| Dec |
Name of Event |
Type of Event |
Sub Category |
Region |
Event Details |
Location |
Website |
| 1st - 4th |
Art Basel Miami Beach |
Exhibition |
Art |
USA |
Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District. An exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists
|
Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida |
website |
| 1st - 4th |
Crafts for Christmas |
Special Event |
Craft Fair |
Lincolnshire |
A unique opportunity to purchase inspirational craftwork and design-led gifts to delight your friends and family. See faces light-up with exciting toys, elegant accessories, stylish clothes, classic and contemporary interiors and unusual stocking fillers. Crafts for Christmas can decorate your home with spiced garlands, candles and decorations to scent the air. Luxurious cushions and interiors create a stylish look and handcrafted furniture and pictures make your home individual. Treat yourself to stunning fashions and accessories and the Specialist Food area is brimming with traditionally produced, meats, pies, cheeses, chocolates and truffles, Christmas puddings and cakes
|
Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire
|
website |
| 2nd - 4th |
Taste of Christmas |
Festival |
Food and Drink |
London |
Taste of Christmas brings together London's finest restaurants and a selection of fine foods to create a gourmet banquet. Visitors are invited to try out famous chefs' seasonal dishes and go behind the scenes at London's top restaurants to discover some culinary secrets. Leading sommeliers and wine writers will offer their seasonal suggestions. There are also beer tastings, beer masterclasses and a boutique beer market. There are plentiful Christmas shopping opportunities: visitors can replenish their cellars and stock their larders, purchasing seasonal foods that range from specialist cheeses and preserves to luxurious chocolates and even Christmas turkeys |
Excel Arena, London |
www.tasteofchristmas.com |
| 2nd - 7th |
Clothes Show Live |
Exhibition |
Fashion |
West Midlands |
Ever wondered what it's like to sit in a VIP packed fashion show and get exclusive behind the scenes style and beauty advice. Well here's your chance as the Clothes Show Live offers expert advice on fashion, beauty and hairtstyles |
NEC, Birmingham |
www.clothesshowlive.com |
| 3rd |
Christmas Gourmet Evening and Champagne Reception |
Festival |
Food and Drink |
Derbyshire |
Tour the decorated rooms of Chatsworth House before enjoying dinner and wine in the elegant Burlington Room |
Chatsworth House, Baslow, Derbyshire |
www.chatsworth.org |
| 3rd |
Nativity Performance in the Farmyard |
Special Event |
|
Derbyshire |
Treat your family to a unique occasion, with the nativity story told with real animals from the farmyard, and the chance for some of the children to dress up and be part of this timeless seasonal story |
Chatsworth House, Baslow, Derbyshire |
www.chatsworth.org |
| 3rd - 4th |
Burghley Fine Food Market |
Festival |
Food |
Lincolnshire |
A celebration of local produce in association with Tastes of Lincolnshire. Come and meet more than 20 local producers of cheese, bread, vegetables and meat |
Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire |
www.burghley.co.uk |
| 3rd - 29th |
Bern Christmas Markets |
Special Event |
Christmas Market |
Switzerland |
Münsterplatz is the largest of the markets in this lovely Swiss city. Found amid the Old Town houses, which date to the 15th-17th centuries, with the cathedral forming a stunning backdrop, it is devoted mainly to arts and crafts. There are glass-blowing demonstrations, and gifts can be beautifully wrapped in a special 'wrapping hut'. Just 10 minutes walk away, don't miss the nearby Waisenhausplatz and Stöbern markets (until Christmas Eve), where you will find special candles, hand-made souvenirs, and plenty of stalls offering hot fudge and gingerbread, hot apple cider and glühwein |
Bern, Switzerland |
www.berninfo.com |
| 8th - 26th |
Antwerp Christmas Market |
Special Event |
Christmas Market |
Belgium |
The beautiful lights and decorations amid historic landmarks, colorful stalls, nativity scenes, music, and array of food and drink is sure to please those of all ages. Other attractions include a 200-ft-long skating rink in the Marché aux Poissons Square and there are wooden huts in the middle of the square selling all sorts of traditional specialties. You can sip mulled wine under the Christmas tree or try one of Antwerp's famous jenevers while warming up next to a cozy open fire. Street entertainers, choirs and bands all add to the festive atmosphere |
Antwerp, Belgium |
www.antwerp-tourist-guide.com |
| 8th |
The Varsity Match |
Sporting Event |
Rugby |
London |
This titanic annual struggle between the rugby teams of England's two oldest universities, Oxford and Cambridge, attracts thousands of rugby fans - many of them Oxbridge graduates - to south-west London to cheer on their teams. The Varsity match is widely regarded as the pinnacle of amateur and student rugby, and is a great day out for rugby enthusiasts |
Twickenham, London |
www.rfu.com |
| 9th |
York Carol Service |
Special Event |
|
Yorkshire |
As part of the run-up to Christmas, the Chapter House at York Minster makes a magical setting for a Christmas carol concert. The service starts at 7pm, and features guest readers |
York Minster, York |
www.yorkminster.org |
| 10th |
Christmas Gourmet Evening and Champagne Reception |
Festival |
Food and Drink |
Derbyshire |
Tour the decorated rooms of Chatsworth House before enjoying dinner and wine in the elegant Burlington Room |
Chatsworth House, Baslow, Derbyshire |
www.chatsworth.org |
| 10th |
Nativity Performance in the Farmyard |
Special Event |
|
Derbyshire |
Treat your family to a unique occasion, with the nativity story told with real animals from the farmyard, and the chance for some of the children to dress up and be part of this timeless seasonal story |
Chatsworth House, Baslow, Derbyshire |
www.chatsworth.org |
| 11th |
Abergavenny Christmas Food and Drink Fair |
Festival |
Food and Drink |
Wales |
Whatever your culinary tastes - rare, exotic, innovative, traditional - there's something for everyone, including inspirational masterclasses, tutored tastings and demonstrations. Firm up your menus, liven up your culinary plans and avoid the sad supermarket dash |
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, South Wales |
website |
| 13th - 19th |
The London International Horse Show |
Sporting Event |
Equestrian |
London |
Attracting huge crowds, this popular London horse show offers a full programme of show jumping and dressage competitions, with an award being made to the Leading Rider of the Show. In addition there is the Shetland Pony Grand National, Mountain and Moorland Championships and the Veteran Horse Society Championships. There are also the ever-popular dog agility contests, with dogs competing on time trials across obstacle courses. The grand finale is an enormous festive parade with hundreds of horses, costumes and music combining to a spectacular climax |
Kensington Olympia, London |
www.olympiahorseshow.com |
| 14th |
Lincoln Cathedral Carols |
Special Event |
|
Lincolnshire |
An atmospheric candlelit carol concert kicks off the Christmas season at Lincoln (if you miss this you can always go to the Christmas Eve carol service at 4pm) |
Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln |
www.lincolncathedral.com |
| 17th |
Christmas Gourmet Evening and Champagne Reception |
Festival |
Food and Drink |
Derbyshire |
Tour the decorated rooms of Chatsworth House before enjoying dinner and wine in the elegant Burlington Room |
Chatsworth House, Baslow, Derbyshire |
www.chatsworth.org |
| 17th |
Nativity Performance in the Farmyard |
Special Event |
|
Derbyshire |
Treat your family to a unique occasion, with the nativity story told with real animals from the farmyard, and the chance for some of the children to dress up and be part of this timeless seasonal story |
Chatsworth House, Baslow, Derbyshire |
www.chatsworth.org |
| 20th - 21st |
Winchester Cathedral Carols |
Special Event |
|
Hampshire |
A selection of Christmas carols and music are sung by Winchester's famous Cathedral Choir, on two consecutive evenigs |
Winchester Cathedral, Winchester |
www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk |
| 20th |
Salisbury Cathedral Carols |
Special Event |
|
Wiltshire |
There can be few more atmospheric settings for a carol service than Salisbury. The traditional service on the Tuesday before Christmas starts at 7pm. Entrance is free, and visitors can book a buffet supper after the service (01722 555175) |
Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury |
website |
| 21st |
Ely Cathedral Carol Service |
Special Event |
|
Cambridgeshire |
The Carols by Candlelight programme features many traditional carols and seasonal readings performed by the Cathedral choristers whose voices have celebrated Christmas in this way for centuries |
Ely Cathedral, Ely |
www.elycathedral.org |
| 23rd - 24th |
Canterbury Cathedral Carols |
Special Event |
|
Kent |
Canterbury Cathedral hosts two carol services. On 23rd December at 7.30pm when no tickets are required. The service on Christmas Eve is at 3pm and tickets need to be booked in advance |
Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury |
www.canterbury-cathedral.org |
| 24th |
Durham Cathedral Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols |
Special Event |
|
Northumberland |
This is a spectacular setting for a seasonal service. Starting at 3pm on Christmas eve, it is a magical start to the Christmas season |
Durham Cathedral, Durham |
www.durhamcathedral.co.uk |
| 24th |
King's College Carols |
Special Event |
|
Cambridgeshire |
The festival of nine lessons and carols takes place in the magnificent chapel of King's College, Cambridge, and is the magical beginning of Christmas for millions around the world listening to the live broadcast on BBC Radio |
King's College Chapel, Cambridge |
www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel |
| 26th - 29th |
Leopardstown Christmas Festival |
Sporting Event |
Horse Racing |
Ireland |
One of the social higlights of the Dublin winter season, national hunt racing at Leopardstown kicks off on St Stephen's Day (26 December). Winter racing is the perfect antidote to Christmas over-indulgence, attracting both passionate racing cognoscenti and the finest jockeys, who are competing for a prize pot of over a million euros. As well as the equestrian delights, enjoy the winter hospitality - mulled wines and warming foods provide effective insulation against winter weather |
Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin |
www.leopardstown.com |
| 26th - 27th |
Stan James Christmas Festival |
Sporting Event |
Horse Racing |
Middlesex |
The Christmas Festival, seen as the mid-season championship for top chasers, is a great antidote to seasonal torpor. It's an ideal family day out, with children's entertainers, balloon modellers and face painters |
Kempton Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames |
www.kempton.co.uk |
| 29th Dec - 1 Jan |
Hogmanay |
Festival |
Music |
Scotland |
Edinburgh shows the world how to party with four days of spectaular events, incredible bands and amazing crowds from every corner of the globe. The atmosphere is electric as a spectacular midnight firework display above the castle lights up the sky and everyone joins in a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne just after the bells
|
Edinburgh |
www.edinburghshogmanay.org |
