on christmas eve most big cities especially

Dec 8, 2014 • 5 min read. There are few places on earth as festive-feeling as Barcelona's chocolate-box medieval heart over the Christmas period (which here runs until Epiphany, or Twelfth Night). Even the narrowest of alleyways are bathed in the glow of coloured lights, and entire families step out together to soak up the atmosphere, gaze at Public commemoration of Christmas has become more widespread and popular, and many Jews flock to cities with significant Christian populations - especially Nazareth and Haifa - to gaze at the sparkling Christmas decorations, eat holiday treats and shop in Christmas markets. The Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve. Churches are decorated, Christmas trees and bigger Christmas stars from youth groups are the biggest attractions in Kerala. Pork Vindaloo, Beef Stew, and Mappas are the common dishes served during Christmas dinner. Keralites people go from home to home to celebrate and dance during carol time. This tradition is especially big for the Irish who live abroad and who have come home for Christmas, because nothing quite says you're home like a pint at the local, sitting by the fire while Meet the guy, have sex, go back home. At around 5 p.m. on December 24th, 2019, in Swartz Creek, Michigan — a suburb about 20 minutes southwest of Flint — Kevin Bacon, a 25-year-old hairdresser materi pkn kelas 12 semester 1 pdf. I. Choose the best answer A, B, C or D to complete the sentences1. If the factory continues dumping poison.... the lake, all the fish and other aquatic animals will dieA. into B. to C. about D. in2. ............ is the most common natural disaster in your country ? - Why B. How C. Who D. Which3. I couldn’t sleep ............ there was a loud noise next to my door last although B. because C. so D. but4. On Christmas Eve, most big cities, especially London are..........with coloured lights across the streets A. decorated B. hang C. put D. made5. American rarely shake hands to say goodbye, except ............ business occasions A. during B. at C. on D. in6. When a typhoon happened , many houses and roads ............ destroyed or is B. are C. was D. were7. Last year, there was a big typhoon in my area. It caused extensive damage to our ......A. wealth B. furniture C. property D. savings8. ............. workers were sent to the area immediately but no villager was survived when the landslide rescue B. help C. assistance D. volunteer9. .............is the most common natural disaster in your country?A. When B. How C. Who D. Which10. What .............we do to prevent these natural disasters?A. may B. ought C. should D. be ableII. Supply the corect tense or form of the verb in parentheses1. If I beyou, I would think very Most people leavebefore the volcano The train arrive at 6 tomorrow They might be in the This time tomorrow I chat with my cousin in Sydney on C READINGI. Read the following passage and put a word in each of the blanksScotland is in the north of Great Britain. It is 1for its rich culture as well as its amazing natural beauty. 2to this land can spend endless days exploring its historic centuries-old castles. But be aware- legend says that some of them are haunted by ghosts. Fun-lovers can 3its world-famous festival, the Highland Games where they can enjoy unique Scotish activities such as the pipping, drumming and 4 . They can also see traditional sports, or drink whisky with the 5people. Driving through vast green pastures, or boating on scenic lakes- or lochs- are other attractions that Scotland Choose the correct word A, B, C or D for each gap to complete the following passage We are all slowly 1the Earth. The seas and rivers are too dirty to swim in. There is so much smoke in the air that it is unhealthy to live in many of the world’s cities. In one well-known city, for example, poisonous gases 2 cars pollute the air so much that traffic policemen have to wear oxygen masks. We have cut down 3trees that there are now vast areas of waterland all over the world. As a result, farmers in parts of Afica can not grow enough 4. In certain countries in Asia, there is too little rice. Moreover, we do not take enough care of the animals are quickly disappearing. For instance, tigers are rare in India now because we have killed too many of them. However, it isn’t enough simply to talk about the problem. We must act now before it is too late to do 5about it. Join us now. Save the Earth!1. A. destroyed B. destroying C. destroys D. destroy2. A. by B. from C. of D. in3. A, so much B. so few C. so little D. so many4. A. eating B. to eat C. for eat D. to be eaten5. A. anything B. nothing C. everything D. somethingIII. Read the following passage and do the tasks below There are more than 3,000 languages in the world today, but only about six are major languages of the world. Two-thirds of the world’s populations speak those six languages. More than 300,000,000 people speak English as their first or native language. No one knows how many people speak it as a foreign language. Chinese is the only language with more speakers than English. This is because of the huge population of China, more than one billion people. English is the native or official language on the one-fifth of the land area of the world. It is spoken in North America, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. In South Africa and India it is one of the official languages. More people study English than any other languages. In many countries, the textbook in universities are in English. Many university classes are taught in English even though the native language is not English. English is the language of international communication. It is the language of international business, research, and science. More than three-fourths of the world’s mail is written in English. More than three-fifths of the world’s radio stations use English. More than half of the scientific and research journals are in English. Most other languages have borrowed many English Choose the best answer a, B, C or D to complete the sentences1. What language has the most speakers in the world?A. English B. French C. Chinese D. Russian2. people speak English as their first or native Two-thirds of the world’s population B. Over 300 millionC. About 300 million D. nearly 300 billionB. Answer the questions 1. Are Chinese and Arabic probably major languages of the world?……………………………………………………………………………….2. What percent of the world’s radio stations are in English?……………………………………………………………………………….3. Why do some countries use English textbooks even though English is not the native language?………………………………………………………………………………. 3. On Christmas Eve, most big cities, especially London are.........with coloured lights across the streets and enormous Christmas trees. A. decoratedB. hangC. putD. made4. In the United, there are 50 …….and six different time zones across the country. 5. Nowadays you still see the ………men wear kits skirts to wedding or other formal What …… we do to prevent these natural disasters? 7. …….. at someone is usually considered rude. A. PointB. To pointC. To pointingD. Pointing 8. My father shouted at me, …….. made me feel sorrowful. 9. I believe that our new manager has the …… to work well in this business environment. End of previewUpload your study docs or become a text previewA. inflexible B. flexibly C. flexibilityD. flexible 10."Are Mary and Peter still living in Paris?" - "No, they ........ to New York."A. are just moved just moved C. have just moved just move 11. 'What is the ........ of the USA ?' - 'The dollars.'A. current B. population C. territory D. currency 12. We can see many international programs ..................different channels. C. on D. of 13. This hat is different ..................... the one I had. A. for B. to C. from D. at 14. What will happen if the pollution .................. on.?A. puts B. goes C. keeps D. takes Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Instead of visiting a crowded city this Christmas, take a drive to one of America’s small towns that celebrate the holidays in a big way. Bask in the charm of these smaller cities this holiday season, where you can enjoy illuminated parades, charming shops, and town squares lit with sparkling lights. From winter wonderlands to quiet seaside escapes, read on to discover the best small towns to visit for Christmas in the United States. YOU'RE ALL SET! Look out for our newsletters in your inbox soon. An Old Time Christmas Branson, Missouri Known for being America’s Christmas Tree City, Branson is an inviting small town that celebrates Christmas in style. It’s here that you can experience a month-long holiday extravaganza with live music, festive displays of lights, and fun-filled parades. This Midwest city and country music capital offers drive-thru light displays in addition to an illuminated nativity scene atop Mount Branson, while An Old Time Christmas features the largest Christmas display in the area. The Branson Scenic Railway’s Polar Express Train Ride is a favorite with families, with hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of the original story from Santa himself. Penn Square in Lancaster, Pennsylvania Lancaster, Pennsylvania A small town in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lancaster boasts a festive atmosphere amongst Amish farms. There are carriage rides, singing carolers and plenty of gift shopping available at the Lancaster Central Market. Watch the tree lighting ceremony with tuba accompaniment or hop aboard the Strasburg Rail Road for cookies and milk while Victorian-dressed actors read “The Night Before Christmas”, then explore one of Lancaster’s other top attractions. Christmas lights in Woodstock, Vermont Woodstock, Vermont A landscape dotted with steepled churches, covered bridges and ice skating rinks, Woodstock comes alive during the Woodstock Wassail Weekend. After admiring its colonial New England architecture and picturesque river views, enjoy the village’s wagon and sleigh rides, holiday craft fair and performances by local theater and singing troupes. Watch carolers take to the snowy streets and decorated horses trot around downtown with riders dressed in Victorian attire. Christmas in Solvang Solvang, California A Denmark-like destination, Solvang is a Danish village nestled in California. You’ll find unique celebrations in this small town, with around 150 boutiques decked out in traditional Christmas decor selling all kinds of Danish goods such as clogs, high-quality toys and porcelain and lace. After you’ve spent a few hours shopping for gifts, attend the annual Julefest celebrations. Everyone in the family can get into the holiday spirit with its parade of dancers, vintage car displays and horse-drawn carriages. Don’t miss the live nativity pageant that brings to life the Christmas story. Leavenworth, Washington in winter Leavenworth, Washington You’ll be taken aback with the beauty of Leavenworth, as this Bavarian-inspired town is straight out of a fairytale, surrounded by the snow-covered Cascade Mountains. A planned storybook village with steep roofs and trees lit with a half-million Christmas lights, you can skip the flight to Europe and enjoy sizzling bratwurst, Gluhwein hot mulled wine and roasted nuts. Join in the week-long Christkindlmarkt festivities, watch hand-bell concerts and see the over-the-top decorated outdoor tree. Night of Lights, St. Augustine St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine is one of the most charming Christmas towns in Florida. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a warm-weather holiday getaway, while its lack of snow is replaced with an uber-festive annual Night of Lights festival. The city is glowing with lights, candles, and Christmas decor, and you can see it all aboard the Old Town Trolley’s Famous Night of Lights Tour. The city also has other family-friendly events, including colorful boat displays at the Regatta of Lights. Participate in the much-loved Holiday Tour of Inns, or bring the kids to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum on Luminary Night to say hello to Santa. Tree Lighting in Natchez, Mississippi Natchez, Mississippi One of the most charming small towns in the United States, Natchez is known for its Southern hospitality and historic homes. The picturesque Mississippi town is a great place to escape the crowds this holiday season and enjoy a quiet riverside setting. There are plenty of holly jolly happenings, including brightly colored lights on Main Street and an annual tree-lighting event on Thanksgiving weekend that features pyrotechnics set to music, visits with Santa, caroling around the tree, and tasty food vendors. You can also tour Sunnyside, which is the “Biltmore of Natchez” and an elegant 1850s Greek revival gem in the historic downtown, then shop for gifts at Darby’s or antiques at Hal Garner at Nest. Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas Dahlonega, Georgia Dahlonega is considered one of the most fun and festive Christmas towns in Georgia for a reason. Tucked away in northern Georgia, about 75 miles from Atlanta, this town boasts an array of festive events and holiday displays around town. Its Main Street is so picture-perfect that it’s been featured in popular Hallmark movies. Typically running for a full month the day after Thanksgiving, its popular Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration includes Santa visits, lighting of the downtown square, a parade, and other festivities like caroling and Christmas-themed theater events. Christmas decorations at the Gilded mansions in Newport Newport, Rhode Island Beloved for its beautiful coastline, Newport is a charming city with stunning beaches, waterfront hotels, and plenty of New England charm. During Christmas, the Holidays at the Newport Mansions provides the perfect mix of opulence and Christmas magic, with Newport’s Gilded Age mansions decked with ornamented trees, holiday lights, wreaths, dining tables set with period silver and china, and more. You can also bundle up and see the Illuminated Boat Parade at the harbor, where colorful boats compete for the best decorated. Christmas in Newport is another notable event, featuring multiple activities, like concerts, tree lighting, craft fairs, and candlelit house tours. Alexandria, Virginia at Christmas Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is often named among the most magical Christmas towns in the Stepping into the historic old town, you’ll feel as if you were transported into a real-life Dickens Village with its 18th-century row houses. The long list of holiday events begins with the annual Tree Lighting in front of City Hall, musical performances, and an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Time-honored festivities also include the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade and the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on the Potomac River. Frankenmuth Frankenmuth, Michigan You’ll be lured in by the charm of Frankenmuth, Michigan, as this small Bavarian-inspired town boasts a traditional Christkindmarkt in December. Visit to experience its whimsical light displays, holiday-themed historic house tours and dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the popular Zehnder’s Restaurant. If you need to do some Christmas shopping, head to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas-themed store with over 96,000 square feet of retail space packed with more than 300 Christmas trees. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Durango, Colorado Durango is a top pick in Colorado during Christmas, as it offers a winter wonderland scene with seasonal activities like sleigh rides, dazzling light displays, and ice skating in the heart of town. However, its main attraction is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Families can hop aboard the locomotive and take a journey in and out of the foothills towards the “North Pole” via the Polar Express train ride, which brings the award-winning The Polar Express book and movie to life, complete with Santa, his elves, and many of your favorite characters. Just north of town at Purgatory Resort, you can enjoy snowboarding, skiing, and other popular winter sports Holiday Light Show in At Coeur d'Alene Coeur d'Alene, Idaho One of the most beautiful towns in Idaho, Coeur d’Alene is even more picture-perfect in winter with its snowy Christmas setting. The popular Holiday Light Show features over million lights, and the annual tradition gets bigger and better every year. Watch the most magnificent fireworks display in the Pacific Northwest when they flip the switch and light up the lake at its Annual Lighting Ceremony, then Journey to the North Pole on 40-minute holiday lake cruises to view the twinkling lights displays and visit Santa Claus and his elves at his waterfront toy workshop. Santa Claus even reads each child’s name from the Nice List. If you have some last-minute shopping to do, Downtown Coeur d’Alene has an eclectic mix of shops on Sherman Avenue, Lakeside, and Front Streets. Stay at Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort and choose packages that include cruise tickets, cookies delivered to your room by Santa’s elves, and fireside story time. City of Taunton Lighting of the Green Taunton, Massachusetts Taunton, Massachusetts is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in New England, so much so that it has been nicknamed “The Christmas City” for its over-the-top holiday cheer. Not only does the town’s classic winter setting blanketed in snow create the perfect scenery for Christmas, but it also boasts an annual Lighting of the Green and Lights On festival, an event that has been going strong for over 100 years. The spectacle includes a Christmas parade, light displays, fireworks, kid-friendly activities, and live entertainment on historic Taunton Green. Natchitoches, Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana A top Louisiana town that knows how to celebrate Christmas the right way, Natchitoches showcases more than 300,000 lights and 100 set pieces for its downtown display. Set along the banks of Cane River Lake, the city has a six-week-long Christmas Festival celebration that started way back in 1927. The festival is a huge draw for families in the area, where you’ll find a boat parade, fireworks, a holiday market selling Natchitoches meat pie, and romantic carriage rides through the historic district. Santa Claus, Indiana Santa Claus, Indiana What could be a better Christmas destination than a city called Santa Claus? Its population hovers around 2,500, but that doesn’t stop them from going over the top for the holiday season. It’s a three-weekend celebration in this town, where you can roast chestnuts on an open fire at Santa’s Candy Castle, then visit the Santa Claus Arts & Crafts Show and check out the Santa Claus Christmas Parade. There’s an LED-light display that tells the story of Rudolph in addition to a Christmas store, Christmas museum and letter-writing activity to Santa himself. Fredericksburg Christmas Pyramid Fredericksburg, Texas Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg will give you a dose of small-town Texas. Soak up the Christmastime charm at one of the many holiday events held here, as its old-fashioned celebrations include carolers, parades, concerts and Nutcracker performances. Located just west of Austin, this three-day festival lures visitors in from around the state who want to go gift shopping in the 150 boutiques, admire the 30-foot Christmas tree in the middle of the Marktplatz and sip on mulled wine. Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles Skaneateles, New York Skaneateles is a charming small town nestled in the picturesque Finger Lakes, where Dickensian characters from Tiny Tim to the Ghost of Christmas Past show up to celebrate the annual Dickens Festival. Step back in time with the array of characters dressed up in Victorian costume, then hop on one of the horse-drawn carriage rides, listen to the live bagpiper or simply stroll through the village and nibble on roasted chestnuts. Make sure to catch the World’s Smallest Christmas Parade Ever and a mini-performance of “A Christmas Carol”. Seaside, FL Seaside, Florida If you want to escape the cold for Christmas, head to Seaside, Florida for a coastal holiday celebration. Located on Florida’s Emerald Coast, Seaside is known for its fresh seafood, charming boutiques, and candy-colored homes. Wintertime offers a quiet atmosphere with its post office and iconic Coleman Beach Pavilion wrapped in 4,500 lights, where you can spend time taking scenic walks or drives, photographing palm trees decorated in twinkling lights and attending the annual Turn On the Town celebration with parades, Santa Claus, and the lighting of a Christmas tree. Big Spring Christmas Parade Big Spring, Texas Located in the heart of West Texas, Big Spring offers an all-American Christmas getaway. Nicknamed the “Lighted Poinsettia Capital of Texas,” there’s plenty of festive cheer to go around. Follow the Comanche Trail Festival of Lights to see more than one million colorful lights from the warmth of your car, or catch Big Spring’s annual Christmas Parade on Scurry Street to see elaborate floats. One of the most festive places to stay is Hotel Settles, a beautifully restored luxury hotel that has a brunch buffet with Mr. & Mrs. Santa Clause, cookie decorating, yuletide tunes, and a large tree in its lobby. The annual Lighted Christmas Parade in Atchison, Kansas. Atchison, Kansas If you’re looking for a small town in the that does Christmas big, head to Atchison, Kansas for a fun-filled holiday season. The annual Sights and Sounds event features a long list of activities to choose from, including free carriage rides, a Santa house, story time aboard the Atchison Trolley, holiday photo opportunities, and more. Entertainment comes in the form of a Mr. & Miss Winter Wonderland Pageant, a coloring contest, and a North Pole Village where kids can write letters for Santa and drop them off. Don’t miss the lighted Christmas parade through downtown Atchison, which is the grand finale of the Sights & Sounds of Christmas event. Popular Stories Choose the correct option A, B, C or D to complete the Singapore is famous for its …………. And green cleanlinessB. cleanlyC. cleaningD. clean2. On Christmas Eve, most big cities, especially London are ……………. with coloured lights across the streets and enormous Christmas decoratedB. hangC. putD. made3. In the United State, there are 50 …………… and six different time zones across the decoratedB. nationsC. townsD. countries4. I once tried to ………… apple pie when I was in London. It was really doB. cookC. makeD. show5. You should go to Canada in summer because it is the most popular time for visitors to ………….. Niagara Falls and see the beautiful sights stayB. lookC. tourD. visit6. Nowadays you still see the ……….. men wear kilts skirts to wedding or other formal ScottishB. ScotlandC. ScotsD. Scot7. The USA has a population of about 304 million, and it’s the third ……… country in the smallestB. largestC. narrowestD. highest8. In some English speaking countries, turkey and pudding are ……….. food at nationalB. historicalC. traditionalD. possible9. New Zealand ………… lovers of nature and fans of dangerous attractsB. keepsC. callsD. asks10. Queenstown in New Zealand has got beautiful ……… and a dry climate, so it’s ideal for outdoor lookB. viewingC. atmosphereD. scenery Christmas and New Year's is a great time to visit Europe. German Christmas markets, speeches from the Pope, big New Year's parties, presents from the Three Kings in January, visits to Santa in Lapland—every country in Europe can make your Christmas extra special. One thing to bear in mind is that in much of Europe, Christmas Eve is a bigger deal than Christmas Day. Children open their presents at midnight, after a big meal with their family. What this means for you, the visitor is that in most cities in Europe on Christmas Day you'll find shop, restaurants, and bars open especially in the evening. Often New Year's celebrations start with the bells at midnight, followed by partying until the early hours of the morning. This is particularly the case in Spain, which is famous for its late nightlife. Though December is very much in the "off-season," Christmas is an exception, so make sure you book your hotels early. 01 of 11 Italy Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images Christmas in Italy is a very special time. Much of Italy is Catholic and the Vatican is in Rome, so the opportunities to experience age-old traditions will enrich your December trip to Italy. La Festa di San Silvestro, New Year's Eve, is celebrated all over Italy with a special traditional dinner, fireworks, music and dancing, and prosecco, Italian sparkling wine. The Fat Ox Fair is held in Bologna on New Year's Eve. Age-old New Year's traditions like throwing your old things out the window to symbolize your readiness to accept the New Year and wearing red underwear to ring in the New Year for good luck are still carried out, especially in the south. Rome and Naples, with its amazing fireworks, are good places to celebrate in Italy. 02 of 11 Germany Tim Graham/Getty Images Major German Christmas Traditions you'll want to know about include the origin of the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree, or Tannenbaum, first made its literary appearance in 1605 in a chronicle out of Strasbourg in Alsace, then a part of Germany. Christmas Markets are magical and are held in the main town plazas throughout Germany. You can shop for wooden ornaments, drink mulled wine and savor spicy Lebkuchen. Germany has many ski resorts and winter sports opportunities to ensure you have a white Christmas. 03 of 11 Switzerland Mats Silvan There is no better background for Christmas than the Swiss Alps. Switzerland's Christmas Markets don't go back in history as far as Germany's, but they've become very popular. Horse-drawn sleighs are a common sight at ski resorts. There are local customs like in Gstaad, where Santa Claus pays a visit and walks with the town’s children from the historic Posthotel Rössli to the church. 04 of 11 Portugal Rui M. Leal/Getty Images The Janeiras is a Portuguese tradition consisting of a group of people strolling the streets of a town singing in the New Year. To the modern eye, Janeiras is like Christmas caroling as this tradition involves a group of friends or neighbors going from house to house singing and sometimes playing instruments. Nativity scenes are a major custom in Portugal, with one of the biggest can be found in Penela where the locals put together a "living" Christmas display, the largest in Europe. Hundreds of wooden animated figures tell the story of the birth of Jesus. These 3D figures are all hand painted. Continue to 5 of 11 below. 05 of 11 Austria Imagno/Getty Images One of our favorite Christmas songs comes from Austria. Silent Night or "Stille Nacht" is sung the world over, although it's sung a bit differently than the piece Franz Gruber had originally written. If you're in Austria in early December, Salzburg is a great destination, with its Salzberg Advent Singing Festival. There are traditions throughout the towns of Austria such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, Christmas Markets, and traditionally decorated trees. 06 of 11 France Chesnot/Getty Images Since 1962, all letters sent by kids in France to Santa get a response. France has some interesting Christmas customs. French Nativity scenes, especially in the home, have clay figures in them. The figures are sold at pre-Christmas markets. Yule logs are part of Christmas and the Christmas Eve dinner is the most important meal. Young French people often go clubbing in Paris or other big French cities on New Year's Eve, but France offers some unique alternative ways to celebrate New Year's Eve. You can enjoy a romantic Seine River cruise, a torchlight procession to pick grapes at midnight, or an illuminated city tour of Avignon. 07 of 11 United Kingdom and Ireland Tim Graham/Getty Images You can find fascinating Christmas Markets in the Get a sense of Christmas in Ireland via The Irish Twelve Days of Christmas. London is a special place at Christmas with Christmas markets, winter festivals, and twinkling lights. Harry Potter's Hogwarts in the Snow is a popular draw. The highlight of New Year's Eve in London is the huge fireworks display. Lots of London clubs have special New Year's Eve parties and restaurants have special New Year's Eve dinners. You can also take a cruise on the River Thames or attend the largest fetish ball in Europe, the Torture Garden New Year's Eve Ball. Nowhere is New Year's Eve more important than in Scotland, where it is known as Hogmanay. The celebration has its origins in the celebration of the winter solstice among the Vikings. 08 of 11 Greece NurPhoto/Getty Images Saint Nick is short for Saint Nicolas which is certainly a Greek name. Could Santa be Greek? The Christmas Customs of Greece are unique. In Greece, the Christmas season is in full swing by December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, when presents are exchanged, and lasts through January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany. In Greece, you will find less commercialized decorating but the Yule Log tradition is alive and well as is some interesting elf lore. Continue to 9 of 11 below. 09 of 11 Spain Artur Debat/Getty Images Christmas goes on longer in Spain than in most countries, with Three Kings' Day in January being the most important day for children this is when they get their biggest presents. New Year's Eve Noche Vieja in Spain is a party night like everywhere else in the world, though the structure is a little different from in other countries. It starts late and involved eating 12 grapes with the strokes of a bell at midnight. This tradition was started by some shrewd farmers about 100 years ago when they were left with too many grapes after the harvest. 10 of 11 Iceland Justin Reznick Photography/Getty Images Christmas in Iceland is full of lore and tradition. In fact, you'll find that they have 13 Santas. The origin of the Icelandic "Santas" is centuries old, and each has its own name, character, and role. Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, is known as a good place to party on the long, dark winter nights. New Year's Eve starts out calmly with a service in the Cathedral, dinner, and a bonfire. At midnight, the fireworks go off and then it's downtown to party until at least 5 11 of 11 Holland John Van Hasselt - Corbis/Getty Images In recent years, Christmas celebrations in the Netherlands have been a bit controversial, due to the presence of Zwarte Piet Black Pete, Santa's African helper, who is usually portrayed by a white Dutchman in blackface. Christmas in Holland is full of lights and decorations. New Year's Eve in Holland is really called Old Year's Evening. But whatever you call it, if you're looking for the big party scene, New Year's Eve in Amsterdam is the place to go. The streets and squares will be filled with people and there are plenty of parties in bars and clubs. Not the place to be if you don't like crowds.

on christmas eve most big cities especially