By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger
The holidays are here and it’s the most wonderful time of the year around the world.
Part of that is because of all the festive events happening throughout the globe that will take the bah humbug out of anyone and have them singing carols under the stars.
Here is a rundown of the world’s major (free!) events with the dates, locations and descriptions for this year.
Happy Holidays from PubClub.com!
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
Thru Jan. 1
A huge festival in Hyde Park, the highlight of which (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. 3, New York City
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. Then let the ice skating begin! The location is at Rockefeller Plaza between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. It will stay up thru mid January.
Link: rockefellercenter.com
Lighting Of The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree And The Covent Garden Tree
First Thursday Of December (Dec. 4 in 2025, London)
Since 1947, Norway has given a Christmas tree to London to thank Britain for its support in World War II. The location is Trafalgar Square. The switch to to turn on the lights is at 6 p.m., and the ceremony lasts until 6:30 (afterward, celebrate in one of the London pubs!). The tree stays up until Jan. 7. There is also an impressive tree at Covent Garden, and it is lit up from mid November until after New Year’s Day, kicking off with a huge ceremony in the plaza.
Link: VisitLondon.com.
Manhattan Beach (CA) Holiday Fireworks
Sunday, Dec. 14
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 Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Saturday Dec. 13
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. 17-21
Newport Beach, CA
It’s so big it lasts 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. This is the 111th Newport Beach Boat Parade
Link: Los Angeles Boat Parades
Christmas Beer Festival (Kerstbierfestival)
Dec. 13 & -14
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 1-11 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). It is organize by O.B.E.R. (Objective Beer Tasters of Essen). This is part of the Markets Tour of Belgium, that country’s version of a Christmas market (with lots of beer).
Link: www.kerstbierfestival.be
Lichterschwimmen In Switzerland
Dec. 18, Zurich, Switzerland
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!
#holidays
#holidayevents
#travel
#thingstodo
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