Photo: Austrian Tourism
1/12/0
While many of our compatriots are scouring the internet, finding specialized online stores like colapsar.ru where you can pick original gifts for yourself and loved ones, many others are studying international air routes. After all, now is the perfect time to visit fairs and sales that are starting in European countries!
AUSTRIA
Christmas market and festival "New Winter", December 1-24, Kitzbühel. The pre-Christmas days in the Tyrolean Alps are entirely dedicated to the opening of the new winter season, and consequently to luring lovers of fresh air and sports into the "ski paradise". At the beginning of December, a Christmas market opens here, where you can find gifts for family and friends, and on December 4, St. Nicholas Day, a costume parade takes place. The actual season opening is scheduled for December 8-10. "New Winter" is celebrated with great fanfare over several days. As the organizers promise, the festival will open with fireworks over and around the mountain, followed by comic ski competitions and sleigh rides. During the day, serious ski competitions are expected, and in the evening – romantic candlelight parties and live music concerts.
Christmas Parade, December 23, Igls. Every year on Christmas Eve, a costumed children's parade takes place in the small ski resort town of Igls. Shepherds, little angels, Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus leading the procession walk through the town streets, and at the end of the procession, live biblical scenes are performed. No one remembers how many centuries this tradition has existed in Igls, but every year the parade is a consistent success.
Opening of the ball season, Imperial Ball, December 31, Vienna. The Imperial Ball (Kaiserball) at the Hofburg Palace, the former imperial winter residence, opens the season of famous Viennese balls. The New Year's ball is held in accordance with ancient court ceremony and etiquette. It begins with a ceremonial changing of the guard and a greeting from the imperial couple. In the ballrooms of the palace, decorated with fresh flowers, the sounds of waltzes are heard everywhere, a welcome cocktail is served, and liveried footmen present small souvenirs to the ladies. At midnight, the traditional ringing of the main Vienna bell from the tower of St. Stephen's Cathedral announces the beginning of the new year. After the festive banquet in the great hall, dancing begins. During the intermissions, artists of the Vienna Opera and Ballet perform at the Imperial Ball.
BELGIUM
Christmas markets, December 1 – January 1, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Namur and other cities. Throughout December, traditional Christmas markets will take place in almost all Belgian cities. People go not only to buy gifts (jewelry, handmade toys and other souvenirs), but also to feel the spirit of pre-Christmas festive bustle. Live concerts, mystery plays, open-air ice rinks, children's rides, as well as local delicacies – chocolate, oysters, cheese – fully contribute to this.
Christmas Horse Show, December 26-30, Mechelen. For 25 years now, Christmas in Mechelen has been associated with a magnificent show – horse competitions that gather about 100,000 spectators year after year. Riders of all levels participate, and the program consists of traditional types of competitions (show jumping, dressage, eventing) and original show programs.
UNITED KINGDOM
Christmas Festivals, December, London. Undoubtedly, there will be plenty to see in London. On December 3, the traditional and full-of-wonders Santa Land opens at the Earls Court exhibition center, and from December 12 to 18, the annual horse competitions at Olympia will take place.
You can listen to sacred music and Christmas carols with the participation of the best London choirs at the winter Spitalfields Festival (December 7 to 19). Musical holiday surprises also await visitors to the Tower of London and Hampton Court: from December 15 to 30, winter classical music concerts will be held there.
At the "Christmas in Tudor Times" festival (December 27 to January 1), you can spend time surrounded by royal jesters and musicians, and then visit a real palace kitchen. The organizers of the Cool Yule festival (December 13-22) call this annual event an alternative to standard Christmas shows and even the strongest "antidote" to mass culture. The festival program includes alternative live music concerts (rock, folk), classical music and jazz concerts. This year, Cool Yule will feature Joan Davis, Circulus, Zum.
Christmas Wonders at the Zoo, December 2-23, Bristol. All residents of Bristol have long known that the most interesting adventures before Christmas happen at the city zoo. In December (2nd to 17th - on weekends and 18th to 23rd - daily), you can safely take children to "Santa's Grotto", where they are guaranteed to meet wonders and magical surprises. In addition, from December 19 to 21, the zoo hosts a traditional competition for the most beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and in the zoo's Christmas-illuminated garden, evenings of Christmas carols will be held with the participation of professional and amateur family choirs. Also, from December 1 to January 5, you can ride a real Christmas train on the zoo grounds.
Beer and ale festivals, December 1-5, London; December 7-9, Dovercourt; December 14-17, Melton. Early December is the time for traditional winter beer festivals in England. This beer marathon will be opened by the London Pig's Ear festival, which will feature a tasting of the best ales, porters, and apple and pear ciders. You can also welcome the approaching Christmas over a pint of ale in Essex, where the famous Harwich & Dovercourt Bay Winter Ale Festival will take place. Moreover, this festival is a real adventure, because special trains will run from Ipswich and Colchester to Dovercourt station. In addition to tasting 30 ales, the festival organizers promise to entertain visitors with live rock music. Another beer festival will be held in mid-December in Melton (Yorkshire): here you can taste specially prepared beer from a local brewery and attend pre-Christmas concerts accompanying the event.
GERMANY
Tattoo Festival, December 1-3, Berlin. In early December, about 100 tattoo artists from 25 countries will gather at the Huxleys Neue Welt exhibition hall in Berlin. The jury and audience will choose the best tattoos in the categories: "best color", "best black and white", "best large", "best small", "best portrait" and "best ornament". The competition will be accompanied by musical concerts (rock and blues) and dance shows (flamenco and Tahitian dance). Ticket price for the festival – €17.
Tollwood Cabaret and Theatre Festival, November 29 - December 31, Munich. The Tollwood Festival is almost as popular in Munich as the Oktoberfest: more than a million people visit it annually. This festival has international status, and world-famous circus, cabaret, theatre and dance troupes take part in it. Tollwood ends on New Year's Eve - that's when you can see the best festival performances and taste international cuisine prepared by Thai, French, Italian and German chefs. This year's festival program includes the opera Hansel + Gretel, open-air circus shows, a mini-festival of puppet theatres and concerts by the famous band Tiger Lillies (December 5-9). Simultaneously with the festival in Munich, as in all German cities, there is a Christmas market.
SPAIN
Puppet Theatre Festival, December 1-10, Alicante. The International Puppet Theatre Festival, held in Alicante since 1984, annually features about 200 performers from different countries. Audiences can expect performances by puppet and marionette theatres in indoor and outdoor venues – four performances per day. The shows are evaluated in various categories, from "best puppeteer" to "best performance", and voting involves not only professionals but also ordinary spectators. //www.alicante.es
RESFEST Digital Film Festival, December 7-10, Madrid; December 14-17, Cadiz; December 21-24, Barcelona. The international digital film festival RESFEST is held annually from September to December in forty cities worldwide. The festival organizers aim to "create a new vision of reality". In December, RESFEST kicks off in three Spanish cities – Cadiz, Madrid and Barcelona. The festival screening program includes short and feature films, animation and music videos. Discs with RESFEST winning films sell out instantly in many countries.
Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales, December 28, Malaga. On December 28, all of Spain celebrates the Day of the Holy Innocent Children of Bethlehem, which is considered a children's holiday, so adults allow children to be capricious and mischievous. But in Andalusia, there is an ancient pagan tradition to celebrate the harvest of green olives on this very day. As a result, the holidays intertwine, creating a lively and colorful fiesta. Dance competitions between rural communities of Andalusia that harvest green olives are worth seeing. All day long, folk Spanish music (verdiales) sounds on the streets, and ancient cymbals and tambourines become symbols of this festival.
IRELAND
National Craft Fair, December 7-12; Christmas Races, December 26-29, Dublin. Dubliners have long been buying original Christmas gifts at the National Craft Fair, which is held in the exhibition halls of the RDS (Royal Dublin Society). At this fair, you can buy unique handmade items from wood and glass, as well as ceramics, jewelry, clothing and small souvenirs. And the week between Christmas and New Year's in many Irish cities, including Dublin, is traditionally spent at the National Christmas Races – that's how the Irish celebrate the feast of Saint Stephen, who is considered the patron saint of horses. After the races, you can go to musical concerts, dance parties, and also participate in tastings of national cuisine.
ITALY
Feast of Saint Ambrose, Opera Season Opening and Jazz Festival, December 7-9, Milan. This feast in honor of the city's patron saint, Saint Ambrose, is considered the most important December holiday in Milan. The celebration will take place on the square in front of the wonderful Basilica of Saint Ambrose. From early morning until late evening, a Christmas market will operate on the square, where you can taste local delicacies and buy souvenirs, watch cheerful concert programs, and shout along with little Milanese "che belli! che belli!". The feast of Saint Ambrose traditionally coincides with the opening of the new season at Milan's La Scala theatre: on December 7, Verdi's "Aida" directed by Franco Zeffirelli will be performed. On these same days, a jazz festival will be held in Milan at the Auditorium di Milano, featuring Ute Lemper, Diamanda Galas and Uri Caine Ensemble.
Feast of St. Nicholas and the "Market of Miracles", December 10-11, Venice and other cities. In early December, many Italian cities celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas. In Venice, the main celebration will take place on the island of Murano, famous for its glassware (since St. Nicholas is also the patron saint of glassblowers). On weekends, in Venice's Piazza Santa Maria Nova, the "Market of Miracles" will be held, where you can buy unusual Christmas gifts. During the same days, Venice will host a festival of sacred music and Christmas carols. But the most spectacular and memorable event will undoubtedly be the grand festive regatta.
CYPRUS
December holidays and the "Cultural Winter" festival, December 2-31, Ayia Napa. As part of the Cypriot "Cultural Winter" festival, Sunday music concerts will take place in Ayia Napa: November 30 – an evening of Cypriot song and dance, December 7 – an evening of Greek music, December 14 – an evening of classical music, December 21 – an evening of Christmas music, and December 28 – an evening of flamenco and Greek dances. Also, on December 10, a large Christmas fair will open in the city. //www.cyprustourism.org
NETHERLANDS
Winterland, November 25 - January 7, Maastricht. For Christmas spirit in December, all residents of Maastricht will head to the magical Winterland. In this winter country, a large Christmas market will open, where you can ice skate to your heart's content, have snowball fights in snow forts, ride the Ferris wheel and carousels, listen to musicians, watch circus performances on the market square, and enjoy mulled wine and hot chocolate while buying local sweets.
Circus Festival, December 21-29, Enschede. In the small Dutch city of Enschede, Christmas holidays are primarily associated with a major international circus arts festival, featuring troupes from America, Asia, and Europe. The audience and a special jury will select the best performers and circus acts in various genres. The festival will conclude with a grand show of the winners.
FINLAND
Christmas markets and the Feast of St. Lucia, December, Helsinki. In the capital of Finland, as in the rest of Europe, traditional Christmas markets will be held in December, where you can buy holiday gifts very cheaply while having a great time. The main market with wonders and attractions will operate from December 7 to 20 in Esplanadi Park, and from December 14 to 23 at the Old Student House (Vanha Ylioppilastalo). On December 13 in Helsinki, you can see a procession in honor of St. Lucia in the city center. After the coronation in the main cathedral, the procession is led by the girl who received the title of Lucia. Since this saint symbolizes purity and mercy, no charity event in the city takes place without the chosen "Lucia" throughout the year.
FRANCE
Festival of Lights, December 7-10, Lyon. For 154 years in a row, on December 8, Lyon is illuminated by countless lights: on this day in 1852, virtually the entire city population came to the unveiling of the statue of the Virgin Mary with torches and lanterns. The city transforms into a magical space: Place des Jacobins, Théâtre des Célestins, the main square Place des Terreaux, now drowning in the blue waters of the reflected Rhône, now blazing with flames. The religious roots of the festival are still remembered by Lyon residents: that is why many small colored candles light up on windowsills. This four-day festival of light, color, and illuminations has been the city's main event for many years.
Festival "Lille 3000", until January 14, Lille. This festival is dedicated to what is called "total immersion in another national culture." This year's theme is "India So Diverse." As part of the event, exhibitions showcase Indian painting, photography, textiles, and handicrafts. Exhibition titles reflect the attempts of a European civilization person to comprehend the attractive oddities and repulsive realities of a foreign culture: "The Third Eye," "Bombay – Strange World," "Textile Factory," "Popular Art in India: Modern Myths." The festival program includes concerts of popular Indian music, Indian cinema, and, of course, traditional Indian dances.
Street Theater Festival, December 23-31, Deauville. The city of Deauville, following a long-standing tradition, hosts a bright and spectacular street theater festival for Christmas, often called Noel au Balcon ("Christmas on the Balcony"). Spectators of the colorful theatrical performances taking place right on the street warm themselves with cheerful shows and the main local drink – Calvados.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Christmas Music Festival and the "Alternative" festival, December 1-9, Prague. This festival will be held for the 16th time. Participants of the Christmas Music Festival are amateur choirs from different countries, who prepare a 15-minute performance program and compete in various categories: large choir, small choir, children's choir, etc. Winners are awarded prizes and awards named after Petr Eben, a very popular contemporary Czech composer. As part of the festival, open concerts will be held in the city center.
For those not interested in choral singing, an alternative culture festival will take place at the Archa Theatre during the same days. Experimental music, drama performances, films, extreme dancing attract primarily a young audience. The festival has international status. This year, performances include Univers Zero (December 1), Sandy Dillon (December 2), Eric Ross (December 3), Chikanari Shukuka (December 4). The festival will end with a large music party at the Kastan club.
SWEDEN
St. Lucy's Day, December 13, various cities. As in Finland, one of the most important pre-Christmas holidays in Sweden is St. Lucy's Day, commemorating the Christian martyr accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake on December 13, 304. In olden times, people lit "St. Lucy's fires" with incense and sang hymns. Traditionally, on the night of December 13, children put their shoes outside the door, believing that gifts will appear in them overnight. In the morning, the eldest daughter in each family dresses in the traditional costume of St. Lucy – a white dress with a red sash and a green wreath with seven candles on her head. She visits all family members and treats them to coffee and sweet buns. Each city also has its own Lucy: she visits all hospitals and homes of respected citizens. In Stockholm, the solemn coronation of Lucy ends with a procession and fireworks. On December 16-17, a concert dedicated to St. Lucy's Day will be held at the Globe Arena, with more than a thousand children participating.
SWITZERLAND
Christmas Tree Festival, December 1 – January 7, Geneva. Every December, Geneva turns into a large competition of Christmas installations. A special jury will select only 23 original exhibits from numerous submitted projects for display on the city's streets. These best objects can be viewed for a month on Geneva's streets and squares.
Escalade Festival, December 8-10, Geneva. Switzerland has several holidays associated with historical events. The most famous is Geneva's Escalade festival (from French escalade – assault on a fortress using ladders). It is celebrated in honor of the Genevans' victory over the army of the Duke of Savoy on the night of December 11-12, 1602. The main character of the festival is Mère Royaume, who, according to legend, poured a pot of hot soup on the heads of Savoyard soldiers climbing the city walls. In connection with this, on the holiday one must eat a bowl of vegetable soup, and then a chocolate "cauldron" filled with marzipan vegetables (there is, by the way, a custom of breaking the chocolate cauldron with the words "may all enemies of the Republic perish likewise!"). These days, many costumed people can be seen on the streets, and children go in small groups to homes, restaurants, and cafes, singing songs in honor of the historical event, for which they receive sweet rewards.