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Want to experience some magic this winter? With a look below at what’s happening around the world, it will be hard to resist some of Europe’s finest cities and their events. Each city with its own vibe presents a unique Christmas experience which will get you going for the season, whether you want to get some Christmas shopping done, simply want to wander around some of Europe’s most enchanting and romantic streets, or there is a particular event that has caught your eye. With ApartmentsApart accommodation you can grab some great last minute discounts in order to make the most out of your holiday experience. |
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Best Accommodation Deals
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| Archa Theatre presents Festival Alternativa between the 21st and 29th of November. Each night a different jazz act will perform in this celebration of experimental and alternative music. |
Prague Christmas market runs throughout the month of December, it consists of a wide range of stalls selling anything from hats and scarves, to traditional Czech Christmas decorations. The market stalls can be found in more than one central location; there one can find some delicious mulled wine perfect for the cold month, as well as various concerts and crafts to be found predominantly in the Old Town.
St Nicholas’s Eve is a fun time to experience Prague; you will find many of the local youth walking around in threes, dressed as wither St Nicholas, an angel, or the devil. The whole city seems to come alive with Christmas spirit that is really quite contagious. |
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| WATCH DOCS. Human Rights in Film, this festival explores the issue of human rights in films. Running between the 5th and 14th of November, the festival shows some important films that highlight this particular matter. |
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| Festical Unicas started on the 4th of November and runs until December 3rd. The venue hosts a number of concerts by some of the most well-known female voices around, and the event is meant to illustrate the importance of their contribution to the music industry. |
Arts
Madrid Experimental Cinema Week is bound to be full of exciting and new films that break traditional boundaries in the film industry. It runs between the 21st and 28th of November, and is well worth a visit.
With the Cirque de soleil – Varekai you are in for an incredible show, with what would seem to be impossible stunts and eccentric acts you are sure to be both amazed and stimulated by this Christmas show in Madrid. It runs until December 31st. |
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| Krakow Nativity Cribs make their first public appearance in December, but remain on display right until February. The competition for the most beautiful scene generates some genuinely exquisite work which is guaranteed to get you in the right mood for Christmas. |
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| The Zutons known for their unique sound in music come to Edinburgh on the 25th of November. |
| Edinburgh’s Christmas Days Out runs between November 27th and December 25th. It is a magnificent Winter Wonderland that is destined to be an enthralling experience for all its visitors, regardless of age. There you will find Britain’s largest outdoor ice-skating ring, with ice hockey matches, performances by professional skaters and curling competitions all taking place here. There is also a market with all kinds of splendours, as well as a fair with various rides to keep the children entertained, not to mention plenty of stalls providing food and drink. |
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Popular Destinations
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| The exhibition From Rembrandt to Vermeer has been open since November 11th and will continue into the New Year. It presents artwork from what is known as the ‘Golden Age’ in Flemish paining. |
Music
Running until the 30th of November, Rome Jazz Festival brings you an exciting range of international artists to the stage in Rome. These artists truly encapsulate what jazz is really all about.
Romaeuropa Festival is a combination of dance and music events which are very popular and attract many visitors. It runs until 10th December 2008. |
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| The Market of Miracles is a second-hand and antique market with anything from regular books and comics to collectors items, it runs between the 13th and 14th of December. |
Depero consists of a series of exhibitions which will be running well into the New Year, celebrating 100 years of futurism; the exhibitions are definitely well worth a visit to anyone who appreciates art.
Leonardo’s Machines is an exciting exhibition and an excellent form of entertainment for the family. It is around until December 31st, and is a fun way to discover the legend’s inventions and experiments in physical format. |
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Music
Barcelona International Jazz Festival runs until November 29th so don’t miss out on the opportunity to still see some top class performances. |
Exhibitions
Barcelona hosts World Press Photo between November 18th and December 14th, an important exhibit of photojournalism from all around the globe.
Barcelona International Festival of Contemporary Art, also known as BAC, is an exciting collaboration of work which intends to highlight the consequences of a society which is continuously bombarded with an ‘ideal’ in appearance, ambition and behaviour which is demonstrated in the media’s portrayal of the ‘celebrity lifestyle’ and consumerist outlook which is drummed into us so early on. The festival takes place between the 2nd and 28th of December and promises to be a stimulating experience. |
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| The Tattoo Convention running between the 5th and 7th of December, will consist of tattoo shows and contests of the very best tattoo artists from around the world. The convention will also include various additional acts such as magic, fire-eaters, acrobatic shows and snake charmers in order to bring you a spectacular experience you are unlikely to forget. |
Music scene
The annual Young Music Scene Concert held on the 28th of November presents young musicians from all around Germany who have proven their exceptional aptitude, and who have been chosen to perform live as the climax to the competitions which have taken place since August.
You can expect quite a show on the 11th of December when Elton John will be performing The Red Piano show in Berlin this autumn. |
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Most Busy
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Festivals
Located in Place du Grand Sablon, Sablon Nights provides the opportunity to discover and explore one of the city’s most stunning districts. From the 27th-29th of November, this festival offers various delights to which you may be brought by a horse-drawn carriage, free of charge. There you can revel in wine and champagne saplings, art galleries and jewellers, antique dealers, and a chocolate laboratory. |
Running from November 28th to December 28th, Winter Wonders in Brussels features one of Europe’s largest Christmas markets, which also includes live music, an ice-skating ring and numerous entertainers.
ARTS
Ars Musica takes place throughout November; it draws world class composers and performers to this contemporary classical music festival each year. A new edition to this year’s program will include some performances in dance and theatre to an already packed and exciting schedule.
All the films presented in the Belgian Cinema Fete must be produced within the last year, ensuring a number of premiers from the works of Belgian filmmakers. The film festival runs between the 26th and 28th of December.
Retro Antiques Festival is an annual event which takes place in December; it promises an exciting collection of small items and rarities.
Modo Bruxellae Designer Sale is a treat for fashion enthusiasts who come in droves to Belgian’s capital of Brussels in order to grab a bargain from the sales, which include some one-off creations from some of the top designers at a reduced price. This exciting event will be taking place from December 12th - 13th. |
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| Noel Noel, November 29th to December 8th, is a Christmas fair which consists of numerous exhibits, which is very child friendly, with a number of events to keep them entertained. |
Sports
The Florence Marathon, held on the 30th of November, has competitive events for men and women, as well as more laid back races for families and children.
Ponte Vecchio International Approach Championship is a unique international golf competition in which 16 professionals get the chance to take shots at several floating greens from below the central arch of the bridge. This annual competition takes place during December and it is possible to view its progress on screens that are set up at various locations throughout the city.
Arts
River to River is an Indian film festival running between the 5th and 11th of December.
Women to Power – Caterina and Maria de’ Medici is an extraordinary art exhibition which reveals the potent images two queens used in order to help make their rule over warring families absolute, after the death of their husbands’. The exhibition runs through to February 8th in the New Year.
Spots of Light - The Macchiaioli and Photography compares the paintings and images by Fattori, Signorini and Barroni. The exhibition opens on the 4th of December and continues through to February 2009. |
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Music
Here’s a taste of the music scene in London this winter, plus plenty more to keep music lovers happy. |
Paul Weller – November 24th-26th, Brixton Academy
Mcfly – 27th of November at Wembley Arena
Sweet Memory Sounds – December 2nd, Notting Hill Arts Club
Dreadzone – December 4th, Jazz Café.
The Zutons – December 9th, Hammersmith Apollo.
Kings of Leon – December 11th, The O2
Coldplay – December 14th-16th, The O2
Co op – December 28th, Plastic People
Festivals
Pre-Christmas Designer Womenswear Warehouse Sale – December 5th-7th, includes up to 80 % reductions on show room samples, catwalk pieces and current stock. Taking place in Islington Studios, this is a ‘don’t miss’ opportunity for lovers of fashion. There is also a Designer Menswear Warehouse Sale for men taking place at the same venue from the 12th to the 14th of December.
Bankside Winter Festival takes place on London’s South Bank between December 12th and 21st. This is a great place for arts and crafts, with plenty there to serve as unique and wonderful Christmas presents.
Satan’s Grotto in the London Dungeon makes a change from the usual seasonal arrangements, open between December 7th and 29th it is likely to run chills down your neck, and not for children who might be upset by the sight of tortured elves. |
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