Return Engagements

Start planning now to attend the sporting and cultural events of 2022.

- JACK GUY

The coronavirus pandemic largely kept travelers at home for what feels like an interminably long time, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. As vaccination programs continue to progress, we hope our horizons will broaden significantly in 2022. With that in mind, we take a spin through a selection of global sporting and cultural events that will inspire you to plan a trip or two.

Those keen to travel early in the year should take a look at the Up Helly Aa fire festival, which takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January ( Jan. 25, 2022) in Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands off the north coast of Scotland. Hundreds of locals dress up in Viking costumes and march through the streets carrying flaming torches, while others drag a replica Viking galley to be ceremonially burned. All around, parties in houses and halls celebrate Shetland history and tradition, with visitors welcome to join in what remains a community event.

At the other end of the scale in terms of size, Beijing will host the Winter Olympic Games Feb. 4–20, 2022. Fans of skiing, snowboarding and more will be able to see the biggest stars in winter sports compete while also getting to know the historic Chinese capital and the Great Wall of China, sections of which lie just a few hours’ drive from Beijing.