Best city in the world? The best place for sunsets? Home to a new major marathon? Sydney is racking up the accolades right now, but one I can’t say I saw coming was the news that Sydney has been crowned first amongst the world’s top trending Christmas market destinations for 2024. Taking the win over a legion of snow-covered European markets, Sydney’s reputation as a festive destination has grown massively over the past year, and rocking up at #1 on Santa’s nice list.
The new study from InsureandGo looked at Google search data, to track which of the world’s cities were trending upwards as Christmas market destinations, based on search terms. With a stunning 233% increase in searches versus last year, Sydney easily scooped the top spot, ahead of Tokyo (a 116% increase) and Cork in Ireland (108% increase). Other rising destinations included a few more likely to see snow this year, including Montreux in Switzerland, Helsinki, Geneva, and Oslo.
In praising Sydney, the study noted that “the holiday atmosphere down under is certainly on par with some of Europe’s most exciting wintery Christmas market destinations”. Despite zero chance of a white Christmas, our range of Christmas markets helped propel the surge in results, whilst the Martin Place Christmas Markets and the giant Christmas tree also helped raise the profile of a Christmas Down Under.
Add in the fact that the city is gaining eight new Christmas markets this year, and my surprise at the win is starting to recede. As the city starts to string up the lights and the Christmas gift lists start filling up, we’re ready to celebrate the holiday season in one of the world’s best festive cities!