19 events worth traveling for in 2015

Whether you're a lover of the arts, a sports fan or just looking for a fantastic party, here are 19 global events worth hitting the road for next year. Elvis's 80th birthday celebrations Dates: January 7-10 Where: Graceland, Tennessee Big Elvis Presley fan? There's no better time to head to Graceland to celebrate would have been the King's 80th birthday. Events include a private tour of Graceland, an Elvis Presley Day proclamation by Memphis County officials and birthday cake, CNN reports. Fans can sign up for Elvis-themed city tours and attend at a live concert at the Memphis Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. "A very special event will be an auction of third party-owned Elvis artifacts," says Kevin Kern, director of communications at Graceland. Red Bull Crashed Ice Dates: January 22-24 Where: Saint Paul, Minnesota Combine speed skating with an obstacle course and you get Crashed Ice, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2015. The race sees some of the world's top downhill skaters negotiate a frozen course littered with obstacles, while hitting speeds of up to 60 mph. The Minnesota event will be the first in a series of eight taking place in 2015. "The sight of extreme athletes careering down an ice track outside Saint Paul's iconic cathedral is an awe-inspiring spectacle -- and one great big party," says Terry Mattson, president of Visit Saint Paul tourism. FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Dates: February 2-15 Where: Vail, Colorado In 2015 the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships return to the United States for the first time since 1999, taking over Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado. In addition to world-class skiers on the slopes, highlights of this biennial event include a high-altitude gig by DJ Decimo on February 14. The Vail Winter Beer Camp (basically an enormous outdoor beer garden) will welcome sports fans for the duration. "The ski races are going to be great entertainment but there are so many other things to do," says Mikaela Shiffrin, a racer for the US Ski Team. "Aspen is already a great ski destination, and to have two weeks of amazing events provides even more reason to visit." Lunar New Year Dates: February 19-21 Where: Macau Sure, you could head to any given Chinatown in the world to enjoy Lunar New Year festivities. But historic Macau is where you'll find some of the most colorful celebrations on earth -- and enjoy fabulous Portuguese cuisine while you're at it. A-Ma Temple, one of the city's oldest, hosts some of Macau's best Lunar New Year's eve events. The lions are more energetic, the dragon dances more lively and the firecrackers just seem louder than at other celebrations. Naturally, the crowds are bigger, too. See the full list