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

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; 808329-6155.

Volcano, Aug. 4-Sept. 16, "Elements of Nature, Elements of Mythology." This mixed-media exhibit at the Volcano Art Center by artist Brigitte Cooper celebrates the connection between the spiritual and the physical. 808-967-7565; www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Kamuela, Sept. 1 and 2, 33rd annual Parker Ranch Round-Up Club Rodeo. Celebrating 160 years of Hawaiian-style cowboy life, this two-day rodeo at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena (67-1435 Mamalahoa Hwy.) includes competition from team roping to barrel racing and wild cow races. There will be food and tickets are available at the gate. Children 10 and under are free.

O'AHU

Waikiki and elsewhere, Aug. 18-26, 6th annual Duke's Oceanfest. This compendium of ocean events (surfing competitions, volleyball tournaments, concerts on the beach and more) benefit local community organizations and is sponsored by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation in the spirit of the great, late waterman. www.dukefoundation.org.

NORTH AMERICA

CALIFORNIA

Monterey, Sept. 21-23, Monterey Jazz Festival. The Monterey Fairgrounds, site of the first festival 50 years ago, will again host the event. Tickets are on sale. 2008 dates: Sept. 19-21. www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

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 headdress 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

Toronto, Ontario, Aug. 17-Sept. 3, Canadian National Exhibition. Affectionately known as TheEx, this annual, family-friendly event is part carnival, part expo, part circus bringing together an aerial acrobatics and ice-skating show, performances by "The Human Cannonball," military displays, an air show, a daily parade and a dog show. 416-393-6300; www.theex.com.

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

CHINA

Various cities, Sept. 10-30, FIFA Women's World Cup 2007. Sixteen of the world's best women's soccer clubs compete for the world title. www.fifa.com.

NEW ZEALAND

Christchurch, Nov. 11-18, New Zealand Cup Week. This week of activities kicks off the New Zealand horse-racing season, but horse-racing isn't the only attraction; the rather unusual lineup includes fashion shows, an agricultural fair, food events and more. www.nzcupandshow.co.nz.

AUG. 19

SLACK-KEY CELEBRATION

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, set for Aug. 19 at Kapi'olani Park. Started in 1982 to celebrate the masters of slack key, such as the late Gabby Pahinui and Sonny Chillingworth, the festival has brought forward a new generation of artists devoted to the Islands' unique guitar-playing style. Featured this year: Ledward Ka'apana, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Ozzie Kotani, Paul Togioka, Michael Ka'awa, Donald Kaulia, LT Smooth, Pilioha, Maunalua, Glen Smith and Ho'okena, Pali, Dwight Kanae, Kaukahi, Walter Keale, John Keawe, Cindy Combs and many others. The festival also will include arts and crafts, food vendors, informational booths, festival merchandise and will be televised on KITV and webcast in real time (log on to www.taylorguitars.com, www.lava.net, or www.slackkeyfestival.com).

NOV. 1-JAN. 1

OZARK CHRISTMAS

The music mecca of Branson, Mo., is always a festive sort of place, but especially during the holidays when the concert stages, the streets and, indeed, the whole countryside gets gussied up for Ozark Mountain Christmas, a celebration that kicks off Nov.