Burgundy polka dots are holiday-ready on red jelly nails.Credit: @ melanated.mani

• Polka dots remain a standout nail trend this winter.
• Chrome spots add a subtle sparkle to nude manicures, while rich red, holly green, and icy blue dots feel perfectly festive.

All of our favorite summer manicures involved some form of polka dots, whether they were in classic, retro-inspired black and white with a bright red ladybug accent, or splashy tropical hues of banana yellow and pitaya pink. Now, as we turn to winter, we still can’t seem to quit the playful pattern!

As it turns out, polka dots are perfect for holiday nail designs. Sure, you can go the traditionally festive route with red or green polka dots, but you could also opt for rich, chocolatey brown polkas, berry-colored spots, or slick chrome finishes that add an eye-catching metallic accent to an otherwise subdued nude manicure.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with scale, either—tiny polka dots look cutesy crowning a French tip, while a mix of large and small dots creates a dynamic and graphic pattern play.

Below, we gathered 15 winter polka dot nails to screenshot and save for your next salon visit, or bust out a dotting tool and recreate them yourself this December.

Red Velvet

@ gossipandgloss

These glassy red velvet nails feature a smattering of teensy gold polka dots. They’re rich, reflective, and so fun—practically guaranteed to score you a stream of compliments at any holiday party.

Twinkling Lights

@ poppinpolishldn

Capture the colors of holiday lights on your nails with this minimalist yet colorful manicure. Start with a nude base, then add tiny, sparkling dots in shades of red, gold, silver, and green.

White as Snow

@ klawsbysonia

A crisp white manicure is one of the prettiest, most infallible options for a winter manicure. This one stands out thanks to a gleaming cat-eye base and opaque white polka dots.

Classic Red

@ ceesclaws

A classically festive nail design never goes out of style. This one features a rich cranberry red, white polka dots, and bow details.

Pattern Play

@ dovenailsbysharon

There’s no need to stick to just one print for your holiday manicure. This set combines a mix of decadent cocoa-colored polka dots, stripes, and French tips adorned with clear builder gel designs.

Warm Velvet

@ gossipandgloss

Cat-eye polish always looks luxe, but this sumptuous amber color elevates it even further. Add a bit of whimsy with opaque white polkas.

Berry Bounce

@ jaymarie_beauty

Burgundy nails are a fall and winter staple, but these pop more than your standard solid-colored mani. The contrast between dark red and bubblegum pink may be unexpected, but it works so well.

Bold Bows

@ ceesclaws

What do you do when you need to fill a gap in your Christmas tree? Put a bow on it, of course! The same philosophy can be applied to your nails, as demonstrated by this milky black-and-nude set topped with baby pink bows.

Starring Role

@ gelsbybry

Starry nails are a no-brainer around the holiday season—they’re simple yet cute and festive. This berry-and -white design combines star motifs with playful polka dots.

Simply Silver

@ myprettyset

Transparent glass nails take a futuristic turn with these saucer-like silver polka dots. “Polka dots” and “edgy” might usually be at odds with each other, but this set manages to fuse the two effortlessly.

Icy Blue

@ hayyyooogetnailed

These almond-shaped nails feature a milky blue base and opaque polka dots scattered across the surface. The sheer polish makes them very romantic—perfect for strolls under the holiday lights.

Holly Green

@ nailsby_bridgett

This classic Christmas set is cheer-filled and festive. Holly-green bows, polka dots, and a checkerboard pattern glow under a wash of sheer gold sparkle.

Scaling Up

@ hayyyooogetnailed

Polka dots of different sizes bounce across this set in the most pleasingly chaotic way—just like hosting all your nearest and dearest around the holidays. Neutral shades of white, black, brown, and burgundy give these just a little bit of necessary restraint.

Pop of Gold

@ pristinenails

Nude manicure devotees, gather around. This simple yet impactful manicure is for you, with a creamy satin base and gold chrome-covered dots.

Pink and Plaid

@ klawsbysonia

Bubblegum pink with polka dots and plaid make a sweet and nostalgic pairing. Pair them with a tartan skirt and tights, and you’ll be fielding compliments left and right at every holiday party.