Unusual UK events in December.

December finds several ways to make a gathering out of the dark. Brighton’s Burning the Clocks carries paper lanterns to a beach bonfire, while Mousehole’s Tom Bawcock’s Eve brings together a local story, harbour lights and stargazy pie. They make very different visits: one programme moves through a city, the other centres on a fishing village and its own particular tradition. Read the current guide before deciding which part you most want to see and how the rest of the day will work.

Christmas and Boxing Day bring sport and performance. The Peter Pan Cup is a qualified club race for visitors to watch, Kirkwall’s Ba’ turns the town into a playing area, and Tenby has its own festive swim arrangements. Marshfield’s Paper Boys offer a short play in paper-strip disguises instead of a plunge or a scrum. Choose your role carefully: a spectator's outing, a participant's booking and a local performer's place aren't interchangeable just because everyone's celebrating.

Hogmanay brings more flame, from Stonehaven’s fireballs and Comrie’s flambeaux to Allendale’s head-borne barrels and Biggar’s bonfire. Nos Galan offers road racing with a ceremonial thread of its own. An event starting at midnight means planning your evening on the date before, so check the exact timings rather than going by the year in a celebration's title. Each place's guide explains what's known and what still awaits the organiser's confirmation.

Holiday travel, meals and opening hours need extra care this month. If your outing depends on actual services or somewhere warm indoors, confirm them, because the usual weekly information may not apply. There's no need to drag a family to every late-night finale or make one event please everyone. Use the map to pick an appealing place, the calendar to check its date and the current guide to decide how to enjoy it. A small performance or a well-watched race can be every bit as satisfying as a great midnight blaze.