Upcoming Events in the U.S. Worth Traveling For
Saint Paul Winter Carnival
The road ahead is lined with festivals, flavors and unforgettable gatherings.
Ice-carving carnivals, oyster feasts, desert concerts and high-octane race weekends—America’s calendar is packed with reasons to hit the road. Chase culture, savor local flavor or claim a front-row seat at these travel-worthy happenings in the months to come.
January
JAN 15-18
FELLSMERE FROG LEG FESTIVAL
Fellsmere, FL
Frogs' legs, served as "pops" or "pounders." Gator tails, with grits and slaw. Combo platter, maybe?
JAN 22-FEB 1
BIG SUR FORAGER FESTIVAL
Big Sur, CA
Equal parts woodland ramble and culinary treasure hunt along California’s most dramatic coastline.
JAN 22-FEB 1
SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL
St. Paul, MN
Let's just embrace the season, shall we? Ice-carving, pond hockey and torch-light parades power through frosty days and cozy nights.
JAN 22-FEB 1
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Park City, UT
A week of film premieres, packed screenings, and industry buzz. Catch the last rendition of this festival held in its original host location—Park City, UT— before it relocates to Boulder, CO in 2027.
JAN 24-FEB 3
INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCULPTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Breckenridge, CO
From massive snow blocks emerge impressively detailed, larger-than-life works of art.
JAN 31
USVA TET FESTIVAL
Garden Grove, CA
One of the biggest Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebrations brings in thousands of visitors and benefits student and community organizations.
February
FEB 1
LOWCOUNTRY OYSTER FESTIVAL
Mount Pleasant, SC
This sounds like argument fodder for sure, but this shindig claims to be the world's largest oyster fest. It does have 45,000 pounds of evidence on its side.
FEB 2-8
PHOENIX OPEN
Phoenix, AZ
The "people's open" draws pro golf's biggest crowds, most notably to the raucous 16th-hole Coliseum.
FEB 6-8
GEM & JAM FEST
Tucson, AZ
Held during the same week as Tucson’s annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, this desert festival combines live music and art with the highly anticipated gathering for gem enthusiasts.
FEB 12-22
MODERNISM WEEK
Palm Springs, CA
Revel in all things midcentury cool, with tours of PSP's famed mod homes and a vintage trailer rally.
FEB 14
SUNDANCE WINTER FESTIVAL
Sundance, WY
Horse-powered skijoring races are the wild centerpiece of classic Western celebration.
FEB 14-15
NORTH AMERICAN VASA RACES
Traverse City, MI
A dozen races, for beginners and experts alike, in paradise for cross-country skiers and fat-tire cyclists.
FEB 15
DAYTONA 500
Daytona, FL
NASCAR's flagship event is an honor roll of racing legends and a magnet for fans from all over. A weekend of action on and around the track kickstarts the season.
FEB 19-21
LONE STAR COWBOY POETRY GATHERING
Alpine, TX
Thousands of Western culture devotees and scores of creative cowboys unite for nights of poetry, music, awards and discussions of a high-lonesome tradition.
FEB 26-MAR 8
FUR RONDY
Anchorage, AK
Alaskans lean all the way into winter with sled dogs, zany traditions, and a whole lot of local pride.
March
MAR 7
IDITAROD CEREMONIAL START
Anchorage, AK
Competitors of all species involved muster for this year's running of the iconic sled-dog race, with a festive launch in downtown Anchorage.
MAR 20-APR 12
NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Washington, D.C.
Spring announces itself in a blush of pink across the U.S. capital.
MAR 26-29
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL
Chalmette, LA
Crawfish fried rice and crawfish corn soup, served up by the Knights of Columbus just outside New Orleans, benefit local causes.
MAR 27-29
THE TEXAS FANDANGO
Fredericksburg, TX
A Texas-sized gathering featuring a swap meet, vintage motorcycle show, and high-energy vintage bike races in the Hill Country region.
MAR 28
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Indianapolis, IN
The drama of Hoosiers merges with modern-day hoops excellence at (arguably!) the nation's most storied prep-hoops tourney.
April
APRIL 1-30
SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL
Mount Vernon, WA
Miles of bright tulip fields turn rural Washington into a full-on spring spectacle.
APRIL 24-26
CONCH REPUBLIC INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION
Key West, FL
The nation may be imaginary, but this celebration of the weird and wonderful culture of the Keys is very real. Everything from beach cleanups to amateur boxing matches are on tap.
APRIL 24-26
STAGECOACH
Indio, CA
The desert country music blowout is a big-tent affair: from Wynnona to Brooks & Dunn to Big ThaPlug.
APRIL 24-26
VERMONT MAPLE FESTIVAL
St. Albans, VT
A small-town celebration of sugaring season, complete with maple treats, traditions and local pride.
APRIL 30
ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL KICK-OFF
Multiple cities
A nationwide celebration marking 100 years of America’s most iconic highway, from roadside culture to classic cars. The official kick-off takes place in Springfield, MO, with additional celebrations in Joliet, IL; St. Louis, MO; Amarillo, TX; Albuquerque, NM; and Santa Monica, CA.
