This year’s spotlight feature on 2021 anniversaries and special events are but a mere smattering of upcoming worldwide celebrations that are true hallmarks of a resilience to destinations as we start to mark the New Year with promise and hope.
Here’s to 2021:
CANADA
British Columbia 150
One-hundred-fifty years ago, Super, Natural, British Columbia joined Confederation on July 20th, 1871. To mark the celebration of Canada’s sixth province, more than 220 projects in 150 communities across British Columbia are getting in on the commemoration. Things to watch: a refurb of Martin Exeter Hall, and the 108 Heritage Site at 100 Mile House, and in Dawson Creek, the restoration and relocation of Caboose #305 and the Loiselle Blacksmith Shop and W.O. Harper Store. Then there are the superlatives: the tallest mountain, Fairweather Mountain on the BC/Alaska border; the longest river (Fraser River); the largest island (Vancouver); and, the oldest tree (Hanging Garden Tree on Meares Island).
July 20 and year-round
125th anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush
Gold fever hit big after three men found nuggets of gold in a remote creek bed near Dawson City. That was in 1896. The rest is history. What followed was the migration of thousands of prospectors in their quest to amass riches in the Klondike region of the Yukon. Tour companies are creating customized Klondike packages. Great Canadian Trails (www.greatcanadiantrails.com) has a unique 7-day Chilkoot Trail adventure following in the footsteps of a prospector.
200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal
Back in 1821 the proposed construction of the Lachine Canal got the green light. The canal which spearheaded navigation between Montreal and the Great Lakes made Montreal one of the main trade hubs in North America. Today, the National Historic Site of Canada has been welcoming pleasure crafts, local visitors and tourists along the fabled urban nautical route. Local cruise tour operators like Le Petit Navire (https://lepetitnavire.ca/en/) offer unique cruises.
Centennial Anniversary of the Bluenose Launch in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
You’re familiar with this ship because its image shines on our dime. Since 1937, the Royal Canadian Mint has stamped its sculptured profile increasing Bluenose’s iconic status as a Canadian symbol. But it was back on March 26, 1921, when Smith & Rhuland Shipyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia really launched the most famous ship in Canadian history, the schooner Bluenose. Best known for its dominance in the International Fisherman’s Race open to fishing schooners that worked in the North Atlantic deep sea fishing industry, the Bluenose rightfully earned the “Queen of the North Atlantic” status. Expect big fanfare around the Bluenose.
The 50th anniversary of the JUNO Awards
Canada’s hot musical scene gets a special nod as the JUNO Awards celebrates 50 years. The revered musical awards ceremony is to be aired live on CBC in Toronto. Watch for special events leading up to the big day.
https://junoawards.ca/juno-awards-return-toronto-celebrate-50-years-canadian-music/
March 22-28
25 Years: Bell Centre
Ever since its opening this downtown Montreal stadium has been a crowd pleaser. Originally known as the Molson Centre, the multi-purpose arena has welcomed hockey fans, concert goers, and other huge ticketed events. Home of the Montreal Canadiens, the hockey shrine to the Habs is an understatement. Tourisme Montreal says the Bell Centre has the largest arena capacity to regularly host an NHL team.
La Sagouine: Golden Anniversary of its publication PLUS 30th Anniversary of the Stage Production
Acadian culture is having double party streamers. The longstanding theatrical production, Le Pays de la Sagouine, will celebrate the 30th season of the renowned Acadian stage play based on the novel, La Sagouine which also celebrates a special year. It’s the 50th anniversary since the epic storyteller, award-winning author Antonine Maillet wrote La Sagouine about her French Canadian hometown, Bouctouche.
https://sagouine.com/en/
25th Anniversary of New Brunswick Spirits Festival
Heralded as Canada’s oldest whisky festival, this year’s celebratory salute to the hardcore spirits will no doubt have more reasons to celebrate seeing that 2020’s event was cancelled.
https://www.whiskynb.ca/Festival/
November
USA
Tricentennial anniversary of Spotsylvania County
The Virginia county is rolling out the red carpet for its 300th anniversary. There’s a range of events and programmes: a lecture series at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library; a Kids’ Art Contest; Spotsy’s Got Spirits (a collection of limited edition spirits from a local distillery); and a variety of speakers at historic locations around the county.
www.VisitSpotsy.com
May 1 and more
175 years: Smithsonian
A national treasure the Smithsonian will have a demisemiseptcentennial (that’s fancy talk for 175) grand fete. As the Smithsonian Institution encompasses 155 million objects across 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centres and the National Zoo, visitors can anticipate loads of exciting programs and more virtual exhibitions with the use of state-of-the-art digital technology. A behind-the-scenes gala event offering an insider’s look at Smithsonian treasures is in the works. For more details check out these exclusive tours via Smithsonian Journeys https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/celebrate-smithsonian/map/
Missouri Bicentennial
On August 10, 1821 this southern and midwest hub became the 24th state to enter the United States. A state with many different regional cultures, geographies, and industries, each Missouri community, county, and region has a story to tell about its people, their history, their commerce, and their culture. Expect the Missouri Bicentennial to promote all of it and more. Highlights: history walks, the Windsor Bicentennial Parade and Picnic, the “What Were You?” Bicentennial Exhibit at the Grand River Museum and others.
https://missouri2021.org/events-200/
August 10
Indianapolis: 200
Indy or Circle City – just one of the many nicknames for this “Crossroads of America” hub – is anticipating huge development projects to be completed just in time for the city’s bicentennial. Besides the expected opening of the new Bottleworks District, a $300-million redevelopment of the old Coca-Cola bottling factory, Indy will get a new food hall dubbed, “The Garage” as well as a 2-mile expansion of the city’s popular Cultural Trail. For 200 year-old birthday festivities expect events planned throughout Memorial Day weekend.
https://indyturns200.com/
Now through May 31
Indy500 at 105 years
Get ready to roar your engines. A new logo coincides with the 105th running of the iconic Indianapolis 500. In these Covid times, organizers are planning bold initiatives behind the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” We expect lots of sights and sounds at the Brickyard (perhaps virtually living in this online spectator world) as race car drivers throttle rocket engines over speeds of 220 mph.
https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500
May 30
100 Years: Tulsa Race Riot and Massacre
This deadly and destructive riot that spanned over two days in Tulsa, Oklahoma will be recognized in a myriad of ways. A new museum called Greenwood Rising will open to display Tulsa’s turbulent Black history to honour the legacy of Black Wall Street before and after the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Designed by the team behind the 9/11 Memorial in New York, the narrative experience, reports committee organizers, will help to advance conversations on race relations in the US. Other projects underway include the Pathway to Hope, a path to link Elgin and Greenwood Avenues connecting Greenwood to the long awaited memorial, John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park which features Hope Plaza and the Tower of Reconciliation.
https://www.tulsa2021.org/rising
May 31, June 1 and others
60th anniversary: Pigeon Forge
The family-friendly vacation spot tucked in the foothills of East Tennessee is most commonly known as the gateway city to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Anyone who has visited the US’s most visited national park is invited to submit family photos for the 60th edition of the Pigeon Forge Travel Planner or to be featured on their social media pages for a lead-up to the anniversary. See website for Giveaway Official Rules.
https://www.mypigeonforge.com/pf60
Amtrak’s Golden Anniversary
The nation’s only intercity passenger railroad service which has been on shaky tracks for awhile due to the pandemic plus an earlier low ridership is expecting the delivery of new Siemens Charger locomotives starting in 2021 through 2024 as it blows out its 50 birthday candles. Special events to mark the occasion are being planned at rail-themed venues such as The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (https://rrmuseumpa.org/) and states like Virginia.
50 Years: The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
What was known as “The Grand Old Ditch” when the ingenious 74 lift locks connecting Cumberland, Maryland to Washington DC was completed in 1850, the C&O Canal became a dream passage to Western wealth. For nearly a century coal, lumber and other cargo ships plied the Potomac River. In 1971 the area was designated as the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Today, travellers can enjoy the great outdoors in this recreational treasure by land or water. For bikes and hikes take the 184.5 mile C&O Canal Towpath Trail or paddle portions by kayak.
https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm
https://wcc2021.org/
THE U.K.
A world first for England’s Creative Coast
Art buffs with the thriving geocacher community (England’s Creative Coast cites over 3-million Geocachers worldwide) can embark on a new cultural travel experience – a treasure hunt along England’s south coast. Developed with arts institutions, the world’s first art GeoTour trail (https://englandscreativecoast.org/new-digital-cultural-trail/) along England’s Creative Coast will connect local galleries via geocaching on GPS. The result is a map of seven new site-specific coastal artworks. Some highlights: Turner Contemporary, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, and Hastings Contemporary.
https://englandscreativecoast.org/
Abbey of St. Edmund Millennium
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this significant commemoration marking the 1000 years of the founding of the Abbey of St. Edmund has been rescheduled for 2021. Coordinated by the Abbey 1000 Group alongside the Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership, the programme runs from April 26 culminating with a spectacular light show taking in St Edmund’s Day weekend in 2021. A highlight will be the Benedictine Weekend on 1 and 2 May when 100 Benedictine monks and nuns, plus others from communities across Britain and possibly abroad, will gather for the first time in 500 years since the dissolution of the monasteries. Community projects include a monthly changing sculpture on display in the crypt within the Abbey ruins, where the shrine of St Edmund would have stood, an Abbey 1000 town trail and a performance of the one-act opera, Noyes’ Fludde by the late great British composer Benjamin Britten.
www.abbeyofstedmund1000.co.uk
Dates: April 26, May 1 and 2, and others
900 Years: Tewkesbury Abbey
In the book “England’s Thousand Best Churches,” by English journalist Simon Jenkins, you’ll find Tewkesbury Abbey described as, “a vault that is a glory of English architecture.” Located in Gloucestershire, one of England’s most splendid churches, is now preparing for the 900th anniversary. Local congregants and donors have been working on several projects. There’s a revamped Cloister Garden, a welcome area and the restoration of the historic Milton Organ. The organ known for its superlative acoustics that dates back to 1631 has been used at Oxford University, and Hampton Court Palace before its arrival to the Abbey. Named after Cromwell’s Latin Secretary John Milton who is reputed to have played the instrument, today’s organ has been rebuilt and enlarged many times.
https://www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk/20-21/
October 23
550 Years of the Battle of Tewkesbury
It is hoped that these twin anniversaries in Tewkesbury with the Abbey’s 900Anniversary and 550 years since the historic battle that might inspire other destinations and organizations to work together toward making 2021 a celebration of civic and cultural heritage. The one-day battle fought in the 15th century as part of the Wars of the Roses campaign was a bloody duel between the defeated House of Lancaster and its rival House of York which won the battle under King Edward IV. Prepare for themed events like the renowned “Medieval Festival.” The local battlefield society offers free 2-hour guided walking tours.
http://visittewkesbury.info/things-to-do/heritage/the-arrivall/
May 4, May 2 until October 24
Four National Parks celebrate 70 Years
In Britain, four national parks will highlight a commemorative year as the Peak District, Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor National Parks were all created in 1951.
The Cotswold Way@50
The picture-pretty 102-mile long distance walking trail celebrates its Golden Years. Come this spring walkers can traipse the glorious countryside along the dramatic Cotswold escarpment from Bath to Chipping Campden. The Cotswolds National Landscape which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be celebrating the trails 50th year with events and a sponsored walk.
https://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/
Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters
Tailored for dreamers of Scottish escapes, the country is celebrating its stunning shorelines, lochs and coastal traditions in 2021, a themed year rolled over from 2020.
250th Anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s Birth
The gifted novelist, playwright, historian and arguably Scotland’s father of tourism (his writings spearheaded the thirst for travel and inspired early tourists in the early 19th century), Sir Walter Scott is having a monumental birthday fete. In true Scottish fashion, a two-year posthumous 250th birthday is planned. You can start the celebrations at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. Prepare for more events right across Scotland and beyond that are guaranteed to fire everyone’s imagination.
https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/
https://platform.nationalfundingscheme.org/the-abbotsford-trust/SCOTT250#.X8-cdWhKiUl
August 15 and year-round
275th Anniversary of The Battle of Culloden
This epic battle – the last one to be fought on British soil – was over in less than an hour but it’s weighty significance by the Scots has been recognized centuries later. Back then Jacobite supporters were seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne. Led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, they gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. Around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobites. Expect special commemorative events planned across Scotland. Visitors can tour the battlefield and the Culloden Visitor Centre to view exhibits and artefacts from both sides of the conflict.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden
April 16
150 Years of the Royal Albert Hall
Cue the dazzling lights, marvelous costume and pitch-perfect voices – theatre fans will be on the edge of their seats as 2021 celebrates much-loved classics and welcomes must-see new shows to the capital. In a year that will mark the 150th anniversary of the world-famous Royal Albert Hall, and 15 years of the spell-binding Wicked the Musical, 2021 will also welcome Monopoly, an immersive production based on the classic board game, as well as the Broadway hit, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, an opulent jukebox production set to arrive in the West End in autumn 2021.
https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2020/december/royal-albert-hall-unveils-programme-for-150th-anniversary/
March 29
Northern Ireland’s Centenary Anniversary
On May 3, 2021 Northern Ireland will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. Created in 1921 following the partition of Ireland, you can expect themed celebrations and exhibitions at various venues across Northern Ireland like an anticipated 2021 Homecoming. Properties like Hastings Hotels, a family-run group of luxury hotels, offer stay packages with cultural and heritage twists. So why not pair a a traditional Northern Ireland activity like a tour of Giant’s Causeway or the popular Game of Thrones Tour with a stay at BallygallyCastle, the only 17th century building still used as a residence in Northern Ireland today.
http://www.ni100.org.uk/
https://www.hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle
REST OF EUROPE
The Holy Year for Camino de Santiago
Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to this pilgrimage trail that crosses three countries (France, Portugal and Spain) more so than in any other year. That’s because 2021 has been designated the Holy Year of Compostela, a Jacobean Year in which many people also refer to it as “Xacobeo 2021.” What makes it a Holy Year on the Camino? It’s when the feast of St. James (July 25) falls on a Sunday and St. James is the Patron Saint of the Camino and pilgrims. An array of events, special religious services and ceremonies are planned. Watch for special themed packages from tour operators.
https://followthecamino.com/en/holy-year-2021/
900th Anniversary: Engelberg Abbey, Switzerland
The Benedictine monastery at the head of the Nidwalden Valley has witnessed epic tours and missions over its nine centuries. There’s been the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, several more popes who stayed and even the poet William Wordsworth was inspired by the setting when he penned the poem “Engelberg, The Hill of Angels.” Celebrations of this huge anniversary have been rescheduled for 2021.
Catalonia: The Ignatian Year: 500th Anniversary
Tucked along Spain’s northeastern corner in the Iberian Peninsula, this historic swath celebrates a spiritual trek undertaken by St. Ignatius of Loyola. In 1522 the Spanish saint travelled from his hometown, in the Basque Country to the Catalan city of Manresa. In this nearly 700-km path that covers five communities you can retrace some of the Pilgrimage in this Ignatian Year. The Catalan Tourist Board reports the Path starts in the nascent home where Ignatius was born and includes diverse landscapes, sanctuaries, places of significant cultural heritage like the Saint Ignatius Cave in Manresa and of course local gastro-rich delicacies.
https://ignatius500.org/en/
Dates: May 20 – July 21
200th Anniversary: Lucerne’s Lion Monument
This rock relief in Lucerne is considered among the most photographed monuments in Switzerland. It’s estimated over 1-million tourists arrive to photograph and view the rock art. Designed by a Danish sculptor, the monument of a dying lion commemorates the massacre of Swiss Guards during the French Revolution when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris. Visit Kunsthalle Luzern for an exclusive retrospective dubbed, “Lion Monument 21,” or L21.
https://www.loewendenkmal21.ch/en/about/
August 10
150th Anniversary: the Swiss Rigi Railways
Now there will be even more reasons to visit the Queen of the Mountains. Revered as the oldest mountain cog railway in Europe, the horns are ready to blare for the 150th anniversary. Watch for commemorative events and programs planned throughout the year. Six new railway carriages are to be unveiled in autumn.
https://bit.ly/3mS9dsI
Monaco makes history with 3 Grand Prix Races
Watch Grand Prix history in the making. This spring not one, not two but a trifecta of car racing will hit the posh streets of this regal country that lies along the Mediterranean. Offering exclusive Grand Prix programming such as access to the Metropole Private Lounge for views of the only downhill stretch of the circuit, racing fans can experience this historic, never-to-be-repeated event while enjoying Michelin-starred dining at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo.
https://www.monacograndprixticket.com/formula1monaco/
April 25: Biennial Historic Grand Prix
May 8: All electric Formula E eprix
May 20-23: Return of Formula One
Bicentenary Birthday of Flaubert
The creator of Madame Bovary and other French classic novels, Gustave Flaubert will have a grand fete. Anticipate special themed events across France. In Normandy, various programs including shows, tourist trails and dramatized walking tours are on the playbill. Visit his birthplace in Rouen now a museum, as is his house in Croisset which is also a museum.
December 12 and rest of the year
50th Anniversary: Festival Interceltique de Lorient
One of the largest summer festivals in France (some 800,000 visitors in the past have descended on the country’s northern rim), this 10-day celebration full of artistry includes shows, competitions and exhibitions. Around 4,500 artists meet there from pipe bands and folk groups to choirs and dance groups. It’s all things Breton with its melange of Celtic cultures. This year’s Celtic nation to be spotlighted is none other than the United Kingdom.
August 6-15
20th anniversary of Loire Valley’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation
Rolled over from last year’s festivities, expect the wild Loire Valley to feature a variety of events and attractions as one of the world’s finest living cultural landscapes braces to welcome visitors. Go for the chateaux, villages and stunning gardens and vineyards.
Year-round and on November 30
WORLDWIDE
Peru’s Bicentennial
Peruvians are cooking up a storm of ceviche-proportions with the 200th anniversary celebrating independence from Spanish rule. The landmark anniversary is featured with travel operators like Pura Aventura (www.pura-aventura.com) who have opened an office in Cusco and have a 14-day Pacific and Andes: A Cultural Journey Through Peru trip on offer.
Celebrations year-round and on July 28
New Zealand’s Forest of Hope
New Zealand wants to help turn disappointments from 2020 into a Forest of Hope. As the first country in the world to welcome in 2021, New Zealand plans on ensuring the new year starts with a dose of positivity. Watch for the new Forest of Hope initiative (https://grow.treesthatcount.co.nz/registry/forestofhope), a sustainability tree registry programme started by Tourism New Zealand and the conservation charity, Trees That Count, to help add environmental health to areas from the iconic Queenstown bike trail in the Southland to the Wiapoua Forest in the Northland. Once the borders open and New Zealand is able to welcome visitors again, people will be able to visit the tree they helped grow. Organizers report, “With trees as a natural symbol of life and growth, the Forest of Hope is a way for people to say goodbye to this year’s disappointments and plant a seed of hope to look forward to better times ahead in 2021.”
www.newzealand.com/hope