Your guide to December events and festive celebrations
| Date | What's on... |
|---|---|
| 1st December | The beautiful city of Bath is a perfect place to visit this Christmas. Each year, the pedestrian area between Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths is transformed into a festive wonderland as the city holds its annual Christmas Market. Traditional wooden chalets line the streets; each one offering unique, handmade gifts, decorations and food items - everything you need for a magical Christmas. |
| 2nd December | The annual lighting of the spectacular Christmas tree in Rockefeller centre is one of the most anticipated events in the New York calendar and for most New Yorkers signals the start of their Christmas festivities. If you are planning on visiting New York this December, wrap up warm and join in the fun. As well admiring the immense tree, you can enter into the spirit of things with a twirl around the Rockefeller ice rink or simply tap your feet in time to the live music. |
| 3rd December | How about a shopping trip to London this December? Make an occasion out of it and take the family to Harrods – not only can the children drop a few hints about what they’d like but as an extra special treat they can give their list directly to Father Christmas himself. But, before you set off, please remember that Santa’s Grotto is extremely popular so it’s advisable to pre book your tickets. |
| 4th December | From the 4th to 6th of December, 20 of London’s top chefs and 150 of the finest artisan producers will be mingling under the mistletoe at the Excel London for the foodie event of the season – the Taste of Christmas. If your taste buds are already tingling, then reserve your ticket today and get ready to bring some seasonal inspiration into your kitchen this Christmas! The inhabitants of Bocognano in Corsica welcome the arrival of winter with the annual Foire de la Chataigne. Over 20,000 visitors are expected to sample a wide variety of products made from local chestnuts including pulenta, marrons glacés and biscuits. |
| 5th December | The Great Christmas Pudding Race is an annual event which raises money for cancer research. Sponsored teams race around Convent Garden in London, balancing a pudding on a tray – a strange yet highly entertaining pursuit. Lend your support and join in the fun. A little further afield, the 5th of December also sees the official opening of the slopes at Les Arcs, Alpe d’Huez, Chamonix and Meribel. Pray for snow and enjoy some early season ski-ing. And in Nice, the Village de Noel is a lively Christmas Fair which welcomes visitors to its many stalls and ice rink. Or take the children to Swanley Grange near Harrogate to make your own tree decorations. |
| 6th December | For some festive magic, take the children to Paris for a few days. From the 8th November, Disneyland Paris is dressing for Christmas. Cinderella’s fairytale castle will be transformed into a palace of ice, whilst Belle’s Village will be decked in snow and illuminated with festive lights. Drop into Santa’s workshop, post your Christmas list or join Father Christmas at the Once-upon-a-Dream Parade, accompanied by toy soldiers, elves and Christmas music. Each evening the enormous Christmas tree will be lit – with special help from the crowd – and there will be illuminated seasonal parades. Helmsely Castle near York takes a trip back in time to bring us a medieval Christmas. Children can enjoy dressing up whilst adults browse the unique Christmas gifts. And in Vals Thorens, it’s the final day of the Andros Trophy and your chance to see some incredible ice driving. |
| 7th December | Enjoy some Alsatian hospitality in Mittelwihr this December and enjoy traditional delicacies and local wines as part of the celebration Noël, ses 7 merveilles et ses 7 gourmandises. |
| 8th December | This week (5th – 8th December), Lyon celebrates its Festival of Lights and the city’s monuments will be magically illuminated from 6pm to midnight. For more festivity, join the crowds at the Christmas market in the Place Carnot and search for the perfect Christmas gift amongst the gastronomic treats, arts and crafts. Rome is also in the spotlight today as the Pope leads the celebrations for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
| 9th December | If you haven’t made it already, now is the time to catch the last few days of the Autumn Festival in Paris – taking place until the 19th December. Take the opportunity to indulge in a little Christmas shopping and enjoy the many festively decorated shop windows. |
| 10th December | Chester will be particularly lively on the 10th December as the city celebrates the winter solstice and the Lord of Misrule leads the colourful Christmas Winter Watch Parade throughout the streets. |
| 11th December | If you hurry, you can still catch the last few days of the Paris Boat Show – an incredible event displaying numerous boats of every conceivable size as well as related products and activities (5-13th December) |
| 12th December | The village of Casarabonela in Malaga province celebrates the feast of Santa Lucia on the 12th December and, as evening falls, the streets are lit with burning rondeles – rolled wicker mats, soaked in oil and set alight as a symbol of thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary. The fire is blessed around 10pm and the rondeles are carried through the village to the Santiago Apóstol Parish Church, accompanied by traditional music. Once the fires are extinguished at the water fountain beside the church, the villagers celebrate until the early hours. Meanwhile in Verbier, this is the weekend for the annual Verbier Ride competition - a European level pro/am Big Air and Rail Jam event |
| 13th December | Enjoy a festive visit to Alton Towers - visit Santa in his secret grotto, meet the reindeer and enjoy a festive lunch. Plus, as an extra special treat, a number of rides will be exclusively open for those staying at the Resort Hotels – including the new Sharkbait Reef. The Festival of Angels in York is a family friendly festival with ice-sculptures, stalls, street entertainment and snow showers. Follow the Golden Angel as she leads the Sunday Parade or spot Santa amongst the crowds. Today sees the slopes open for the winter season at Courcheval 1650,1550 and 1300 |
| 14th December | For one night only at the MEN arena in Manchester “Abba, the show” is coming to town! Put on your dancing shoes and sing along to the numerous hits including classics such as Mamma Mia, SOS and Dancing Queen. Tickets are on sale now! Across the Channel, the villagers in Licques (Nord-Pas de Calais) celebrate the Fete de la dinde (Turkey Festival) with a turkey procession, live entertainment and numerous gourmet treats. |
| 15th December | Head to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for “A celebration of Christmas.” The event begins at 18h30, featuring the cathedral choir and the City of London Orchestra, as well as readings by well-known celebrities. |
| 16th December | Vals Thorens celebrates its 13th Ski and Boarder Week from the 12th to the 19th. Today you can design your own snowboard and enjoy a fun-packed afternoon of live music, competitions, snowmobile shows and dazzling fireworks. |
| 17th December | Chester’s Roman soldiers reclaim the city, parading through the streets with flaming torches as part of the annual Saturnalia celebrations. Meanwhile in Val d’Isere, park your car for the night and enjoy the “nuit rouge” celebrations. The main street will be closed to traffic to make way for some magical illuminations, street entertainment and live music (every Thursday to March 4th) |
| 18th December | Christmas is getting close now and if you still haven’t managed to find that extra special gift, then why not enjoy a weekend break to one of Germany’s famous Christmas markets? Some of the best can be found in Dresden, Munich, Cologne, Nurenberg and Augsburg. As well as arts & crafts, there will also be some traditional tasty treats on offer, including mulled wine, hot bratwurst (sausages) and sweet Lebkuchen (Gingerbread). |
| 19th December | Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is getting into the holiday spirit. Visitors can expect carol singers, mince pies and hot fruit punch – all set against the beautiful backdrop of the illuminated castle. Or, venture to Cadiz province in Spain for a unique Christmas experience. Between 6pm and 11pm on the 19th December, the town of Arcos de la Frontera begins its seasonal celebrations with a Live Nativity Scene. The streets are lined with palm trees and illuminated by torchlight, whilst the locals dress in historical costumes to enact the nativity scene for the many visitors. |
| 21th December | Enjoy a white Christmas in Val Thorens and enter an enchanted winter wonderland. Festive happenings include meeting Father Christmas in his wooden cabin and a children’s torchlight descent – all dusted off with a magical sprinkling of snow! Meanwhile, down on the Mediterranean coast, the Andalucian resort of Torrox celebrates its annual Fiesta de Migas. The ringing of the church bells summons local residents and visitors to the Almazara Market to collect a glass of wine, ariera salad and plate of migas – fried breadcrumbs. And, once you’ve enjoyed this traditional dish, you’re welcome to join in the music, dancing and activities in the main square. |
| 21st December | Celebrate the winter solstice by heading down to Brighton for the annual “Burning of the clocks Parade”. This event is one that can be enjoyed by all ages and includes a themed parade with more than 1000 participants, the burning of homemade lanterns on Brighton beach and a fantastic display of fireworks over the English Channel. |
| 22nd December | Head for Piazza Navona in Rome for the city’s largest Christmas market. Or, if you’re quick you can still catch the traditional Christmas market in Turin. |
| 23rd December | Head to Liverpool for a festive family concert performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and enjoy classics such as ‘Frosty the snowman’ and the world famous hit ‘The snowman.’ Or hop aboard the Chamonix Christmas train (SNCF station at 15h16) for a festive trip through the valley to nearby Vallorcine. |
| 24th December | Staying in Chamonix, the resort welcomes Christmas Eve with carols in the Place Belmat and Place des Alpes before a Christmas Parade and an appearance from Santa himself. Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated in churches across the resort from 6pm onwards. |
| 25th December | Celebrate Christmas Day in Naples at the annual Christmas Concert, held in the magnificent surroundings of the Duomo. |
This webpage is intended to be used as a source of information only. Traveljigsaw gives no warranty or guarantee whatsoever regarding the accuracy, currency, reliability or completeness of the information provided for these events and attractions. Any warranties regarding such information which may be implied by law, statute or otherwise are hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. Visitors are advised to check the accuracy of the information provided here for themselves, including dates, fees and times, with the attractions or event providers themselves
