7 of the Best Holiday and New Year’s Eve Traditions Around the World
These are the global celebrations worth traveling for during the holidays.
There are so many ways to welcome the festive season’s arrival — and many of them are well worth traveling for. From the twinkling magic of Germany’s traditional Christmas markets (offset by the spooky annual arrival of Krampus) to the song-filled Sankta Lucia Day in Sweden, from Jerusalem’s Hanukkah Torch Relay to New York’s iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, here are seven of the best winter holidays and events that you shouldn’t miss.
Krampuslaufen
Central Europe
While the festive season evokes images of Santa Claus and his merry elves for many, in parts of Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Croatia, it sees the visitation of another, less benevolent, spirit. Krampus — depicted in centuries-old legend as a grimacing, horned demon — is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on his door-to-door journeys, to punish or abduct naughty children. Today, towns across Europe’s Alpine region (as well as major cities like Munich) host traditional Krampuslaufen — Krampus Runs or Parades — around December 5 each year, during which participants don ornately carved wooden masks and sheepskins as they run around town causing mischief and spooking spectators.
Times Square Ball Drop
New York City
The Times Square Ball Drop has been a beloved Big Apple spectacle since 1907, when the first ball was some 700 pounds and constructed of wood and lightbulbs. Today, the ball is a shimmering geodesic dome of Waterford crystal — and the festivities have been upgraded, too. While you can watch the events unfold live on TV, there’s nothing quite like being in the heart of the action, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of revelers, taking in the live performances and smooching your significant other as the confetti rains down. To secure a prime spot (aim for where Broadway and 7th Avenue intersect for the best views), arrive by mid-afternoon — the schedule of performances usually begins around 6pm.
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Author: Claire Bullen
Claire Bullen is an award-winning food, drinks, and travel writer and editor who has lived and worked in Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Paris, and London. She is the author of The Beer Lover’s Table: Seasonal Recipes and Modern Beer Pairings, and the editor at GoodBeerHunting.com. Her writing has also appeared in Time Out New York, The Daily Meal, Pellicle Magazine, and beyond.
