2015 opens with some exciting events around the world.  Maybe some of these January events will tempt you.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands
Modern Times
The Rijksmuseum’s first ever photography exhibition to showcase its outstanding collection of 20,000 20th-century works, including rare photographs by Brassaï, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, László Moholy-Nagy, Eadweard Muybridge and Man Ray.
Rijksmuseum, till 11 January.

Vivian Maier, Street Photographer
A retrospective featuring photographic work from the 1950s to 1980s in both black-and-white and colour, as well as films.  I missed all of the previous exhibitions of her work – I must get to this one!
Foam Photography Museum, till 28 January 2015

Amsterdam Light Festival till 18 Jan 2015.
Illuminated bridges and sculptures.

BARCELONA, Spain
Epiphany and Day of the Kings
The Parade of the Kings is fun for young and old and is followed by present giving for the children of the family.  My personal favourite is Barcelona, but you can see this event and enjoy a second Christmas in many southern European cities.
5 and 6 January.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
This New Year tradition has its roots in slavery, when 2 January was given as a holiday to the slaves. Today singers and musicians march through the streets of Cape Town bedecked in finery to the sound of music, while ringing in the tweede nuwejaar (second new year).
2 January.

EDINBURGH, Scotland
Turner in January
The art collector Henry Vaughan, bequeathed a number of works spanning Turner’s career to the Scottish National Gallery.  A condition of his bequest was that that these watercolours be ‘exhibited to the public all at one time, free of charge, during the month of January’ and his wishes have been faithfully adhered to for over 100 years.
Scottish National Gallery, 1-31 January, free

LONDON, England
Hogwarts at in the Snow
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, until 1 February 2015.  From £30

Institute of Sexology
Featuring over 200 objects spanning art, rare archival material, erotica, film and photography, in the newly opened Gallery 2 at the Wellcome Collection.  The exhibition is part of a wider Sexology Season of activity across the country including Brighton, Southampton, Manchester and Glasgow.
Wellcome collection, Euston Road.  Till 20 September 2015.

NEW YORK
Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Swim
This is the oldest winter bathing organisation in the US; they swim in the Atlantic Ocean at every Sunday from November to April.  You don’t need to be a member to join the New Year’s Day fun
1 p.m., 1 January, meet on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island.  Suggested donation $20.

No Pants on the Subway
Don your normal winter clothing, but forget the pants, and go for a ride on New York’s subway. Many other cities around the world now join in the fun, so if you fancy giving it a go there should be  no excuse!
11 January 2015.

PARIS
Garry Winogrand
The first retrospective of Winogrand’s work in around 25 years.  I visited in November 2014 and can’t recommend this highly enough – book ahead if you can, as the queues are long!
Till 8 February 2015, Jeu de Paume, Paris.  Entrance 10€

PRAGUE, Czech Republic
New Years Day Family Fireworks
Prague City Hall is putting on a New Years Day firework display aimed at families with young children. The fireworks will be set off from Letenské sady. The best place to view the fireworks is from the river embankment and bridges near the Jewish Quarter and Old Town.
1 January.

SYDNEY, Australia
Sydney Festival
This annual event, first held back in 1977,  features a vast range of cultural shows, including contemporary and classical music, circus, drama, dance, visual arts and theatre. More than 300 performances, 80 events and more than a 1000 artists will bring thsi festival to life across Sydney.
Citywide, 8-26 January.

I hope this has given you some inspiration for travel and entertainment this coming January.  I’ve made my picks – I’m off to Amsterdam mid-month to see the Light Festival and the Vivian Maier exhibition, and I’m hoping to get to Edinburgh in time to see the annual Turner exhibition.

Do feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments, and if you have suggestions for February let me  know now and I’ll do my best to include them in next month’s selection.