Festivals in December

11 of the world's notable festivals fall in December, spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Oceania. Biggest draws include Hornbill Festival, Sydney New Year's Eve, Chichibu Night Festival.

Hornbill Festival
1
Hornbill Festival
1–10 December · Kohima
Nagaland's 'Festival of Festivals' showcasing Naga tribes.
Sydney New Year's Eve
2
Sydney New Year's Eve
31 December · Sydney
One of the world's first and largest NYE fireworks displays over the Harbour.
Chichibu Night Festival
3
Chichibu Night Festival
2-3 December · Chichibu
Illuminated floats and winter fireworks light up Chichibu.
Fête des Lumières
4
Fête des Lumières
Early December · Lyon
Lyon's Festival of Lights with citywide illuminations.
5
Hogmanay
31 December · Edinburgh
Scotland's epic three-day New Year street party.
Saint Lucia's Day
6
Saint Lucia's Day
13 December · Sweden
Candle-lit processions marking the Nordic festival of light.
Junkanoo
7
Junkanoo
26 Dec & 1 Jan · Nassau
Bahamian street parade of costumes, drums and cowbells.
Al Dhafra Festival
8
Al Dhafra Festival
Dec–Jan · Abu Dhabi
Bedouin heritage festival with a camel beauty pageant.
Calabar Carnival
9
Calabar Carnival
December · Calabar
'Africa's biggest street party' across the month of December.
10
Fête de l'Escalade
11–12 December · Geneva
Geneva celebrates repelling the 1602 Savoyard attack.
11
Whirling Dervishes Festival (Şeb-i Arus)
10–17 December · Konya
Commemoration of Rumi with Mevlevi whirling ceremonies.