Of glory RICHARD MELLOR Amsterdam Light Festival, Netherlands

ROUNDS UP THE WORLD’S BEST LIGHT FESTIVALS, FROM FLYING BUDDHIST LANTERNS TO JUMBO AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Best for: Weekenders

The ninth Amsterdam Light Festival will be smaller than usual but at least it’s going ahead. Replacing the canal boat tours is a ‘Covid-proof’ walk through which visitors can admire seven pieces during one-hour, time-slotted trots (£11.23) around the leafy Plantage district. High-calibre artists are again involved under 2020’s theme of ‘when nature calls’.

December 10, 2020 to January 3, 2021, amsterdamlightfestival.com

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Japan

Best for: Warm-weather travellers While most light festivals lift sagging winter spirits, this one’s strictly a summer affair. Probably evolved from Shinto ceremonies in the northern port city of Aomori, it promises night parades of giant lantern floats – painstakingly constructed from bamboo, wire, wood and paper, and commonly depicting mythological beings – supported by dancers and drummers. Visitors can gawp from free seating, and the final day sees the floats become boats as fireworks go off

August 2 to 7, 2021, en.japan.travel

Medellín Christmas Lights, Colombia

Best for: Yuletiders

‘El Alumbrado’ – as locals know the bash – has run in Columbia’s second city for half a century now and sees 30,000-odd festive projections or sculptures, some massive. Of late, two locations have been used: a Christmas market in Parque Norte and, enchantingly, parks beside the Medellín River. Visit medellinguru.com for English-language information. Other reasons to make the trip are Medellín’s Narcos filming locations, Pablo Escobar history and warm temperatures. December 1, 2020 to January 11,

2021, colombia.travel