Whether you’re a lover of the arts, a sports fan or just looking for a fantastic party, here are 19 global events worth hitting the road for next year.
Elvis’s 80th birthday celebrations
Dates: January 7-10
Where: Graceland, Tennessee
Big Elvis Presley fan?
There’s no better time to head to Graceland to celebrate would have been the King’s 80th birthday.
Events include a private tour of Graceland, an Elvis Presley Day proclamation by Memphis County officials and birthday cake.
Fans can sign up for Elvis-themed city tours and attend at a live concert at the Memphis Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.
“A very special event will be an auction of third party-owned Elvis artifacts,” says Kevin Kern, director of communications at Graceland.
Graceland.com has more information.
Red Bull Crashed Ice
Dates: January 22-24
Where: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Combine speed skating with an obstacle course and you get Crashed Ice, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2015.
The race sees some of the world’s top downhill skaters negotiate a frozen course littered with obstacles, while hitting speeds of up to 60 mph.
The Minnesota event will be the first in a series of eight taking place in 2015.
“The sight of extreme athletes careering down an ice track outside Saint Paul’s iconic cathedral is an awe-inspiring spectacle — and one great big party,” says Terry Mattson, president of Visit Saint Paul tourism.
Redbullcrashedice.com has more info.
FIS Alpine Ski World Championships
Dates: February 2-15
Where: Vail, Colorado
In 2015 the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships return to the United States for the first time since 1999, taking over Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado.
In addition to world-class skiers on the slopes, highlights of this biennial event include a high-altitude gig by DJ Decimo on February 14.
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Another one for sports fans.
One of 2015’s biggest sporting events, the Rugby World Cup will hold three of its most important matches in Newcastle.
“The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world and it will be the largest sporting event in England next year,” says Eric Fry, a member of the American team who also plays for Newcastle’s local rugby union team.
“Some of the best teams in the world will be playing at St. James’ Park, including New Zealand — the current world champions.”
Mexican Grand Prix
When: November 1
Where: Mexico City
In 2015, Formula 1 will return to Mexico for the first time since 1992.
The big racing event will take place on Mexico’s Day of the Dead, when family and friends gather to pray for friends and family members who have died.
The course is incredibly historic.
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit was named after two racing driver brothers, Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez, and has also hosted several NASCAR events.
Tickets available at Tickets.formula1.com.
MORE: Formula One: Mexico GP given green light for 2015 season
Hogmanay celebrations
When: December 31
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
There’s no better way to finish the year than with a visit to one of the largest New Year’s Eve parties on the planet.
Almost 100,000 people will attend the annual Hogmanay event, which is manned by 1,000 volunteers.
It begins with a torchlight procession involving more than 25,000 locals, led by Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Vikings, with their pipes and drums, and culminates atop Calton Hill, when more than five tons of fireworks will blast into the sky.
On New Year’s Eve, as many as 100,000 people will take to the streets to sing “Auld Lang Syne” — apparently the biggest and loudest rendition of the song in the world — and party.
Live footage from the celebration is beamed to more than one billion people in 150 countries.
More info at Edinburghshogmanay.com.
