Worldwide 2007 travel festivals & events calendar

By Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
06:34 PM PST, February 02, 2007

JANUARY 2007

Amsterdam: Through March 4. The Van Gogh Museum presents "Van Gogh and Expressionism," in collaboration with the Neue Galerie in New York. It features 20 paintings by Van Gogh and 40 by other expressionist artists. http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/

New York: Through April 29. At the Met, "Discovering Tutankhamun: The Photographs of Harry Burton." Vintage photos of every stage of the excavation of the tomb of King Tut. http://www.metmuseum.org

New York: Through Feb. 12. "Doug Aitken: sleepwalkers." The project is the first to bring art to the exterior walls of the Museum of Modern Art. http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2007/Aitken.html

February

Ashland, Ore.: Feb. 16-Oct. 28. Oregon Shakespeare Festival. http://www.orshakes.org/

Bend, Ore.: Every February. WinterFest. Ice carving, fireworks, skating, snowboarding, live music, polar plunge. http://www.bendwinterfest.com

Berlin: Feb. 8-18. Berlin International Film Festival. http://www.berlinale.de

Boston: Feb. 10-11. Boston Wine Expo. Billed as the largest trade and consumer wine event in the U.S. The Grand Tasting showcases more than 440 international and domestic wineries from 13 countries and more than 1,800 wines. http://www.wineexpoboston.com

Hong Kong: Feb. 18. Chinese New Year parade. Dragon dancers at the Wan Chai Harbourfront with myriad floats for the year of the boar. http://www.hkta.org/eng/showtime/mega/cnyc/cny_02.jhtml

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Feb. 26. Thaipusam celebration. A day of penance and thanksgiving. Deity Lord Subramaniam's jeweled chariot is led in a mass procession through the streets, culminating at the Batu Caves in Selangor. Thousands of Hindu devotees in a trancelike state. http://www.heritage.gov.my

Longyearbyen, Norway: Every February. Polarjazz. Billed as the northernmost jazz festival. On the Svalbard islands, due south of the North Pole. http://www.polarjazz.no

New York: Every February. The National Black Fine Art Show. Billed as the only such fair in the world showcasing original artwork by African, African American and Caribbean artists. http://www.nationalblackfineartshow.com

New Brunswick, N.J.: Feb. 16-18. U.S. Super 8 Film and Digital Video Festival. Its claim to fame: the longest-running, nationally recognized, juried 8 millimeter film/video festival in North America. http://www.njfilmfest.com/ New Orleans: Feb. 20 is Mardi Gras. Legendary street party. http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/

Ottawa, Canada: Feb.911, 16-18. Winterlude. Said to be North America's largest winter festival with the world's largest skating rink in the form of Rideau Canal. Shows, snow sculpture, skating. http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca

Pismo State Beach, Calif.: February is prime time at the Monarch Butterfly Grove. http://www.morrobaymuseum.org/pismo_butterflies.html

Rio de Janeiro: Feb. 17-20. Rio Carnival. This spectacle is the one with which all other carnivals are compared. http://www.ipanema.com/carnival/dates.htm2000

Sapporo, Japan: Feb. 6-12. Sapporo Snow Festival. The International Snow Statue Competition pits teams in creating fantastic ice sculptures, some several stories tall. http://www.snowfes.com/english/index.html

Sea Isle City, N.J.: Feb. 17. 13th annual Polar Bear Plunge. http://www.seaislecity.org/events.html

March

Aalborg, Denmark: March 1-12. The small city is host to the country's only Opera Festival, with music in venues throughout town. http://www.operabase.com/festival.cgiissd

San Francisco: March 3. Chinese New Year parade. Said to be the largest celebration of its kind outside Asia. Spectacular floats. http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com

Adelaide, Australia: March 8-31. Adelaide Fringe 2007. The country's biggest arts festival and said to be the second-biggest Fringe Festival in the world, with comedy, visual arts, cabaret, digital arts, dance and more at hundreds of venues across Adelaide. http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Auckland, New Zealand: Opening March 9. The 3rd Auckland Triennial. Said to be New Zealand's premier international contemporary art exhibition. Painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, film and more. http://www.aucklandartgallery.govt.nz/exhibitions/0703turbulence.asp

Brooklyn, N.Y.: March 23-July 1. "Global Feminisms." Billed as the first international exhibition exclusively dedicated to feminist art from 1990 to the present. Inaugurates a Brooklyn Museum center devoted to art made with a feminist point of view. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org

Brussels: March 25 marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Community. Celebrations include exhibitions, fireworks and festivals throughout the year in EU member states. europa.eu/50/index_en.htm

Budapest, Hungary: March 16-April 1. Budapest Spring Festival has gained an international reputation with operettas, chamber and orchestral music, theater and more. http://www.budapestitavaszifesztival.hu/btf2007

Las Vegas: March 24. The Monster Jam World Finals. Monster trucks from around the globe compete for racing world champion and freestyle world champion. http://www.monsterjamonline.com

Lisse, Netherlands: March 22-May 20. The Keukenhof Gardens in spring. The gardens are said to be the most famous spring bulb garden in the world, with more than 7 million tulips and other bulb flowers in bloom, covering an area of 80 acres. http://www.keukenhof.nl

Longyearbyen, Norway: March. Solfest. Norway's northernmost outpost marks the return of the sun after months of darkness. http://www.isic.org/sisp/index.htmfxeventevent_id42015

Maastricht, Netherlands: March 9-18. The European Fine Art Fair. The oldest town in the Netherlands will host the world's most renowned art and antiques fair with more than 200 dealers from 14 countries. http://www.tefaf.com

Mexico City: March 15-31. Festival de México en el Centro Histórico. Regarded as one of Latin America's top festivals, the event includes opera, concerts, theater, art exhibits, dance productions and gourmet fare. More than a million local and international visitors are expected. http://www.fchmexico.com

San Francisco: March 17. St. Patrick's Day parade. Annual parade through San Francisco starting at the Ferry Building. http://www.sfstpatricksdayparade.com

Stratton, Vt.: March 12-18. The U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships. Draws the sport's best athletes. http://www.opensnowboarding.com/

Valencia, Spain: March 1-19. The Fallas festival, possibly the noisiest of Spain's celebrations, with fireworks and bonfires, bands, street performances and elaborate lighting displays. Colossal fallas, sculptures of wood, cardboard and sometimes cork, are burned in immense bonfires on the final day of the festival. http://www.fallasfromvalencia.com/en/htm/lasfallas.htm

Warsaw: March 25-April 6. The Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival. A salute to the composer and classical music, with concerts, conferences and exhibitions. http://www.isic.org/sisp/index.htmfxevent.searchloc_id131098

Washington, D.C.: March 31-April 15. The National Cherry Blossom Festival. When myriad cherry trees bloom in the nation's capital. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

April

Austin, Texas: April 7. Spamarama. "The Perpetual Pandemonious Party of Pork." http://www.spamarama.com/

Chicago: April 27-30. Art Chicago is touted as the most important art fair in the United States. http://www.mmart.com/artchicago/showInfo.html

Indio, Calif.: April 27-29. The Coachella Valley Music Festival. http://www.coachella.com

Japan: April 29-May 5. Golden Week. Four national holidays in one week are marked around the country: Showa Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html

Las Vegas: April 18-22. FEI World Cup Finals. Premier international equestrian event. http://www.worldcuplasvegas.com/

New Orleans: April 27-29, May 4-6. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. http://www.nojazzfest.com/

Paro, Bhutan: April 6-10. The Paro Tsechu Buddhist Festival. Masked dancers in ornate costume. Said to be the largest and most spectacular of this Buddhist festival celebrated in the Himalayan kingdom. http://www.hostelbookers.com/info/events/17586700

Whistler, Canada: April 13-22. The Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, billed as the biggest music and snow sport celebration in North America. http://www.whistler2006.com/

May

Louisville, Ky.: May 6. Kentucky Derby. Grab your fancy hat and your racing form. http://www.kentuckyderby.com

Cannes, France: May 16-27. Cannes International Film Festival. http://www.cannes-festival.com/

Charleston, S.C.: May 25-June 10. Spoleto Festival USA. Major performing arts festival. http://www.spoletousa.org/

Ennis, Texas: May 25-27. The National Polka Festival. A Texas celebration of Czech heritage. http://www.nationalpolkafestival.com/

June

Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal: June 22-July 1. Sanjoaninas. The 10-day event, which dates to the 16th century, is held on Terceira Island in the Azores. It opens with the march of the queen and features folk dances, parades and a bullfighting festival.

http://www.visitportugal.com/

Aspen, Colo.: June 20-Aug. 19. Aspen Music Festival. Hundreds of young musicians are invited for nine weeks of music-making. http://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/index.cfmswf_plugin080

Grahamstown, South Africa: June 28-July 7. National Arts Festival. Touted as the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent. http://www.nafest.co.za/

Greece: June-August. The Hellenic Festival. Includes events at the Herod Atticus Theater, the Lycabettus Theater, and the ancient theater at Epidaurus. http://www.hellenicfestival.gr/

Madeira Islands, Portugal: June 1-30. The Atlantic Festival. Classical music and the International Fireworks Competition. http://www.visitportugal.com

New York: June 2-3, 9-10. 31st annual American Crafts Festival. Advertised as the top crafts event in New York and one of the best in the nation. http://www.craftsatlincoln.org/American_Crafts_Festival/american_crafts_festival.html

Tomar, Portugal: June 30-July 9. Festival of the Trays. It takes place every four years. The procession includes hundreds of girls in white dresses wearing towering headdresses made of loaves of bread and interwoven flowers. They're followed by oxen pulling cartloads of bread, wine and meat. Streets are decorated, and there's live music and fireworks. http://www.visitportugal.com/pturismo/Eventos/Eventos.aspx

Maribor, Slovenia: June-July. Festival Lent. One of Europe's biggest festivals, with concerts of classical, jazz and pop music, drama and puppet theaters, workshops for kids, dance performances. Includes Folkart, the international folklore festival; Jazzlent; and the Street Theatre Festival. http://www.culturalprofiles.org.uk/slovenia/Units/4332.html

New York City: June-August. SummerStage. A New York summer ritual, with free music, theater, opera and dance in Central Park. http://www.summerstage.org/

San Diego: June 16-17. Taste of Gaslamp. A self-guided walking tour through the historic Gaslamp Quarter with tasty samples from restaurants. http://www.gaslamp.org/taste.php

San Francisco: June 24-25. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride parade. Held during the pride celebrations in June, this annual parade runs along Market Street. http://www.sfpride.org

Valencia, Spain: June 23-July 7. Valencia hosts the 32nd edition of the America's Cup, the world's most important sailing event. http://www.americascup.com/en/

Wimbledon, England: June 25-July 8. The Wimbledon tennis tournament. http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index.html

July

Boston: Fourth of July celebration. "America's biggest Independence Day party." http://www.july4th.org/

Cooperstown, N.Y.: July 28-31. Baseball Hall of Fame induction weekend. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hof_weekend/index.htm

Córdoba, Spain: July 3-14. International Guitar Festival.

http://www.spain.info

Denver: July 6-8. Cherry Creek Arts Festival. http://www.cherryarts.org

East Bohemia, Czech Republic: July. The Czech Open, the largest chess festival in the world, plus an international bridge, card and board-games festival. http://www.czechopen.net/news/index.php

Fès, Morocco: July 1-10. Fès World Sacred Music Festival. http://www.fesfestival.com/en06/index.php

Gettysburg, Pa.: July 6-8. Battle of Gettysburg reenactment. This reenactment is said to be the largest of its kind, with more than 20,000 people participating and tens of thousands of spectators. http://www.gettysburgreenactment.com/

Ghana: July 23-Aug. 1. Panafest. Held every two years, this year's event coincides with the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence. Dance, music, theater and other performing arts. Activities include rites-of-passage programs and slave-march reenactment. http://www.panafest.org/

London: July 6. The world's top bicycling event, the Tour de France, kicks off in London, passing by landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. http://www.letour.fr/

Ljubljana, Slovenia: International Summer Festival. July-August. Held in the open-air Krizanke Summer Theater. Musical, theatrical and dance performances attract acclaimed artists from all over the world. http://www.ljubljanafestival.si/lngen

Montreux, Switzerland: July 6-21. Montreux Jazz Festival. Its 41st year. http://www.montreuxjazz.com/home.aspx

Pamplona, Spain: July 6-14. San Fermín Festival, the Running of the Bulls. http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/spanish-festivals/pamplona-bull-running-san-fermin.htm .

Rockland, Maine: July 31-Aug. 5. Maine Lobster Festival. Five-day fest. About 90,000 people consume about 12 tons of lobster. http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/

New York: July 10-29. Lincoln Center Festival. Three weeks and about 100 performances of music, dance and theater. Centerpiece: At the Met, the Kirov Opera presents Wagner's "The Ring Cycle." Two complete cycles. http://www.lincolncenter.org

Washington, D.C.: July 4 includes America's 2007 Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue, an evening concert by the National Symphony Orchestra and one of the largest shows of fireworks in the U.S. at the National Mall. http://www.july4thparade.com/

August

Aarhus, Denmark: Aug. 31-Sept. 9. Aarhus Festival. Major Scandinavian event with theater, concerts, opera, ballet, music and sports. http://www.aarhusfestuge.dk/aarhusfestuge/festuge2006.nsf/links/English

Detroit: August. African World Festival. Three days of ethnic cuisine, entertainment, plus the African Family Village and the Diaspora Marketplace draws about 1.5 million visitors annually. http://www.maah-detroit.org/

Flushing Meadows, N.Y.: Aug. 27-Sept. 9. The U.S. Open. America's premier tennis tournament. http://www.usopen.org

Japan: The Buddhist festival of Obon is celebrated all over the country. Lanterns are set afloat on rivers, lakes and seas. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2286.html

Manhattan: Aug. 30-Sept. 2. The seventh annual New York Salsa Congress. Concerts, workshops. http://www.nycsalsacongress.com/

Maralal, Kenya: August. International Camel Derby and Festival. Amateur and professional categories. Camels, with or without handlers, are available to hire for would-be competitors. http://www.tourismkenya.com/camelderby/index.html

Venice, Italy: Aug. 29-Sept. 8. Venice Film Festival. The world's oldest film festival still in existence, started in 1932. http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/

Zagreb, Croatia: Aug. 31-Sept. 7. International Puppet Festival. More than 20 European ensembles demonstrate their skills in Zagreb venues during what's said to be one of the world's most prominent puppetry festivals. public.srce.hr/pif-festival/

September

China: Sept. 10-30. FIFA Women's World Cup soccer tournament. http://www.fifa.com

Mexico: Sept. 15-16. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated nationwide. El Grito, the night of Sept. 15, is a dramatic reenactment of Father Miguel Hidalgo's call for Mexicans to join the uprising, at city halls across the country. Sept. 16, military parades are held in myriad Mexican cities. http://www.visitmexico.com

Monterey, Calif.: Sept. 21-23. The renowned Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2007. http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Pilsen, Czech Republic. Oct. 5-7. Pilsner Fest 165. The 165th anniversary of the brewing of the first batch of Pilsner Urquell beer. info.plzen-city.cz/article.aspsec407lang1033

Prague, Czech Republic: Sept. 12-Oct. 1. Prague Autumn International Music Festival. Top Czech and international orchestras, conductors and soloists. http://www.pragueautumn.cz/en/soubor1.php

October

Adelaide, Australia: Oct. 13-20. Tasting Australia. Advertised as the most significant event of its kind. Food, wine, beer, gastronomic discussion, international food media awards, etc. http://www.tasting-australia.com.au/

Albuquerque: Oct. 6-14. The International Balloon Fiesta. Myriad colorful balloons in its renowned mass ascension. http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

Birmingham, Ala.: Opens October. Birmingham International Festival. Celebrates a different country or culture each year. Held annually since 1951. http://www.bifsalutes.org

Nong Khai, Thailand: October. The Naga fireballs. A natural phenomenon in which hundreds of pink, orange and red fireballs rise out of the Mekong River and disappear into the air. Also: light-and-sound shows and a long-boat race. http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/2215.asp

Romania: It's Halloween in Transylvania. Tours, shows and celebrations follow the footsteps of Bram Stoker's novel character, Count Dracula. http://www.romaniatourism.com

Santarém, Portugal: October-November. The National Gastronomy Festival. The country's main fair showcases the flavors of different regions. http://www.portugal.org/tourism/calendar11.shtml

November

Christchurch, New Zealand: November. New Zealand Cup Week includes fashion, food and horse racing. http://www.nzcupandshow.co.nz/2006 .

Las Vegas: National Finals Rodeo. http://www.nfrexperience.com

New York City: November. The lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. http://www.nyctourist.com/xmas_rockcenter1.htm

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: November. Festival of the Reversing Current. When the Tonle Sap River switches directions. Elaborate vessels and boat races. http://www.whatsonwhen.com/events/event.asp/events/6440.jm

San Francisco: November. American Indian Film Festival. http://www.aifisf.com

December

Mexico City: Dec. 12. Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Millions pay tribute to the country's patron saint. There's singing and dancing at the square in front of the Basílica de Guadalupe. http://www.visitmexico.com

Diafarabe, Mali: December. Deegal, or the Cattle Crossing festival. Herders bring cattle from grazing lands to the river at Diafarabe. All cross, and celebrations follow. http://www.ambamali-jp.org/en/e04-04.html

Konya, Turkey: December. The Whirling Dervishes Festival. Dervishes in long white robes spin to the strains of ancient music. http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/CentralAnatolia/Konya/mevlevi.html

Madeira Islands, Portugal: Dec. 31. Major fireworks greet the new year. The 2006 New Year's Eve fireworks display was awarded a Guinness World Record for the largest fireworks display in the world. http://www.madeiratourism.com

Marion Bay, Tasmania, and Lorne, Australia: Dec. 31. The Falls Festival. New Year's Eve music festival celebrated with music and camping. http://www.fallsfestival.com/

Mecca, Saudi Arabia: The Hajj. A multitude of Muslims, including a growing number of Americans, make the pilgrimage to Islam's holiest city.

Mexico: December. Posadas. The processions that re-create Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem are held throughout the country. People holding candles knock on doors seeking shelter. http://www.visitmexico.com

Swaziland: December-January. Festival of the First Fruits. A party to kick off the harvest season. http://www.african.net/incwala.htm