The season for decking the halls, wrapping the gifts, and drinking the eggnog is just right around the corner. And we re ready for it!

While there is no shortage of amazeballs Christmas events right here in our own backyard, there is a truly diverse and creative set of events taking place around the globe. Here we take a look at the top eight events taking place around the world that will have event-goers and Jolly Old St. Nick alike saying ho, ho, ho this coming Christmas season.

#1 – The Twelve Pubs of Christmas

The Irish are known for their love of drink and their love of pubs, so it only seems natural that in Dublin it is customary to ring in the season of joy with a glorified pub crawl. This event has taken the Irish nation by storm over the past decade and is now a go-to for office parties, friend groups, and family reunions who aim to hit 12 pubs in one evening and have a drink in each one.

Resplendent with drunken Santa Clauses and Mrs. Clauses, there are rules in effect, including:

• No drinking with your right hand at the first pub
• No pointing at anyone in pub #2
• No talking to any one you know at the third pub

and so on and so on. Rulebreakers must chug their drink down as a penalty. Cheers

More information available at https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/irish-12-pubs-of-christmas

#2 – Giant Lantern Festival

San Fernando, Philippines

Described as the biggest, brightest, and most colorful Christmas event in the Philippines , this festival is an exhibition of giant lanterns with lights and music. The festival has earned San Fernando the title of the Christmas Capital of the Philippines and has been running on an annual basis since 1904, although it evolved to its modern-day version in the 1930s after the introduction of electricity to the region.

More information available at https://giantlanterns.com

#3 – Winter Wonderland

London, England

Beginning in mid-November and running until early January, Winter Wonderland has been a staple of London s Hyde Park for almost two decades.

Winter Wonderland fun includes:

• Santaland a magical one-stop shop in the corner of Hyde Park designed to make visitors feel like they have been transported to the North Pole
• Street food galore fried chicken, fish & chips, churros, pizza, hot dogs enough to keep even Santa himself full and jolly
• Rides and games reminiscent of a fair
• An ice bar .deemed the coolest bar at Winter Wonderland
• An ice slide where visitors can catch the thrill of sliding down an ice slide on an inner tube
• Ice sculpting workshops
• and so much more

More information available at https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

#4 Christmas Fair

Budapest, Hungary

Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, multiple locations around the city host fairs featuring vendor food and gift stalls, live performances, crafts, skating, and the food oh, the food. Hungarian specialties including chimney cake, mulled wine, apple strudel, potato pancakes, and cabbage rolls are available at every turn.

More information available at https://christmasmarketsineurope.com/budapest-christmas-markets/

#5 Bethlehem Christmas Tours

Bethlehem, Palestine

Given its birthplace-of-Jesus roots, it s not surprising to see Bethlehem make an appearance on the list. How do the fine folks of Bethlehem ring in the season? With a selection of Christmas tours, for starters.

These Christmas tours take visitors through the historic Bethlehem and include the tale of a candle in every window, and teachings about the star of Bethlehem. Midnight Mass is a must-do while in Bethlehem for Christmas, visitors flock to the Church of Nativity or Manger Square.

More information available at https://historicbethlehem.org/christmas/christmas-tours/

#6 – San Juan Christmas

Puerto Rico

There may be a distinct lack of snow, but that doesn t temper the San Juan Christmas experience one iota. Their 45 day Christmas period, La Navidad, kicks off after Thanksgiving Day and lasts until mid-January, with the Fiesta de la Calle San Sebastian a huge street festival where party goers dress up as characters and participate in a parade, marking the official end of the holiday season.

Parrandas, Puerto Rico s version of Christmas carolling, is another big piece of the yuletide festivities.

More information available at https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/holiday-traditions-puerto-rico

#7 Santa Claus Village

Lapland, Finland

This is where Santa kicks it year-round. And who can blame him? This picturesque village includes a huge range of ways to get your Christmas fix at any time of year. Dog sledding, snowmobiling, Northern Lights safaris, reindeer rides, shopping, and restaurants are just a few of the activities available to visitors.

More information available at https://santaclausvillage.info/