What to Do in December Around the World

November 29 – December 8: Milan celebrates all things artisanal at L’Artigiano in Fiera, a giant free trade fair attended by craftspeople from all over the world. Products for sale include handmade crafts, jewelry, furniture, food, wine, clothing and accessories.

December 1-7: Buenos Aires hosts the annual Festival Cambalache, an array of performances and workshops focusing on tango in music, theater and film. Events take place around the city, most notably in the recently refurbished Centenario Park.

December 4-7: Some 250 contemporary art galleries from around the world will participate in Art Basel Miami, arguably the most prestigious art event in the United States. This year’s show includes works by emerging talent as well as established names such as Pablo Picasso, Niki de Saint Phalle, Gilbert & George and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

December 6-23 and Dec. 26-30: A lack of snow doesn’t prevent San Diego from getting into the holiday spirit. More than 100,000 twinkling lights adorn the San Diego Botanic Gardens during the annual Garden of Lights. Visitors can shop for holiday-themed crafts, take a wagon ride, sip some mulled wine on certain evenings, and, of course, sit on Santa’s lap. Open 5 to 9 p.m.

December 9 – September 7: For its Warriors and Mothers exhibition, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art reunites a collection of Mbembe sculptures not seen together since a highly influential 1974 show in Paris. Some of these elegant and striking wooden sculptures from southeastern Nigeria date back to the 17th century.

December 11: Marina del Rey, California hosts its annual Holiday Boat Parade starting at 6:00 p.m. Fireworks at 5:55 p.m. sharp kick off the event.

December 16-22: Olympic medal winners return to England for Olympia, The London International Horse Show. Top equestrians display their skills in jumping, dressage and exciting carriage driving competitions. The event wraps up with a festive Christmas-themed finale.

December 26: The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race kicks off in one of the world’s most scenic settings, iconic Sydney Harbour. This famous race draws the world’s best sailors, who usually complete the Sydney-Tasmania course in less than two days.

December 31: People the world over celebrate New Year’s Eve in countless ways, from mind-blowing fireworks displays over Sydney Harbour to grandly formal balls in Vienna and St. Petersburg.