The wind tunnels of New York’s winter often inspire drinking…as a means of warmth, of course. Various festivals taking place throughout the boroughs acknowledge this, inviting the city’s inhabitants to drink away the cold with wine, beer, and spirits. See what the city in has in store for your chilled bones starting in December.

Holiday Book Market at Brooklyn Brewery
Taking place on December 15 from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM, Brooklyn Brewery is opening its bar to anyone who will shell out $20 and perhaps show some interest in beer-related literature. C’mon, the author of Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah will be there. With that plus an open bar, what more can you ask for this December? (79 N 11th St., Brooklyn)

NYC Holiday Craft Beer Festival
It may be worth heading to this event just to see the inside of the UN, but the vast selection of breweries from all over the world certainly provides a compelling reason, as well. Breweries featured include Lagunitas from California, Ommegang from New York, Leffe from Belgium and many more. Samples from each brewery will be paired with a specially prepared hors d'oeuvre. Early bird tickets for this December 18 event (which you can buy up until December 5) are $125 (plus fees) while the price afterwards increases to just over $150. (Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations, 405 E 42nd St.)

Post Modern Spirits Tasting
NY Wine Festivals constantly offer classes and tastings, but very few of them are free (a single class can cost around $80). However, if you’re looking for a more low key way to celebrate wine and spirits this winter, you can try NY Wine Festivals’ Post Modern Spirits Tasting seminar for free on December 12. The tasting will feature lesser-known alcoholic beverages, such as Grappa from Long Island and Bourbon from Colorado. (Appellation Wine & Spirits, 156 10th Ave.; 212-741-9474)

NYC Winter Wine Festival
Though this doesn’t happen until February 7, it’s worth mentioning now because it often sells out in advance. The yearly festival takes place at the Times Square Best Buy Theater, which becomes the home to over 250 wines that event goers can try at various tables throughout the theater. Cheese and other food treats will also be available while jazz music pervades in the background. Tickets cost between $79 and $89. (1515 Broadway)

The Manhattan Slur at Pegu Club
Every month, Slow Food NYC hosts a free (keyword) happy hour for people who are in touch with the slow food movement, want to be in touch with the slow food movement, or maybe just want to slip in for a few free beverages. The event runs from 7 PM to 9 PM on December 16. (77 W Houston St. 2nd Fl.; 212-473-7348)

Astoria Market
Located in the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, this market thrives on December 14 and 21 between noon and 6 PM, giving patrons ample time to explore the various foods and crafts on offer. The strategic location next to a beer hall means a cozy refuge when you’re done at the market. (Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Ave., Astoria)

SANTACON 2014
On December 13, this nightmare of an event will take place yet again, this time expanding into a borough that had previously been thought safe from the raucous bar crawl. Watch out for masses of drunken people wearing Santa suits as they storm bars from Murray Hill to Bushwick. The start point gets announced the evening of December 12. Cross your fingers and pray it’s not in your neighborhood. (All over Manhattan, and yes, it’s even coming to Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood this year)

Photo via Flickr