2026 winter travel trends revealed

Key Takeaways

• Friendsgiving is evolving from a dinner into a getaway, with wishlists with “friendsgiving” in the title up more than 30%.
  
  
• Small mountain towns and cozy ski retreats are trending for Christmas and New Year’s, with some seeing double-digit growth in searches.
  
  
• Travelers are mixing sunny beaches, holiday markets, big games and affordable long-haul trips this winter, from Florida’s Gulf Coast to Vietnam’s beaches and bustling cities.
  
  

From Friendsgiving getaways to sunny winter escapes, US travelers are planning holidays that look a little different this year. Friends are turning Friendsgiving dinner into a getaway, small mountain towns and historic main streets are stealing the spotlight for Christmas and New Year’s, and winter trips are ranging from sunny beaches to Canadian holiday markets.

Friendsgiving is evolving from a dinner gathering into a getaway. Wishlists with “friendsgiving” in the title are up more than 30 percent this year, a sign that more people are planning trips to celebrate with their friends and turning a one-night celebration into a trip.¹ For groups who’d rather skip the kitchen duty, Airbnb Services makes it easy to book a private chef who cooks right at the stay. From chef’s kitchens to farmhouse tables big enough for the whole crew, here are some listings with kitchens worthy of hosting Friendsgiving:

Travelers are trading big-city celebrations for storybook escapes, with small mountain towns, historic main streets and cozy ski retreats trending for Christmas and New Year’s. Many are just a few hours’ drive from major cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, so travelers can skip the airport and hit the road. Some are seeing double-digit growth in searches, including Hunter, NY (up 37%), Sevierville, TN (up 32%), and Kidder, PA (up 25%).² From snow-dusted peaks to streets glowing with millions of holiday lights, these trending destinations deliver a classic winter getaway:³

• Hunter, New York: A Catskills mountain town that’s an easy holiday escape from New York City, with snowy slopes and cozy cabins.
  
  
• Newry, Maine: A mountain town where snowy slopes and lodge-style coziness make for a fireside holiday.
  
  
• Brian Head, Utah: A small mountain town home to some of Utah’s highest-elevation slopes, giving it a good chance of fresh snow through the holidays.
  
  
• Conway, New Hampshire: The heart of the Mount Washington Valley, where the village of North Conway offers cozy inns, holiday shopping, and Santa-themed rides on its historic scenic railroad.
  
  
• Kidder, Pennsylvania: A Pocono Mountains township where Lake Harmony and nearby ski slopes make for a wintry retreat within easy reach of New York and Philadelphia.
  
  
• Cambridge, Vermont: A classic New England village at the foot of Smugglers’ Notch, where snow-covered farmland and family-friendly slopes set a storybook holiday scene.
  
  
• Mammoth Lakes, California: A High Sierra town where snowcapped peaks and a lively village make for a white Christmas out West.
  
  
• Sevierville, Tennessee: A Smoky Mountains town next door to Pigeon Forge, where holiday lights and festivals fill the season.
  
  
• Bryson City, North Carolina: A festive holiday train ride, complete with hot cocoa and a visit from Santa, departs from this small mountain town.
  
  
• Saint Augustine, Florida: More than three million white lights glow across the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the continental US during its annual holiday festival.
  
  

Travelers are exploring sunny beaches, snowy old-world streets, and destinations a little farther afield. Florida’s Gulf Coast is drawing guests to its laid-back beach towns, while Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic offer warm-weather escapes for travelers going beyond the usual winter hotspots. Sports fans are planning trips around big games in Seattle and Green Bay, and Quebec is attracting travelers looking for European holiday-market charm without the long-haul flight. These destinations and more are the trending getaways this winter:⁴

• Bradenton Beach, Florida: A relaxed Gulf town on Anna Maria Island with barefoot beaches, sunset views, and historic waterfront dining.
  
  
• Marco Island, Florida: A Gulf retreat of wide beaches and boat tours through the Ten Thousand Islands into the Everglades.
  
  
• La Fortuna, Costa Rica: A rainforest town beneath Arenal Volcano, celebrated for natural hot springs and canopy hanging bridges.
  
  
• Samaná, Dominican Republic: A lush tropical peninsula where humpback whales gather offshore each winter.
  
  
• Green Bay, Wisconsin: A classic football town where fans brave the cold for game days, with tailgates and cozy local supper clubs.
  
  
• Seattle, Washington: A Pacific Northwest sports city where fans catch the big game, then explore Pioneer Square’s historic pubs and waterfront seafood spots.
  
  
• Québec City, Canada: A walled old town of cobblestone streets, where a German-style Christmas market gives way to a lively winter carnival after the holidays.
  
  
• Mont-Tremblant, Canada: A storybook ski village of colorful European-style buildings, with slopeside holiday lights, sleigh rides, and après-ski by the fire.
  
  
• Da Nang, Vietnam: A budget-friendly central coast city of long sandy beaches and the Marble Mountains, with easy day trips to lantern-lit Hoi An.
  
  
• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: A buzzing southern hub where affordable sidewalk street food meets French colonial landmarks and river trips into the Mekong Delta.
  
  

Whether travelers are gifting a getaway or planning their own, Airbnb has several ways to make winter travel easier, including some new features:

• Airbnb gift cards: It’s hard to find a holiday gift that feels personal without guessing someone’s size, taste, or wish list. An Airbnb gift card takes out the guesswork and lets the recipient choose where they stay, what they do, and when they go. Gift cards start at $25 and can be used for stays, experiences, and services, so they make an easy stocking stuffer for anyone who loves to travel.
  
  
• Reserve Now, Pay Later: With holiday spending already adding up, travelers can lock in eligible stays without paying anything when they book. It’s a good fit for family gatherings and group trips where everyone’s still sorting out who owes what, or for travelers who’d rather pay closer to the trip.
  
  
• Smarter, AI-powered search: Travelers can describe what they’re looking for in their own words, typed or spoken, and search homes, experiences, and services all at once. For example, they could search for a cozy cabin near the slopes, or a big home for the whole family. New keyword search within filters also makes it faster to find the right stay.
  
  
• New services for an easier trip: Airbnb Services now has new categories that help travelers pack lighter, skip errands, and spend more time with loved ones once they arrive. New options include meal and grocery delivery for guests in select cities in the US and Europe, and laundry for guests traveling to select cities in the US. Guests heading to warm weather destinations in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean can also book day passes to hotel and resort pools, spas, and cabanas through ResortPass, right from the Services tab.
  
  

¹Based on Airbnb internal data of US traveler wishlists whose title matches the keyword “friendsgiving” from Q3 2026 vs. Q3 2025.

²Based on Airbnb internal data on Q3 2026 search growth for December 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027 check-ins vs. Q3 2025 search growth for December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026 check-ins by US travelers.

³Based on Airbnb internal data on Q3 2026 search growth for December 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027 check-ins vs. Q3 2025 search growth for December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026 check-ins by US travelers.

⁴Based on Airbnb internal data on Q3 2026 search growth for December 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027 check-ins vs. Q3 2025 search growth for December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026 check-ins by US travelers.