Where to find family sun for Christmas and New Year 2027

Spending the festive week somewhere warm is one of the easiest wins in family travel: swap the five o'clock darkness at home for a pool, a beach and a proper Christmas dinner you did not have to cook. For a European family, the reliable options for real winter warmth over the 2027 festive week are the Canary Islands (the shortest hop), the Red Sea and the Gulf (hotter, but a longer flight) and Cape Verde in between. Book early, because the festive weeks sell out first.

Where can a family actually find sun at Christmas?

The Canaries are the default answer, and for good reason: a four to five hour flight from western Europe, daytime highs around 21 to 23C in late December, and resorts on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote that dress the week up with kids clubs and festive programmes. The sea is swimmable but bracing (around 19 to 20C), so heated pools matter.

For guaranteed heat you go further. The Red Sea (Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada) and the Gulf (Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah) sit around 24 to 26C by day with warm, calm water, at the cost of a five to seven hour flight. Cape Verde (Sal, Boa Vista) is the middle path: a six-hour flight, warm and low-key, with steady Atlantic breezes. Agadir in Morocco is another short-flight option, milder than the Canaries but pleasant.

Canaries or the Red Sea for the festive week?

This is the trade every family weighs. Here is the short version.

| | Canaries | Red Sea / Gulf | Cape Verde | |---|---|---|---| | Flight from western Europe | ~4-5h | ~5-7h | ~6h | | Late Dec daytime high | 21-23C | 24-26C | 24-26C | | Sea temperature | 19-20C | 22-24C | 23-24C | | Best for | short flight, young kids | warmest water, teens who snorkel | warm, quiet, windy |

With a baby or toddler, the shorter Canaries flight usually wins. With older kids who want to snorkel in warm water, the Red Sea earns its extra hours in the air.

What should you look for in a festive resort?

Over Christmas and New Year, two things matter more than usual. First, a real festive programme if a big day for the children is the point: a visit from Santa, a gala dinner, New Year's Eve entertainment that includes the kids. Second, family rooms or connecting rooms where you all fit comfortably, because this is a week you actually want to spend together. Heated pools, an indoor option and a kids club running through the holiday (many scale back on the 25th and 31st, so ask) round it out.

What budget should you plan for?

The festive week is the most expensive of the winter, often 30 to 50 percent above a normal winter week. Expect mid-range all-inclusive on the Canaries or in Egypt to land in a moderate band per night for a family room, with the Gulf and premium Canaries resorts pushing into the higher band. All-inclusive is worth it over the festive week: gala dinners and drinks add up fast, and a fixed price removes the daily maths. Half-board suits families who want to explore and eat out.

When should you book for New Year 2027?

Early, earlier than any other week of the year. We have watched families lock in their Canary Islands New Year room the previous August. The best festive weeks, especially family rooms and connecting rooms in the top resorts, go first. Hold a refundable rate now and compare on the map rather than waiting for a deal that rarely comes for these dates.

FAQ

Is the sea warm enough to swim at Christmas in the Canaries? Around 19 to 20C, so it is swimmable for a quick dip but cool for young children. A heated pool is the safer bet, which is why we flag them.

Which is warmest: Canaries, Red Sea or Cape Verde? The Red Sea and the Gulf are the warmest for both air and water in late December, followed by Cape Verde, then the Canaries.

Is all-inclusive worth it for the festive week? Usually yes. Gala dinners, drinks and New Year's Eve extras add up quickly, and a fixed price removes the surprises.

How far in advance should we book? Six months or more for the best family rooms. These are the first weeks to sell out anywhere.

Do kids clubs run over Christmas and New Year? Most do, but some reduce hours on the 25th and 31st. Confirm the festive schedule before you book if childcare matters.