A guide to events worth planning a trip around. Events are listed by location first, and then date. For a comprehensive calendar, see www.honoluluadvertiser.com/travel.

IN THE ISLANDS

BIG ISLAND

Kawaihae, Aug. 18-19, Establishment Day Cultural Festival. The 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Pu'ukohola Heiau as a national historic site is observed with craft exhibitions, hula and "Royal Court" pageantry. (808) 882-7218.

Kona, Aug. 6-10, 48th Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Teams from around the world compete to catch the biggest fish — and to enjoy food, drink and fish stories. www.hibtfishing.com; (808) 329-6155.

MAUI

Lahaina, Sept. 14-15, Taste of Lahaina and Best of Island Music Festival. Grazing event with restaurant sampling, beer and wine garden, children's play area, continuous live music; 5-10 p.m. Lahaina Recreation Park II; fee for adults, but children younger than 12 free. www.visitlahaina.com; Lahainatown Action Committee, (808) 667-9175; (888) 310-1117.

Ka'anapali, Aug. 31, 15th Annual Maui Chefs Present. Themed dinner and cocktail party under the stars, 6 to 10 p.m., Hyatt Regency Maui. Admission. www.visitlahaina.com; Lahainatown Action Committee, (808) 667-9175; (888) 310-1117.

Lahaina, Oct. 31, Halloween in Lahaina. Celebrated since 1990 with more than 20,000 costumed revelers on Front Street from 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. Children's costume parade at 4:30 p.m. followed by arts, crafts, activities, food sales and the Maui Tacos Halloween Costume Contest in Banyan Tree Park at 7 p.m. Free admission. www.visitlahaina.com; Lahainatown Action Committee, (808) 667-9175; (888) 310-1117.

O'AHU

Waikiki, Oct. 7, Moloka'i Hoe Outrigger Canoe Championship. This grueling race is regarded as the men's world championship of long-distance outrigger canoe racing, and ends with festivities and excitement shortly after midday at Duke Kahanamoku Beach in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. www.ohcra.com/molokaihoe/molokaihoe.htm.

U.S. MAINLAND

ARIZONA

Phoenix, March, Festival of the West. Western music, cowboy poetry, movie screenings, Western film celebrities shoeing competition, chuck wagon cookin' competition, Western art, cowboy collectibles, retail show. One of the top 100 events in the country. www.festivalofthewest.com.

CALIFORNIA

Monterey, Sept. 21-23, Monterey Jazz Festival, 50th anniversary. The Monterey Fairgrounds, site of the first festival 50 years ago, will again host the event, for which tickets go on sale March 30. 2008 dates: Sept. 19-21. www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

Pasadena, Jan. 1, Tournament of Roses. 119th annual parade (8 a.m.) and 94th annual Rose Bowl football game (2 p.m.) is themed "Passport to the World's Celebrations." Find out about tickets and tour packages at www.tournamentofroses.com.

FLORIDA

Key West, Oct. 19-28, Fantasy Fest. Themed "Gnomes, Toads and White Rabbit Tea Parties," this campy multiday, multi-event metrosexual celebration includes a costume parade sponsored by Captain Morgan rum, a headress ball, a street fair, a pet masquerade (featuring cross-dressing animals and their look-alike owners), a fancy dress party, a toga party and more. www.fantasyfest.net.

CANADA

Stratford, Ontario, Now-November, Stratford Festival of Canada. The 55th annual theatrical festival ranges from Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde, "Oklahoma" to "To Kill a Mockingbird," plus lectures, tours and family/children's events. www.stratford-festival.on.ca.

Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Now-Oct. 27, Shaw Festival. Ten plays in overlapping runs in three theaters make up this annual theatrical festival that celebrates the works of George Bernard Shaw but includes plays of other masters. www.shawfest.com.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 13

A BIG OL' GARDEN PARTY

Every year since 1932, the owners of historic antebellum homes in Natchez, Miss., have thrown open their doors and unveiled their gardens for tourists to enjoy in a tradition called Natchez Pilgrimage Tours. The dates this year are Sept. 29 to Oct. 13. Additionally, a spring pageant brings to life scenes of Southern life, and there are concerts and theatrical presentations as well. www.natchezpilgrimage.com; (800) 647-6742.

NOV. 2-11

CELEBRATING KONA COFFEE

The 37th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates the 179th year of commercial coffee-growing on the Big Island Nov. 2 to 11. Nearly 50 festival events are planned, including contests (cooking, cupping, picking), tastings, ethnic events, two parades, a scholarship pagaent, farm tours, art exhibits, an outdoor concert and more. (808) 326-7820; www.konacoffeefest.com.