Derry

In 2013, Northern Ireland's second-largest city, Derry/Londonderry (as it's now known) hosts the U.K. City of Culture. By a happy coincidence, 2013 is also the 400th anniversary of the building of the historic 20-foot-tall walls enclosing the old city. Derry's stint as City of Culture will bring writers, painters, poets, musicians, sculptors, and other artists to town to showcase their work, and many cultural events will take place. Derry will also host the 2013 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil (2013fleadh.ie), the most prestigious event on the Irish traditional music and culture calendar. From August 11th through the 17th, thousands will flock to watch dancers and listen to singers, tin whistlers, fiddlers, and bodhrán players. This is the first time that Northern Ireland has hosted this event. As if that's not enough, the Turner Prize—regarded as the most important event on the contemporary art calendar in the United Kingdom—is coming to Derry in 2013.