Here are the most popular Christmas destinations around the world

The famous shopping belt on Orchard Road is spectacularly lit up every December adding to the festive mood, and serves as a blazing reminder to hit the malls. Christmas music fills the air between ION Orchard and Takashimaya, and the street turns into a stage with mini-performances providing the ultimate ‘live’ Christmas soundtrack.

Don’t miss Christmas Wonderland, Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair, created to enthral visitors with a combination of magnificent light sculptures and charming festive markets. Now in its third year, the fair spans 57,000 square metres, across four main areas with the market at the Supertree Grove, the Fairground, Ice Palace and Hi-5 Funtastic House in The Meadow.

Oxford Street is filled with thousands of glittering ‘snowballs' and glowing stars, in conjunction with the UK’s children's charity, NSPCC. The Royal Exchange are keeping things simple with a huge tree, tons of lights, and plenty of Christmas carols. And playing a starring role, the 22 meter Christmas tree at the iconic Trafalgar Square.

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland returns for the tenth year, with loads of fun and activities including a Christmas market. On a slightly larger scale, check out the vast Kingston Christmas Market and Christmas by the River at London Bridge City, next to the mighty Thames.

See a classic English pantomime at the London Palladium; this year featuring Cinderella or singalong once again with the songs of Frozen, at Disney on Ice.

The Malaysian capital’s streets are lined with bright fairy lights; malls are decorated with holly and Christmas trees, and year-end sales make for great bargain shopping. The malls are bursting in a frenzy of shoppers with deals on gadgets, clothes and home furnishings.

The kids will love the Santa’s workshops at Suria KLCC (‘Elf Yourself a Merry Christmas’) and at Pavilion KL (‘Christmas Enchantments’), while carollers serenade shoppers with an array of Christmas songs.

If it’s a touch of white Christmas you’re after visit Pavilion KL each evening where it snows (artificial) at the Bukit Bintang entrance. Or lace up your ice skates and head to Sunway Pyramid Ice with the little ones for a spin on the rink.

You could possibly say that Hong Kong are the festive season experts celebrating a variety of cultural moments with panache, and Christmas is no different.

In the heart of Hong Kong a giant tree in Statue Square sets the scene, but the real magic happens when the sun goes down and the city lights up with the Pulse 3D Light Show. High rises and laser beams shine into the night as iconic buildings become the city’s personal decorations.

Take the kids atop the Observation Wheel as it’s transformed into a winter garden with twinkling lights, bells and candy canes, or head to Hong Kong Disneyland which bursts with Christmas magic.

A 22 metre, 35 year old fir tree takes pride of place at the Grand Place, and from there and continuing around the Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, Place Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons, the Winter Wonders celebration combines Christmas markets, an ice skating rink, light and sound shows and more in a classic, sparkling European Christmas scene.

It may be in the middle of a desert but Dubai adds their five star sparkle to everything. Santa visits regularly right up until Christmas Day at the majestic Atlantis, and Dubai Creek Heights’ Hyatt Regency is hosting a Christmas market where you can pick up some homemade cookies, gingerbread, German stollen and alcohol free gluhwein.

Sydney’s Christmas event calendar is as full as Santa’s sack. The most popular is the Carols in the Domain event, which sees thousands of families gather in the Royal Botanic Gardens for a giant singalong led by some of Australia’s greatest entertainers.

Sydney’s biggest Christmas tree (24 metres) is suspended from the historic Queen Victoria Building decorated with 85,000 glittering Swarovski crystals and 65,000 lights for some serious sparkle.

For something different, head to Taronga Zoo and see wombats, koalas and kangaroos beside some of the most spectacular views of the harbour. For food and wine lovers visit the Hunter Valley Gardens which puts on a display of over two million lights.