January’s a cultural month, with the Miami International Art Fair flying the flag for the States. If you want to head a little further afield book flights to see fashion in Amsterdam, celebrate New Year with a Cape Town carnival, watch fireworks in Sydney and try chocolate in Tampa.
Miami International Art Fair – Miami, Florida
January 13–16, 2012
One of America’s leading art fairs, the Miami International draws collectors, curators and curious observers from around the world to its display of contemporary art and culture, which features some of the world’s best collections. This year’s fair also features a sculpture installation on the waterfront, and the whole event has moved downtown to piggyback onto the cool scene there. The best thing? It’s all taking place on Seafair, a mega-yacht, so dress up, take your camera, and make like a billionaire as you wander around priceless artwork, then head back to Miami’s art deco shops to pick up something a little more affordable.
Amsterdam Fashion Week – Amsterdam, Netherlands
January 25–29, 2012
Amsterdam may not rank among London, Paris and Milan in the fashion world’s eyes, but its Fashion Week is steadily gathering influence. This year marks the launch of the DOWNTOWN event, the world’s first Fashion Week program that is also open to the public. Shows, exhibitions and galleries are all opened up and available to anyone, so budding fashionistas should book flights to Amsterdam for this incredible opportunity to reach into fashion’s inner sanctum and sprinkle a little glamor on their year. With parties also thrown open, it’s the perfect way to get the full experience of fashion week.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival – Cape Town, South Africa
January 1–2, 2012
Cape Town likes to party, and it does so in style with an enormous carnival for its New Year celebrations. It feels like the whole city turns out to sing, dance and generally make a load of noise around the hundreds of floats and marching bands. Performers of all kinds fill the streets, playing music, juggling, and entertaining the crowds. Take note, outrageous costumes steal the show and the party continues long into the night, so few Capetonians show up for work the next day and the whole thing keeps going for another day. This is the most fun you’ll ever have at New Year, so dig out the feathers and get dancing.
Sydney Festival – Sydney, Australia
January, 2012
The Sydney Festival is a month-long festival combining New Year and Australia Day celebrations, but is really just an excuse for a party to celebrate Sydney’s existence. Awesome idea. Performers, musicians and food vendors take to the streets and sweep up the city in a month of excess, with high points including the Australia Day celebrations on the 26th. Sydney Harbor hosts ferry races and ship displays, and things liven up in the evening with aircraft flyovers and incredible fireworks. There are also free open-air concerts featuring international artists throughout the month, and dozens of cultural displays, from Russian dancers to English folk-rock. If you’ve got a month to kill, grab flights to Sydney and do it properly.
The Festival of Chocolate – Tampa, Florida
January 14–16 2012
Three days of chocolate heaven fill this event, where hundreds of chocolatiers gather to compete for titles and showcase their art to the thousands of visitors. From small chocolate classes with the masters to interactive events like making nitrogen chocolate ice cream and taking part in (chocolate prize winning) quizzes, visitors can sample chocolate in its every form. Tastings are a massive part of the festival, paired with wine for grown-ups, and the whole event is a sticky delight and the perfect opportunity to take home delicious chocolates at below retail prices.
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