Best January Events To Attend Worldwide

Up Helly Aa, Jan. 26

On the Shetland Islands of Scotland every January, the people of Lerwick hold a fire festival known as Up Helly Aa, which celebrates the end of the Yuletide and New Year’s. The festival loosely began in the early 19^th century and has since become more organized, with the incorporation of Viking themes, including the burning of a large Viking galley ship. Travelers are invited to visit Shetland to view the event, but all participants must be a resident of at least five years.

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Harbin Ice Festival, Jan. 5–Feb. 25

The Harbin Ice Festival in Harbin, China, is made up of hundreds of ice and snow sculptures that combined make up multiple visitor parks, from the Harbin Ice Lantern Show to China’s Snow Town. In addition, the city offers a variety of other activities during the festival, including skiing, polar animal displays and tours of the Siberian Tiger Park.

Wakakusa Yamayaki, Jan. 23

If Up Helly Aa doesn’t offer up enough fire to quench your pyro needs, travel to Nara, Japan, where each year a group of locals light an entire mountain on fire. The origins of the celebration aren’t crystal clear, but one thing’s for sure — it makes a great show. Both the huge fire and the accompanying fireworks can be seen from most everywhere in the city, but spectators are allowed to view the event as close as the base of the mountain.

© Burkhard Behling | Dreamstime

Venice Carnival, Jan. 23–Feb. 9

Why celebrate Carnival anywhere other than Venice? With the festivities beginning in late January and lasting for more than two weeks, you have plenty of dates to choose from when planning your visit. The wild parties, parades, music, extravagant food and fun are more than enough to keep you entertained.