Winter in Europe: what’s not to love? Fewer crowds, off-season prices and a more relaxed pace make exploration at this time of year a special experience. We’ve hand-picked a selection of our favorite events for your inspiration. As always, verify dates and times with organizers before traveling and always heed the latest safety advice.
AustriaSALZBURG: Winterfest, performances in Volksgarten, through Jan. 8.
VIENNA: Viennese Ice Dream, skating in front of City Hall, through March 12.
INNSBRUCK: Vierschanzentournee, ski jumping competition, qualifications Jan. 3; competition Jan. 4.
BISCHOFSHOFEN: Vierschanzentournee, ski jumping competition, Jan. 5-6.
ISCHGL: Shapes in White, snow sculpture festival, Jan. 9-13.
BAD GASTEIN: Snowboard World Cup, Jan. 10-11.
KITZBUEHEL: Snow Polo World Cup, Jan. 12-15.
VIENNA: Vienna Auto Show, Messe, Jan. 12-15.
SAALBACH: Mountain Attack, six peak, 40 km ski marathon race, Jan. 13.
VIENNA: Ball Season, upcoming balls include Confectioner’s Ball Jan. 12; Styrian Ball Jan. 13; Flower Ball Jan. 13; Vienna Economics University Ball Jan. 14; Ball of the Viennese Philharmonic Jan. 19; Ball of the Army Officers Jan. 20; Ball of Industry and Technology Jan. 21; Pharmacists‘ Ball Jan. 21; Engineers‘ Ball Jan. 26; University of Agricultural Sciences Ball Jan. 27; Ball of the Vienna Boys‘ Choir Jan. 27; Vienna Physicians‘ Ball Jan. 28; Vienna Rainbow Ball Jan. 28; Hunters’ Ball Jan. 30.
SAALBACH: Mountain Attack, six peak, 40 km ski marathon race, Jan. 13.
FILZMOOS: International Balloon Festival, Jan. 14-21; night of illuminated balloons Jan. 15.
KITZBUEHEL: Hahnenkamm Races, Jan. 17-22.
SALZBURG: Mozart Week, Jan. 26-Feb. 5.
OGGAU: 24 Hour Burgenland Extreme Tour, 120 km walking marathon, Jan. 27.
NASSFELD: Schlag das Ass-Nassfeld trophy, Jan. 27-28.
GASTEIN: Art on Snow, ice sculpture exhibition, Jan. 28-Feb. 3.
BelgiumHASSELT: Ice Magic, snow and ice sculpture festival, this year’s theme is Antarctic exploration, through Jan. 8.
LIEGE: European Circus Festival, through Jan. 8.
MODAVE: Christmas Around the World, festively decorated rooms at the Chateau de Modave evoke cinematic scenes, through Jan. 8.
MONS: Coeur en Niege, winter activities include skating rink, artisans market and a luge piste, through Jan. 8.
ANTWERP: China Light at the Zoo, light installations in the form of animals, through Jan. 15.
BRUSSELS: Brussels Jazz Festival, Flagey, Jan. 12-21.
BRUSSELS: River Jazz Festival, venues throughout city, Jan. 13-28.
BRUSSELS: auto/moto salon, automobile expo, Brussels Expo, Jan. 14-22.
BRUSSELS: Djangofollies, music festival celebrates music of Django Reinhardt, Jan. 14-29.
BRUSSELS: Dream Cars, high end auto expo, Brussels Expo, Jan. 20-22.
BRUSSELS: BRAFA, Brussels Fine Arts and Antiques Fair, Tour & Taxis, Jan. 21-29.
Czech RepublicPRAGUE: Czech Touches of Music, international classical music festival, Jan 2 and 4-6.
PRAGUE:Procession of Three Magi on Camels, Epiphany pageant, departs from Hradcanske namesti at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 6.
PRAGUE: Iranian Film Festival, Kino Svetozor, Jan. 11-15.
PRAGUE: Grand Restaurant Festival, Jan. 15-Feb. 28.
BRNO: Winter Run, 4 and 8 km routes, Jan. 16; Ostrava, Jan. 21; Hradec Kralove Jan. 28.
JEDLOVA: Sled dog racing, Jan. 24-28.
OSTRAVA: European Figure Skating Championships, Jan. 25-29.
DenmarkAALBORG: Northern Winter Beat, Skraen, Jan. 26-28.
SKAGEN: Winter Swimming Festival, Jan. 26-29.
EnglandWINDSOR: Christmas at Windsor Castle, through Jan. 5.
NOTTINGHAM: The NET Nottingham Winter Wonderland, Old Market Square, through Jan. 8.
LONDON: New Year’s Day Parade, Jan. 1.
LONDON: London Boat Show, Excel, Jan. 6-15.
LONDON: Twelfth Night Celebrations, seasonal celebration mixing old and new traditions, Bankside area, from 1:45 p.m. Jan. 8.
LONDON: London International Mime Festival, Jan. 9-Feb. 4.
EXETER: Exeter Festival of Winter Ales, Exeter City Football Club, St James Park, Jan. 13-14.
WHITTLESEA: Straw Bear Festival, Jan. 13-15.
LONDON: London Art Fair, Business Design Center, Islington, Jan. 18-22.
MANCHESTER: Manchester Beer and Cider Festival, Jan. 19-20.
CAMBRIDGE: Cambridge Winter Ale Festival, Jan. 19-21.
LONDON: Magical Lantern Festival, Chiswick House, Jan. 19-26.
LONDON: The Adventure Travel Show, Olympia, Jan. 21-22.
COLCHESTER: Winter Ale Festival, Colchester Arts Centre, Jan. 25-28.
LONDON: VAULT Festival, entertainment and shows in vaulted chambers beneath Waterloo, Jan. 5-March 5.
PETERBOROUGH: Katharine Of Aragon Festival, historical festival evokes Tudor era, Cathedral, Jan. 26-29.
ELY: Elysian Winter Beer Festival, The Maltings, Jan. 27-28.
LONDON: Chinese New Year celebrations, Chinatown, Jan. 28-29.
FinlandHELSINKI: Winter Circus, this year’s theme is childhood circus memories, Cable Factory, Pannuhalli, through Jan. 8.
HELSINKI: Lux Helsinki, festival of light, Esplanade Park, Jan. 5-9.
HELSINKI: Matka Nordic Travel Fair, Messukeskus, Jan. 20-22.
HELSINKI: DocPoint, documentary film festival, Jan. 23-29.
FranceMETZ: Ice Sculptures, this year’s theme is “Les Contes Merveilleux,” Place de la Republique, through Jan. 15.
SURESNES: Suresnes Cites Danse, hip-hop dance festival, Jean Vilar Theatre, Jan. 6-Feb. 5.
SAMOENS: La Grande Odyssee Savoie Mont Blanc, sled dog race, Jan. 7-18.
NICE: Prom Classic, 10 km run, Jan. 8.
PARIS: winter sales, Jan. 11-Feb. 21.
ANGOULEME: International Comic Strip Festival, Jan. 26-29.
PARIS: International Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow, Cirque Phenix, Pelouse de Reuilly, Jan. 26-29.
GermanyBAMBERG: Nativity Trail, creche scenes in churches and throughout city, through Jan. 6.
SPEYER:Christmas and New Year’s market, through Jan. 8.
STUTTGART:World Christmas Circus, with many international acts, Cannstatter Wasen, through Jan 8.
RUST: Europa-Park open for winter season, through Jan. 8 and Jan. 13-15.
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN: Hornschlittenrennen, racing on sledges, Jan. 6.
NUREMBERG: CACIB, international pedigree dog show, Messe, Jan. 7-8.
HAMBURG: Debut concert at Philarmonie, with live online broadcast, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11.
SINDELFINGEN: Antik & Kunst, art and antiques fair, Messe, Jan. 12-15.
ELMSTEIN: Harzofen Blues, blues intro course for beginners, NaturFreund Haus, Jan. 14-15, advanced learners course Feb. 4-5.
COLOGNE: Cologne Music Week, concerts and parties, Koelner Stadtgarten, Jan. 14-21.
STUTTGART: The Holiday Exhibition, travel fair, Stuttgart Messe, Jan. 14-22.
BAD RAPPENAU: Mulled wine market, Salinenpark, Jan. 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29.
PASSAU: Impuls Festival, pop culture and showcase festival, various venues, Jan 20-21.
BERLIN: Berlin Fashion Week, Jan. 17-20.
BERLIN: Six Day Race, indoor cycling race, Velodrom, Jan. 19-24.
FREINSHEIM: red wine hiking, Jan. 20-22, includes torchlit night hike at 6 p.m. Jan. 20.
BERLIN:JapanFestival, Urania, Jan. 21-22.
TRIER: Moselle Wine Forum, Thermen am Viehmarkt, Jan. 20-22.
BERLIN: International Green Week, Berlin Expo Grounds, Jan. 20-29.
WIESBADEN: Persistence Tour, features heavy, metal and punk bands, Suicidal Tendencies and Agnostic Front Headline, Schlachthof Jan. 24; also at Munich Backstage Werk Jan.25.
BERLIN: JapanFestival, Urania, Jan. 21-22.
SINSHEIM: Street Food Festival with Craft Beer, Jan. 27-29.
MILTENBURG: Street Food Festival with Craft Beer, Jan. 27-29.
DORTMUND: International Musikparade, Westfalenhalle, Jan. 27; Cologne, Laxness Arena, Jan. 28; Hamburg, Barclaycard Arena, Jan. 29.
NEUBURG: Donauschwimmen, Europe's biggest winter swimming event, pre-registration necessary, Jan. 28.
DORTMUND: Jagd und Hunt, hunting expo, Messe, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
IrelandDUBLIN: Funderland, winter family activities, RDS grounds, through Jan. 15.
DUBLIN: Tradfest, festival of traditional and folk music, Temple Bar district, Jan. 25-29.
DERRY: The Derry International Irish Music Festival, Jan. 29-Feb. 5.
Italy GENOVA: Circumnavigando Festival, international theater and circus festival, through Jan. 8.
TURIN: Luci d’Artista, illuminations throughout city, through Jan. 15.
COUNTRYWIDE: Epiphany celebrations, Jan. 6.
MONZA: Motobefana, biker’s meet up on Piazza Trento and Trieste, Jan. 6.
VENICE: Regata delle Befane, rowing contest on Grand Canal, Jan. 6.
PIACENZA: Arte Piacenza, art fair, Expo, Jan. 14-16.
MADONNA DEL CAMPIGLIO: Winter Marathon, classic auto race through Dolomites mountain range, Jan. 19-22.
VERONA: Motor Bike Expo, Fiere, Jan. 20-22.
FLORENCE: International Skate Award, figure skating show, Nelson Mandela Forum, Jan. 21-22.
BOLOGNA: Artefiera, International Fair of Modern and Contemporary Art, Bologna Exhibition Center, Jan. 27-30.
MADONNA DEL CAMPIGLIO: Tulot Vertical Up, uphill race, Jan. 28.
AOSTA: Sant'Orso Fair, traditional craft fair, Jan. 30-31.
LuxembourgCITY: Vacanz, travel fair, Luxexpo, Jan. 13-15.
CITY: Luxembourg Euro Meet, swimming championships, Jan 27-29.
BELVAUX: Bieles 2017, UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championship, Jan. 28-29.
MaltaVALLETTA: International Baroque Festival, celebrates music of the era, Manoel Theatre, Jan. 12-28.
XAGHRA, GOZO: Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot, blessing of the animals, Jan. 15.
NetherlandsAMSTERDAM: World Christmas Circus, Theater Carre, through Jan. 8.
AMSTERDAM: Light Festival, through Jan. 22.
AMSTERDAM: Ice sculpture exhibition, this year’s theme is “Music Inspires,” ArenA, through Feb. 5.
GRONINGEN: Eurosonic, music festival and conference for up and coming bands, Jan. 11-14.
MAASTRICHT: Interclassics, classic auto show, MECC, Jan. 12-15.
AMSTERDAM: Whisky Weekend, tastings and Scottish music, Posthoornkerk, Jan. 20-21.
AMSTERDAM: National Tulip Day, temporary garden on Dam Square from which visitors can take home a bulb, Jan. 21.
AMSTERDAM: Choir Days, Paradiso, 140 amateur groups perform, Jan. 14-15.
AMSTERDAM: International Fashion Week, Jan. 20-30.
AMSTERDAM: Forreal, fair for figurative art, De Beuers, Jan. 21-24.
ROTTERDAM:International Film Festival Rotterdam, Jan. 25-Feb. 5.
AMSTERDAM: Jumping Amsterdam, equestrian event at RAI, Jan. 26-29.
NorwayTROMSO: International Film Festival, Jan. 16-22.
TROMSO: Northern Lights Festival, celebrates jazz and classical music, Jan. 27-Feb. 4.
PortugalPORTO: International Dog Show of the North, Exponor, Jan. 14-15.
ScotlandEDINBURGH: Edinburgh’s Christmas, St. Andrew Square, through Jan. 7.
EDINBURGH: Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, through Jan. 5.
GLASGOW: The Irn Bru Carnival, Europe’s largest indoor funfair, SECC, through Jan. 15.
BURGHEAD: Burning of the Clavie, Jan. 11.
GLASGOW: Celtic Connections, folk, roots and world music festival, Jan. 19-Feb. 5.
DUMFRIES: Big Burns Supper, culture festival, Jan. 20-29.
COUNTRYWIDE: Burns Night, Jan. 25.
ALLOWAY: Burns Alight, light festival, Jan. 28.
LERWICK: Up Helly Aa, fire festival, Jan. 31.
SlovakiaHREBIENOK: Tatra Ice Master, ice sculpture competition in the High Tatras mountains, Jan. 13-15.
SVATY JUR: Open wine cellar days, Jan. 27-28.
TATRANSKA LOMNICA: Snow Dogs, dogsled rides and festivities, Jan. 28-29.
SloveniaBLED: Festive winter village, lakeside promenade, through Jan. 8.
SpainALCOY: Three Kings Parade, Jan. 5.
MADRID: Three Kings Parade, Jan. 5.
SANTILLANA DEL MAR: Three Kings Parade and religious play, Jan. 5.
CANARY ISLANDS: Canary Islands Music Festival, classical music festival takes place on all islands, Jan. 7-Feb.5.
MOLLEDO: La Vijanera, festival symbolizes triumph of good over evil, Jan. 8.
VALLADOLID: Penguins International Motorcycle Rally, Jan. 13-15.
SANTIPONCE: Italica International Cross-Country, foot race among Roman city ruins outside Seville, Jan. 15.
SAN SEBASTIAN: Tamborrada, drum festival celebrates city’s patron saint, Jan. 20.
MADRID: Gastrofestival, Jan. 21-Feb. 5.
SwedenGOTHENBURG: My Dog, international dog show, Maessan, Jan. 5-8.
GOTHENBURG: Gotenborg International Film Festival, Jan. 27-Feb. 6.
JOKKMOKK: Jokkmokk Winter Market, Sami meeting, Jan. 28-Feb. 5.
SwitzerlandSOLOTHURN: Swiss Art Supermarket, art fair, Rothushalle, through Jan. 8.
INTERLAKEN: Harder-Potschete, traditional celebration, Jan. 2.
BELALP: Witches descent, costumed ski races, Jan. 7-14.
BASEL: Longines CSI Basel, horse jumping event, St. Jakobshalle, Jan 12-15.
BASEL: Vogel Gryff, archaic ritual on the Rhine, Jan. 13.
WENGEN: Ski World Cup, Jan. 13-15.
GRINDELWALD: World Snow Festival, international snow sculptures on display, Jan. 16-21.
MUERREN: International Inferno Race, Jan. 18-21, Devil’s parade, Jan. 20.
ST. MORITZ: Winter Raid, classic auto rally through mountains, Jan. 18-22.
BASEL: Museum Night, Jan. 20.
SAAS-FEE: Ice & Sound: Ice Climbing World Cup, Jan. 20-21.
SAMEDAN: Out of the Blues, blues music fest, Jan. 20-22.
LEUKERBAD: Night Race 777, vertical race, Jan. 21.
JUNGFRAU: Jungfrau Music Festival, showcases wind orchestras, Jan. 22-28.
GENEVA: Art Geneve, art salon, Palexpo, Jan. 26-29.
GSTAAD: Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, highlights violin performances, Jan. 27-Feb. 4.
BASEL: Cheese Festival, Markthalle, Jan. 28.
WalesSAUNDERSFOOT: New Year’s Day Swim, Jan. 1.
LLANWRTYD WELLS: Saturnalia Real Ale Amble, walks along Roman roads and sampling Roman recipes; and World MTB Chariot Racing Championships, mountain bike competition, Jan. 14.