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Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThe Dutch capital of Amsterdam gets illuminated with the Amsterdam Light Festival.儲存 Over 50 days, the canals in the city centre are lit up with unique light installations.To enjoy the sights, you can opt for either a water route or a walking route. The boat route, called Water Colours, involves cruising down the city's canals while admiring the colourful art works placed along them.The walking route, Illuminade, features 30 light sculptures and projects by new and established international artists, all around the city's historical centre.The walking route is free, while the boat route is offered by several different cruise companies and must be booked separately. Prices for the boat cruise start at around ?17.50 (S$29.50)When: Dec 6 to Jan 19Info: .amsterdamlightfestival.com/enMiami Beach, FloridaMuseums, galleries and parks in the coastal resort city of Miami play host to the best of modern and contemporary art from all over the world for four days next month when the Art Basel show comes to town.The show, which brings the art world together three times a year, also exhibits yearly in Basel, Switzerland and Hong Kong. As well as showing works by established and emerging artists, there will be talks, panel discussions, films and performances taking place throughout the city.A day pass costs US$42 (S$52.50).When: Dec 5 to 8Info: .artbasel.com/en/miami-beachBangkok, ThailandJoin the people of Thailand as they celebrate the birthday of their beloved king, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch.Thais demonstrate their love on that day by decorating buildings and homes with flags and portraits of the king. They also decorate the streets around the Grand Palace with yellow marigolds.Several streets close in the evening for fireworks displays.When: Dec 5Info: .thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_ bangkok_king.htmEdinburgh, ScotlandRing in the new year, Scot-style, at the three-day long Hogmanay in Edinburgh.The Scottish New Year celebrations begin with a procession of more than 35,000 people carrying torchlights through the city on Dec 30. This will culminate in a fireworks finale. Following that, British duo Pet Shop Boys will headline Concert In The Gardens. Later, a street party in the Edinburgh City Centre will feature fireworks on the hour, every hour from 9pm to midnight.Finish off with a fancy dress parade through the city's High Street on Jan 1, before taking part in the Queensferry Loony Dook, an icy plunge into the River Forth.Tickets to the concert start from ¢G40 (S$81) while tickets to the stree迷你倉 party cost ¢G20.When: Dec 30 to Jan 1Info: .edinburghshogmanay.orgNew York City, New YorkBe there in the flesh for the famous New Year's Eve countdown. The Times Square ball drop in the heart of New York City attracts more than one million people from all over the world to Times Square yearly, while millions of others watch it televised live.To watch the ball descend from the flagpole on top of One Times Square - a 60-second event - many websites and forums recommend you get there around 3pm that day to save your spot.Confetti is released all around the square at midnight, along with a pyrotechnics show.When: Dec 31Info: .timessquareball.netLondon, EnglandThere is no shortage of sweets around Christmas-time, but true chocoholics can take their devotion a step further with a visit to the London Chocolate Festival, just ahead of Christmas.The 11th gastronomic celebration of all things chocolate at London's Southbank Centre includes events such as the Valrhona Chocolate Afternoon Tea - based on author Joanne Harris' novel Chocolat - a daily chocolate quiz, and a hands-on lesson on how to make salted caramel pecan brownies. Admission to the event is free.When: Dec 13 to 15Info: .festivalchocolate.co.uk/festivals/londonSouth Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaBrace yourself for sub-zero temperatures and bundle up in your gloves and snowboots if you plan to attend the wintry outdoor Snowglobe Music Festival in California at the end of the year.Catch a host of international music acts, including American rapper Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion, Dutch electronic musician Tiesto, American DJ Kaskade and Australian electronic band Cut Copy.A three-day pass to the festival, which will be held on the Lake Tahoe Community College campus, costs US$164.When: Dec 29 to 31Info: .snowglobemusicfestival.comKobe, JapanThe Kobe Luminarie has been held for the last 18 years to commemorate the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, and is said to be one of the most spectacular light displays in Japan.Held over 12 days in early December in the city centre, the light festival features more than 200,000 hand-painted lights which are lit for a few hours every day.The 1995 earthquake killed more than 6,000 people and left many without electricity.The idea of putting up a light installation came about 11 months later, as a symbol of hope and recovery. The lights were donated by the Italian government.Streets in the area are closed to traffic when the lights are illuminated, allowing visitors to walk about freely, and food and drink vendors line the streets.When: Dec 5 to 16Info: .kobe-luminarie.jpjennanid@sph.com.sgself storage