BY CATHERINE HANLY
what’s on: Birmingham
The smell of Glühwein, bratwurst roasting on an open fire – it must be… BIRMINGHAM. Yes, lucky Brummies enjoy having the world’s biggest, longest GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET outside of Germany on their doorstep. From 13 November to 23 December, the market opens with 90 stalls in Victoria Square and extends to 30 more in Chamberlain Square at the end of November. Other festive treats in the city include a pantomime horse grand national, in Centenary Square, on 30 November. www.birmingham.gov.uk
what’s on: Nice
From 24-27 October, ST-TROPEZ, just 90 minutes’ drive from Nice, forgoes its usual bling and becomes the place for bargain hunting as fashionistas in search of a good deal descend on the city for LA GRANDE BRADERIE DE ST-TROPEZ. This is the sale to end all sales, when hundreds of designer shops set up stalls on the streets in front of their shops and slash their prices by a massive 70% as part of an upmarket stock clearance. It’s the perfect opportunity to blag a designer handbag for “un chanson”. www.ot-saint-tropez.com
what’s on: Cardiff
Welsh wheel appeal
Is there such a thing as an eco-friendly petrol-head? If so, they’ll be found at the final round of the 2008 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP as it roars through CARDIFF between 4 and 7 December. Now in its 76th year, the rally is one of the UK’s leading sporting events and this year will be completely carbon-neutral. Saturday evening sees the stars complete one stage of the event inside the Millennium Stadium, and families are particularly well-catered for with a “kid for a quid” ticket. www.walesrallygb.com
what’s on: Jersey
We’re fond of tracking down obscure events for you here at yeahbaby and the WORLD BAR BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIPS certainly fits the bill. Held at the Ommaroo Hotel ST HELIER from 7 to 11 November, the championships will see contestants from all over the world vying to take home the trophy from this traditional English pub sport. If you’d like to have a go yourself, the aim is to pot balls, using a cue, into a series of holes with varying point values. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. www.studio18.co.uk/jbbl; www.ommaroo.com
Photography: Corbis, Getty
what’s on: Amsterdam
If you just can’t wait till Christmas, then begin your festivities early by heading for AMSTERDAM on 16 November. This is the day when St Nicholas’s arrival in the city heralds the beginning of SINTERKLAAS, the official opening of Holland’s festive season. Around 300,000 children are expected to greet the bearded one as he parades through the city accompanied by 500 Black Peter servants and 10 marching bands. It’s an absolute must-see for festive fans and a fabulous treat for the kids. www.intinamsterdam.nl
what’s on: Barcelona
Welsh-Catalan relations get a boost from 11 to 30 November when BARCELONA’s Gran Teatre del Liceu hosts a joint production of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO with the Welsh National Opera. The cast includes soprano Emma Bell, whose voice was described by The Guardian as “quite simply, one of the most beautiful things you will ever hear”. www.liceubarcelona.com
