This holiday season, create lasting memories by trading snow for sand and gathering your loved ones at some of the best family-friendly beach destinations around the world! From festive events and seasonal traditions to kid-approved activities and relaxing beachfront stays, these spots offer the perfect blend of holiday cheer and coastal calm for families of all ages.
Whether building sandcastles, spotting dolphins, or enjoying holiday parades and celebrations, each destination promises joyful moments and quality time together. Discover the ideal place to celebrate the season whether it’s enjoying white-sand beaches in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, holiday lights on Virginia Beach’s boardwalk, or exploring Laguna Beach’s Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy.
Here are the top 7 dreamy, festive beach getaways the whole family will love this holiday season.
- For travelers looking for a coastal and festive family-friendly escape: Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida
- Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida is the ultimate family getaway for the holiday season, combining mild weather, relaxing beaches, and festive coastal charm. Families can enjoy dolphin spotting, sandcastle building, and scenic strolls, along with signature seasonal events like the Destin Boat Parade & Fireworks and the Jolly Jubilee at Destin Commons. Families can also experience Breakfast with Santa at HarborWalk Village, complete with themed treats, photo opportunities, and holiday cheer for all ages. With fewer crowds, lively local markets, and plenty of holiday spirit, it’s the perfect place to spend the holidays and celebrate together.
- Where to Stay: For a festive and relaxing holiday stay in the destination, the Henderson Beach Resort & Spa offers serene accommodations with stunning Gulf views and private beach access. Guests can enjoy special seasonal events like the Holiday Kick-Off Celebration with Santa and crafts, plus a festive Christmas Day Brunch, making it a festive home base for family holiday memories.
- For travelers seeking spacious villas and kid-friendly luxury: Malé, Maldives
- This holiday season, families can trade in snowflakes and hot cocoa for sea breeze and mocktails while exploring the vibrant heart of the Maldives. Wander through the Malé Local Market and enjoy festive treats and handmade crafts. Families can also visit the National Museum to help spark young imaginations or take a scenic walk along the Malé Waterfront where twinkling lights and ocean breezes create the perfect holiday photo backdrop. Kids will also love watching the boats light up the harbor at night, while the whole family joins in on local holiday celebrations like the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Hulhumale Central Park, live music at Republic Square and community festivities featuring traditional Maldivian food and dance.
- Where to Stay: Nestled among white sands and crystal-clear waters, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is an enchanting island escape. The resort features 11 world-class dining venues, including Terra, home to the Maldives’ only private bamboo dining pods. Ideal for families, the Three Bedroom Overwater Villa with Pool hosts up to six adults and three children, offering two infinity pools, a personal concierge, custom robes (even for kids), and a glass-floored dressing room. Adults can enjoy Padel or tennis with the resident pro, while kids explore fun and educational activities at the Stars Club. Teens can also socialize and create memories at Club Nova.
- For travelers seeking multi-generational beach escapes: Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach transforms into a festive haven during the holiday season, where families of all ages can marvel at the Holiday Lights at the Beach display, with millions of twinkling lights illuminating the boardwalk and Neptune Park. The crisp coastal breeze sets the scene for cozy moments, like sipping hot cocoa while watching New Year’s Eve fireworks illuminate the Atlantic skyline. Round out the visit and grab some gifts, visiting the holiday markets in the ViBe Creative District and Virginia Beach Town Center, where the talents of local artisan will present something for even the pickiest family member.
- Where to Stay: Nestled along the pristine shores of the Atlantic, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort offers an idyllic family retreat with direct beach access and ocean-view suites. Ideal for multi-generational trips, it boasts indoor and outdoor pools, a splash pad for kids, and complimentary evening receptions, ensuring everyone unwinds in style amid the holiday magic.
- For travelers seeking sunshine, sand, and a festive Caribbean getaway: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
- Grand Cayman stands out as the ideal family destination for the holidays, offering a warm-weather escape during the island’s peak season. With sunny days in the mid-80s and gentle sea breezes, it’s perfect for beach outings, snorkeling adventures, and quality time together outdoors. The island embraces the festive spirit with dazzling lights, lively community events, and the much-anticipated Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies — a cherished tradition that brings locals and visitors together to celebrate the magic of the season in a stunning tropical setting.
- Where to Stay: Celebrate the holidays with family at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, where warm island breezes meet festive cheer. Swap snow for sand and enjoy Christmas dinner on Seven Mile Beach with the resort’s signature toes-in-the-sand dining experience. Guests can savor seasonal menus by Executive Chef Andre Blasczak, take part in family-friendly activities from beachside movie nights to holiday mason jar making and candy cane scavenger hunts, and even join festive moments like selfies with Santa or story time with a visiting Mermaid by the pool. Throughout the resort, tropical décor blends holiday magic with Caymanian heritage — all set against a stunning oceanfront backdrop.
- For families looking for more space and more family-friend experiences: Orlando, Florida
- Orlando transforms into a wonderland during the holiday season, offering families a mix of festive magic and warm-weather escape. Theme parks and attractions sparkle with elaborate light displays, special parades, and limited-time shows that bring the season to life in unforgettable ways. Beyond the parks, visitors can enjoy holiday markets, outdoor ice skating, and dazzling events across the city—all without the winter chill.
- Where to Stay: Evermore Orlando Resort, the first-of-its-kind resort destination in Orlando, is inviting families and groups to experience more cheer, more fun-packed adventure, and more cherished moments together this holiday season. By offering jolly activities with Santa and his elves to festive décor packages to personalized meal delivery right to your door, Evermore is providing more opportunities for unparalleled moments of togetherness with loved ones. Travelers can enjoy a plethora of holiday activities and amenities, including a gingerbread house decorating competition, a special in-room elf visit at Conrad Orlando at Evermore, Rudolph’s reindeer games, festive dining experiences, private holiday-themed cabanas alongside Evermore Bay, and more.
- For travelers interested in celebrating the season with luxury experiences rooted in the destination: Laguna Beach, California
- This festive season, Laguna Beach comes alive with local cheer, from the Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy (November 22–December 22), featuring live music, artisan markets, and twinkling décor, to Hospitality Night (December 5), a beloved community block party filled with holiday spirit and family-friendly fun.
- Where to Stay: Montage Laguna Beach, the brand’s flagship property located on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific, is the ultimate California coastal holiday destination for families. The resort transforms with holiday magic, from a 350-pound gingerbread house made by the resort’s pastry team to the iconic 50-foot Pacific Lawn Christmas tree adorned with 6,000 lights. Guests can also enjoy a “Feast of the Seven Fishes” Christmas Eve meal at new signature restaurant Studio Mediterranean. Close by, the Newport Beach Boat Parade offers travelers and locals alike front-row floating seats aboard the resort’s private boat.
- For travelers interested in lively cultural celebrations: The Bahamas
- In The Bahamas, the holidays are a family affair, bursting with color, music, and island cheer that celebrates the rich heritage of the African diaspora. Known as “The Greatest Show on Earth,” Junkanoo features dazzling costumes, energetic dance routines, live music, and the rhythmic pulse of cowbells, horns, and goatskin drums. The lively celebrations are more than just something to be witnessed – visitors of all ages are welcome to participate, whether trying on costumes, learning drum rhythms, or joining a dance troupe under the guidance of local performers. Months of preparation go into every parade, and the festival’s spirit of inclusion and celebration makes it one of the Caribbean’s most spirited and family-friendly holiday experiences.
- Where to Stay: After a day of sights and sounds, travelers can settle into Atlantis Paradise Island, an iconic beachfront resort that keeps the whole family happy with pools, waterparks, and marine life adventures. Plus, with easy access to Nassau’s downtown Junkanoo festivities, the property stands out as a playful and convenient base for holiday adventures.
