If you are alone at Christmas or New Year abroad, the easiest ways to find company are seasonal events such as markets and concerts, shared dinners at hostels and guesthouses, volunteering, and contacting other travellers who will be in the same city on the same dates before you arrive. Planning a few days ahead matters more than at any other time of year, because many places close or fill up over the holidays.
You are rarely the only one. Big cities and popular destinations always have other travellers, people working or studying abroad and locals without family plans at the end of December. The rest of this guide explains where they tend to gather and how to plan the key days.
How are the holidays celebrated where you are?
The season works very differently from country to country. In Germany and Austria, Christmas Eve is usually a quiet family evening and many shops close early that day, while the weeks before are busy with outdoor markets. In Spain, New Year's Eve is celebrated in the streets, and Epiphany on 6 January is an important family day. In Japan, Christmas Eve is often seen as an evening for couples, while the first days of January are family time and many businesses close. In Russia, Serbia and Georgia, Orthodox Christmas falls on 7 January, and in Russia New Year is the main celebration. In Scotland, Hogmanay can matter as much as Christmas.
This affects your plans. If 25 December will be quiet in your city, book something in advance instead of finding closed doors. If New Year's Eve is the big night, that is when meeting people will be easiest. Check opening hours, public transport schedules and holiday dates for your destination before you go, as they can change from year to year.
Markets, concerts and seasonal events
Seasonal events make it easy to mix with others. People stand at shared tables, queue together and are generally in a good mood. Some ideas that work in many places:
- Christmas markets. Go in the early evening on a weekday, when it is lively but not packed. Standing tables near food stalls are natural places to start a conversation.
- Concerts and church music. Carol services, choir concerts and organ recitals are often open to everyone, and some are free. You do not need to be religious to enjoy them.
- Themed walking tours. Lights tours, food tours and market tours tend to attract solo travellers and small groups.
- Classes and workshops. Cooking classes for local holiday dishes, baking or craft sessions give you something to do and something to talk about.
Where can you have Christmas dinner if you are travelling alone?
Hostels are often the easiest option. Many organise a shared Christmas dinner, a gift swap or a New Year's Eve outing, and guests who arrive alone usually join in. Ask about holiday plans when you book rather than when you arrive, because shared meals can fill up.
Guesthouses, small family-run hotels and homestays can be just as good. Some hosts invite guests to a holiday meal or explain local customs; even if they do not, a friendly host knows what is open and which events are worth it. Restaurants that serve a set holiday menu often require a reservation, so book early. If you are in a large hotel or a rental flat, look for a nearby café, bar or co-working space that runs community events.
Volunteering and community meals
Helping out is a rewarding way to spend a holiday abroad, and it puts you side by side with people who care about the same thing. Food banks, community kitchens, animal shelters and charity events often need extra hands at this time of year. Many organisations ask volunteers to register in advance, and some require a minimum commitment, so contact them early. Expat groups and places of worship sometimes host open holiday meals for people far from home. Offer to bring a dish or help clear up; it is a simple way to become part of the evening rather than just a guest.
Find people on the same dates before you arrive
The most reliable way to avoid an empty holiday is to start before you travel. On mytripdate, you can see who will be in the same city on the same dates and send them a message ahead of time. Someone else spending Christmas in Vienna or New Year in Bangkok may be looking for the same thing: a person to share a market evening, a holiday dinner or the countdown with.
Be specific when you write. "Are you around on the 24th? I am thinking of the market near the cathedral and then dinner" works better than a general hello, because it gives the other person something concrete to answer. Add your dates and plans to your profile so others can find you. Before meeting, chat on the site for a while, check whether the profile is verified and agree on a public place.
How do you meet someone safely on New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is a great night to be among people, but large crowds bring their own challenges. Mobile networks can be slow in packed squares, streets close for fireworks and public transport often runs to a special schedule. A little planning helps:
- Agree on an exact meeting point, such as a specific café entrance, not "near the main square".
- Meet early in the evening, well before midnight, when it is still easy to find each other.
- Choose a backup meeting point and time in case you get separated.
- Check how you will get back and whether transport runs late; save the number of a local taxi service.
- Keep your phone charged, carry some cash and tell someone you trust where you will be.
If a ticketed event or a bar with an organised countdown appeals to you, book early, as these nights can sell out and prices may rise closer to the date. It is also fine to plan one social day and one quiet one: a video call home or a long walk can be part of a good holiday too.
Frequently asked questions
Is it sad to spend Christmas alone abroad?
It does not have to be. Many people find it a memorable experience, especially if they plan at least one shared activity, such as a market visit, a hostel dinner or a volunteering shift.
Are things open on Christmas Day abroad?
It depends on the country. In some places most shops and restaurants close on 25 December or on 24 December from the afternoon, while in others daily life continues almost as normal. Check local opening hours before you go.
How can I find other travellers for New Year's Eve?
Ask your hostel or host about group plans, look for organised events, and use mytripdate to see who will be in the same city on the same dates and message them in advance.
The bottom line
Being abroad over Christmas and New Year can be one of the most memorable parts of a trip. Learn how the holidays work where you are, book the important days ahead, make use of your accommodation and local events, and contact people on the same dates before you arrive. With a little effort, the people you share these days with may become part of why you remember them.
