winter sunshine without going long haul.
Warmer Medium-Haul Option
Egypt is a strong choice when you want warmer daytime weather, large resorts, Red Sea beaches and family facilities.
Hot Tropical Christmas
Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are the strongest choices here if your priority is tropical heat and long beach days.
Best for Beaches
Fuerteventura is excellent for Canary Islands beaches, while Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic offer a more tropical beach experience.
Family Resort Choice
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Egypt, Mexico and the Dominican Republic all offer a wide range of large family-focused all inclusive resorts.
New Year Celebrations
Large resort hotels in Egypt, Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic often place a strong emphasis on festive dinners and New Year entertainment.
Check What Christmas & New Year Includes
Festive packages vary more than normal all inclusive stays, so it is worth checking the details carefully.
🎄 Christmas Day
- Christmas Day dining arrangements
- Children's festive activities
- Entertainment programme
- Whether restaurants operate normal hours
- Dress codes for festive meals
🎆 New Year's Eve
- Gala dinner supplements
- Live music or shows
- Children's entertainment
- Fireworks or resort celebrations
- Late-night food and drink arrangements
Are the Canary Islands Warm Enough at Christmas?
The Canary Islands are best thought of as mild winter sunshine rather than guaranteed tropical heat. Sunny afternoons can be very pleasant, but evenings are cooler and pool temperature matters for families.
Packing for Christmas in the Sun
☀️ Daytime Essentials
- Swimwear
- Sun cream
- Sun hats
- Sunglasses
- Shorts and T-shirts
- Pool shoes or flip-flops
🌙 Evening & Festive Wear
- Light jumper or cardigan for the Canaries
- Smart-casual evening clothes
- Something suitable for gala dinners
- Light jacket for cooler evenings
- Comfortable shoes for evening walks
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is warm at Christmas?
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Egypt are popular shorter- and medium-haul options. Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic offer hotter long-haul weather.
Which Canary Island is best at Christmas?
Tenerife is excellent for attractions and resort choice, Gran Canaria for variety, Lanzarote for relaxed family resorts and Fuerteventura for beaches and a breezier climate.
Is Egypt warm at Christmas?
Egypt's Red Sea resorts are generally warmer than the Canary Islands during the daytime and can be a strong choice for families wanting more reliable pool and beach weather.
Is Mexico good for Christmas and New Year?
Yes. Cancun and the Riviera Maya are strong choices for tropical warmth, beaches and large all inclusive resorts, especially for families happy with a longer flight.
Is Jamaica good for Christmas?
Yes. Jamaica offers warm Caribbean weather, beaches and a wide range of all inclusive resorts in areas such as Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios.
Is the Dominican Republic good for Christmas?
Yes. Punta Cana and Bavaro are popular for broad beaches, warm tropical weather and large resort-style all inclusive holidays.
Do hotels serve Christmas dinner?
Many larger resorts offer special Christmas meals, but arrangements vary. Some use the main buffet while others offer a special menu or gala event.
Do hotels charge extra for New Year's Eve?
Some hotels include festive celebrations, while others charge compulsory or optional gala supplements. Always check the booking terms before confirming.
Are hotel pools heated at Christmas?
Some Canary Islands resorts heat selected pools during winter, while others do not. Always check the individual hotel if swimming is important.
Find Your Christmas & New Year Sunshine
Explore the Canary Islands, Egypt, Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and find the winter-sun destination that suits your family's festive holiday.