Where to travel in the new year August
anniversary of the artist’s demise.
Chengdu, China — World Police and Fire Games. Olympics for firefighters and police covers archery, angling, darts and dragon boat races.
Abbotsford, British Columbia — Abbotsford International Airshow. Feats of flight are performed by Thunderbirds, Snowbirds and CF-18 Hornets.
Santa Fe, N.M. —Santa Fe Indian Market. Ten thousand shoppers buy authentic Southwest treasures from 1,000 artists on the Plaza. Fiesta. Mass ascensions and the Special Shape Rodeo add up to “the world’s largest hot-air balloon gathering.”
Plovdiv, Bulgaria — European Capital of Culture, “100% Plovdiv.” Stage play continues Plovdiv’s reign as the co-Cultural Capital of Europe with Matera, Italy.
Galway, Ireland — Galway Aboo Halloween Festival. Ireland’s most haunting event materializes on the medieval streets of Galway. Championship. Granddaddy of all chili contests fires up in Big Bend country.
Lucerne, Switzerland — Lucerne Piano Festival. Nine days of keyboard wizardry zip from classical to jazz.
Copenhagen — Christmas in Tivoli. Holiday season culminates in parades, fireworks and rides at Denmark’s landmark amusement park.
Coos Bay, Ore. — Holiday Lights at Shore Acres. Lighted sculptures of whales and puffins illuminate seaside gardens.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration. Aztec and Christian motifs mesh as thousands parade through the streets nightly.
New York — Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Midtown Manhattan.
Sydney — Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Diamond edition attracts scores of yachts, mainly sloops, to the devilish Tasmanian Sea.