The Biggest and Best Events of 2024

There’s only one way to kick off January, and that’s with a party. While iconic spots like Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Times Square in the Big Apple and the London Eye know how to put on a show, no one does it quite like Dubai. Kick-off 2024 from Address Beach Resort’s ZETA Seventy Seven, equipped with picture-perfect views of firework hotspot Burj Khalifa. The extravaganza has a circus theme, so you know you’ll be starting off the year in style.

The festivities continue in Melbourne later in the month with the Australian Open, the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events. Make United Places Hotel Botanic Gardens your home for the event, it’s just a short, scenic stroll to Rod Laver Arena through the Botanic Gardens and along the Yarra River.

February welcomes the Year of the Dragon, and there’s no better place to celebrate Lunar New Year than Hong Kong. A stay at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, puts you right in the heart of the city to experience all the celebration has to offer, from flower markets at Victoria Park to wishing trees in the village of Lam Tseun. Those born under the dragon sign are said to be creative, curious and determined, just like the city itself.

The biggest carnival in the world also takes place this month: Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. With two million people hitting the streets per day during the week-long festival, find solace beyond the parties, parades and performances at Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, the crown jewel of Copacabana Beach equipped with views of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is also set for February, and Super Bowl LVIII takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the first time the city will host the event. Find yourself on The Strip and take in the Sphere—a revolutionary venue named to Time’s list of the Best Inventions of 2023.

The glitz and glamour continues in March with the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Who will the Oscars go to? We’re not sure, but in the meantime, explore the best places to stay, dine and explore in the City of Angels. Over in Miami, brace yourself for Miami Music Week, a weeklong marathon of electronic dance music. Amidst the pulsating beats, find a haven of good vibes at SLS South Beach—a dream world that seamlessly blends Latin, Asian, contemporary and Art Deco influences.

For events with a slower pace this month, embrace the colors of Holi in India or stroll amongst the magical sakura in Japan. Observe the beauty of the country’s national flower from the iconic Grand Hyatt Tokyo in the heart of Roppongi Hills.

A total eclipse of the sun, dubbed the Great North American Eclipse, will be visible across the continent in April. The path of the shadow of totality, in which the Sun is entirely covered by the Moon, runs from the Pacific coast of Mexico to South Bird Island off the coast of Newfoundland. Fogo Island Inn is inviting eclipse chasers and skywatchers to travel to its corner of the Earth to take in the solar event alongside the experts, including a former NASA aerospace research engineer.

Down in Massachusetts, runners gear up for the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon. Serving as the home for the top competitors is Boston icon Fairmont Copley Plaza, located near the historic finish line. On race morning, staff at the property gather to cheer on determined race-goers.

Songkran or Thai New Year is also set for April. Celebrate the festivities with a slowcation at The Sukhothai Bangkok, an urban oasis with one of the city’s most serene private gardens and a soon-to-be-unveiled new spa complex.

In May, the Eurovision Song Contest lands in Malmö, Sweden, the seventh time the country has hosted the contest. And it’s a special one—2024 marks 50 years since Abba won the 1974 contest for Sweden with the classic “Waterloo.” Following a week filled with the harmonious melodies of 37 European countries, treat yourself to a moment of tranquility in Stockholm. Hotel Diplomat offers waterfront views that showcase the pristine pastel-hued beauty of Sweden’s capital city.

The Great Wall Marathon, which follows a route that includes the ramparts of the Great Wall of China, takes place near Beijing this month. Considered one of the most challenging marathons, finding a good place to rest those feet is essential. Housed in a historic building and steps away from China’s most iconic site, Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing provides a sanctuary of tranquility in the capital.

Meanwhile, the Palme d’Or is awarded to the best film at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Experience all the movie star magic at Mediterranean gem Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa. Down under, Vivid Sydney, an annual festival of light, music and ideas, takes place in the capital. Catch the magic from your stay at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney home to the best views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Football. Soccer. Whatever you call it, fans of the game can gear up in June for two of the sport’s biggest tournaments. The Euro 2024 football tournament kicks off in Germany, with the final set to be in Berlin at the Olympic Stadium. A short 20-minute drive to the stadium is Hotel de Rome in the prestigious Bebelplatz. A week later, the Copa América tournament begins in the United States, with the final in Miami. Celebrations are expected to be big, so go bold with a stay at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, perfectly situated on oceanfront Collins Avenue in the heart of Millionaire’s Row.

June also sees the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begin, hosted jointly by the United States and the West Indies. Cricket fans hope it will be a coming-out party for the sport in America. The Women’s Twenty20 World Cup follows in September. Over in Europe, the Tour de France rides through Italy, San Marino, Monaco and, of course, France.

In July, all eyes will be on Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. It’s been 100 years since the Games were last held in the city, and this time around the opening ceremony will take place on the River Seine, with athletes participating in a river parade. There will be no ceremony admission fee for most spectators, so a hotel close by is a must to grab a great seat—Shangri-La Paris, the former home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, will do just fine.

Across the English Channel over in London this month, Wimbledon gets underway at The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. Where to stay for the oldest tennis tournament in the world? The Connaught in London’s Mayfair Village. But if the Grand Slam isn’t calling your name, take to another tennis hotel this month.

Tomatoes and sand take over August. It starts in the Valencian town of Buñol, home of La Tomatina—the Spanish tomato-throwing food fight festival. The remedy for getting all those stains out? A little sun, sea and surf at the nearby Mediterranean hotspot Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort.

Equally entertaining, Burning Man takes to the Nevada Desert in August. A week-long large-scale desert event focused on “community, art, self-expression and self-reliance,” it’s only right to top off this bucket-list experience with a bucket-list Vegas stay at iconic Bellagio. Bring on the fountains.

It may be called Oktoberfest, but it kicks off in September. The world’s largest Volkfest—locally called “Wiesn”—was established in 1810 as a wedding celebration for King Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Munich is the proud host and welcomes you to enjoy a beer, or two or three. The Bavarian city’s rich heritage is on full display at nearby Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor.

The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place in September, too. Also known as the Moon Festival, it’s a time to gather friends and family and enjoy mooncakes, lanterns and moon gazing. Take to Art Deco-inspired Peninsula Shanghai, overlooking The Bund with its perfect Golden Age touches, for all celebrations.

In October, the 37th America’s Cup sails into Barcelona. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is defending the title in the oldest competition in international sport. A fantastic spot to take it in is W Barcelona, perfectly placed on the city’s beachfront along the famous Barcelona boardwalk.

The inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo takes to the stage in several venues across Hong Kong. Featuring music, drama and dance, you’ll want to stay somewhere that’s equally as artful—make that The Upper House, overlooking stunning Victoria Harbor.

In November, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour finally hits Toronto. Dubbed the tour that “conquered the world” by The New York Times, the pop star’s record-breaking, career-spanning event takes to Rogers Centre for a whopping six shows. Lay out your friendship bracelets and sparkling cowboy boots in your suite at Park Hyatt Toronto, an easy 10-minute drive to the venue. Near world-renowned museums and art galleries, this Yorkville hotspot is the perfect place to meet fellow Swifties.

Holiday cheer is alive and well in December—the best holiday markets around the world prove that. Rather than just watching London light up as you watch The Holiday, Love, Actually and Bridget Jones Diary from your seat on the sofa, book a trip to the English capital to experience the joy of the season in person. You’ll find the best lights along Oxford Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden, but it’ll be hard to leave the comforts of Corinthia Hotel London with its Christmas Garden, holiday afternoon tea and award-winning ESPA spa.