A guide to events worth planning a trip around. Events are listed by location first, and then date.

IN THE ISLANDS

O'AHU

Hale'iwa, July 21 and 22, Hale'iwa Summer ArtFest. "Celebrate the Arts! Rediscover the Artist Within!," 10th annual Hale'iwa Arts Festival Summer ArtFest, juried art exhibit in multiple media for viewing, browsing and purchasing, plus music and dance with audience participation encouraged. Also: storytelling, cultural history tours, demonstrations and displays. www.HaleiwaArtsFestival.org

BIG ISLAND

Honaunau, June 29-July 1, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau Cultural Festival. At this annual festival, you learn to understand the Hawaiian concept of an asylum — protection if you broke a law - plus see demonstrations, and even participate in Hawaiian arts and crafts. (808) 328-2326, ext. 32; www.nps.gov/puho

Volcano, July 4, Volcano Village Fourth of July Parade and Celebration. Whatever can be propelled, from feet to floats, takes part in this folksy annual parade on Old Volcano Road onto Wright Road and to the community's Cooper Center (you can even march in it yourself if you want). Food, music, fun follow. Information: Dianne Morgado, (808) 982-7317 or dmorgado@hawaii.rr.com

U.S. MAINLAND

NEVADA

Las Vegas, Oct. 16-Nov. 4, Professional Bull Riders World Finals. Held the fourth Friday of every October, this death-defying event draws cowboys from throughout the country for two weekends of rides at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and the Thomas & Mack Center. Side shows include blackjack and golf tournaments, a fashion show, concerts and shopping opportunities. www.pbrnow.com

NEW YORK

New York City, July 10-14, Summer Restaurant Week. Restaurants throughout the city offer fixed-price three-course lunches and dinners at discounted prices.

UTAH

Park City, Jan. 18-28, 2008, Sundance Film Festival. The best known film festival in the country has given many first-time filmmakers their first shot and many film buffs a thrill. http://festival.sundance.org/2007

EUROPE

BRITAIN

London, Oct. 18-Nov. 2, The Times BFI London Film Festival. Featuring almost 200 films in their British debuts, the festival is Britain's largest film event, with film screenings, special events, appearances by stars and filmmakers. www.lff.org.uk

IRELAND

Wexford, May 31-June 17, Wexford Opera Festival. Moved this year to Johnstown Castle near Wexford and rescheduled to spring instead of fall, the Wexford Opera Festival showcases less-known works of great composers and is considered a rare jewel by opera lovers. www.wexfordopera.com

SCOTLAND

Edinburgh, Dec. 29-Jan. 1, Hogmanay. The traditional Scottish New Year's celebration spreads itself over four days in Scotland's premier city with concerts, parades, processions, a street party and more. www.edinburghshogmanay.org

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland, Jan. 19, Auckland's Big Day Out. Big Day Out is a touring music festival that visits various Australian and New Zealand cities for all-day lineups of rock and alternative artists. In Auckland in 2008, it's at the Mount Smart Stadium, and features so many acts it could fill this whole calendar. Also, in Australia: Sydney, Jan. 25; Melbourne, Jan. 28; Adelaide, Feb. 1; Perth, Feb. 4. www.bigdayout.com

JAPAN

Nara, Jan. 14, Wakakusa Yamayaki. This centuries-old ritual involves the burning of the grass on Wakakusa Hill, Nara, during which the whole site is set ablaze — surely one of the most stunning sights of Japan's festival year. www.isic.org/sisp

CHINA

Beijing, Jan. 10-12, Beijing Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival. A poetic and colorful fiesta of ice and light, this winter celebration in majestic Longquin Gorge near Beijing offers fireworks, huge ice sculptures and ice fishing. www.bjlongqingxia.com.cn

INDIA

Pushkar, Nov. 21-24, Pushkar Camel Fair. Every year, this lovely lakeside Indian village hosts a trade fair for camel drivers during the Ktrik Purnima religious festival, and besides being one of the five pilgrimages requested of every Hindu, it's become a major tourist attraction. www.pushkar-camel-fair.com

PHILIPPINES

Kalibo, Jan. 20-21, Ati-Atihan. Drumming and dancing with painted faces and outlandish costumes, the people of this city on Panay Island are celebrating both a Christian festival and rites that predate Christianity in the islands. www.ati-atihan.net

JUNE 29-JULY 1

A FESTIVAL OF MILITARY MUSIC

This year, the annual military music festival at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, June 29-July 1, features Three Days Grace, Alan Jackson, Gretchen Wilson and local opening acts along with carnival rides and games, food sales and military exhibits, plus the Bathtub Regatta and the BodySearch competition, and a fireworks show each night. For information, call 254-7679 or go to www.bayfesthawaii.com.

SEPT. 7-9

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX

The famous Autodrome (racetrack) at Monza, Italy, is the setting for the Italian Grand Prix, a coveted prize on the Formula One circuit and one of the longest-running races in the schedule, started in 1922. This year's race is Sept. 7, 8 and 9. Surrounding the race are opportunities to shop, dine and tour. www.monzanet.it/eng

SEPT. 14- DEC. 19

ARTSY HOLIDAY

Paris in springtime? Non, non, non. Paris in fall is the time for those of the artsy persuasion, when the annual Festival d'Automne celebrates all the performing arts from opera to dance, film to drama, with four months of special events. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the focus of the annual festival is new and experimental works and events go on all over the City of Light. Dates this year are Sept. 14-Dec. 19. www.festival-automne.com