A Worldwide Guide to December's Best Events

December marks the start of the holiday season for many around the world, making it to enjoy some time off by exploring seasonal events and cultural activities.

Below we pick out some of our global highlights, including a Lagos photography festival to an art biennale in Kochi.

Athens Avant-Garde Film Festival, Athens, Greece (3 - 17 December)

The 14th edition of the Athens Avant-Garde Film Festival proves what a film festival can offer without a large budget, glamorous stars, or high-profile sponsors. This year's robust programme features ten films from major international festivals, alongside twenty-four experimental films, an homage to Thanassis Rentzis and a special programme exploring what political cinema is today.

Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Kochi, India (12 December - 31 March 2026)

Set against the usually sleepy town of Fort Kochi, Kerala, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is the largest showcase of art in South Asia, bringing together a global community of creatives, curators and art enthusiasts. This year's biennale is curated by Indian artist Nikhil Chopra.

Lagos Photo Festival, Lagos, Nigeria (Until 23 January 2026)

The 15th edition of the annual LagosPhoto Festival will address the theme of incarceration. The festival asks how images can expose, challenge, and reimagine carceral structures. This year, exhibitors include Beninese photographer Ishola Akpo, Californian artist Adrian L. Burrell, and Ghanaian filmmaker and photographer Carlos Idun-Tawiah.

NADA Miami, Miami, USA (2-6 December)

Rather than aligning itself with the art world, NADA Miami's founders connect to the word “alliance”, and are committed to fostering a new form of allyship in a creative context. This year, the fair will feature nearly 140 galleries, art spaces, and nonprofit organisations spanning 30 countries and 65 cities.

Les Arcs Film Festival, Les Arcs, France (13 - 20 December)

For its 17th edition, the Les Arcs Film Festival tackles an essential and topical theme: Cinema & Democracy. Set in the Alps, the programme will putt Greece in the spotlight by highlighting the richness of contemporary Greek cinema, as well as including around a hundred films from all over Europe, as well as talks, short films and DJ sets.

Untitled Art Fair, Miami, USA (3-7 December)

Untitled Art is a contemporary art fair that takes place during Miami Art Week. Guided by a mission to support the wider art ecosystem, Untitled Art Fair offers an inclusive platform for discovering art that prioritises collaboration within each aspect of the fair.

Wonderfruit, Chon Buri, Thailand (11-15 December)

Taking place annually at Siam Country Club, near Pattaya, Thailand, Wonderfruit has evolved into one of the most influential festivals in the region. Each year, it boasts a genre-spanning lineup that features talent from all corners of the Asian continent and beyond. This year, the festival will feature A Guy Called Gerald, Objekt and Pearson Sound, among many others.

Gateway Festival, Melbourne, Australia (6 December)

Gateway Festival returns for its second year to Heidi Sculpture Park in Bulleen, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. This year the lineup features a mix of local and international talent, with sets from Lena Willikens, Baby G and Gene On Earth.

Open Sound Festival, Basilicata, Italy (19-28 December)

Open Sound Festival happens in the heart of Basilicata, Southern Italy, across five days. The first weekend will take place in the historic city of Matera and the second weekend moves to the Malconsiglio Castle in Miglionico.