Lerwick Up Helly Aa

Date: January29.

Location: Lerwick, Shetland Islands.

Description: Britain's most magnificent fire festival, incorporating the burning of a Viking galley and a torch-lit parade of 800 people, dressed as Vikings or in fancy-dress.

Contact: 01595 693434.

Link: whatsonwhen.com/events/~22534.jml.

Brive-la-Gaillarde Goose Fair

Date: January 26.

Location: Place de la Guierle, Brive-la-Gaillarde, Limousin, France, 19100.

Description: Famous for its "foie", Brive's annual fair celebrates all things goose.

Contact: 0033 5 5592 3939.

Link: whatsonwhen.com/events/~24989.jml.

Miami Art Deco Weekend

Date: January 18-20.

Location: South Beach, Miami, Florida, US.

Description: Miami remembers its pastel past with big band jazz, street theatre and colourful processions.

Contact: Art Deco Welcome Centre 001 305 672 2014.

Link: whatsonwhen.com/events/~14230.jml.

Setsubun (Bean Throwing Festival)

Date: February 3.

Location: Japan.

Description: Scattered soybeans signify an end to winter and a banishment of evil spirits in one of Japan's most colourful festivals.

Contact: +81 (0) 3 3201 3331.

Link: whatsonwhen.com/events/~18142.jml.