Festivals

Ice Castles lit up at night. Image shows Ice structure lit up blue, purple, and pink against the night sky

Ice Castles: A Magical Adventure in New Hampshire’s White Mountains

Experience the magic of Ice Castles in New Hampshire’s White Mountains! Hand-built ice towers delight guests young and old. Take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh and walk through an enchanted forest. Don’t miss this wonderful annual event! Post includes tips for getting the most out of your adventure.
8 mins read
228 Views
Baš naš Advent Zagreb on Gradec Plateau

Advent Zagreb: An Annotated Map to Zagreb’s Christmas Market Wonderland

Tis the season for Zagreb’s Christmas Market, Advent Zagreb. If you love European Christmas markets, add Advent Zagreb to your Nice list. With practically the whole city involved, you’ll not only get into the Christmas spirit, but you’ll also get a lovely tour of graceful Zagreb. As this event takes place all over Zagreb, you’ll need a good map, and this post has an annotated map to help you get the most out of Advent Zagreb!
7 mins read
183 Views
Odds Bodkin at Gredel's Den

Beowulf at Grendel’s Den, Cambridge: Storytelling with Odds Bodkin

A beloved tradition held at a local institution, storytelling with Odds Bodkin at Grendel's Den in Cambridge should be on your list if you find yourself in the area. I went back to see him tell Beowulf after two years away, and it was such a treat.
7 mins read
371 Views
Somerville Illuminations Tour

Illuminations Tour 2021: Oh Light-Up Town of Somerville

If you find yourself in the Boston area over the holidays, do not miss Somerville's OTT holiday displays! The Somerville Illuminations Tour, sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council, guides you to the best homes. My friend and I walked over to a little neighborhood filled with Blockbuster Traditional Homes, where the name of the game is the light-up nativity.
3 mins read
491 Views
What the Fluff

What the Fluff? Somerville’s Ooey-Gooey Festival

What the Fluff, the oddball annual Union Square, Somerville, Massachusetts, festival celebrating the gooey marshmallow confection is a hoot. My personal history with Fluff includes travels with a tub of it, and I've shared some of my favorite snaps from Europe and the US here. Updated with details for 2023.
3 mins read
427 Views
Vappu, Kaivopuisto

Vappu in Helsinki: Finland Comes Out to Party

Vappu, or the First of May celebration in Finland, is something to experience. Vappu in Helsinki kicks off on April 30 (also known as Vappuaatto, or Vappu Eve) with a raucous donning of a graduation cap on a statue that I think the entire country comes out to watch. The celebration continues the next day with a giant picnic in Kaivopuisto, a lovely park near where I stayed. Vappu remains one of my top travel memories. Now updated with tips for planning your trip!
8 mins read
862 Views