12 Unusual Christmas Events - An Interactive Map | A Bit of Happy

Christmas is almost here! Want to hear about celebrations around the world? Check out this very cool interactive map to see 12 Unusual Christmas Events. The places range from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Rio De Janeiro, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Beijin. What a wonderful time of year! Brought to you by Hotel Club.




BeijingHong KongLas VegasBerlinLondonLos AngelesMelbourneNew YorkParisRio De JaneiroSydneyTokyo













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Beijing, China
Date: 25h December 2010
Location: The Great Hall of the People
Cost: $231-$247
Richard Clayderman 2010 Beijing Christmas Concert
Looking for something different to do this Christmas? How about a night with Richard Clayderman, a world renowned pianist who holds the title of “The most successful pianist in the world”, not a small claim to fame by any means.
Accepted into to the Paris Conservatoire of Music at the age of 12, Clayderman has recorded over 1200 melodies in his career and has clocked up world record sales of nearly 70 million.
This Christmas Clayderman will be performing at The Great Hall of the People, West of Tiananmen Square, on December 25, 2010. 
If you happen to be staying in Beijing this Christmas, this celebrated concert is not to be missed. Tickets are available in packages at $231-$247. Treat yourself a little by booking yourself into a 5 star Beijing hotel with Hotelclub and make this Christmas night unforgettable.





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Hong Kong, China 
Date: 3-31st December 2010
Location: NP360, Lantau Island
Cost:
 Adult - from HKD $138
 Child - from HKD $86
First Snowy X'mas at Ngong Ping 360
Hong Kong is truly one of the most diverse cities in the world, culturally and now climatically!
Who would've thought you can experience a white Christmas in this hustling SE Asian city? Thanks to the clever chaps at Ngong Ping 360 (or NP360 as it is affectionately known) and a giant snow machine, you can enjoy an artificial snowy Christmas in a surreal Hong Kong setting.
The Christmas festivities include artificial snow falling from a giant Christmas cable car café, a family craft workshop, an angel workshop, a food fair showcasing Chinese and western Christmas-themed dishes, Christmas carols, and loads more! 
NP360 has already established itself as a popular tourist destination. With its first Snowy X'mas, it is definitely a destination not to be missed.
To make your stay to Hong Kong the trip of your lifetime, Hotelclub offers a wide array of amazing packages that will suit your needs. You are sure to find a Hong Kong hotel that will make your stay memorable! 





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Las Vegas, USA 
Date: 22-26th December 2010
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada
Cost: From $165
"O" by Cirque du Soleil
There is no better place to celebrate Christmas than in the party capital of the world - Las Vegas. You might find yourself at the crossroads of too many hot parties to choose from but this show is truly something special.
Celebrate this Christmas in a breathtaking fantasy water world that is "O" and let Cirque du Soleil take you on an unforgettable journey led by a team of talented performers, acrobats, fire dancers, and other entertainers.
Shows are s scheduled on Wednesdays through Sundays from 7:30-10:00 pm. Admission to the show starts at $165. Guests must be at least 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult.
Complement your Las Vegas experience and stay in one of the many wacky hotels on the Vegas strip.





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Berlin, Germany
Date: 27th November - 9th January 2011
Location: Europa-Park, Rust, Germany
Cost:

    €29 - for adults

    €26 - for children
Magic Moments at Europa-Park
Known as Germany's biggest Winter Wonderland, Magic Moments at Europa-Park is another must-go destination this Christmas. In addition to the wide array of fun rides it usually offers, Europa-Park is mixing in a big dollop of Christmas cheers by incorporating a Sleigh Ride Snowflake, skibobs, ice skating rinks, Christmas markets, snow ramps, ice bars, and a whole lot more. 
The biggest attraction this year will be the big wheel in its Icelandic theme. Atop this terrific ride is a spectacular view of the magical winter wonderland.
Magic Moments is being held from November 27 to January 9. 
The beautifully decorated trees and twinkling lights will surely brighten up your Christmas. If you can't get enough of this wonderful festive place, you can choose from a variety of cosy Berlin Hotels nearby to prolong your experience.





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London, England
Date: 11-26th December 2010
Location: London Bridge, England
Cost:
£23 Adults
£17 Children
Satans Grotto at London Dungeon
Do you want to experience a one-of-a-kind Christmas event? Fed up with Santa Claus and want to be naughty this year instead of being nice? Then let's experience a hellish Christmas with the Prince of Darkness at the London Dungeon. You won't believe how naughty and frightening Christmas can be... oh yes! It's about time that Christmas merry makers are punished for being too nice.
Satan's Grotto at the London Dungeon opens on December 11-26 from 10 am to 5 pm. On Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, it will be open from 11 am to 4 pm, and will be closed on Christmas Day. Admission costs £23.00 for adults and £17 for children. Turn Christmas on its head and be sure to check out the many accommodation deals in London at Hotelclub.com .





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Los Angeles, USA 
Date: 4th December - 1st January 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost:1 day theme park: 
$112 Adult
$104 Children
"Grinchmas"
The blissful season of Christmas is upon us once again! What better way to complete this wonderful celebration than to spend the festivities with your family and seeing the Grinch in person at the Universal Orlando Resort! Brace yourself for a fun-filled celebration. Enjoy the beauty of sparkling Christmas lights and decorations, and have your photo taken together with the Grinch and even get an autograph! This is one of the most famous events you simply can't miss.
One day theme park tickets cost $112 for adults and $104 for children aged 3-9 years. One park access for adults cost $82 and $74 for children.
To make you family holiday budget stretch, there are many affordable Los Angeles hotels to choose from on hotelclub.com 





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Melbourne, Australia
Date: 15th December - 24th December 2010 1pm -3pm
Location: Melbourne
Cost: Photo package $30
Santa Photos at Chill On Ice Lounge, Melbourne
Have a truly unique Christmas and visit Santa residing within 30 tonnes of carved ice!
You will be greeted at the entrance of the Chill On Ice Lounge where you will be handed a large winter coat to prepare you for the sub zero temperatures inside. The Ice Lounge is exactly what the name suggests, everything inside, including the bar and the glasses in which drinks are served, are completely made of ice.
Santa will be sitting on his ice throne from Dec 15 to Christmas Eve and you can bring your little ones for an artic experience that they will hardly forget.
Children's photo packages are available for $30. Bookings essential.
Book your Melbourne hotel now before it is too late!





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New York, USA 
Date: 20th November - 9th January 2011
Location: New York Botanical Gardens
Cost:
Adults from $20
Children from $10
19th Annual Holiday Train Show with Gingerbread adventures
Immerse yourself into a miniature NYC this Christmas at the Holiday Train show at the New York Botanical Gardens.
Designed by the award winning Paul Busse, replicas of 140 New York City landmarks endow the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Each replica is constructed of entirely of natural materials: nuts, tree bark, fruits, pinecones, and leaves, making this exhibition even more unique.
G-scale model trains have been doing their rounds around the miniature landmarks to the delights of countless visitors over the past 18 years.
If you are a locomotive enthusiast, or simply looking for something different to do this Christmas, get yourself down to the Holiday Train Show.
There are many New York City hotels near the Botanical Gardens but be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.





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Paris, France
Date: December 2010
Location: Paris
Cost:
£48 Adult
£44 Children
Disneyland Paris
For a Christmas trip your kids will love, you can not go past Disneyland Paris.
Fairy tales come alive in this magical world and this mega theme park is going to be even more magical this Christmas with the transformation of Sleeping Beauty's Castle into an ice palace.
You will see one of the biggest Christmas trees you will ever set eyes upon and of course Father Christmas will be meeting and greeting you and your family in his toy workshop.
Standard 1 day tickets cost £48 for adults and £44 for children aged 3-11 years.
There are seven Disney-operated hotels at Disneyland Resort Paris. However, you can also choose to stay in one of the many hotels in Paris which offer free shuttle rides to and from EuroDisney.





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Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 4-31st December
Location: Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Cost: Free
The Biggest Christmas Tree in the World
It might be in the Guiness Book of Records, but not many people have had the pleasure to witness the biggest floating Christmas tree in the world in the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon.
The Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree, standing at 85 metres high and adorned by over 3 million lights this year, is one of Rio De Janeiro's proudest traditions. Over 100,000 people gather around the lighting of the tree in early December and it remains lit to the delight of over a million tourists each year.
This year is the 15th anniversary of the Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree so Rio is sure to be more festive than ever.
Make your reservation now for your Rio De Janeiro hotel and see this great wonder this Christmas.





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Sydney, Australia
Date: 18th November - 25th December 2010
Location: Sydney
Cost: Free
A Sydney Christmas
The Sydney Town Hall is one of Sydney's most famous landmarks, and lately it has also become one of Sydney's most prominent canvases.
This Christmas the external walls of the Sydney Town Hall will be lit up by decorative projectors to present some wonderful photo opportunities.
Every night from 18 November to 25 December images evoking A Sydney Christmas will be projected onto Sydney Town Hall, injecting a big does of Australian into the festive season.
With so many hotels near the Sydney Town Hall, A Sydney Christmas is a very accessible event for the whole family.





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Tokyo, Japan
Date: 11th November - 25th December 2010
Location: Tokyo
Cost: Free 
Marunouchi Bright Christmas 2010
Everyone has their own ways of celebrating the Christmas holidays. Most people put up colorful brilliant decors dangling around their Christmas trees and houses, while others may be satisfied with the presence of their loved ones and families during their festivities. But why not do both to get the most out of your Christmas? 
Japan is one place that puts up an amazing and breathtaking illumination displays when it comes to the Christmas season. The display along Marunouchi Naka-dori (the avenue connecting Yurakucho and Otemachi) will include nearly 850,000 champagne-coloured LEDs. Additionally, there'll also be an 8m tall Christmas tree (displaying gold and silver lights and a range of specially imported decorations) on display at Marucube, situated on the first floor of the Marunouchi Building.
The display will be open from November 11 to December 25, 2010 and there is no charge! With all the singing and frolicking around, you might want to extend your stay in Tokyo. There's a wide selection of affordable Tokyo hotels you can choose from. Just don't forget to bring your camera and capture all the precious moments you'll have with your family!