Lei and Lights
More than 50 years ago, Kauai folk artist "Auntie" Josie Chansky opened her home and welcomed neighbors to view her folk art collection: Christmas trees made of 7,500 green toothpicks, egg-carton wreaths and even seed-pod table decorations. Now, Chansky's Christmas House has evolved into the Festival of Lights (December 5). There's the Lights on Rice parade, caroling by local keiki (children), the beautifully lit historic County Building and even a miniature Na Pali train village surrounded by orchids, anthuriums and taro. It's Christmas gone aloha. gohawaii.com

Historical Notes
The palace surrounding London's Banqueting House has changed names - from York Place to Whitehall Palace - and its owners have also changed, from Henry VIII to James I. But its function has remained the same: entertainment. Hear holiday sounds by the Dufay Collective (December 1), featuring instrumental and vocal music from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, in a venue frequented by Queen Elizabeth I. After a 1698 fire, the Banqueting House became the only remaining part of the Whitehall Palace, so sit back and listen to just how much history one building can hold. hrp.org.uk

December Summer
Get two for one at The Taste Festival, Hobart's Waterfront Celebration (December 28 to January 4): This year, the Summer Festival and the Taste of Tasmania combine to form one super-fest. Food stalls line the streets, where food- theater presentations, ephemeral art displays and food & wine tours take place around historic Sullivans Cove. Fishing boats drop off fresh crayfish, fin fish and squid as local musicians fill the air with music. Wash it all down with the local wines like Meadowbank Estate's Salvation pinot noir, which helps fund Tasmanian devil research. tastefestival.com.au