what's on worldwide

India

11-14 Nov

The secluded village of Pushkar has the annual honour of playing host to the world's largest collection of camels, and a substantial number of tourists, during the Pushkar Camel Fair. Camels are bought, sold, and raced during this week long trade fair which culminates on the night of the full moon, with ritual bathing on the 52 sacred Ghats (stepped landings) dotted around the banks of the Anasagar Lake.

Italy

4 Nov

Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco takes place over the final weekends in November, and is a celebration in the name of the white truffle. This is one of the year's top foodie events when restaurants create special truffle menus, and stalls sell the little white treasure at bargain prices, along with other Tuscan goodies such as salami, cheese, olive oil, with lashings of grappa.

Belfast (above)

14-30 November

The Belfast festival is one of the largest festivals in the UK. Two weeks of dance, theatre, visual arts, comedy, film, and music. Notables in attendance include writer Irvine Welsh,comedians Frank Skinner and Arthur Smith and Choreographer Merce Cunningham.

Holland

15 Nov

St Nicholas and his white horse arrive in Amsterdam by boat to a huge welcome procession hosted by the Mayor. St Nick, the city's patron saint, is accompanied by his Moorish servant Black Peter. Dressed in 17th century garb, Peter distributes gingerbread, sweets and nuts to the children of Amsterdam.

Thailand

15-16 Nov

Spectators outnumber the elephants during the hugely popular Surin Elephant Roundup. The 100 elephants have been training since the age of four or five, and are now well versed in the art of log-pulling and playing to a crowd. After dressing up costumes of medieval warfare, one of the lucky animals is pitched in a tug-of-war against 100 men.

Compiled by Sarah Barrell