The 20 Best Places to Visit in January Around the World

If the holidays make you feel like you need a holiday to recuperate, you might want to wait a bit before heading back to work. January is a great month for travel. Since everyone else is starting the new work year and the kids go back to school, many destinations are crowd free. You might even have that idyllic beach all to yourself! The only question is where to go. Do you want sun and sand or do you prefer snow? Would you like to attend an interesting festival or event? Do you want some time in nature or do you prefer the city lights? Whatever you prefer, there is a destination for you. These are the 20 best places to visit in January around the world.

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Kiritimati, Kiribati

If you want to see in the New Year before everyone else, make your way to Kiritimati (or Christmas Island) in Kiribati. It’s the first inhabited island to start the new day. Kiritimati is also the world’s largest coral atoll, so there’s plenty of great scuba diving to be had here. Getting to Kiritimati takes about three days’ worth of flights from Toronto, but there are things you can pack to make you feel like you’re flying first class.

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Lerwick, United Kingdom

On the last Tuesday of January every year, Lerwick in the Shetland Islands hosts a raucous festival with a very satisfying name. During Up Helly Aa, as many as a thousand people carry a Viking longship through the streets during a torch procession. Along the way, they perform entertaining skits. Once they get to the ship’s final resting spot, they set it on fire. To launch the new decade right, Up Helly Aa will be held on January 28, 2020.

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

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Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico’s Michoacan state is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that provides sanctuary for migrating monarch butterflies. Thousands upon thousands of these gorgeous creatures fly south for the winter and in Michoacan, their population tends to be highest in January and February. Finding yourself in the midst of so many fluttering butterflies is a surreal experience.

Temperatures this time of year are mild during the day, but chilly at night, so remember to refer to your Mexico packing list accordingly.

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Bikaner, India

Have you always wanted to ride a camel through the desert? Then head to Bikaner in India’s Rajasthan state on January 11 and 12. This is when the city celebrates the ship of the desert with the Camel Festival. Events include camel dances, camel decorating competitions and tug-of-war contests between locals and foreigners. There’s even a turban-tying competition! Other than camels, there’s plenty to see in Bikaner too, including the 16th-century Junagarh Fort. Stay in style at the Lalgarh Palace.

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Park City, Utah

For lovers of indie movies, there’s only one place to be between January 23 and February 2. Hosted by Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute, the Sundance Film Festival is where you can discover the next big thing in cinema. After all, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Kevin Smith and Darren Aronofsky are just some of the famous directors who got their big break here.

You’re not going to see the most most expensive movies ever made at the Sundance Film Festival, but you’ll be treated to what could become instant classics.

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Australia

January 26 is a great day to be in Australia, not only due to the glorious midsummer weather, but also because it’s the country’s national day. Depending on where in this vast country you find yourself, Australia Day celebrations may include parades, regattas, cricket matches, concerts, fireworks and even citizenship ceremonies. Since you’ve come so far, you might as well extend your stay too: Mardi Gras, Sydney is one of the best places to be in February.

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Kiev, Ukraine

If you can’t get enough of Christmas, why not do it again in January? In Ukraine, the Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7, but the festivities last for another week or so. Kiev turns into a winter wonderland with a huge Christmas tree, concerts and street markets on Sophia Square. Mulled wine will keep you warm, but if you need a break from the cold, pop into the Saint Sophia’s Cathedral to admire the 11th-century frescoes and mosaics.

Zebras in Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana

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Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana

The famous wildebeest migration may make Kenya and Tanzania two of the best places to be in July , but Botswana is home to the longest land migration in Africa. When the rains come to the Nxai Pan National Park, dazzles of zebras migrate here from Chobe National Park, some 250 km to the north. January is the best month to see them gathered together at the Nxai Pan.

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Cebu City, Philippines

When explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on the shores of Cebu in 1521, he gave the rajah an image of Jesus. The people of Cebu City still commemorate this event every year during the Sinulog Festival, a giant street party that rivals the Rio Carnival. Dancers come from all over the Philippines to show off their moves and their colourful costumes. The 2020 festival will be held from January 2 to February 1.

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Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monaco is more than just a tax haven ruled by one of the world’s richest royals. The tiny country hosts some spectacular sporting events, such as the Monte Carlo Rally. This event kicks off the FIA World Rally Championship every year and in 2020, it will take place from January 26.

Footprints on the beach at Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

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Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

When people think of the Cayman Islands, they think of sandy beaches and one of the world’s top tax havens. Foodies in the know, however, think of delicious cuisine. In January, Grand Cayman hosts two of the most popular events on the culinary calendar. The Cayman Cookout, held from January 15 to 20 at the Ritz-Carlton, features a gathering of world-renowned chefs showing off their skills. If you're into tantalizing your taste buds even more, you'll be interested in the Taste of Cayman Food & Drink Festival in Camana Bay. The 2020 is TBA.

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Saint John, New Brunswick

From pond hockey championships to snowshoeing, there are plenty of exciting winter fun activities happening in New Brunswick in January. For a local vibe, there is always something happening at Market Square — like the 9th Annual Warm Up to Winterfest happening on January 26. There are some cute secret places that locals don't want you to know about that you'll be able to enjoy in New Brunswick outside of Saint John too.

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Antarctica

Looking for one of the best cruises that go off the beaten path? Antarctica is a great place to go – and January is the perfect time. Not only is it midsummer then, with temperatures soaring to a balmy freezing point, you’ll also get to see the midnight sun in the first two weeks of the month. The real reason to go this time of year, though, is because it’s one of the best times to see penguins and their fluffy grey chicks.

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Grenada

January is a popular month for cruises, but an even better way of breathing in the sea air and feeling the breeze in your hair is to go sailing. Grenada enjoys great weather this time of year and from January 25 to January 31, this Caribbean island nation hosts Grenada Sailing Week. If you want to combine your sailing trip with some fishing, come a week earlier. The Budget Marine Spice Island Billfish Tournament is held from January 26 to 30.

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Gstaad, Switzerland

You can go to one of the world’s best budget ski resorts or you can rub shoulders with the jet set in Gstaad. If you need a break from all that skiing, this little Swiss village hosts the Gstaad Snow Bike Festival from January 17 to 19. On January 31, there’s something for those who want to head indoors and indulge in some culture too. The Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad is a series of classical music concerts held in the area’s chapels and churches.

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Sodwana Bay National Park, South Africa

Sodwana Bay National Park lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on South Africa’s northeast coast. Here you’ll find Africa’s southernmost coral reefs with spectacular diving and snorkelling. By the latter half of January, most of the tourists have gone home and you might just have the beaches and campsites to yourself. Another great reason to come this time of year is that it’s nesting and hatching season for leatherback and loggerhead turtles.

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Barbados

Barbados is one of the top Caribbean islands, but it’s not only the beaches and rum distilleries that make it a great place to visit. In January you’ll find everything here, from jazz events to horse races and international cricket tests. The island is also a popular destination for lovers of indie films, with the Barbados Independent Film Festival held from January 11 to 20.

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Harbin, China

Harbin is so cold in winter that it’s nicknamed Ice City. This means lots of winter sports – and even swimming in a large hole cut in the ice covering the Songhua River. In January, the city hosts the world’s largest ice and snow festival, the Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, which features humongous ice sculptures carved out of ice. The festival officially opens on January 5 but the festivities start in December and last until early February.

Of course, the Government of Canada is flagging China as a risky destination. But, y'know what? Some ice castles are worth the risk.

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Key West, Florida

January is high season in Key West, but there are several good reasons why the crowds choose this time to visit. The weather is spectacular, for one. Then there are the festivals and events, including the Key West Food & Wine Festival from January 26 to February 2. Be sure to include some loose-fitting clothing on your Florida packing list: you’re going to need it to stay comfortable after all that eating.

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Auckland, New Zealand

If you can’t wait for the music festivals of summer, remember that in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s that time of year in January. From January 24 to 27, the Auckland Folk Festival will celebrate its 47th anniversary with folk artists from around the world. There are various ways to find cheap flights from YYZ and other Canadian airports so getting there won’t break your budget.