Major festivals, events around the world

Here is a selected list of events for 2006. For more information on an event, plug its name into your favorite search engine. All dates and events are subject to change, so check before going.

February

Ottawa: Winterlude, Feb. 3-19 (weekends). The continent’s largest winter festival, including a 4-mile-long skating “rink” on the Rideau Canal.

Richmond, England: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, holds its annual orchid festival, Feb. 4-March 5.

Detroit: Super Bowl XL, Feb. 5.

Perth, Australia: Perth International Arts Festival, Feb. 10-March 5, is the country’s oldest and largest.

Atlanta: Southeastern Flower Show, Feb. 8-12.

Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Arts Festival, Feb. 9-March 12, attracts a wealth of world-class performers.

Jaisalmer, India: The Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Feb. 10-12.

Chicago: Chicago Auto Show, Feb. 10-19. The country’s largest.

Berlin: The 56th Berlin International Film Festival, Feb. 9-19, is Germany’s most important movie event.

Turin, Italy: The 20th Olympic Winter Games, Feb. 10-26.

Menton, France: The Menton Lemon Festival, Feb. 10-26, one of the most popular events on the Côte d’Azur.

Perth, Australia: Perth International Music Festival, Feb. 10-March 5, the continent’s oldest and largest annual arts fest.

Europe: Major carnival festivities in Belgium (Binche, Feb. 26-28); Germany (Aachen, Feb. 11-27; Bremen, Feb. 17-18; Düsseldorf, Feb. 23-27; Cologne, Feb. 23-28; Mainz, Feb. 23-March 1; Munich, Feb. 26-28); Italy (Viareggio, Feb. 12-March 5 [Sundays]; Venice, Feb. 17-28); Portugal (Funchal, Madeira, Feb. 25-28; Lisbon, Feb. 28); Spain (Málaga, Feb. 3-12; Barcelona, Feb. 23-March 1; Sitges, Feb. 23-March 1; Cádiz, Feb. 23-March 5; Santiago de Compostela, Feb. 28-March 1; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, March 2-12); Switzerland (Lucerne, Feb. 23-28; Basel, March 6-8)

Honolulu: Pro Bowl, Feb. 12. The AFC and NFC battle it out at Aloha Stadium.

Hong Kong: Spring Lantern Festival, Feb. 12. An annual event marking the end of New Year celebrations.

New York: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 13-14. The Madison Square Garden canine spectacular.

York, England: Jorvik Viking Festival, Feb. 16-26. Norse and Saxon warriors “fight to the death.”

Montreal: The Montreal High Lights Festival, Feb. 16-26, shows off the best of the city’s music, art and food.

Dublin, Ireland: Dublin International Film Festival, Feb. 17-26.

Karlsruhe, Germany: The city’s 29th annual Handel Festival, Feb. 17-27.

Daytona, Fla.: The Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 19.

Stuttgart, Germany: Dance Platform Germany (Tanzplattform Deutschland), Feb. 22-26, the country’s leading contemporary dance event.

Brazil: Major carnival festivities in Bahia (Feb. 22-March 1), Rio de Janeiro (Feb. 25-28)

Vienna: Vienna Opera Ball, Feb. 23. The highlight of the city’s ball season.

Sedona, Ariz.: Sedona International Film Festival, Feb. 23-26.

Caribbean: Major carnival festivities in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Feb. 23-March 1; Port of Spain, Trinidad, Feb. 26-28; Aruba, Feb. 26-March 8; San Pedro, Belize, March 1.

Buenos Aires: The Tango Festival, Feb. 24-March 6, features free performances around the city.

Dalarna, Sweden: The Vasaloppet cross-country ski festival, Feb. 24-March 5, celebrated yearly since 1922.

Manchester, England: The Manchester International Short Film Festival, Feb. 24-March 6, Britain’s largest independent event of its kind.

Adelaide, Australia: The Adelaide Fringe, Feb. 24-March 19, is the country’s biggest arts festival.

Terrassa, Spain: Jazz Terrassa, a first-tier jazz festival in a town just outside Barcelona, Feb. 24-March 20.

Lahti, Finland: The Finlandia Ski Race, Feb. 25, draws thousands of competitors every year.

Tampa, Fla.: Tampa Fiesta Day, Feb. 25, celebrates the city’s Cuban, German, Italian, Jewish, African and Spanish cultures.

Khajuraho, India: At Khajuraho Dance Festival, Feb. 25-March 3, the country’s finest classical dancers perform among ancient temples on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

New Orleans.: Mardi Gras, Feb. 28.

March

Nara, Japan: Omizutori Water-Drawing Festival, March 1-14, a 1,200-year-old series of rituals performed by Buddhist monks at Todaiji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geneva: International Motor Show, March 2-12.

Miami: Miami International Orchid Show, March 3-5.

Miami: Miami International Film Festival, March 3-12, emphasizes Latin American cinema.

Daytona Beach, Fla.: Bike Week, March 3-12, claims to be the world’s largest motorcycle event.

Anchorage: The Iditarod, the nine- to 12-day dog-sled race, begins March 4.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Flower Show, March 5-12. Among the largest of its kind anywhere.

Toronto: Canada Blooms, Toronto’s annual garden and flower show, March 8-12.

San Diego: The 13th annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, March 9-19.

Birmingham, England: Crufts, one of the world’s most prestigious dog shows, March 9-12.

Brugge, Belgium: Cinema Novo Film Festival, March 9-19, screens new films from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Maastricht, Netherlands: International Fine Art and Antiques Fair, widely considered the world’s greatest event of its kind, March 10-19.

Natchez, Miss.: During the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage, March 10-April 14, numerous historic homes and plantations are opened to the public.

Auckland, New Zealand: Pasifika Festival, March 11, celebrates the food, crafts, arts and music of Polynesia.

Bern, Switzerland: Bern International Jazz Festival, March 11-May 28.

Boston: New England Spring Flower Show, March 11-19.

Jaipur, India: The city’s annual Elephant Festival, March 14.

Dublin, Ireland: St. Patrick’s Festival, March 15-19.

Stratton, Vt.: U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, March 15-19, the sport’s major event.

Valencia, Spain: Las Fallas, March 15-19, the city’s biggest festival, is a week of bonfires and parades.

Grenoble, France: Grenoble Jazz Festival, March 15-April 1.

Granada, Spain: International Tango Festival, March 16-19.

Downpatrick, Northern Ireland: St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17, in the town where the saint is buried.

New York City: St. Patrick’s Day Parade on 5th Avenue, March 17.

Savannah, Ga.: Savannah Music Festival, March 17-April 2, showcases classical works as well as bluegrass, soul, mountain music and the blues.

Winter Park, Fla.: The Sidewalk Art Festival, March 17-19, is one of the largest art fairs in the country.

Macon, Ga.: Cherry Blossom Festival, March 17-26, is organized around the flowering of the city’s 285,000 cherry trees.

Budapest, Hungary: The Budapest Spring Festival, March 17-April 6, the country’s major annual cultural event, hosting music, dance, film and more.

Tyler, Texas: The 46th annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, March 17-April 2, a showcase for the area’s spectacular blooms.

Albert, France: Animal Film Festival, March 18-26.

Salinas, Calif.: A1 Grand Prix of Nations at Laguna Seca, March 19.

Lyon, France: Les Musicades, March 20-30, an international festival of chamber music.

Toronto: Antiques Canada, March 23-25, brings more than 100 dealers to the Canadian Broadcasting Centre atrium.

Dubai, U.A.E.: With a $6-million purse, the Dubai Gold Cup, March 25, said to be the world’s richest horse race.

Tokyo: Cherry blossom viewing around the Emperor’s Palace, March 25-31.

Washington, D.C.: The National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 25-April 9, celebrates the 3,000 blooming cherry trees around the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin.

Nashville: Tin Pan South, March 28-April 1, one of the world’s largest songwriters’ festivals.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Film Festival, March 30-April 12.

Sisimiut, Greenland: The Arctic Circle Race, a three-day cross-country ski competition, March 31-April 2.

London: Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, March 29-April 12.

April

Houston: The Houston Children’s Festival, April 1-2, a fundraiser for Child Advocates Inc., thought to be the country’s largest such event, with more than 350 activities.

Oudtshoorn, South Africa: The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, April 1-8, offers pop, rock, cabaret, classical music, drama and dance.

Charleston, S.C.: The Lowcountry Cajun Festival, April 2 Zydeco and Cajun music, crawfish races, Creole food and more.

Sarasota, Fla.: Sarasota Jazz Festival, April 2-9.

Augusta, Ga.: The Masters golf tournament, April 3-9.

Hong Kong: Hong Kong International Film Festival, April 4-19.

Geneva: Salon des Inventions, an international inventors’ exhibition, April 5-9, one of the principal events of its kind worldwide.

Wilmington, N.C.: 59th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival, April 5-9.

Knoxville, Tenn.: Dogwood Arts Festival, April 5-23.

Liverpool, England: The Grand National steeplechase race, April 6-8.

Sugarloaf, Maine: Reggaefest, April 6-9.

Durham, N.C.: Full Frame Festival, April 6-9, is one of the U.S.’ largest documentary film festivals.

Verona, Italy: Vinitaly, April 6-10, is one of the world’s largest exhibitions of wines and spirits.

Ventnor, Isle of Wight: Jazz Divas Festival, April 7-9.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh International Harp Festival, April 7-12.

Ljubljana, Slovenia: International Festival of Choral Folk Music, April 7-10.

Sheffield, England: British Open Show Jumping Championships equestrian event, April 8-9.

Salzburg, Austria: The Salzburg Easter Festival, April 8-17, opera, orchestral and piano works.

Paro, Bhutan: During Paro Tsechu, April 9-13, throngs in traditional costume descend on Paro Dzong temple for Buddhist blessings, dances and dramatic performances.

Europe: Holy Week celebrations, April 9-15, in Sicily (Palermo, Prizzi) and Spain (Alicante, Cabra, Cádiz, Granada, Lucena, Málaga, Seville, Valencia, Valladolid).

Mexico: Holy Week celebrations, April 9-15, in Pátzcuaro and San Miguel de Allende.

Regensburg, Germany: Bach Week, April 10-14.

Melbourne, Australia: The Melbourne Comedy Festival, April 12-May 7, more than 1,000 acts in one of the world’s largest such events.

Luang Prabang, Laos: Pii Mai, the Laotian New Year, April 13-15, celebrated in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thailand (various): Songkran, the Thai New Year, April 13-15, marked with colorful parades and much water-throwing.

Canberra, Australia: National Folk Festival, April 13-17.

Rome: On Good Friday, April 14, the pope leads a torchlight procession up Palatine Hill from the Colosseum, reenacting the Stations of the Cross.

Wanaka, New Zealand: Warbirds Over Wanaka, April 14-16, a major air show of vintage and modern warplanes.

Whistler, Canada: TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, April 14-23 Music, arts and sports.

Florence, Italy: Scoppio del Carro, or Explosion of the Cart, April 16, an annual Easter celebration in which a rocket is fired out of the city’s cathedral to ignite a large wooden cart in the square outside.

Gaucín, Spain: The Andalusian town’s Easterrunning of the bulls, April 16.

Boston: The Boston Marathon, April 17.

Washington, D.C.: Filmfest DC, April 19-30.

Iceland (various locations): The First Day of Summer, April 20, a public holiday marked by nationwide celebrations.

Taiwan (various locations): Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) parades, April 20, with celebrations at 400 temples accompanied by drums and firecrackers.

Hilo, Hawaii: The Merrie Monarch Fest, April 20-22, Hawaii’s leading hula competition.

Chau Doc, Vietnam: Ba Chua Xu, April 20-25, the country’s largest folk festival.

St. Johns, Antigua: Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, April 20-25, an exposition of wooden sailing ships.

Nashville: Nashville Film Festival, April 20-26.

Rome: April 21, to mark the founding of the city in 753 BC, the Aventine Hill is covered with candles.

Natick, Mass.: New England Folk Festival, April 21-23.

Tallinn, Estonia: Jazzkaar, April 21-30, one of the city’s major events, offering jazz, blues and world music.

San Antonio: A highlight of Fiesta San Antonio, April 21-30, is the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, April 24, in which dozens of elaborately decorated floats drift down the San Antonio River.

Stratford-upon-Avon, England: Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations, April 22.

United States: Earth Day, April 22.

Hamburg, Germany: Hamburg Marathon, April 23.

London: London Marathon, April 23.

Seville, Spain: Feria de Abril, April 25-30, with round-the-clock flamenco and more.

Cork, Ireland: Cork International Choral Festival, April 26-30.

Oban, Scotland: Highlands & Islands Music & Dance Festival, April 27-30.

Shetland Islands, Scotland: Shetland Folk Festival, April 27-30.

Speyside, Scotland: Speyside Whisky Festival, April 27-May 1, celebrates Scotch with tastings, distillery tours, lectures and more.

Rosscarbery, Ireland: The Oyster Guinness Festival, April 27-May 1 Shellfish and stout accompanied by traditional Irish music.

Chicago: Art Chicago in the Park, April 28-May 1, at Butler Field, one the country’s most important art fairs.

Parma, Italy: The Verdi Festival, April 28-June 16, is held annually in the composer’s home province.

Netherlands (various locations): Queen’s Day, April 30, celebrates the birthday of the late Queen Juliana, one of the country’s liveliest holidays.

Sweden (various locations): Walpurgis Night, April 30, celebrated with the lighting of bonfires all over the country.

Florence, Italy: Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, April 30-June 14, Italy’s oldest music festival.

May

Memphis, Tenn.: Beale Street Music Festival, May 5-7.

St. Petersburg, Fla.: Tampa Bay Blues Fest, May 5-7.

Castries, St. Lucia: St. Lucia Jazz Festival on the Caribbean island, May 5-14.

Düsseldorf, Germany: Schumann Festival of classical music, May 5-21.

Louisville, Ky.: The Kentucky Derby, May 6.

New York: The Five-Boro Bike Tour, May 7, among the largest recreational cycling events in the country.

Nürburg, Germany: Formula 1 European Grand Prix, May 7.

Prague, Czech Republic: Prague Spring International Music Festival, May 8-16, one of Europe’s major musical events.

Dresden, Germany: 36th annual Dresden International Dixieland Festival, May 10-14.

Llangollen, Wales: The Llangollen Jazz Festival, May 12-14, will feature more than 40 sessions in all styles.

Winchester, England: The Winchester Folk Festival, May 12-14, celebrates traditional music and arts.

Bury St. Edmunds, England: The Bury St. Edmunds Festival, May 12-28, is a major gathering of international performers in music, theater, dance and other arts.

St. Catharines, Canada: Niagara Folk Art Festival, May 12-28, is a celebration of the region’s cultural diversity.

Vienna: This year’s Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen), May 12-June 18, focuses on Mozart’s 250th birthday.

Borobudur, Indonesia: Waisak, May 13, is a Buddhist festival held at the world’s largest Buddhist monument.

Bristol, England: Bristol Comic Expo, May 13-14, a huge comic collectors’ fair.

Kyoto, Japan: At Aoi Matsuri, the city’s May 15 hollyhock festival, hundreds of people parade in historic costumes.

Gubbio, Italy: At the colorful Festa dei Ceri, May 15, teams of men carrying heavy wooden statues race through city streets to the cathedral.

Virginia Beach, Va.: Beach Music Weekend, May 17-21. Rock ‘n’ roll, free at the beach.

Cannes, France: Cannes Film Festival, May 17-28.

Memphis, Tenn.: The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, May 18-20, the “Super Bowl of Swine.”

Galway, Ireland: The Galway Early Music Festival, May 18-21: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque.

Istanbul: International Istanbul Theater Festival, May 18-June 4.

Brussels: Brussels Jazz Marathon, May 19-21.

Tokyo: Sanja Matsuri, May 19-21, the largest of the city’s traditional three major festivals, a weekend of parades, music and dancing.

Bath, England: Bath International Music Festival, May 19-June 4.

Lewes, England: This year’s Glyndebourne Festival showcases operas by Mozart, Johann Strauss, Britten, Beethoven, Prokofiev and Handel, May 19-Aug. 27.

Baltimore: The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico racecourse, May 20.

Leicester, England: Leicester Early Music Festival, May 20-June 10.

New York: The 10K AIDS Walk New York, May 21, is the world’s largest AIDS fundraiser.

Prague, Czech Republic: Khamoro, the World Roma Festival, May 22-27, showcases Gypsy music and culture from around Europe and as far afield as Brazil and India.

London: Chelsea Flower Show, May 23-27.

Bergen, Norway: Festspillene, the Bergen International Festival, May 24-June 5, annually presents 120 to 140 performing arts events.

Dresden, Germany: The Dresden Music Festival, May 25-June 11, Germany’s largest classical music fest.

Kerrville, Texas: Songwriters are the focus at the Kerrville Folk Festival, May 25-June 11.

Beaufort, S.C.: The Gullah Festival, May 26-28, celebrates the Sea Islands’ distinctive African American culture.

Chartres, France: Chartres Perfume Festival, May 26-28.

Hay-on-Wye, Wales: Guardian Hay Festival, May 26-June 4, one of the largest literary gatherings in the English-speaking world.

Charleston, S.C.: Spoleto Festival USA, May 26-June 11. Opera, dance, drama.

Dundalk, Ireland: Dundalk International Maytime Festival, May 27-June 4, a major drama event.

Indianapolis: The Indy 500, May 28.

Monaco: The Monaco Grand Prix, May 28.

Southend-on-Sea, England: Southend Airshow, May 28-29, Europe’s largest free air show.

Paris: The French Open tennis tournament, May 29-June 11, one of France’s largest sporting events.

Listowel, Ireland: Listowel Writer’s Week, May 31-June 4, among Ireland’s leading literary events.

Sedalia, Mo.: Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, May 31-June 4.

June

Szczecin, Poland: International Choir Festival, June 1-4.

Prague, Czech Republic: World Festival of Puppet Art, June 1-10.

Pisa, Italy: Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare historical boat race and procession, June 2.

Arlington, Texas: Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games, June 2-4.

Düsseldorf, Germany: 14th Jazz Rally jazz festival, June 2-4.

Kazanluk, Bulgaria: Rose Festival, June 2-4, established in 1903 to celebrate the region’s signature flower.

Little Chute, Wis.: The Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival, June 2-4.

Oklahoma City: Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, June 2-4. A hundred tribes gather for music, dancing and arts.

Strandhill, Ireland: Sligo County Fleadh, June 2-4, a festival of traditional Irish music and dance.

Berlin: Carnival of Cultures, June 2-5, a huge celebration of the city’s cultural diversity.

Fez, Morocco: Fez Sacred Music Festival, June 2-10.

Amsterdam: The Holland Festival, June 2-25, the Netherlands’ biggest arts event.

Epsom, England: The Epsom Derby, June 3.

Landgraaf, Netherlands: Pinkpop, June 3-5, thought to be Europe’s oldest pop music festival.

Venice, Italy: Vogalonga, June 4, is a 28K rowing race around the Venetian lagoon.

Iceland: Seafarers’ Day (Sjómannadagur), June 5, marked countrywide with parades, seafood feasts and swimming and rowing races.

Chicago: The Chicago Blues Festival, June 8-11, thought to be the world’s largest such event with free admission.

Nashville: The County Music Assn.’s Music Festival, or “Fan Fair,” June 8-11, a gigantic country music party.

Tampere, Finland: Tampere Vocal Music Festival, June 8-12. Choirs and vocal groups from Finland and abroad.

Sydney, Australia: Biennale of Sydney/International Festival of Contemporary Art, June 8-Aug. 27.

Newport, England: The Isle of Wight Festival, June 9-11, one of England’s biggest rock fests.

Silverstone, England: Formula 1 British Grand Prix, June 9-11.

Chattanooga, Tenn.: The Riverbend Festival, June 9-17, draws more than half a million people for jazz, blues, country, folk, bluegrass and classical music.

Mackinac Island, Mich.: Mackinac Island International Lilac Festival, June 9-18.

Snape Maltings, England: The 59th Aldeburgh Festival of music, June 9-25.

Bean Blossom, Ind.: The Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, June 10-17, among the oldest continuously running bluegrass events.

Montreal: St-Ambroise Fringe Festival, June 10-20, includes nearly every kind of performing art.

Antalya, Turkey: Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, June 10-July 22, takes place in a 2,000-year-old amphitheater overlooking the Mediterranean.

New York: JVC Jazz Festival, June 12-24.

Burlington, Iowa: Burlington Steamboat Days, June 13-18, a riverfront festival of American music.

Munich, Germany: Tollwood, June 14-July 9, a major international festival of pop, rock and jazz.

Arundel, England: Arundel Cathedral marks the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 15, with a 90-foot carpet of flowers in its nave.

San Gimignano, Italy: The Ferie delle Messi medieval festival, June 15-16.

Mamaroneck, N.Y.: The U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, June 15-18.

Nantucket, Mass.: The Nantucket Film Festival, June 15-19, focuses on the craft of screenwriting.

Dublin, Ireland: On Bloomsday, June 16, James Joyce fans gather in the author’s hometown.

Geneva: Geneva Music Festival, June 16-18.

Lichfield, England: Lichfield Folk Festival, June 16-18, draws folk dancers from all over Britain.

Zurich, Switzerland: The Zurich Festival, June 16-July 9, showcases theater, dance, classical music and opera.

Burlington, Vt.: Lake Champlain International Fishing Derby, June 17-19, among the nation’s oldest and largest freshwater fishing derbies.

Ascot, England: The Royal Ascot races, June 20-24.

Aspen, Colo.: The Aspen Music Festival and School, June 21-Aug. 20.

Becket, Mass.: Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, June 21-Aug. 27.

Vancouver, Canada: Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 23-July 2.

Greeley, Colo.: Greeley Independence Stampede, June 23-July 4, one of the country’s largest Fourth of July rodeos.

New York: The Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, June 24.

Scandinavia: Midsummer Day is marked June 24.

Greensboro, N.C.: The Eastern Music Festival and School, June 24-July 30, showcases up-and-coming solo and orchestral performers.

Verona, Italy: The Verona Opera Festival, June 24-Aug. 27, stages “Aida,” “Carmen,” “Cavalleria Rusticana”/”Pagliacci,” “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly” in the city’s Roman amphitheater.

Munich, Germany: The Munich Summer Opera Festival, June 25-July 31, features more than 50 performances.

Las Vegas: World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel & Casino, June 25-Aug. 10.

London: The Wimbledon tennis championships, June 26-July 9.

London: The City of London Festival, June 26-July 13, showcases music, art, architecture and film.

Puri, India: Rath Yatra, June 27, one of India’s most spectacular Hindu festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

Henley-on-Thames, England: The Henley Royal Regatta rowing competition, June 28-July 2.

Ikaalinen, Finland: The Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival, June 28-July 3, one of Finland’s leading musical events.

Bordeaux, France: Bordeaux Fête le Vin, June 29-July 2, a huge celebration of the region’s wines with tastings, food and music.

Roskilde, Denmark: Roskilde Festival, June 29-July 2, one of Europe’s biggest rock festivals.

Lenox, Mass.: Tanglewood Music Festival, June 29-Sept. 3.

Belfort, France: Eurockéennes, June 30-July 2, a major festival of pop, rock, heavy metal, hip-hop, electro, reggae and world music.

St. Gallen, Switzerland: OpenAir St. Gallen, June 30-July 2, is one of Switzerland’s biggest rock festivals.

Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Folklife Festival, June 30-July 4 and July 7-11, on the National Mall.

Cheltenham, England: The Cheltenham Music Festival, June 30-July 15, encompasses a range of classical and contemporary works.

Montreux, Switzerland: The Montreux Jazz Festival, June 30-July 15.

Spoleto, Italy: Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds), June 30-July 16, encompasses opera, dance, drama, film and visual arts.

July

Bonn: RhEINKULTUR, July 1, is one of Germany’s biggest open-air rock festivals.

Canada (various): Canada Day, July 1, is marked with celebrations and fireworks displays across the country.

Chicago: Chicago Country Music Festival at Grant Park, July 1-2.

Sigtuna, Sweden: Sigtuna Medieval Days, July 1-2, is a medieval fest in the country’s oldest town.

Gettysburg, Pa.: The 143rd Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment, July 1-3.

Krakow, Poland: Krakow Jewish Culture Festival, July 1-9.

Colmar, France: The Colmar International Festival, July 1-15, one of the country’s premier arts events, celebrates the 80th birthday of the late pianist Emil Gilels.

France (nationwide): The Tour de France, July 1-23.

Kingston, Jamaica: Reggae Sunsplash, July 1-31.

Indianapolis: The U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, July 2.

Siena, Italy: The Palio horse race, July 2. (Also Aug. 16.)

Aix-en-Provence, France: The Aix-en-Provence Lyric Festival and European Music Academy, July 2-22, showcases world-class music and opera as well as up-and-coming talent.

Llangollen, Wales: Llangollen International Eisteddfod, July 4-9, a festival of music, song and dance.

Tallinn, Estonia: Ollesummer, July 5-9, among the Baltic region’s largest beer festivals.

Toronto: Toronto Fringe Festival, July 5-16, includes about 100 performing arts troupes.

Brussels: Ommegang, July 6, thought to be the city’s oldest historical pageant, with about 1,400 performers.

Førde, Norway: The Førde Folk Music Festival, July 6-9, one of the country’s biggest music fests, with more than 250 performers.

Leh (Ladakh), India: The colorful Hemis Festival, July 6-7, celebrates the birthday of Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava.

Pamplona, Spain: Running of the Bulls, July 6-14.

York, England: The York Early Music Festival, July 6-15.

Japan (nationwide): For Tanabata (Star Festival), July 7, Japanese cities and towns festooned with decorations and lanterns.

Kuching, Malaysia: The Rainforest World Music Festival, July 7-9, celebrates ethnic music and indigenous cultures in the jungle of Borneo.

Toronto: Molson Grand Prix of Toronto, July 7-9 at the CNE Grounds.

Birmingham, England: Birmingham International Jazz Festival, July 7-16.

Calgary, Canada: The Calgary Stampede, July 7-16, one of the world’s premier rodeo events.

Cyprus (various): The Festival of Ancient Greek Drama, July 7-Aug. 6, stages comedies and tragedies by international theater companies.

Kinross, Scotland: T in the Park, July 8-9, Scotland’s major rock festival.

Kaustinen, Finland: The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, July 8-16, is one of Scandinavia’s largest and oldest celebrations of folk music and dance.

Berlin: World Cup Finals at the Olympiastadion, July 9.

Douai, France: In the Parade of the Giants, July 9, giant effigies of characters from local folklore are marched through the city’s streets.

Stornoway, Scotland: The Hebridean Celtic Festival, July 12-15, a feast of traditional language, customs and music.

Cambridge, England: Cambridge Summer Music Festival, July 13-Aug. 5.

France (various): Bastille Day, July 14.

Rotterdam, Netherlands: The North Sea Jazz Festival, July 14-16, is one of the world’s most prestigious.

Atlanta: National Black Arts Festival, July 14-23, celebrates the arts and culture of the African diaspora.

Zanzibar, Tanzania: ZIFF (Zanzibar International Film Festival) Festival of the Dhow Countries, July 14-23, East Africa’s largest cultural event, with films, music, performing arts, exhibitions and workshops.

Quimper, France: The Festival de Cornouaille, July 15-23, a celebration of the region’s Breton culture.

Ghent, Belgium: The Ghent Festivities (Gentse Feesten), July 15-24, a huge festival of international music, dance, theater and fireworks.

Xiamen, China: The World Choir Games, July 15-26, the Olympics of choral music, with more than 400 choirs and 20,000 singers from all parts of the world.

Carmel, Calif.: The Carmel Bach Festival, July 15-Aug. 5.

New York: New York City Triathlon, July 16.

Fairbanks, Alaska: Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, July 16-30, hosts world-class performers in theater, dance, opera, visual arts and music.

Santa Fe, N.M.: Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, July 16-Aug. 21.

San Francisco: AIDS Walk San Francisco, July 17.

Galway, Ireland: Galway Arts Festival, July 17-30, is the biggest such event in the Irish Republic.

Stockholm: Stockholm Jazz Festival, July 18-22.

Bregenz, Austria: The Bregenz Festival, July 19-Aug. 20, offers opera on both indoor and outdoor stages.

Linz, Austria: Pflasterspektakel, July 20-22, is a spectacular street festival with hundreds of magicians, mimes, acrobats and other performers.

Regensburg, Germany: Bavarian Jazz Weekend, July 20-23.

Kirkcudbright, Scotland: The Wickerman Festival, July 21-22, may be Scotland’s largest alternative music festival.

Salinas, Calif.: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, July 21-23.

Cheyenne, Wyo.: Cheyenne Frontier Days, July 21-30, one of the world’s largest outdoor rodeos.

Verbier, Switzerland: The Verbier Festival, July 21-Aug. 6, draws world-class classical musicians and younger players who come to study.

Dinan, France: Fête des Remparts, July 22-23, attracts thousands to a spectacle of jousting, music, dance and other medieval pursuits.

Farnborough, England: The Farnborough International Airshow, July 22-23, includes a 4½-hour flight display and many earthbound rides and attractions.

Tallinn, Estonia: The International Organ Festival, July 23-Aug. 6, one of the world’s top organ events.

Oshkosh, Wis.: AirVenture Oshkosh, July 24-30, one of the world’s largest annual aviation events.

Deadwood, S.D.: Days of ‘76, July 25-30, celebrates Deadwood’s Wild West past.

Bayreuth, Germany: Wagner Festival, July 25-Aug. 28.

Brugge, Belgium: Brugge Festival Musica Antiqua, July 26-Aug. 2, includes early and Baroque music performances in historic buildings around the city.

Vancouver, Canada: Celebration of Light, July 26-Aug. 2, one the world’s largest fireworks competitions.

Cambridge, England: Cambridge Folk Festival, July 27-30.

Berlin: Klassiktage Berliner Schlössern, July 27-Aug. 6, a festival of classical music performed in castles and historic buildings.

Asheville, N.C.: The Bele Chere Festival, July 28-30, one of the largest free street festivals in the Southeast.

Caerphilly, Wales: The Big Cheese Festival, July 28-30.

Gilroy, Calif.: Gilroy Garlic Festival, July 28-30.

Hayward, Wis.: Lumberjack World Championships, July 28-30.

Niigata, Japan: The Fuji Rock Festival, July 28-30, huge Asian rock fest.

Reading, England: The family-friendly WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) Festival, July 28-30.

Readington, N.J.: New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, July 28-30.

Heber Springs, Ark.: 20th annual World Championship Cardboard Boat Races, July 29.

Alnwick, England: Alnwick International Music & Dance Festival, July 29-Aug. 5, eight days of costumed folk music and dance from around the world.

Cowes, England: Cowes Week, July 29-Aug. 5, the world’s largest and longest-running sailing regatta.

Bath, England: Bath International Guitar Festival, July 29-Aug. 13.

Trogir, Croatia: The International Tenor Competition, July 30-Aug. 3.

Mansfield, England: The Robin Hood Festival, July 31-Aug. 6, honors Nottingham’s beloved outlaw.

Périgueux, France: The International Mime Festival, July 31-Aug. 6, one of the largest of its kind in the world.

August

London: The Great British Beer Festival, Aug. 1-5.

Clifftop, W.Va.: The Appalachian String Band Music Festival, Aug. 2-6.

Rockland, Maine: Maine Lobster Festival, Aug. 2-6.

Amsterdam: Amsterdam Pride, Aug. 3-6, one of Europe’s biggest gay and lesbian festivals, includes a canal parade of dozens of elaborately decorated boats.

Toronto: Toronto Caribana, Aug. 3-7, a celebration of all things Caribbean, bills itself as the largest cultural festival in North America.

Geneva: Fêtes de Genève, Aug. 3-13, music performances, parades, fireworks and more.

Louisbourg, Canada: Louisbourg Crab Festival, Aug. 4-5.

Berlin: The Berlin Beer Festival, Aug. 4-6, held in a milelong beer garden.

Mountain, N.D.: August the Deuce Icelandic Celebration, Aug. 4-6, celebrates the town’s Icelandic heritage.

Newport, R.I.: Newport Folk Festival, Aug. 4-6.

Keadue, Ireland: O’Carolan Hart and Traditional Irish Music Festival, Aug. 4-7.

Edinburgh, Scotland: The Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Aug. 4-26); Edinburgh Fringe Fest, which purports to be the world’s biggest open arts event (Aug. 6-28); Edinburgh International Book Festival, one of the English-speaking world’s major literary events, with readings, discussions, sales and book signings (Aug. 12-28); Edinburgh International Festival of classical music, theater, opera and dance (Aug. 13-Sept. 3); and Edinburgh International Film Festival (Aug. 16-27).Monterey, Calif.: Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival, Aug. 5-6.

Pesaro, Italy: The Rossini Opera Festival, Aug. 5-19, is an annual celebration in the birthplace of the composer.

Hiroshima, Japan: Thousands of paper lanterns set adrift on the Motoyasu River on Aug. 6, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.

Nassau, Bahamas: Choirs, costumed parades, calypso bands, dance competitions and more mark Emancipation Day, Aug. 7.

Glasgow, Scotland: Piping Live!, Aug. 7-13, is an international bagpiping festival.

Bayreuth, Germany: The Bayreuth Festival, Aug. 7-16, one of the world’s premier showcases for Wagner operas.

Vancouver, Canada: Festival Vancouver, Aug. 7-20, focusing on Mozart and the music and musicians of Italy.

Dublin, Ireland: The Dublin Horse Show, Aug. 9-13, one of the world’s top equestrian events.

Budapest, Hungary: Sziget (Island) Festival, Aug. 9-16, on an island in the Danube, is Hungary’s largest music festival, offering mainstream and hard rock, world music, electric dance music, alternative styles, blues and jazz.

Toronto: Toronto’s Festival of Beer, Aug. 11-13, is Canada’s largest.

Brussels: Once every two years the city’s Grand-Place is covered for several days with a huge flower carpet. It happens this year Aug. 11-15, when 600,000 begonias do the job.

Wiesbaden, Germany: The Wiesbaden Wine Festival, Aug. 11-20, one of the country’s largest such events.

New York: The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), Aug. 11-27, claims to be the largest multi-arts festival in North America.

Sacramento: California State Fair, Aug. 11-Sept. 4.

Japan (various): During the major Buddhist celebration of Obon, or the Feast of Lanterns, Aug. 12-15, lanterns are hung in front of houses and floated on bodies of water to guide ancestors’ spirits.

St. Georges, Grenada: Grenada Carnival, Aug. 14-15, is the island’s main annual celebration.

Zakopane, Poland: The International Festival of Mountain Folklore, Aug. 18-26, presents authentic regional music, dance and costumes.

London: During Kids’ Week, Aug. 18-Sept. 1, theaters around the city open their doors for free stagings of shows for children and teens.

Chicago: The Chicago Air and Water Show, Aug. 19-20, features aviation and boat demonstrations above and across Lake Michigan.

Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea: At the Mt. Hagen cultural show, Aug. 19-20, 50 local tribes meet for a colorful ritual of dance and music that attracts thousands of spectators.

Pebble Beach, Calif.: Concours d’Elegance, Aug. 20, an exhibition of world-class pre- and postwar automobiles.

Peterborough, England: The Peterborough Beer Festival, Aug. 22-27, more than 400 ales.

Cleveland: The Slavic Village Harvest Festival, Aug. 26-27, celebrating the heritage of one of the country’s largest Polish-American communities.

London: Notting Hill Carnival, Aug. 27-28, a huge street fair with colorful floats and music.

Eilat, Israel: The Red Sea Jazz Festival, Aug. 28-31, a major Middle Eastern jazz event.

Queens, N.Y.: The U.S. Open tennis championships at Flushing Meadows, Aug. 28-Sept. 10.

Buñol, Spain: The Tomatina, Aug. 30, probably the world’s largest food fight, painting the town red with a couple of hundred tons of hurled tomatoes.

Britain (various): The Tour of Britain bicycle race, Aug. 30-Sept. 4, England and Scotland’s answer to the Tour de France.

Chicago: Chicago Jazz Festival in Grant Park, Aug. 31-Sept. 3.

Black Rock Desert, Nev.: Burning Man Festival, Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

Venice, Italy: Venice International Film Festival, Aug. 31-Sept. 10.

September

Sausalito, Calif.: Sausalito Art Festival, Sept. 1-4.

Seattle: Bumbershoot arts festival, Sept. 1-4.

Telluride, Colo.: Telluride Film Festival, Sept. 1-4.

Zagreb, Croatia: International Puppet Festival, Sept. 1-8.

Aarhus, Denmark: The Aarhus Festival, Sept. 1-10, Scandinavia’s biggest annual cultural fest, with drama, opera, dance, classical and contemporary music, films and more.

Lisdoonvarna, Ireland: Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, Sept. 1-Oct. 1.

Braemar, Scotland: The Braemar Gathering, Sept. 2, one of Scotland’s best-known and well-attended Highland games, with the queen in attendance.

Opelousas, La.: The Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, Sept. 2.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: The Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Races, Sept. 2-3.

St. Louis: Big Muddy Blues Festival on the Mississippi, Sept. 3-4.

Kerala, India: The Onam Harvest Festival, Sept. 5, is Kerala state’s biggest and most colorful annual event.

San Francisco: San Francisco Fringe Festival, Sept. 6-17.

Vancouver, Canada: Vancouver Fringe Festival, Sept. 7-17.

San Francisco: Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival, Sept. 9-10.

Washington, D.C.: Black Family Reunion Celebration on the National Mall, Sept. 9-10.

Jerez de la Frontera, Spain: The Fiestas de Otoño, Sept. 9-25, celebrates the grape harvest with equestrian events, flamenco performances and more.

New York: New York Musical Theatre Festival, Sept. 10-Oct. 1, stages more than 30 new musicals and launches emerging writers, composers, lyricists and performers.

Prague, Czech Republic: The Prague Autumn Festival of classical music, Sept. 12-Oct. 1.

Lyon, France: Lyon Dance Biennale, Sept. 12-Oct. 3, hosts hundreds of dancers from many countries.

San Antonio: Pachanga del Rio, Sept. 14, a taste of the River Walk, in which 20 restaurants offer samplings of their cuisine.

Branson, Mo.: The Festival of American Music & Craftsmanship, Sept. 14.-Oct. 28.

Lanzarote, Spain: The Fiesta of the Virgen de los Dolores, Sept. 15, a folkloric festival that draws people from around the Canary Islands.

Austin, Texas: Austin City Limits Music Festival, Sept. 15-17.

Bath, England: Jane Austen Festival, Sept. 16-24, includes costumed walks, talks, readings, film, theater and more.

Munich, Germany: Oktoberfest, Sept. 16-Oct. 3.

Liverpool, England: Liverpool Biennial/International Festival of Contemporary Art, Sept. 16-Nov. 6.

Vancouver, Canada: Vancouver Comedy Festival, Sept. 18-24, is one of North America’s largest.

Monte Carlo: Monaco Yacht Show, Sept. 20-23.

Sedona, Ariz.: 25th anniversary Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, Sept. 21-24.

San Francisco: San Francisco Blues Festival, Sept. 22-24.

York, England: The York Festival of Food and Drink, Sept. 22-Oct. 1, promotes Yorkshire’s bounty.

Fayetteville, Ark.: Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally event, Sept. 27-30.

Las Vegas: Blue Sky International Film Festival, Sept. 28-Oct. 2, will likely screen about 150 independent features, documentaries and shorts.

Lugano, Switzerland: The city’s Autumn Festival, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, a feast of local foods, wines and folk music.

Washington, D.C.: The National Book Festival, Sept. 30, sponsored by the Library of Congress.

Natchez, Miss.: During Natchez Fall Pilgrimage, Sept. 30-Oct. 14, numerous historic homes and plantations are opened to the public.

October

London: The Chelsea Crafts Fair, Oct. 3-15, is one of Europe’s best for jewelry, ceramics, glass, furniture and more.

Morehead City, N.C.: The North Carolina Seafood Festival, Oct. 6-8, one of the world’s largest.

Tenterden, England: The Tenterden Folk Festival, Oct. 6-8, showcases folk song, music and dance.

Bridger, Mont.: The Raptor Festival, Oct. 7-8, schedules activities around North America’s largest known migration of golden eagles.

Albuquerque: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Oct. 7-15.

Cheltenham, England: The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Oct. 7-16, among the world’s oldest such events, presents top novelists, actors, comedians, playwrights, politicians and poets in several hundred events.

Salzburg, Austria: Salzburg Culture Days, Oct. 13-28, second only to the city’s summer Salzburg Festival for opera and classical music.

Canterbury, England: The Canterbury Festival, Oct. 14-28, a multi-arts event showcasing music from classical to blues, opera, art, dance, films and more.

Key West, Fla.: Key West Fantasy Fest, Oct. 20-29, takes the 2006 theme “Key Weird on the Dis-Oriented Express” with a parade and thousands of costumed merrymakers.

Seville, Spain: WOMEX, the World Music Expo, Oct. 25-29.

Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona Jazz Festival, Oct. 26-Dec. 4.

November

Houston: International Quilt Festival, Nov. 2-5.

Pushkar, India: Rajasthan’s Pushkar Camel Fair, Nov. 2-5, is a world-class extravaganza of color and activity.

Hilton Head Island, S.C.: The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance, Nov. 3-5, an exhibition of world-class pre- and postwar automobiles.

Britain (various): Guy Fawkes Day (Gunpowder Day), Nov. 5, marked with fireworks and bonfires in cities and towns.

New York: The New York City Marathon, Nov. 5.

Haines, Alaska: The Alaska Bald Eagle Festival, Nov. 8-12, features guided eagle viewing, speakers, presentations, photo workshops and more. More than 3,000 of the birds gather in the area each fall.

Chicago: SOFA, an international exhibition of sculpture, objects and found art, Nov. 10-12.

Bath, England: Bath Mozart Festival, Nov. 10-18.

San Miniato, Italy: White Truffle Festival, Nov. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26.

London: The St. Ceciliatide International Festival of Music, Nov. 18-26, world-class classical performers in historic surroundings honor music’s patron saint.

Vadstena, Sweden: Gammeljul, Nov. 24-27, a traditional Swedish Christmas market held in a 16th century castle.

Buffalo, N.Y.: The World’s Largest Disco, Nov. 25, takes place every Thanksgiving weekend on New York state’s biggest dance floor, at the Buffalo Convention Center.

San Francisco: Run to the Far Side, Nov. 26, an annual run through Golden Gate Park in which participants dress as their favorite Gary Larson cartoon character.

December

Birmingham, England: The National Christmas Lacemaker’s Fair, Dec. 2.

Abilene, Kan.: During the Christmas Tour of Historic Homes, Dec. 2-3, many seasonally decorated 19th century homes are opened to the public.

Las Vegas: The New Las Vegas Marathon, Dec. 3.

Miami: Art Basel Miami Beach, Dec. 7-10 in the city’s Art Deco district, combines a major international art show with special exhibitions and music, film, architecture and design events.

York, England: The York Christmas Early Music Festival, Dec. 7-10.

Verona, Italy: Santa Lucia Festival, Dec. 10-13.

Amsterdam: The Royal Concertgebouw orchestra’s Christmas matinee concert, Dec. 25, a holiday tradition.

Miami: Coconut Grove kicks off New Year’s festivities on the afternoon of Dec. 31 with the King Mango Strut parade. The partying continues with a huge gathering at Miami’s Bayfront Park.

New York: New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, marked not only with Times Square’s falling ball, but with fireworks in Central Park, in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and off South Street Seaport.

Rio de Janeiro: Fireworks, samba and raucous partying mark New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, on Copacabana Beach.

Sydney, Australia: New Year’s Eve fireworks over Darling Harbor, Dec. 31, are among the world’s most spectacular.