As midnight approaches, two dozen newly refurbished bells at Notre Dame ring in the New Year from the illuminated towers rising above Ile de la Cité on the Seine. Just reopened after a major fire shuttered the cathedral for a five-year repair and renovation, visitor demand for the cathedral is expected to flourish.
And in the heart of New York City, the countdown to 2025 is chanted by thousands of revelers packed into Times Square for the iconic ball drop.
Later in the month, the start of the Year of the Snake slithers its way onto the Lunar New Year calendar on the 29th of January.
But that’s just the beginning. Take a look at these top cultural events — and a culinary one — taking place in Northern California and in locations around the world during January 2025. Keep an eye out for another roundup in our February 2025 Events Calendar, coming soon.
January 2025
Jan. 22
San Francisco Ballet | Opening Night Gala
The ultimate convergence of ballet, fashion, music, and visual art. In support of the ballet’s artistic initiatives and scholarships for SF Ballet School, with Honorary Gala Chair Ayesha Curry. City Hall and War Memorial Opera House. sfballet.org
Jan. 24 – Feb. 1
San Francisco Ballet | Manon
Manon’s struggle to escape poverty makes this a dramatic and devastating story, showcasing the juxtaposition between her impoverished origins and the lavish world she longs to inhabit, ultimately paying the price for true love and freedom. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfballet.org
Dec. 24, 2024 – Jan. 6, 2026
Jubilee (Holy Year), Rome
Once every 25 years, Roman Catholics commemorate their faith in a yearlong Jubilee, or Holy Year. On Dec. 24, 2024, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to an anticipated 25 million pilgrims. The Jubilee ends with the Epiphany more than one year later, in January 2026. vatican.va
Jan. 1, 2025
136th Tournament of Roses, Pasadena, California
Bright and early at 8 a.m., some 800,000 spectators are on hand as “The Best Day Ever” kicks off the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade. Along the 5 1/2-mile route, marching bands, equestrian units, and intricate floral floats are presented to the world as America’s New Year Celebration®. At 1 p.m., there’s another exciting kickoff inside Rose Bowl Stadium. tournamentofroses.com
Throughout 2025
Museum Island, Berlin
The UNESCO World Heritage Site in Berlin’s historic center displays valuable treasures covering 6.000 years of human history. Among the many treasures at Museum Island, the world famous 3,000-year-old bust of Nefertiti can be viewed. In 2025, Berlin celebrates the 200th anniversary since construction of the Altes Museum, the first of the city’s five world famous museums. visitberlin.de
Jan. 15 – 20, 2025
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman | Cayman Cookout
At a distinctive five-star resort set in tropical splendor, one of the world’s most celebrated food events takes place once again. The 2025 lineup promises an extraordinary weekend of sensory indulgence, featuring world-renowned chefs, exceptional wines, and unforgettable experiences—all set against the stunning backdrop of Grand Cayman’s captivating shores. caymancookout.com
Though Jan. 26, 2025
Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC | Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350
At the dawn of the 14th century, the Italian Renaissance had a moment to take hold prior to the devasting onset of the plague. Siena, rather than Florence, was the epicenter of the movement led by artists including Duccio, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini. Their impact on Western painting was profound, although none of them survived the plague. The exhibition is organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The National Gallery, London. metmuseum.org
Jan. 24 – Feb. 3, 2025
Sundance Film Festival, Utah
The nation’s largest international film festival attracts nearly half-a-million annually, both in-person and online. Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, the pre-eminent gathering of storytellers and audiences has launched hundreds of films, with many gaining critical acclaim. festival.sundance.org
Jan. 24 – July 21, 2025
Musée du Louvre, Paris | Fashion Exhibition
The Louvre makes history with its first-ever haute couture fashion-focused exhibition. In the grandest of settings, 65 outfits and 30 accessories from 40 iconic designers are displayed alongside ancient armor and Renaissance masterpieces. Recent fashions are mingled with precious objects from the Middle Ages to the Second French Empire. louvre.fr/en
Photo credits: Cover—Ball Drop in Times Square, NYC (Julienne Schaer, NYC Tourism + Conventions); Notre Dame (Sebastien, unsplash); St. Peter’s ( Ezgi Deliklitas on unsplash); Rose Parade (Visit Pasadena); Cayman Cookout video screenshot; Berlin (Michael Heise-unsplash); Sundance Film Festival (Travis Wise flickr.com/photos/photographingtravis/18118961764); The Maestà del Duomo by Duccio (Visit Siena); Musée du Louvre (Satvik-unsplash)
