which is the best Xmas city?

I would probably add Paris to that list...I was there last year (before Xmas) and the market and lights were beautiful, although I still prefer the good old fashioned Xmas markets of Germany or Austria, but I don't see those countries on your list.

We hope to do Paris, Benelux & UK next year (spring or fall). We probably wouldn't be gone over Xmas, but we are doing this at the end of my daughter's study abroad semester. Just don't want to spend Xmas & Xmas Eve stuck in a hotel room with little or no restaurants open and nothing to do for 2 days. Looking for the best of the 4 cities, as far as how they celebrate Xmas and would offer us something to do. We were thinking maybe Rome, since we could do a church service and a lot of the sight seeing is outdoors. But don't know about restaurants or city transportation. Hopefully someone knows how these cities are for a tourist over Xmas.

I recommend Rome. Many years ago, I went to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at St. Peter's. I'm not Catholic, but it was one of the best experiences of my life. We took a bus there, but ended up having to walk home because by the time we got out, there was no public transportation available. I don't remember missing any meals on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, so something must have been open. We now have a new and very different Pope, so there may be some changes, but this is a link to information on getting tickets in advance for Christmas and Easter masses: http://www.papalaudience.org/easter-christmas-tickets. Please note that the paragraph title only mentions Easter but the content is about both holidays. Also note that you need to apply by fax 2 to 6 months in advance, the sooner the better, and that you can click on a link to the pdf Ticket Request Form to use. The tickets are free. I was curious about other seasonal options and found this link for what to do just by Googling: http://retroblogrome.com/retromes-5-cant-miss-things-to-do-this-christmas-in-rome/. For food: http://www.tavoleromane.it/foodtours/en/. Click on Blog on the far right at the top and scroll down to the suggested restaurants for last Christmas. Wherever you go it will be great, but Rome is hard to beat.

Thanks, that sounds very helpful. I will check it out.

There was a very similar thread in the last 2-4 weeks. Venice was recommended. I'm not sure what the other options were, though.

I was in Rome a few years ago for Christmas week. Some things were closed from evening of the 24th through Xmas day, but churches were open of course and I went to midnight mass at Santa Maria Maggiore and it was beautiful. As my neighbor, I can tell you I thought it was warm (compared to MN). It was in mid 50's-some rain, but many sunny days. I arrived on the 24th and spent my day walking around (there was a Xmas market in Piazza Navonna) and there was so much to see. The rest of the week everything was open. I went to St Peters, Vatican museum, Borghese, Colesseo, Forum and a side trip to Ostia Antica. It was a wonderful week-one of my best Christmases ever. My only recommendation would be to ask your hotel to make you a reservation for Xmas eve-they will know who will be open.