Best events in December to check out for your year-end holiday

This article first appeared on Skyscanner’s Where to go in December for your holiday

Christmas trips are an extra special experience for families and friends, and picking the perfect destination is very important first step to ensuring that everyone has the best time. So, where shall we go this year? Take a look at Skyscanner's compilation for your end-of year holiday.

Where are the best events in December?

1. Bali

[[nid:253040]]

Bali works all year round, but a Christmas here is way better than a sack full of toys, as any dedicated traveller will tell you. Bali is pretty dry in December, unlike large swaths of southeast Asia where the rain is coming down in sheets.

If you go early in December and remember to book early, you can find some amazing hotel deals as well.

Things may seem a bit slow when compared to peak season, but Bali always throbs with life even on the slowest day. In addition to the secular style partying and frolicking, you can tune in to Bali's spiritual side at one of the many churches on the island.

This year, Tumpek Wayang, a celebration of the traditional Balinese shadow puppetry, happens to fall on New Year's Eve, and is a great chance for you to catch a fascinating glimpse of Bali's spiritual heritage.

What: Tumpek Wayang

When: 31 December 2016

Where: All over Bali

2. Seoul

[[nid:288649]]

K-Drama fans will know already how romantic Seoul can be during the holidays, and even casual fans will get a thrill at seeing how the city transforms into a haven for lovers.

If the air outside gets cold, head to a jimjilbang, the traditional Korean sauna, where you will warm back up in no time. For nourishment, head to a chicken and beer parlour and meet some gregarious locals as you enjoy this simple delicacy.

For holiday parties, try Lotte World, whose Christmas parties are pretty amazing. Ice skating at Seoul Plaza is another memorable experience that will stay with you long after you've left, and for an unforgettable New Year's Day experience, check out the Sunrise Festival, a celebration of all the new year holds in store.

What: Sunrise Festival

When: 30 December 2016 - 1 January 2017

Where: All over Korea

3. Tokyo

[[nid:285593]]

Do you really need an excuse to head to Tokyo? As excuses go, Christmas is as good as any, as the world's coolest city is even cooler when festooned with colourful displays of cheerful illumination. Options about for sightseeing.

Seeking tradition? Head to the amazing temples and shrines, like Sensoji, for a taste of Japan's past. Looking for something more modern? Tokyo embraces modernity with a fervour that few other cities can match. As for holidays, Christmas is more of a romantic holiday for younger Japanese, but for tourists the shopping is unparalleled.

While New Year is traditionally a time to spend with family, Tokyo has embraced the idea of a countdown party and there will be plenty of places to celebrate. Pick up a fukubukuro lucky bag from one of the many department stores in the city to surprise yourself with some Christmas bargains.

What: Fukubukuro Shopping Spree

When: 1 January 2017 (you can start lining up on 31 December 2016 and some shops allow you to purchase even before!)

Where: Major department stores and popular shops all over Japan

4. Sydney

[[nid:314975]]

Revellers in Sydney get to be among the first people in the world to ring in the New Year, and when it comes to parties, the locals really know how to get down. With its extravagant midnight pyrotechnics display and innumerable festivals and exhibits, there is more than enough to keep the whole family grinning as they ring in the new year.

For someone looking for a hot Christmas, Sydney is enjoying some of the nicest weather in the southern hemisphere, and the water temperature is a balmy 21 degrees, perfect for splashing and surfing.

What: New Year Countdown

When: 31 December 2016

Where: Sydney Harbour Front

5. Ho Chi Minh

[[nid:263210]]

Ho Chi Minh, the bustling commerce capital of southern Vietnam, usually welcomes the start of the dry season in December, meaning you won't need to pack your wellies for this trip.

Ho Chi Minh, being the growing country's most bustling and international city, is a great place to celebrate the end of the old year and ring in the new.

As a formerly Catholic city, the grand old cathedrals are fantastic for Christmas services, and the world-class hotels contribute to the spirit of the holiday with displays and events not only for Christians, but fans of Christmas as well.

For New Year's celebrations, the city turns out in force to party with the rest of the world, and the city's rooftop restaurants give travellers a front row view of the colourful explosions filling the sky. Check out The Rex Hotel's iconic Rooftop Beer Garden on Dong Khoi Street. It is a fantastic place to start off Lunar New Year's Eve in the busiest city in South of Vietnam.

Read also: Phu Quoc island, Asia's up and coming resort destination

What: New Year's Eve Party

When: 31 December 2016

Where: Rex Hotel 141 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh

6. Bangkok

[[nid:251583]]

Monsoon rains avoid Bangkok in December, so chances are you'll be high and dry if you choose Thailand this Christmas. Shopping of course is a big draw this time of year, and you'll be sure to find the best gifts for all the people you care about (and yourself too, of course!).

New Year's Eve is when the party really gets going here, and there are hundreds of choices to pick from.

The options run the gamut from family friendly places like Asiatique Riverfront to quieter more subdued options like hotel countdown parties. DJs from all over the world will be flying in for all night dance parties, so keep your eyes on the club guides.

Read also: Do's and don'ts for tourists during mourning period for Thai King

What: New Year Countdown

When: 31 December 2016, 5pm

Where: Asiatique Riverfront Night Market, Chareonkrung Soi 74-76