Tree Lightings, Fireworks & Boat Parades In A December To Remember
The holidays are a happy time and no matter the weather, people from around the world go outside to enjoy a multitude of free and fun events. These, of course, help to create a party atmosphere which is one reason the holidays are one of the big times of the year for single people.
Until they go home with their families, of course.
So here’s a list with 2024 dates and descriptions of the top free holiday events around the globe.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
Nov. 21-Jan. 5
A huge festival in Hyde Park, the highlight of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (for PubClubbers anyway) is an Oktoberfest-like beer garden. There’s also an amusement park, shows and other things that cost to get into, but the party is in the beer garden.
Link: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Lighting of the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree
Dec. 4, NYC
The event always take place from 7-9 p.m., with live coverage on NBC at 8 p.m. The tree is lit at 8:55 p.m., and then will be lit daily from 5 a.m-Midnight On Christmas Day,m the tree will be lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it will be lit from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. It will be on view through mid-January.
Lighting Of The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
Dec. 5, London
Since 1947, Norway has given a Christmas tree to London to thank Britain for its support in World War II. Trafalgar Square. The tree stays up until Jan. 8. There is also an impressive tree at Convent Garden, and it’s lit up from Nov. 15-Jan. 8.
Link: VisitLondon.com.
Holiday Fireworks
Dec. 8, Manhattan Beach, CA
The highlight event of two-plus weeks of holiday event – and a heck of a party for single and the fun people of the Los Angeles South Bay Beach Cities – this is a spectacular display of fireworks set to Christmas music. People line the beach, party in beachfront homes and the bars.
Link: Holiday Fireworks
Fort Lauderdale Boat Parade
Dec. 14, Fort Lauderdale FL
The greatest show on H20 the call it. And it’s a party! For public viewing locations, bars and restaurants to watch the parade and event boat anchoring information click the below link.
Link: Ft. Lauderdale Boat Parade Top Viewing Locations & Bars
Newport Beach Boat Parade
Dec. 18-22, Newport Beach, CA
It’s so big it has to last four days. Almost 1 million people watch this event that features decorated yachts parading around Newport Harbor. Singles in the OC use it as a major mingling opportunity.
Link: Los Angeles Boat Parades
Christmas Beer Festival (Kerstbierfestival)
Dec. 14-15 Essen, Belgium
Of course there’s a beer festival in Belgium! Also known as Kerstbierfestival, it features 178 beers (better do your shopping before going to the festival!) and lasts a long time, from 1:30-11 p.m., on Saturday and noon-7 on Sunday. That’s a lot of time to try and make your way through them. Okay, this is not a free event but how can PubClub.com not include a beer festival!? Tickets available only thru the official event website (link below; the price is 20 Euros for seven beer tokens).
Link: www.kerstbierfestival.be
Lichterschwimmen In Switzerland
Dec. 19, Zurich
Miniature “boats” of candles are let loose to float down the River Limmat. Needless to say, this sparks all kinds of socializing by the river and in the cafes (it’s legal to drink by the river without being in a cafe). Tourism Zuirch also provides food and drinks (“warm punch and something sweet” they say).
Link: Tourism Zurich
Christmas Day
Dec. 25, Worldwide
The culmination of the festival Holiday Season.
Boxing Day
Dec. 26, Australia, Canada & England
Originally created for rich British families to present gifts to the staff, it’s now a day to get hammered at home. Cheers to that concept!
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