MARCH, APRIL AND MAY

 

NORTHEASTERN U.S.
March 2–9
Philadelphia Flower Show
Philadelphia
The world’s premier indoor flower show celebrates the birthplace of jazz with a New Orleans theme for 2008. “Jazz It Up!” features pumped-up versions of the Crescent City’s walled courtyards, cast-iron balconies, fountains, and canals. The show is held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
theflowershow.com

March 7–16
Beer Week
Philadelphia
This first-ever event is hosted by Don Russell, a.k.a. “Joe Sixpack,” an award-winning local journalist who specializes in all things malted. Highlights of the festival include a tutored tasting at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, a cask ale festival, beer dinners, tastings, and meet-the-brewer events at area restaurants.
phillybeerweek.org

March 28–30
CRAFTBOSTON 2008
Boston
This annual event, sponsored by the Society of Arts and Crafts, attracts both U.S. and international artists working in a variety of media, including jewelry, fiber, ceramics, paper, metal, and glass. Visitors can stop by to see or buy one-of-a-kind items and hear educational lectures by artists and collectors.
craftboston.org

March 29
42nd Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival
Washington, D.C.
The skies above the National Mall will be filled with colorful paper and ribbons as kite fliers from around the country and the world gather to celebrate their hobby. The event dates to 1967 and was created by Paul E. Garber, founder of the National Air and Space Museum.
kitefestival.org

March 29
Climb Pittsburgh II
Pittsburgh
The American Lung Association hosts this athletic challenge to raise funds for the fight against lung disease. Participants race to the top of the downtown Gulf Tower — a climb of 760 steps. Non-climbers can make pledges or donations online.
climbpittsburgh.lunginfo.org

March 29–April 13
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington, D.C.
The city welcomes spring with this signature event now in its 96th year. The festival celebrates the city of Tokyo’s gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the people of D.C. in 1912. A parade is set for April 12.
nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

April 3–15
Philadelphia Film Festival
Philadelphia
Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, this annual event showcases the best in independent and foreign cinema in theaters throughout the city. Visitors can choose from full-length and short films as well as documentaries, experimental works, and animation.
phillyfests.com

April 21
112th Boston Marathon
Boston
The world’s oldest annual marathon is now also regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious running events. The first race, held in 1897, attracted a field of 15 runners. Last year’s event featured more than 20,000 participants.
bostonmarathon.org

April 29–May 4
PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
New York City
Hosted by PEN American Center, an organization devoted to promoting literature and defending free expression, this fourth annual event features more than 100 authors from around the world participating in discussions, readings, and performances. Events take place at venues across the city. Notable guests include Salman Rushdie and Annie Proulx.
pen.org

May 10–11
Wings Over Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh.
Elite pilots and hi-tech aircraft take to the sky in this eighth annual event at the Air Force Reserve base in Moon Township. The Snowbirds, Canada’s precision aerobatic team, will perform. The event is free.
wingsoverpittsburgh.com

May 17–January 4, 2009
The Horse
New York City
The latest exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History explores the relationship between humans and horses. The display focuses on the evolution of the horse, which dates back more than 50 million years, and highlights the ways that the animal has influenced warfare, trade, transportation, agriculture, sports, and other facets of human life.
amnh.org

MIDWESTERN U.S.
March 7–8
Schlafly 8th Annual Stout and Oyster Festival
St. Louis
The Schlafly Tap Room flies in more than 25,000 fresh oysters from both coasts for this yearly event. Guests can sample oysters prepared in a broad range of cooking styles and dishes. You’ll find them fried, grilled, and baked; there’s also a raw bar offering several varieties on the half shell. Of note: the oysters Rockefeller, the gumbo, and the po’boys.
schlafly.com

March 19–22
Wheel and Sprocket Bike Expo
Milwaukee
The Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park hosts this bike show and sale featuring more than 1,500 bicycles — fully assembled and ready to ride. Guests can shop for bike parts, accessories, and clothing; attend clinics and seminars; and visit with factory representatives and bike experts.
milwaukee.org/calendar

April 30–May 3
29th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival
St. Louis
Each year, more than 60 professional storytellers from across the country come together for this free four-day event. Hosted by the University of Missouri–St. Louis Continuing Education program and College of Arts & Sciences, the festival features events at venues across the city.
umsl.edu/storytelling

May 17
Kansas City Literary Festival
Kansas City
Returning for its second year, this event brings authors and book lovers together for a day of discussions and readings. National, local, and regional authors will be represented, with stages devoted to kids, poetry, specialty authors, and culinary interests.
kansascitylitfest.org

SOUTHERN U.S.
March 3–22
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston
Almost two million people visit Reliant Park each year for the biggest livestock show in the world. In addition to cowboys, bulls, and horses, the event features world-class entertainment. Headliners for 2008 include Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana, and Rascal Flatts.
hlsr.com

March 20–April 5
Savannah Music Festival
Savannah
Georgia’s largest music festival is a 17-day marathon of nearly 100 shows at theaters, auditoriums, and other venues around the historic city. Highlights include new works from drummer Stewart Copeland, fresh off a world tour with The Police, and jazz trombone great Wycliffe Gordon.
savannahmusicfestival.org

March 21–23
Big South National Qualifier
Atlanta
The nation’s largest indoor volleyball event features about 900 teams competing to qualify for the USA Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball Championships. One of nine such tournaments held across the country, the event attracts more than 38,000 players and spectators to the Georgia World Congress Center.
bigsouth.us

March 28–30
Spring Daytona Beach Car Show and Swap Meet
Daytona Beach
The infield of Daytona International Speedway will be filled with thousands of vehicles, from classic cars to hot rods, for this annual event. In addition to show cars, the festival features a swap meet with both new and used parts, a car corral with vehicles for sale, and a display of homemade crafts.
daytonabeachcarshows.com

April 1–5
Tin Pan South
Nashville
The country’s largest music festival dedicated to songwriters and their craft boasts more than 70 performances over five days and nights. Each year the festival features hundreds of songwriters and in the past has welcomed artists such as Art Garfunkel, Garth Brooks, Donna Summer, Loretta Lynn, and Kenny Loggins. Shows take place at venues across the city.
tinpansouth.com

April 3–6
Food Lion AutoFair
Charlotte
Billed as the world’s largest automotive extravaganza, this fair takes over Lowe’s Motor Speedway with cars from more than 50 clubs, thousands of parts and memorabilia vendors, and a collector car auction.
lowesmotorspeedway.com

April 18–20
Virginia International Tattoo
Norfolk
A tradition that dates to 17th century Europe, a tattoo is a ceremonial performance of military music by massed bands. This event, the largest tattoo in the U.S., includes marching bands, pipe and drum teams, gymnasts, Scottish dancers, and choirs. More than 850 participants from eight countries will perform.
vafest.org

April 22–25
A Night in Old San Antonio
San Antonio
This four-night extravaganza is one of the largest historic preservation festivals in the country. Set in the La Villita National Historic District, an 18th-century Spanish neighborhood, the event features 15 specialty areas serving a variety of ethnic foods. The event is now in its 60th year and attracts more than 100,000 people.
niosa.org

April 26
Queen’s Cup Steeplechase
Mineral Springs, North Carolina
Held at Brooklandwood, a 300-acre farm located about 40 minutes from downtown Charlotte, this annual event features thoroughbreds competing at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. The three-mile course includes rolling turf and four-foot jumps.
queenscup.org

April 29–30
Ponderosa Stomp
New Orleans
The Crescent City rocks with this two-night concert “celebrating the unsung heroes of the blues, garage, soul, funk, rockabilly, swamp pop, and New Orleans R&B.” Performances take place at the House of Blues and The Parish, an adjacent special events center.
ponderosastomp.com

WESTERN U.S.
March 13–16
National Festival of the West
Phoenix
Visitors pay homage to the Old West at this annual gathering, named one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association. The festival features Western music, Western film and TV celebs, cowboy poetry, more than 200 exhibitors selling Western items, and a chuck wagon cooking competition. The event is held at Rawhide Western Town at Wild Horse Pass.
festivalofthewest.com

March 14
Pi Day 20th Anniversary
San Francisco
It’s the number you get when you divide the circumference of a circle by it’s diameter — 3.1415926535…ad infinitum — and it’s a reason to celebrate at the Exploratorium. The international holiday, held 3/14 at 1:59 p.m., was born at the museum, and visitors still flock there to gather around the Pi Shrine and eat ritual foods, from apple pie to pizza pie.
exploratorium.edu

March 27–30
Pebble Beach Food & Wine
Pebble Beach, California
Billed as the premier epicurean event on the West Coast, this festival brings together 35 top chefs and 200 wineries from around the world for four days of activities, including tastings, wine-pairing dinners, cooking demos, a sommelier challenge featuring blind tastings by master sommeliers, and a rare-wine auction and dinner.
pebblebeachfoodandwine.com

April 2–5
Taste of Vail
Vail, Colorado
Thirty-five chefs and representatives from more than 50 wineries will be on hand for this four-day festival combining great food and unbeatable skiing. Individual events include the chef showcase dinner and silent auction, the 4th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook-Off, and a mountaintop picnic.
tasteofvail.com

April 19
The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta
Tempe
Dozens of boats made entirely from cardboard navigate a 200-yard course across Tempe Town Lake for this annual fundraiser. Awards are given in three classes and two divisions, along with special prizes for team spirit, best dressed, and most creative use of cardboard. The Titanic Award commemorates the most spectacular sinking. Proceeds benefit local children’s charities.
rotaryriverrally.com

April 27
18th Annual Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show
San Francisco
A celebration of all things motorized, this event showcases 2,000 cars, aircraft, and other vehicles at the Half Moon Bay Airport, located about 20 miles south of the Bay City. The festival showcases automobiles ranging from hot rods, customs, low riders, street machines, and muscle cars to touring, luxury, and sports cars. Also on display are historic military aircraft, tricked-out trucks and motorcycles, fire engines, tanks, antique tractors, and more.
miramarevents.com

May 2–11
Hawaii Romance Festival
Honolulu
Already a favorite honeymoon destination, Hawaii solidifies its position as one of the most romantic destinations in the world with this second annual event. Hosted by the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii, the 10-day festival includes concerts of popular love songs, romantic dinners, and a vow renewal ceremony held on the grounds of Iolani Palace.
mcooh.com

May 3–July 5
Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe
Colorado Springs
Works by more than 80 artists document the rise of America’s most iconic sex symbol in this exhibit at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The display includes more than 250 photos and paintings, including the famous Seven Year Itch subway grate scene; The Last Sitting, poignant photos taken of Monroe just six weeks before her death; and Andy Warhol’s well-known series Marilyns.
csfineartscenter.org

EUROPE
March 3–16
Poets’ Springtime
Paris
The City of Lights waxes poetic for two weeks of events devoted to the art of poetry. Debates, exhibitions, recitals, workshops, and more are held at locations around the city, including street corners, cafes, and museums.
printempsdespoetes.com

March 5–11
British Antique Dealers’ Association Fair
London
Held at the Duke of York Square in Chelsea, this antiques showcase features furniture, paintings, and much more. Experts will also be on hand for a series of informal talks and other events.
bada-antiques-fair.co.uk

March 13–16
Rome Marathon
Rome
Runners wind their way past several of the city’s most famous sites, including the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica. The Marathon Village is set up during the three days leading up to the race and is home to vendors and concerts.
maratonadiroma.it

March 15–16
London Orchid Show
London
The Royal Horticultural Society hosts this event at Royal Lawrence Hall. On hand will be exhibitors from the U.K. and abroad, as well as the industry’s top breeders and traders. Visitors can participate in a variety of talks on orchid-related topics, see exotic hybrids along with traditional varieties, and get expert advice from growers.
rhs.org.uk

CANADA
March 12–16
Canada Blooms: The Toronto Flower & Garden Festival
Toronto
Spring arrives along with this annual show featuring over six acres of gardens created by some of Canada’s leading landscape designers. There are over 200 hours of demonstrations and talks led by national and international horticulture experts, and the Marketplace sells the latest gardening products, decorations, and services.
canadablooms.com

May 23–25
EAT! Vancouver
Vancouver
Billed as “The Everything Food and Cooking Festival,” this event is the largest consumer food, beverage, and cooking show in Canada. The event takes place at BC Place Stadium and showcases hundreds of food, beverage, and kitchen goods exhibitors, along with representatives from wineries, breweries, restaurants, and chocolatiers. Activities include cooking demonstrations, wine and cheese seminars, chef competitions, and barbecue and chili cookoffs.
eat-vancouver.com

MEXICO
March 2–9
Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival
Zihuatanejo, Mexico
This fifth annual event features performances at bars and restaurants all around town and raises money for art and cultural endeavors in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.
zihuafest.info

April 21–May 5
Santo Domingo International Book Fair
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Writers, artists, vendors, and bookworms from around the world gather for this event at the Plaza de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte.
ferilibro.com