Through
February 11th in Basel
Glaibasler Charivari - The pre-carnival variety
musical, the Glaibasler Charivari will take place at 8 pm each
evening from 28 January to 11 February 2012 in the
Volkshaus Basel. Over the course of 15 evenings, audiences
can experience a varied show programme and get in the mood for
the "drey scheenste Dääg" - the three finest days.
Basel, Switzerland
Through
February 26th in The Hague
Holland Dance Festival - The Hague will become the
international centre of dance at the Holland Dance Festival,
the largest biennial dance festival in the Netherlands with
more than 50 performances by over 30 dance companies.
(including the Nederlands Dans Theater) and artists from the
Netherlands and abroad. There will also be a large variety of
dance workshops. The festival will showcase works by
famous choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Bill T. Jones, Mats
Ek, William Forsythe and Meryl Tankard. The festival exudes an
atmosphere of international allure with the star and dance
icon Sylvie Guillem. New surprises in the area of dance will
be brought to the stage by the phenomenal performers from the
STREB Extreme Action Company and the 'fashionable' duo Jacoby
& Pronk show off their work. Performances will take place at
the Lucent Danstheater, Korzo Theater, Theater aan het Spui
and in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall. For more information
visit the website of the
Holland Dance Festival. The
Hague, Holland
Until March in
England
Ice-Skating - The Ice Cube, Leeds
- Lace
up those ice skates and embrace the brisk
winter air, Christmas is the season of
ice-skating. Whether you glide in
graceful silvery arcs or cling haplessly to
the side, ice-skating is good fun and great
for getting into the festive spirit.
This is the UK's largest open air ice-rink..
You have plenty of room if you veer off in
some unexpected direction, to recover your
composure. Right at the heart of
Leeds city centre, this rink gives you all
the shop-and-skate potential you could want.
Leeds, England
Through
March 15th in Zermatt
Igloo Romanticism and Fondue Fun - Glistening snow
crystals, romantic moments and hot moods at around freezing
point. A fondue eaten in an igloo tastes different somehow.
Actually, much better. The Late-Night-Fondue in the
Zermatt Igloo Village is incomparably good. Every Thursday
evening, the Gornergrat Bahn travels up to the igloos in the
ski region between Riffelberg and Gornergrat. The mulled wine
is "hot chilled", and the live music by "The Singing Icebear".
In Zermatt, Switzerland
Until March 31st in the
Loire Valley
Destination Chateaux: - Visit the châteaux of the Loire
Valley under the winter lights . The winter season
does nothing to tarnish the splendor of the châteaux of the
Loire. The châteaux can be visited from December
to March; under the changing lights of the cold months, their
charming interiors are open to winter visitors... casting
elegant silhouettes around the Loire Valley, listed as a world
heritage site by UNESCO. The châteaux of Chenonceau, Amboise,
Blois and Chaumont-sur-Loire... invite you to discover the
history of France. Their façades provide a panorama of French
architecture throughout the centuries: the medieval fortress
of Chinon shows the harshness of the Middle Ages, the château
of Chambord and the gardens of Villandry display the elegance
of the Renaissance, the château of Cheverny reveals the pure
lines of the classical era... An enchanting interlude in the
depths of winter. In the Loire Valley, France
Events
in February
'12
February 4th &
5th in Provence
Fete de la Truffe - A truffle festival complete with
a truffle market filled with producers, a demonstration
by chefs, a competition of who can make the best
brouillade and a truffle-based gastronomic meal.
Oraison, Provence, France
February 9th through 12th
in Reykjavik
Winter Lights Festival - The Winter Lights Festival
celebrates both the winter and the growing light after a long
period of darkness. The program is a mixture of art and
industry, environment and history, sports and culture; the
events will provide entertainment for both the inhabitants and
visitors to Reykjavík. All the major cultural and educational
institutions participate in the Festival and sports clubs,
galleries, artists, shops, restaurants and many more join in
the fun. In Reykjavik, Iceland
February 10th - 21st
in the Czech Republic
Bohemian Carnevale - Bohemian Carnevale offers 11
full days of can't-miss free events including boat
rides, Baroque-style ballroom dancing and trips to the
top of the Astronomical Clock tower. There is a dress
code, however: Venetian masks are required! Bohemian
Carnevale is held at public venues such as palaces,
museums and galleries. Expect to see masked parades,
allegoric carriages and many restaurants and bars
offering carnival menus. http://www.carnevale.cz
Prague, the Czech Republic
February 11th in California
The Ojai Music Festival celebrates romance at To
Ojai with Love, an exclusive Gala and Concert at the
historic five-diamond Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, featuring
the return of Robert Spano, Music Director of the 2006
Ojai Music Festival. Joining Spano is principal
clarinetist Laura Arden of the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra. Also, chamber music by Leonard
Bernstein and Johannes Brahms - Ojai, California
February 11th through 17th
in Switzerland
The Drummeli is Basel´s largest pre-carnival musical event,
and is being presented in the Musical Theatre Basel between
the 11 and 17 February. As usual, 18 regular carnival troupes,
two Guggen (brass and percussion) carnival bands and two
Schnitzelbängg groups will be taking part. This year, there
are also some fresh elements to the event: among others,
director Bettina Dieterle, who put on the 2002 and 2003
Glaibasler Charivari is currently directing the Drummeli.
In Basel, Switzerland
February 12th
Carnival in Berlin - More than 1 million spectators
and participants are again expected to attend the 11th annual
Berlin
Carnival Costume Parade.
With an expected 3,000 participants in 100 groups, 60 floats,
and numerous marching bands, the frolicsome parade will start
at 11:11 am, and move through the Western center of the German
capital. More than 600,000 spectators, most of them in
colorful costumes, line the streets every year to watch the
parade and collect sweets. Berlin, Germany
February 14th Valentine's
Day
Valentine's Day on the Orient Express - Spend the most
romantic day of the year with a loved one aboard the British
Pullman for a special steam-hauled lunch or dinner. The train
will depart from London Victoria and guests will settle down
and admire the vintage carriages whilst enjoying a sumptuous
five-course lunch or dinner with champagne and wine whilst
relaxing to the sound of the entertainment on board. To make a
Valentine's trip extra special, guests can request a coupé, a
compartment set away from the main carriage, and can order
Champagne, caviar or a bouquet of 12 red roses to be waiting
for them on board. The train manager can also help facilitate
a proposal and prepare the perfect moment.
information . . 020 3117 1374 /
February 14th in London
Romantic River Night Cruise - Enjoy ripples of romance on
the Thames this Valentine's on the Romantic River Night
Cruise. The evening begins at Westminster Pier, where couples
will be welcomed on-board with a glass of sparkling wine. As
the boat heads down to the Thames Barrier they will be able to
enjoy a three-course meal with wine and on the homeward
journey guests will be entertained by a live band, with plenty
of time for dancing. The River Thames at night offers a
spectacular setting and the illuminated monuments along the
river bank provide a stunning backdrop for a romantic evening
cruise. For more information . . . 020 8395 5615
February 16th through 18th in Switzerland
-
Cricket
on Ice - Immerse yourself in a sport distinguished by
prowess and elegance with the traditional British spirit
of fair play. At first, you may not fully understand
what's happening on the frozen field, but once you get
into the game, it's fun all the way. Enjoy the special
atmosphere at the Cricket on Ice, one of the many social
highlights in St. Moritz.
St. Moritz Cricket on Ice
St. Moritz, Switzerland
February 16th - February
21st in Lucerne
Carnival in Lucerne - Strange characters in fantastic
masks and costumes make their way through the alleyways, while
carnival musicians (Guggnmusigen) blow their instruments in
joyful cacophony and thousands of bizarrely clad people sing
and dance away the winter. Lucerne, Switzerland
February 17th through 22nd
in London
London Fashion Week is a biannual trade fair featuring
established designers such as Burberry Prorsum, Matthew
Williamson and Vivienne Westwood, as well as world class
emerging talent. Catch a piece of Fashion Week action at
London Fashion Weekend (23-26 Feb), where you'll find
premier brands selling ready to wear accessories and jewelry.
London, England
February 17th
through March 4th, 2012 in France
Nice Carnival
- The main winter event on
the Riviera is one of the largest carnivals in the
world, offering a programme of unforgettable
entertainment The carnival processions,
comprising 20 floats work their way up to a crescendo of
gigantic decorations on the Place Masséna. These
giant, colourful parades take place day and night, with
entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and
dancers from across the world. In a unique
setting, on the Promenade des Anglais, the elegant
"flower battles" are part of the carnival not to be
missed. On floats decorated with the most stunning
floral compositions, extravagantly dressed characters
throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies into the public
… Nice, France
February 23rd - 25th in
Bern
Carnival in Bern - Carnival in Bern has quickly become the
third largest event of its kind in Switzerland. It starts on a
Thursday, when the bear imprisoned in the Prison Tower is
awakened from his winter sleep by the "Ychüblete" (drumming)
and released. Masked revelers brave the winter
temperatures and swarm through the streets and restaurants of
the Old Town. "Guggenmusik-Cliques" (bands of carnival
musicians) make the 6 km route along Bern's arcaded promenade
vibrate with their wild rhythms and noisy music. More
information available at www.fasnacht.be (in German only).
Bern, Switzerland
Events
in March
'12
March 10th - May 19th in
Bern
The 37th International Jazz Festival Bern -
World-class jazz can be heard live in Bern thanks to the
International Jazz Festival. The first festival took place in
1976, and it has been thrilling jazz fans every year since.
For ten weeks, leading stars will be appearing in Marian's
Jazzroom, channeling jazz greats like B.B. King, Michel Camilo,
Oscar Peterson, Fats Domino, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ella
Fitzgerald. Musical highlights from Bern's 2011
International Jazz Festival: Framed by a major opening
event in the theater National Bern and a concluding gala
evening in the City Theater, the festival included
high-profile events and concerts by up-and-coming jazz bands.
Bern, Switzerland
March 13th through 17th in Cardiff
The King and I
Musical - The King and I is loved as one of the greatest
musicals of all time and the breath-taking new production from Leicester's
Curve, directed by Paul Kerryson and co-presented by
Wales Millennium
Centre is being performed in the
New
Theatre, Cardiff . With giant gold Buddhas, sumptuous costumes, a
chorus of adorable children, acrobatic dancers and live music this beautiful
production guarantees standing ovations. Cardiff, Wales
March 14th - 17th in Vienna
Highlights for wine lovers -
A pair of events will raise the profile of wine in Vienna
this spring. The Palais Coburg will play host to a group of
top winegrowers and leading gourmet chefs at the World Wine
Festival. The following month, from April 20-21 the Viennese
Wine Tours will give a look behind the scenes at some of the
city's leading wineries. Vienna, Austria
March 16th in Bern
Museums Night -
The Museums Night in the Swiss
capital's cultural spring on March 16, 2012. Bern,
Switzerland
March 19th to 25th in
Germany
800 Years St. Thomas Church, Boys Choir and School, Leipzig
- The 800th Anniversary of Leipzig's THOMANA, the triad of
St. Thomas Boys Choir, St. Thomas Church and St. Thomas School
is a year long celebration with an extensive program of events
and concerts. Highlights are the "800 Years Thomana" Festival
Weeks: March 19th to 25th, Sept 17th to 23,rd - Oct 31st to
Nov 4th, 2012 At St. Thomas Church and St. Thomas School in
Leipzig, Germany
www.thomana2012.com
March 23rd to April 22nd in
Hamburg
The "Dom "- The new year opens with a variety of fantastic
events in Hamburg. The "Dom" - Northern Germany’s largest
amusement fair - takes place three times a year at "Heiligengeistfeld"
and is a real highlight. The spring market starts on March 23
and runs until April 22, 2012. In Hamburg, Germany
March 30th to April 9th in
Berlin
Festival Days at the Staatsoper Berlin - A highlight
in Berlin’s classical music calendar are the
Staatsoper Festival Days,
which will be presented at the Schillertheater and the
Philharmonie in 2012. Every year, highly acclaimed artists
present two opera productions plus several symphonic works.
Highlights in 2012 will include the premiere of Alban Berg’s
opera “Lulu”, directed by the renowned Andrea Breth, as well
as two works of Richard Wagner: “Das Rheingold” and “Die
Walkure” as the first and second parts of a new production of
the »Ring« cycle. General Music Director Daniel Barenboim will
direct both operas, as well as three concerts at the
Philharmonie with the Staatskapelle Berlin and the Filarmonica
della Scala from Milan. Berlin, Germany
Events
in April
'12
April 27th through 29th in
Berlin
Gallery Weekend Berlin - 44 of Berlin’s most influential
galleries open their doors to present contemporary art during
this three-day event; art lovers, design fans, and curators
can explore Berlin’s creative scene through numerous openings,
guided tours, parties, and special events. Various galleries.
Gallery Weekend
April 28th to October 28th
in Germany
Frederick the Great: The Man who made Prussia. On
the occasion of the 300th birthday anniversary of
King Frederick the Great ,
the man who established Prussia as a European powerhouse and
created the palaces and gardens of
Potsdam , the majestic
exhibition "Friederisiko" is to take place. in the "New
Palace" in Potsdam. Only 20 minutes from
Berlin , Potsdam is a UNESCO
World Heritage site and an artistic masterpiece comprising
twelve beautiful palaces, including Frederick’s famous summer
palace
Sanssouci , and three
magnificently arranged garden landscapes of architectural and
horticultural variety idyllically nestled in the many woods
and scenic lakes of the River Havel. Famous as a man of
great contrasts and contradictions, the soft-spoken Frederick
then prevailed not only to commission the palaces of Potsdam
but also as a tough leader who earned Prussia its lasting
legacy of military brilliance and brashness. Frederick was
also a man who earlier in his life composed over 100 sonatas
for the flute, promoted the art of poetry and had the New
Palace created complete with silk, damask and brocade
wallpaper, unique wooden floors and beautiful furniture.
In the New Palace in Potsdam, Germany
Events in
May
'12
May 4th - May 6 in
Scotland
The Arduaine Spring Festival - One of the National Trust
for Scotland’s finest gardens will be the focus of a special
festival in celebration of springtime. The Arduaine Spring
festival - now in its third year – is the place to see
Argyll’s beautiful gardens, stunning scenery and dramatic
vistas bathed in spring sunlight. Takes place at
the conservation charity’s glorious Arduaine Garden with its
exotic and extensive plant collections, and wonderful views to
the Sound of Jura. Argyll, Scotland
May 25th through 28th in
Berlin
Carnival of Cultures - In celebration of the cultural and
ethnic diversity found in the German Capital, the
Carnival of Cultures will
host about 1 million enthusiastic patrons in Berlin’s
Kreuzberg district. Presenting a colorful parade with over 100
groups, 4,000 dancers, singers and musicians from about 80
nations, the "Carnival of Cultures” has become one of Berlin's
most popular and highly anticipated annual events. The parade
takes place on May 27 and is accompanied by a colorful street
festival with performances, concerts, and food and drink from
around the world. Berlin, Germany
Events
in June
'12
June 21st in
Berlin
Fete de la Musique - Taking place every year on the day of
summer solstice, this truly European music event celebrates
the diverse forms of live music. Free concerts on over 50
(mostly open-air) stages throughout Berlin feature artists
from all of Europe who play everything from klezmer and jazz,
to pop and rock.
Fete de la Musique.
-
Berlin, Germany
June 24th in Berlin
Berlin Philharmonics Open Air at the Waldbuhne - A
cultural summer highlight is the open-air performance by the
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
at the Waldbühne Amphitheater, where the famous orchestra
traditionally ends its season. In 2012, the famous
Philharmonics will be directed by Seiji Ozawa, and the program
includes music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Events
in July
'12
July 14th in Paris
Bastille Day Fireworks, July 14th Celebration - Each year,
Bastille Day is celebrated in Paris. Crowds gather under
the Eiffel Tower and on the Champ-de- Mars to watch the
spectacular firework display. Another favorite spot for
spectators is a view from across the river at The Trocadero.
Paris, France
During July in Germany
The Marksman’s Fun Festival in Hannover
dates back to the
17th century and takes place in July with a six mile parade of
carriages and marksmen. The Schützenfest as it is called in
German, is held in summer and is the largest festival of its
kind. The fairground combines old with modern, from rides
utilizing the latest in cutting edge technology, to the more
traditional, loved favorites; the centre piece of the fairground
is the giant Ferris wheel the biggest transportable Ferris wheel
in the world.
www.hannover.de
Events
in August
'12
August 3rd - 5th in Berlin
16th Berlin International Beer Festival - Move over,
Munich! With the
Berlin International Beer Festival,
the German capital proves that it can hold its own, when
Karl-Marx-Allee will turn into the world's longest beer garden
and bar. On a stretch of over one mile, 300 breweries from 86
countries will draft some 2000 brands of the world's finest
beers. Berlin, Germany
August 5th - August 12th
in Ireland
Festival of the Connemara Pony & Connemara Pony Show - Clifden
- The Connemara Pony is a distinctive breed with excellent
qualities: strong, intelligent and very hard working, perfect
for the wild unforgiving landscape of Connemara, the Galway
region that gave them their name. Their gentle temperament
makes them ideal family ponies while their athleticism and
quality results in top performance and native show ponies.
The highlight of the festival is on Thursday and Friday, when
the biggest showcase of Connemara Ponies takes place. Ponies
compete in in-hand classes, ridden classes, working hunter
classes, and a puissance (or high jump) competition. Visitors
are treated to the spectacle of seeing the ponies demonstrate
their prowess in trials and competitions under the watchful
eye of experienced judges and a win is always a source of
great pride for the pony’s dedicated owner. Website:
www.cpbs.ie
Address: Connemara Pony Breeders' Society, The Showground,
Clifden, Co Galway, Republic of Ireland
Events
in September
'12
September 5th - 9th
in Berlin
Berlin Music Week - Berlin will become center stage for
the international music world during this week-long event,
which is many things at once: A music industry gathering and
market place for professionals, conference and coaching
platforms for musicians, and of course concert and music
festival for the public. Events of the
Berlin Music Week
include the Berlin Festival in the hangars and the airfield of
the historic Airport Tempelhof; the Berlin Club Night with 60
participating clubs welcoming visitors to Berlin’s legendary
nightlife; the trade fair Popkomm, and the all2gethernow
coaching platform for young talents. Berlin,
Germany
Events
in October
'12
Events
in November
'12
November 1st - 4th
in Berlin
JazzFest Berlin - The series of festivals in Berlin
traditionally draws to a close with
JazzFest Berlin
, which will be held for the 48th time in 2012. The program
focuses on big bands and large ensembles; alongside American
jazz stars, the festival presents artists from around the
world, whose music crosses the borders between local folk
traditions and global sounds and trends. Haus der Berliner
Festspiele, Quasimodo, and other sites. Berlin,
Germany
Events
in December
'12
Events
in January
'13
- fin -
updated for February 1
