Escape the northern winter this Christmas and run away to Pacific paradise. On holiday aboard MY Askari in French Polynesia you will enjoy balmy weather, amazing tropical locations, clear blue ocean, quiet beaches, and of course a friendly crew at your service. There’s no need to organize Christmas dinner. There’s no need to do anything but enjoy yourself! And there is plenty to get busy with once you have had enough of lying under a palm tree. Check out some of the events on this December in and around Tahiti.

The Tiare Festival, in the first week of December is an annual contest of floral decoration that pays tribute to Tahiti’s national flower, the fragrant white “Gardenia Tahitensis”. Individual Tiare flowers are presented to everyone on the streets of downtown Papeete, in hotels and at the airport. Post offices, banks and other offices compete for the best Tiare Tahiti decorations. A dinner and dance ball is held on Saturday night in a hotel that has been beautifully decorated with thousands of Tiare flowers.

Hura Tapairu, a traditional dance competition will be held at the "Maison de la Culture" cultural centre in Tahiti November 30 - December 4, 2010.

Mahana Pae I Papeete, December 17-24, 2010 is a festive gathering in the city of Papeete, Tahiti, and involves the public and visitors, all dressed in traditional attire, and various sporting activities.

December also sees a Pineapple festival in Moorea, Tahiti’s sister island. The pineapple is the official symbol of Moorea and Moorea’s tourism committee organises a day of tastings and a variety of pineapple themed shows.

The visitors bureau is putting on a Marquesas Islands festival in December, showcasing the arts, crafts, cultural activities and food specialties indigenous to these remote islands located approximately 500 kms northeast of Tahiti.