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Paris
Festival of Kings 8 Jan 2012 (annual) Paris Each year on the Sunday closest to Epiphany, Parisian patisseries celebrate the Fête des Rois (Festival of Kings) with special pastries, known as galette des rois. The delicious pies appear after Christmas and you'll find them in bakeries all month. The golden pastries encase a sweet marzipan filling and, hidden somewhere within, a china figurine (la fève). The person who chooses the piece containing the little figurine is king or queen for the day and entitled to wear the paper crown that comes with the cake. The delectable Fête des Rois tradition, held to celebrate Epiphany, is thought to have its roots in carnival traditions where the slave is master for a day.
Paris Dog Show Jan 2012 (annual) Parc Floral de Paris Daily 9am All the clichés about fashion accessories and dog mess on every street corner are true; Parisians really do have a thing for dogs. The Paris Dog Show at the Parc Floral de Paris unravels the competitive world of Parisian dog-breeding.
Chinese New Year in Paris Feb 2012 (annual) Place d'Italie Paris' Chinese community celebrates the dawning of the Chinese New Year. A colourful parade featuring giant serpents, firecrackers, music and dancing takes place in the heart of Chinatown, between Place d'Italie and the Porte de Choisy, in the 13th arrondissement. This is a lively and atmospheric district throughout the year, redolent with the scents of Chinese cuisine. Buddhist shrines decorate shop fronts and restaurants, where signs are just as likely to be in Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese as in French.
Valentine's Day Feb 2012 (annual) Paris Paris offers a thousand ways to say je t'aime. Take your Valentine to Montmartre's Wall of Love to read declarations in 300 tongues, amble through the Bois de Boulogne then treat yourselves to designer Frédéric Malle scents and Fauchon chocolates. Looking for a little extra frisson? Less fabric is more at the Crazy Horse Saloon's sultry cabaret, while titillation is de rigueur at Paris' sex museum. Culture vultures? What more romantic a way to woo than with opera onboard a bâteau mouche? Or if you're both in love with the silver screen, then why not lose yourselves in a screening at quirky La Pagode, a bijoux cinema set in a Japanese pagoda complete with a wee garden, for an intimate tête à tête afterwards.
Nouveau Festival Feb - Mar 2012; not Tue (various dates) Pompidou Centre Wed-Mon 11am-9pm The Pompidou Centre's Nouveau Festival offers artists the chance to break down the boundraies of art genres by creating multidisciplinary installations that cover painting, film, sculpture, theatre and music. And the good news is, it's free to get in! Gondry's Amateur Film Factory (Usine de Films Amateurs) allows visitors to create their own movie in just three hours. Split into groups, you choose which genre of film you want to make, decide upon costumes, props and the story, then film it all in mock film sets. There's a Paris Metro set, a special effects table of model cars on a conveyor belt, and even a wood with a tent, so everyone can free their inner Kubrick (or should that be their inner Gondry?)!
Ice-Skating at Montparnasse Dec 2011 - Mar 2012 (annual) Patinoire Montparnasse Mon-Fri 12pm-8pm; Sat & Sun 9am-8pm Get your skates on and get down to Montparnasse's ice-rink, one of several that pop up across Paris over the winter months. You'll find a mix of tourists and locals cutting up the ice. Best of all, it's free.
Ice-Skating at the Hôtel de Ville 16 Dec 2011 - 4 Mar 2012 (annual) Place de l'Hôtel de Ville Every winter, a large ice-rink is created outside the Hôtel de Ville to delight Parisians and tourists alike. Not only is skating the perfect way to spend a winter's afternoon, but the experience is also free.
Paris Carnaval Mar 2012 (annual) Place Gambetta The annual Paris Carnaval procession goes by many names - including the Promenade du Boeuf Gras (Fat Cow Parade). Led by the Fat Cow herself, it revives an age-old tradition begun in 1274. Parisians come out in force to participate in this cheerful procession, also known as the Pantruche Carnaval and the Saint-Fargeau, which makes its way through the capital's streets, accompanied by trumpeters and other musicians, to the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall).
Festival of the Imagination Mar - Jun 2012 (annual) Maison des Cultures du Monde The Festival of the Imagination, devoted to the music and cultural styles of peoples across the globe, is held at Paris' Maison des Cultures du Monde and other regional venues. Grand masters of numerous traditions perform side by side with young artists.
Vienna
Vienna Opera Ball Mar 2012 (annual) Vienna State Opera Admission 9pm; ball begins 10pm The glamorous Vienna Opera Ball, held at the State Opera, is a tête-à-tête for some 5000 international socialites, and the highlight of Vienna's long ball season. If you can't waltz, there's also a swing, foxtrot and Opera Ball disco. Those with two left feet can simply enjoy the show, as a ballroom full of couples swirl to the romantic waltzes of Johann Strauss. Networking is another option - where better to chat up the stars from opera, theatre, business and politics? Vienna Festival May - Jun 2012 (annual) Vienna Soak up the Austrian capital's thriving cultural scene at Vienna Festival. International arts groups perform everything from theatre to world music at the city's cultural venues. The festival opens with a free outdoor concert in front of the town hall.
Barcelona
Procession of the Three Kings 5 Jan 2012 (annual) Barcelona 5.30pm The Cabalgata los Reyes Magos, or Procession of the Three Kings, is a popular Hispanic Christmas tradition. In Barcelona, crowds gather at the harbour steps of the Moll de Fusta to witness the glorious arrival of the regal trio. The first sightings of the kings' boat are met with fireworks and a riotous cacophony of fog horns from a flotilla gathered in the port, while a 21-gun salute welcomes them to dry land. Then the colourful Procession of the Three Kings, led by the mayor and the metropolitan guard, heads towards the city centre past some of the city's major monuments, culminating at the floodlit fountain of Montjuïc.
Tres Tombs Festival 8 Jan 2012 (annual) Barcelona Barcelona's Tres Tombs Festival takes place in honour of St Anthony, usually happening around the end of the first week in January. Horse processions and blessings of animals take place throughout the Sant Andreu district of the city.
Festa de Sant Medir Mar 2012 (annual) Gràcia Sweet-toothed individuals gather in Barcelona's Gràcia district for the Festa de Sant Medir. A colourful parade of floats, flags, costumes and horses winds through the streets, and literally tonnes of sweets are thrown from the decorated carriages into the crowds.
Carnival in Barcelona Mar 2012 (annual) Barcelona Carnival in Barcelona, timed just before the Lenten fast, is spent indulging in soon-to-be-forbidden pleasures. The city streets become a stage for lively celebrations, from tortilla-making competitions to the all-singing, all-dancing Gran Rua de Carnaval parade. Revellers converge on the market places and streets to watch as the local carnival guilds and commercial establishments compete for the much acclaimed pimiento de oro - golden pepper - award. In the afternoon the celebrations reach a climax with the Gran Rua de Carnaval, a colossal parade of adorned carriages and carnival groups and a snowfall of confetti.
Palm Sunday Apr 2012 (annual) Barcelona Palm Sunday is one of the most important events in Spain's Christian calendar. In Barcelona, a solemn procession of religious statues and locals carrying palm branches starts at La Seu cathedral and winds its way through the streets.
Sant Ponç May 2012 (annual) Calle Hospital 9am-9pm Every 11 May Barcelona honours Sant Ponç, patron saint of beekeepers and herbalists, with a special market along Calle Hospital. The stalls sell natural products such as honey, perfume, herbal wine and candied fruit.
Milan
Befana Benefica 6 Jan 2012 (annual) Milan 9am Motorcyclists throughout Italy converge on Milan for the annual Befana Benefica, a two-wheel charity procession spearheaded by the toothless old witch herself. Food and gifts are handed out to kids and poor people in a heart-warming feast of generosity. The procession, organised for the first time in 1967 by the Moto Club Ticinese, begins in Piazza Duomo and divides in two after receiving the blessings of the Bishop of Milan and hearing the speech of the mayor. Each half heads for different old people's homes and charity shelters nearby.
Brocantage 20 - 22 Jan / 10 - 12 Feb / 16 - 18 Mar / May 2012 (various dates) Parco Esposizioni Novegro Daily 10am-7pm The quality-controlled Brocantage is an antiques fair at the Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan. It is full of interesting old things, and certainly worth browsing for those with a streak of curiosity or collectors' mania.
BIT Travel Market 16 - 19 Feb 2012 (annual) Fiera Milano Daily 9.30am-6.30pm Italy's tourism industry takes over the Fiera Milano for the biggest international tourism event of the year - the BIT Travel Market. Over 5000 exhibitors offer great deals and loads of information to help you choose your next holiday.
Pasqua del Canottaggio Apr 2012 (annual) IdroPark Pasqua del Canottaggio is an important rowing regatta, bringing together university teams from all over the world. It is held at Easter time at the Idropark Fila, which is part of the Milan University sports complex.
Rome
Rome Marathon Mar 2012 (annual) Rome 9am (at the Colosseum) Rome's marathon runs past famous landmarks like the Colosseum and St Peter's Basilica. The Roma Fun Run, a shorter, non-competitive race, is also organised along with the Marathon Village, an initiative bringing concerts and shows throughout the Eternal City.
Birth of Rome Apr 2012 (annual) Circo Massimo Proud Romans celebrate the birth of the Eternal City, founded by Romulus in 753BC. Parades, gladiator shows, traditional Roman banquets and public speeches galore are held at venues throughout Rome, including Fori Imperiali and Circo Massimo. There is also the Dea Roma contest, an annual event drawing numerous candidates keen on representing the spirit and the beauty of the Goddess of Rome. National and international ladies may apply.
Good Friday Procession in Rome Apr 2012 (annual) The Grifi House 9.15pm On Good Friday the Pope leads a solemn torchlit procession, the Via Crucis, from the Colosseum to Monte Palatino. It re-enacts the 14 Stations of the Cross, from Jesus' death sentence to the placement of his body in the tomb. Pope Benedict XVI carries a large wooden cross part of the way, and at every station he offers a brief prayer. At the final station he also gives a speech, linking the re-enactment to current events. Primo Maggio Music Festival May 2012 (annual) Piazza San Giovanni 2pm-11pm Rome welcomes the spring season with Primo Maggio, a gigantic music festival in Piazza San Giovanni. The line-up is only released a few days before the event, but you can expect performances by the likes of Hard-Fi and Marlene Kuntz. As the festival was instituted in 1989, it has little to do with any Pagan celebration, but it has quickly become an important part of the Roman cultural calendar, as well as a major national and international event.
Florence
Irlanda in Festa Mar 2012 (annual) Saschall Celtic music and dance fill the stage of Florence's Saschall theatre with Irlanda in Festa, a celebration of all things Irish. Watch the performances, browse original crafts and sample the starchy colcannon, washed down with a premium, unpasteurised beer.
Explosion of the Cart Apr 2012 (annual) Piazza del Duomo Procession 10am; explosion 11am On Easter Sunday, Florence's citizens gather in Piazza del Duomo to watch a dove-shaped rocket, called the "Colombina", fly out of the famous Duomo. It then ignites a huge wooden structure in the square causing the Explosion of the Cart. While the ultimate purpose of the event is to secure a good harvest, its pagan roots are less clear.
Porto
Scen'è Sonniu Dream Festival Apr 2012 (annual) Porto Vecchio Daily all day Dozens of theatre and street-theatre companies from Corsica, mainland France and Europe get together each year for the Scen'è Sonniu - Festival du Rêve (Dream Festival) in Porto Vecchio. Most of the events and shows are outdoors and free.
Stockholm
Walpurgis Night Apr 2012 (annual) Skansen Walpurgis Night, or Valborgsmässoafton, is a major happening in the Swedish calendar. In Stockholm, Skansen celebrates the coming of spring with a parade, concerts and dance performances. The evening's festivities end with traditional choral singing by a lit bonfire. While events to mark Walpurgis take place throughout the day and late into the evening, celebrations often tend to last much longer. The following day, 1 May, is Labour Day and with two eagerly anticipated events taking place in such close proximity, late-night revellery continues in the streets of Stockholm and throughout the country.
Norway's National Day 17 May 2012 (annual) Skansen From 1pm The Nordic nations may enjoy a bit of friendly rivalry but they also celebrate their Scandinavian affinity. Every year, Skansen in Stockholm celebrates Norway's National Day with special folk dances, processions, food and traditional costumes.
Stockholm Marathon May 2012 (annual) Stockholm Olympic Stadium Runners make their way to the Stockholm Olympic Stadium for the start of the city's annual marathon. The two-lap course (42.195km) goes through the Royal Park, along waterways and crowd-lined streets and past the Royal Palace and Houses of Parliament.
Under the Bridges of Stockholm Apr - Nov 2012 (annual) Strömkajen One fantastic way to kick off any stay in Stockholm is to take a boat trip around the main islands. Under the Bridges is a brilliant two-hour introductory tour, ideal if you have limited time to explore Stockholm's patchwork of 14 islands.
Staff Correspondent - Connoisseur Magazine |
