Mark Your Calendars — Winter Med Activities

Don’t duck down under your duvets now that winter’s here. “Cheers, big ears! It’s Vin Chaud (mulled wine) time!” Murder the mince pies, holler loud and lustily at the carol concerts, cavort at the Carnivals, sink in a bit of culture, rummage for vintage at jumble sales and dance yourself dizzy into the New Year and beyond. Get your iPads and pencils at the ready, please — here’s how you do it:

It’s Gospel Night at the Palais Nikaia, Nice
December 8, 2011, 8:00 p.m.
For the 10th consecutive year, it’s Gospel Night at the Palais Nikaia, Nice, featuring Craig Adams & the Voices of New Orleans, Jean Carpenter & the Gospel Spirit Singers and Wesley Seme Jones and Mass choir. Tickets are priced from 31 euros. www.ticketnet.fr

The PYA Annual Christmas Ball
December 16, 2011, 8:00 p.m.
Carlton InterContinental Hotel
Cocktails will being to flow at 8:00 p.m. and dinner will start at 9, then shimmer across the dance floor with The Phly Boyz and Sounds Alive. Sag back down on a chaise longue for the raffle roll call. Be sure to inquire about special room rates for PYA Ball guests. www.pya.org

The Moscow Ballet presents Swan Lake and the Nutcracker
January 3 and 4, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Head to Palma Auditorium, Palma de Majorca, to swoon into the New Year in a puff of romantic tragedy as The Moscow Ballet performs the ballets best loved by the Mallorcans: Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Ticket start at 42.28 euros. www.auditoriumpalma.com

Epiphany
January 5, 2012 Cavalcada dels Reis, Barcelona  
Epiphany is the big Spanish Christmas event — celebrated with the parade of the Three Kings through towns and villages. In Barcelona, Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar arrive on board the Santa Eulalia and parade through the town with elves, clowns and acrobats. In the evening, children leave their shoes out stuffed with hay for the kings’ camels and in the morning they’re full of presents — if they’ve been good — or edible sugar coal, if they haven’t. Don’t miss the Festa dels Tres Tombs celebrated throughout the region around St. Anthony’s Day.

The BWA Snow Cup
Valberg, France
January 26 and 27, 2012
Slaloms, ski, snowboard and snow shoe competitions tipped this as one of the hottest events in zero temperatures last year. This year is sure to be better yet! For more info, contact monaco@bwayachting.com.

Il Carnevale
February 5, 2012 and consecutive Sundays until March 3, 2012
You’re not dreaming, there really are huge, scary monsters dawdling past the aft deck and through the streets of Viareggeio, it’s Il Carnevale. So get into the groove and side-step the giants.

The Riviera Yacht Support Snow Bonanza 2012
Auron, France
March 23, 2012
Saving the best ‘til last, the Riviera Yacht Support Snow Bonanza 2012 is a legend in its own lifetime — snow-seriously silly slaloms and “sink it in one” digestifs at the finish lines, sumptuous lunch and sunshine! www.rivierayachtsupport.com