Diary

november / december 07

Great Christmas Pudding Race – London This race has been held in Covent Garden for 27 years. Teams of six people run a relay, carrying a traditional British fruit and brandy pudding on a tray. The entrants wear silly costumes, but this isn’t just entertainment: all teams raise money for Cancer Research. Races start at 11:30am. 8 December www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk
Christmas Market – Dortmund Dortmund has the largest Christmas market in Germany, with over 300 stalls. But it’s not just a market, there’s also entertainment for the kids: puppet shows, cookie-baking with Santa in the Christmas village for €2, and in the Reinoldi church square, fairy tales are told by a talking tree (really). The massive Christmas tree is 45m high and festooned with 13,000 bulbs – official lights-on is at 6pm on November 26. 22 November – 23 December (except 25 November) www.city.dortmund.de
Public Brewing Session – Brussels If you like to start your drinking early, then the annual public brewing session at the Gueuze Museum is ideal. Starting from 6:30am (yes, really), visitors can watch the master brewer practise the centuries-old method of producing traditional Lambic and Gueuze beer. Entry is â‚¬5 and includes a guided tour and a drink of your choice. Free croissants and coffee are on offer for those early risers who get there before 8:30am. You’ll definitely need them. 10 November www.cantillon.be
Bonfire Night – Nottingham Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot – so goes the British rhyme. Nottingham celebrates Guido Fawkes’ unsuccessful attempt at blowing up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 with a huge bonfire and free fireworks display at the Forest Recreation Ground. There is a funfair from 5:30pm until 10:30pm, a mini fireworks display at 7:15pm, and the grand finale at 9pm. 5 November
Glögg tasting – Stockholm Happily, it’s almost impossible to go anywhere in Stockholm during the winter months and not be able to warm up with a cup of glögg. To help you discern a quality glass of this Scandinavian brew, the Historical Museum of Wines and Spirits are hosting two days of tastings where you can try three different kinds of glögg with a sommelier. They’ll also serve traditional pepparkakor (ginger cookies) to knock it back with and explain the drink’s history. 1 and 15 December www.vinosprithistoriska.se
Marathon – Athens In the cooler temperatures of winter, Athens hosts its annual marathon. The 42km race follows the original route of the messenger who, in 490BC, ran from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens, shouted “Victory!”, and then promptly died. The route starts at Marathon and finishes in the city centre. There are also shorter 10km and 5km routes, or you can always just cheer from the sidelines. 4 November www.athensclassicmarathon.gr
Festival des Inrocks – Paris Cutting-edge Parisian rock club, magazine, website and now festival, Les Inrockuptibles, is hosting popular indie acts in some of Paris’ most famous venues. Gigs will be at La Boule Noire, La Cigale, L’Olympia and Le Zenith. The fabulous line-up includes established and up-and-coming artists including The Gossip (pictured), The Go! Team, Editors, Klaxons, Bloc Party and Beirut. Tickets are available from www.ticketnet.fr or by calling +33 (0)14 157 3229. 8-14 November www.inrocks.com
Gogol Bordello – Prague The eclectic gypsy punk band, who performed with Madonna at Live Earth, showcase their new album Super Taranta! at Archa in Prague. Their music may be difficult to describe – a fusion of punk, ska, gypsy, rock and even a bit of flamenco – but the group of US immigrants originally from the Ukraine, Russia and Israel are highly acclaimed the world over and have a well-deserved reputation as a visceral and energetic live act. Tickets are available from www.archatheatre.cz 24 November www.gogolbordello.com
Arc en Cirque – Chambéry Chambéry’s school of circus skills is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a reunion of their finest former pupils who will perform an energetic and creative show at Espace Malraux, including juggling, uni-cycling, acrobatics and trapeze stunts. Performances will take place at 2.30pm on 11 December and 8.30pm on 12 December. Tickets cost â‚¬13 and are available from www.espacemalraux-chambery.fr 11-12 December www.arc-en-cirque.asso.fr