JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST
NORTHEASTERN U.S.
June 1–4
Cape Cod Life Food & Wine Festival
Boston
Cape Cod Life Publications hosts this inaugural event showcasing the best culinary offerings from Cape Cod, Boston, and the surrounding area. More than 40 restaurants hold nightly dinners featuring the chef’s finest creations. In addition, local and international winemakers offer pairings of vintages from around the world. festival.
capecodlife.com
June 12–15
Affordable Art Fair
New York City
The perfect venue for novice art buyers to make that first purchase, this seventh annual festival features works from more than 75 galleries representing 12 countries. Most of the pieces on display are priced between $100 and $5,000, and nothing is more than $10,000. Buyers can choose from contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography, and prints.
aafnyc.com
June 15–September 1
Baseball As America
Boston
This traveling exhibition spends ten weeks at the Museum of Science, Boston, showcasing more than 500 artifacts from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. The artifacts date back to the game’s origins 150 years ago and include the “Green Light” letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt encouraging the MLB commissioner to keep the game going during WWII, the T206 Honus Wagner card of 1909, and the baseball that Cy Young threw for the first pitch of the first World Series in 1903.
mos.org
June 20–22
Popped! Festival
Philadelphia
More than 40 musicians will perform over three days at this outdoor festival headquartered at Drexel University. In addition to offering entertainment for all ages, the event is focused on promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle. Electricity will come from generators using biodiesel, a vegetable-based fuel, and water stations will replace bottled water.
poppedphiladelphia.org
June 21–22
National Capital Barbecue Battle
Washington, D.C.
Teams representing the nation’s two largest barbecue competition organizations — the Kansas City Barbecue Society and the Memphis in May barbecue contest — vie for the title of National Barbecue Champion. The top team gets over $40,000 in cash and prizes, but the real winners are the guests who get to sample the chefs’ creations.
bbqdc.com
July 11–15
DHL All-Star FanFest
New York City
festival kicks off Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week. Fans can meet players and managers, and test their skills with virtual pitching and batting exhibits. The world’s largest baseball — 12 feet in diameter — will also be on display.
allstargame.com
July 11–20
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
Pittsburgh
This is the only place in the country where vintage autos race on city streets. In addition to the main event — a 2.33-mile race through Schenley Park — there’s a road rally, car shows, and a parade.
pvgp.org
July 12–13
Taste of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
The city proves there’s more to its cuisine than chicken wings with this event, now in its 25th year. Visitors can taste a variety of foods, from Polish pierogies to Italian sausages to German pastries. Plate-size samples are available for up to $4, while smaller bite-size portions are just $1. Participating restaurants also offer healthy options that are lower in sodium, fat, and cholesterol.
tasteofbuffalo.com
July 12–13
North Atlantic Blues Festival
Rockland, Maine
Held in the city’s Harbor Park, this event showcases more than 15 blues artists from around the world. There’s also a “Club Crawl” featuring more than 15 bars hosting live blues bands.
northatlanticbluesfestival.com
July 26–January 18
Setting Trends: National Jewelry Institute Designer Showcase
Pittsburgh
The work of 39 prominent jewelers, including Gucci, Cartier, and Bulgari, sparkles at this exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
carnegiemnh.org
August 8–9
New York State Yo-Yo Contest & International Yo-Yo Open
New York City
Forget Walk the Dog and Loop the Loop. Yo-yo tricks have come a long way since the toy’s early days. Some of the world’s top performers demonstrate just how far at this second annual event.
yoyoopen.com
MIDWESTERN U.S.
June 13–15
Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival
Avon, Ohio
Just 18 miles outside Cleveland, the unofficial duct tape capital of the world honors its homegrown innovation (the city is the birthplace of the popular Duck brand) with this fifth annual festival. Highlights include displays of artwork, crafts, and fashions made from duct tape.
avonducttapefestival.com
June 28
MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles
Columbus, Ohio
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located about 15 miles outside Columbus in Pickerington, will hold a dedication ceremony for its newest exhibit showcasing more than a hundred of the world’s most recognizable cycle enthusiasts. Highlights include memorabilia from Neil Peart, drummer and lyricist for the band Rush; the bike ridden by Will Smith in the 2004 movie I, Robot; and exotic custom cycles made for entertainers including will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas and comedian Carlos Mencia.
motorcyclemuseum.org
August 29–September 1
SantaCaliGon Days Festival
Independence, Missouri
One of the Midwest’s largest Labor Day festivals takes place just outside of Kansas City. It honors the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails, which all began in the town of Independence. About 250,000 people show up each year for the food, live music, crafts, and historic re-enactments.
santacaligon.com
SOUTHERN U.S.
June 5–8
CMA Music Festival
Nashville
Fans can get close to some of their favorite performers at this annual event featuring autograph sessions and nightly concerts at LP Field. This year’s headliners include Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Dwight Yoakam, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Jewel.
cmafest.com
June 6–8
Harborfest
Norfolk, Virginia
Town Point Park is the place to be for this summertime event, now in its 32nd year. A celebration of the area’s maritime history, the festival includes more than 700 boats and ships, over 130 hours of live entertainment on multiple stages, the Dockside Art Gallery, and a variety of food from crab cakes to funnel cakes.
festeventsva.org
June 13–14
Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival
Tryon, North Carolina
About 40 miles outside Asheville (or 90 miles from Charlotte), you’ll find one of the top five Kansas City Barbecue Society–sanctioned BBQ competitions in the country. This 15th annual event is home to the North Carolina State Barbecue Championship and features all kinds of ’cue — pulled, chopped, and sliced.
blueridgebbqfestival.com
June 28
Great American Backyard Campout
Charlotte
The U.S. National Whitewater Center invites families to come out for this free daylong event featuring kayak clinics, rock climbing, flat-water paddling, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, and more.
usnwc.org
July 1–31
Miami Spa Month
Miami
Visitors can pamper themselves at some of the country’s top spas — at the year’s best prices. All month long, participating spas offer special packages and discounts for luxurious and exotic treatments.
miamispamonth.com
July 12
Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show
Pensacola
The U.S. Navy’s famed Blue Angels make their home base in Pensacola, and the precision flying team presents two shows there each year. The group performs alongside other civilian and military pilots.
blueangels.navy.mil
July 12
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Charlotte
Visitors can taste some of the world’s best beers, sip the finest Kentucky bourbons, and chow down on North Carolina barbecue at this event held at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall. There will also be live music, bourbon tasting classes led by master distillers, and a cigar tent.
beerandbourbon.com/north-carolina/show-info
July 15–20
Hemingway Days
Key West
The island that Ernest Hemingway called home for much of the 1930s celebrates his legacy with six days of events that include a Hemingway look-alike contest, a children’s book signing by grandson Edward Hemingway, and an exhibition of rare memorabilia. The winners of the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition will also be announced.
hemingwaydays.net
WESTERN U.S.
June 6–8
Downtown L.A. Open House 2008
Los Angeles
Visitors who’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in L.A. can experience the city firsthand with this free, self-guided tour of several downtown neighborhoods. Participants can visit a variety of cultural venues, restaurants, and shops, and experience luxury hotels at special reduced rates.
downtownla.com
June 13–September 1
Superstition Obstacle Course
San Francisco
The Exploratorium invites visitors to challenge age-old superstitions — break a mirror, walk under a ladder, step on a crack, spill some salt, and more. It’s part of the museum’s “Mind” exhibit, which explores the processes and mechanisms at work in our brains.
exploratorium.edu
June 27–September 21
Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty
San Francisco
Working in collaboration with three of China’s most prestigious museums, the Bay City’s Asian Art Museum presents an exhibition of art works from one of the most important dynasties in Chinese history. More than 240 objects will be on display, including porcelain, paintings, textiles, and more.
asianart.org
July 12–13
U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition
San Diego
The country’s largest sandcastle competition is held each year at Imperial Beach, about 15 miles south of downtown San Diego. A street fair kicks off the event on Saturday. And on Sunday, amateur and professional sand sculptors vie for more than $21,000 in cash prizes.
usopensandcastle.com
July 18
Mighty Mud Mania
Scottsdale
What began in 1976 as a promotion for Shout pre-wash spray is now the highlight of the Parks and Recreation Division’s summer recreation program. The event features the dirtiest obstacle course around with competitions for kids aged 7 to 17. There’s also a mini mud course and puddle pools for children under 7.
scottsdaleaz.gov/mightymudmania
July 18–20
18th Annual National Train Show
Anaheim
The world’s largest model train show pulls into a different city and state each year. The 2008 event will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center, where visitors will find more than 56,000 square feet of operating model train displays, the latest accessories from U.S. and international vendors, free appraisals, and a children’s play area.
nationaltrainshow.org
August 1–24
La Jolla Music Society SummerFest 2008
San Diego
More than 70 artists and ensembles perform 16 concerts featuring the works of the world’s most renowned composers. The highlight of this year’s event is the addition of a free outdoor concert overlooking the ocean on August 14.
lajollamusicsociety.org
August 28–September 13
Moab Music Festival
Moab, Utah
Taking place over three weeks, this annual event lets visitors experience “music in concert with the landscape.” Outdoor concerts take place in spectacular settings, along the banks of the Colorado River and nestled among red rock canyons.
moabmusicfest.org
EUROPE
June 4–8
A Taste of Stockholm
Stockholm
Chefs from some of the city’s finest restaurants prepare their best recipes — with more than 200 different dishes offered. Visitors can enjoy live music while they eat; musicians perform everything from big band to classical to rock ’n’ roll.
smakapastockholm.se
July 1–12
Paris Cinema International Film Festival
Paris
More than 200 films from around the world play at venues across the city for five euros each. This year the festival pays tribute to moviemaking in the Philippines, with special screenings of about 30 films. Other highlights include screenings under the stars, films accompanied by live music, and programs just for kids.
pariscinema.org
May 25–June 8
French Open
Paris
The world’s best tennis players battle it out on the clay courts of Roland Garros Stadium. The tournament is the second of four Grand Slam competitions; the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open are the others.
fft.fr/rolandgarros
July 23–August 3
British International Motor Show
London
Hundreds of cars from the world’s leading manufacturers will be on display by day. Then come nightfall, the Motor Show Music Festival takes over with live performances by artists including UB40, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Chicago, Meat Loaf, Bananarama, Belinda Carlisle, and more.
britishmotorshow.co.uk
August 6–10
Dublin Horse Show
Dublin
Thousands of people turn out for this annual event — one of Ireland’s largest and a highlight of the summer season. Visitors will see some of the country’s best show horses and jumpers from around the world.
dublinhorseshow.com
CANADA
June 10–15
Worldwide Short Film Festival
Toronto
Venues across the city showcase the best short films from around the world. Prizes are handed out for the best Canadian short, as well as the best live-action, animated, documentary, and experimental films.
worldwideshortfilmfest.com
June 26–July 6
Montreal International Jazz Festival
Montreal
Several downtown city blocks are closed to traffic from noon to midnight to make way for 11 days of nonstop entertainment. Highlights include live music, an art gallery, street performers, and a musical park for kids.
montrealjazzfest.com
MEXICO/CARIBBEAN
June 8–15
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
Artists from the U.S. and Europe join performers from Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean for this 18th annual event. It features eight days of music and entertainment suitable for all ages.
ochoriosjazz.com
June 29
San Pedro and San Pablo Festival
Cozumel, Mexico
Each year the island honors St. Peter and St. Paul with this community fair. The event includes rides, food, and a craft show.
islacozumel.com.mx
July 13–19
Reggae Sumfest
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Some of the world’s best roots, rock, and reggae artists perform at this annual event, now celebrating its 15th anniversary. Past guests have included Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott.
reggaesumfest.com
