Christmas In Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen, Denmark Nov. 16–Dec. 23, Dec. 26–30

The world’s oldest amusement park is all aglitter with its own Christmas market, special rides and the replica of a frosty Russian city. Check out the nightly performances of traditional ballet (The Nutcracker) and ensemble comedy (Crazy Christmas Cabaret in its 30th edition, with something called Hitchcock-Up).

Oslo World Music Festival

Oslo, Norway Oct. 29–Nov. 4

Thirteen stages fill with sounds from chaabi to chanson. Hot tickets include Mali’s Boubacar Traoré, guitarist and “father of African blues” (Nov. 1); the Kronos Quartet (Nov. 3), with a special world-music program; and fado sensation Ana Moura (Nov. 4).

“Jordaens & The Antique”

Brussels, Belgium Through Jan. 27, 2013

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts give us a new picture of a forgotten 17th-century master, Jacob Jordaens, a contemporary of Van Dyck. The 80 paintings, drawings, tapestries and sculpture — especially the lively mythological and antique scenes — show how Jordaens was once able to steal a substantial share of the market from another fellow Flemish rival, Rubens.

Winterstart Festival

Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada Nov. 1–Dec. 2

Snow comes early to the heart of the Rockies and so do the Lake Louise WinterStart World Cup Races (Nov. 24–25, Nov. 30–Dec. 2), where ski fans get free access to the finish line. Meanwhile, in Banff, “Christmas in the Rockies” gets rolling Dec. 1 with strolling carolers, competing ice sculptors and a twinkling Santa Claus Parade of Lights.

Euro-Scene Leipzig

Leipzig, Germany Nov. 6–11

The Lord Mayor of Leipzig is patron of this festival of contemporary theater which presents 23 performances by 12 visiting avant-garde and innovational dance and theater troupes from nine European countries on eight stages. The play to book is Miranda, a modern take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Rescue 2012: Life Saving World Championships

Adelaide, Australia Nov. 7–18

Gleneig Beach, Christies Beach and the State Aquatic Centre at Marion are awash with the world’s worthiest rescuers, 4,000 of them from 40 countries. See how they fare in surf boat competitions, during emergency situations and aboard inflatable rescue boats.

Taste Of Tulalip

Marysville, Wash. Nov. 9–10

Start out with the Celebration Dinner, punctuated by premium wines from around the globe, and finish at the Grand Taste as 120 wineries from the West Coast, France and Italy pour their best. In between there are cooking demos, workshops with legendary vintners and a Magnum Party where you can splash out with rare wines.

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations

Oamaru, New Zealand Nov. 14–18

This Victorian-era port slips back into a bygone era as locals don 19th-century corsets and beards, compete in penny-farthing bicycle races, stage pipe and brass band concerts, and chip in at the annual World Stone-Sawing Championship and resulting art auction.

Innsbruck Christmas Market

Innsbruck, Austria Nov. 15–Jan. 6, 2013

It’s four markets in one, with traditional Tyrolean arts and crafts in Old Town; glass and crystal shopping along Maria-Theresien Street; a Family Market with a carousel, petting zoo and puppet theater at Marktplatz; and the not-to-be-missed Hungerburg Christmas Market perched at the top of the new funicular.

Dates may change; always check in advance to confirm.