*Mariah Carey voice.* It’s tiiime! The holiday season — and perhaps more importantly, “Let’s circle back in the new year” season — is finally upon us. Your schedule is probably pretty packed already, but here at “Your Month IRL,” Bustle’s monthly roundup of in-person events, I’m confident you can squeeze even more fun into your December calendar.
If you need a little holiday spirit, look no further. Here, you can find festivities from seasonal concerts to light shows to a real-life North Pole. But, there’s still plenty to do if that isn’t your thing (or if you’re tired of hearing Michael Bublé songs). Hit up a local chocolate festival, watch the latest season of a Netflix show featuring your fave French expat, or get to planning an exciting New Year’s Eve trip. Whatever your plans, December is certainly looking merry and bright.
— Megan LaCreta, Editorial Associate
Some dates and details to keep in mind, regardless of which city you call home.
The North Pole may be a lot closer than you think. Leavenworth, WA, is home to a real-life Bavarian-style village that looks straight out of a snow globe. Check out the Reindeer Farm and the Nutcracker Museum while you’re there, and don’t miss the magical Village of Lights festival.
Get into the spirit and grab some tickets to the Pentatonix Christmas in the City tour. The a cappella group will be performing shows across the country this month, so wherever you are, you’re in for a merry, musical treat.
Indulge your sweet tooth with handcrafted chocolate treats at the Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival, from chocolate truffles to caramels to brownies, and more. You can even sip on a chocolate martini while browsing the local artisan market, and get some holiday shopping out of the way while you’re at it. Better yet, tickets are only $5.
It’s been a long time coming, but Taylor Swift’s backstage look at the historic Eras Tour, The End Of An Era, finally hits Disney+ this month, on Dec. 12. Gather your fellow Swifties and some friendship bracelet supplies, and get ready to relive the magic one more time (or stream it as many times as your heart desires).
If a European vacation isn’t in the cards for your holiday break, then the new season of Emily in Paris will fill the Eiffel Tower-shaped hole in your heart. Emily is finally up to her globe-trotting hijinks again in the show’s highly anticipated fifth season, premiering on Netflix on Dec. 18.
Watching the ball drop in Times Square is fun… the first time. It might be time to shake up your New Year’s Eve plans. For country music lovers, Nashville is the place to be to start 2026 off on the right foot. Jack Daniel's hosts a free outdoor concert, Nashville’s Big Bash, headlined this year by Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, and more. Find more info here.
There’s no better way to spend a chilly day in NYC than taking a trip to the theater — and you don’t have to go all the way to Broadway to find incredible performances. Dirty Books, playing now at the Bated Breath Theatre, dives into the heated battle over obscenity laws and book bans in mid-century America. Get your tickets here.
— Megan LaCreta, Editorial Associate
WildLanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo brings some much-needed brightness to Seattle’s darkest time of the year. While the animals sleep, you can walk the grounds and take in vibrant lantern displays showcasing flora and fauna from around the world. The immersive experience runs from Nov. 22 to Jan. 18, with special theme nights to add to the fun.
— Stephanie Topacio Long, Copy Editor & Contributing Editor
Nothing says "‘tis the season" quite like ice skating, unless of course you follow it up with a mug of hot chocolate. To bring your inner figure skater to life, hit up the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, where you'll also find pretty lights, boardwalk-style games, open-air dining, cozy fire pits, and a view of the river.
— Carolyn Steber, Staff Writer
Spending a balmy winter in Miami Beach? Consider making time for Art Basel from Dec. 5-7. Whether you’re here for the art, fashion, or celeb-spotting, you can’t go wrong exploring this staple of Miami’s international culture scene.
— Grace Wehniainen, Staff Writer
Have an event for our monthly roundup? Send it to bustlecalendar@bustle.com.
