November

Fiesta de la Almudena
9 November 2008
Madrid, Spain
Madrid celebrates its patron saint - la Virgen de la Almudena. The fiesta begins with a morning Mass in the Plaza Mayor, followed by a street procession through Puerta de Sol.

France Miniature
April - November 2008
Paris, France
If you only have time to visit Paris on your trip to France, fear not - at France Miniature you can still take in the rest of the country in bite-sized form.

Sablon Nights
November - December 2008
Brussels, Belgium
The Sablon Nights offer an opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful districts in Brussels in a horse-drawn carriage. Your driver (in period costume) will take you past the best spots.

International Motorcycle Fair
November 2008
Istanbul, Turkey
The Istanbul International Motorcycle Fair, held at the Lütfi Kýrdar Rumeli Exhibition Center, attracts more than 40,000 speed enthusiasts every year, eager to view everything from ‘choppers’ to the most sophisticated bikes.

International Festival of Advent & Christmas Music
November - December 2008
Prague, Czech Republic
Started in 1991, Prague's International Festival of Advent & Christmas Music celebrates, with more than 60 choirs participating.

Verona Horse Fair
November 2008
Verona, Italy
Verona's Fiera Cavalli (Horse Fair) is the biggest event of its kind in Italy, welcoming horse-lovers and associated professionals to a massive celebration of all things equestrian.

Vienna's Christmas Market
November - December 2008
Vienna, Austria
Vienna's City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) is given over to stalls selling crafts, food and gifts for this Advent market, which has been in existence for over 700 years.

Art Ireland
November 2008
Dublin, Ireland
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) hosts the Art Ireland Exhibition. The show aims to make contemporary art available to a wider audience, with exhibitions from around 175 galleries and independent artists, including thousands of paintings, sculptures and prints.

Maschsee Lake Boat Tours
November 2008
Hanover, Germany
The 78-hectare Maschsee Lake was dug out between 1934-1936 to create a leisure space for the people of Hanover. Now tourists have muscled in, but that shouldn't stop you from embarking on a boat trip. The experience is relaxing and romantic.

January 2008

Befana Benefica
Milan, Italy. January
Every year motorcyclists throughout Italy converge on Milan for the annual Befana Benefica.

Snow and Ice Sculptures Festival
Antwerp, Belgium. November - December
Some two million kilos of snow and ice provide an awesome visual feast during Antwerp's annual ice sculpture festival.

The Dakar Rally
Lisbon, Portugal. 5th-20th January
The Dakar Rally pits over 400 drivers against each other in a grueling 15-day race over thousands of miles between Portugal and Senegal, Africa.

Pigeon Racing: British Homing Show of the Year
Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England. January (near Preston)
Each January, pigeon fanciers from across the country flock to Blackpool's Winter Gardens for annual the pigeon Show of the Year

Berlin Six Day Race
Velodrom, Berlin, Germany. January
Pedal power is the key as this mega six-day cycling event challenges competitors' skill and endurance.

Resolution!
The Place, London, England. January - February
Arguably the most important dance festival of its kind in the UK. Resolution! brings together young talent from all over Europe.

Russian Winter Festival
Izmailovo Park, Moscow, Russia. December - January
The Russian winter Festival takes place across main cities in Russia every year, equating to the 12 days of the western Christmas.

Twelfth Night Children's Parade
El Retiro parque- Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain. January
A popular cultural tradition in Spain is the day of the Three Kings (Reyes Magos). The event varies immensely according to town and city.

International Jazz Festival Munster
Munster, Germany. January (near Hamburg)
One of the major cultural events in the city. During the first week of January the city becomes a lively center of international jazz.