St Nicholas Parade in Metz

In Lorraine, St Nicholas matters as much as Father Christmas, and Metz devotes a whole weekend to him on 5 and 6 December. The highlight is Sunday's parade through the city-centre streets, with floats, music and street companies. This year it celebrates puppetry from all over the world, which goes down well with young children. Traditionally St Nicholas and his companion Père Fouettard hand out sweets along the way. Tip: start time and route had not been published when we checked; look at the city agenda a few days before, arrive early for a front-row spot, then walk on to the Lantern Trail in Square Boufflers.