All Over The Map - Great Dates
Destinations, Journeys, and Diversions
Great Dates: November, December and January
compiled by USAirways Magazine Staff
November
November 5–9
New York Comedy Festival
New York City
Frank Caliendo, Louis C.K., Craig Ferguson, Carlos Mencia, Tracy Morgan, and Sarah Silverman will be among the headliners. Catch stand-up performances and hear panel discussions with writers from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Late Night with Conan O’Brien at venues around the city.
nycomedyfestival.com
November 7–9
11th Annual Chocolate Show
New York City
Satisfy your sweet tooth at the city’s Pier 94, where chocolatiers will display their most decadent creations.
chocolateshow.com
November 7–9
Christmas Craft Festival
Boston
Browse the wares of more than 350 master craftsmen at the Seaport World Trade Center. And don’t miss the mouth-watering gingerbread house competition, with sales benefiting Rosie’s Place, a local organization providing help to poor and homeless women.
bostonchristmasfestival.com
November 7–22
Three Rivers Film Festival
Pittsburgh
The city’s oldest and largest film festival presents a lineup of more than 40 movies, including films made in Pittsburgh, independent American and foreign cinema, documentaries, and shorts.
3rff.com
November 8–9
Heard Museum Spanish Market
Phoenix
Listen to the music of strolling mariachis as you browse through artwork by Hispanic artists from Arizona and New Mexico. The annual marketplace is the largest of its kind in Arizona. You can find a range of works, including pottery, embroidery, furniture, and paintings.
heard.org
November 8–9
Space & Air Show
Cape Canaveral, Florida
The Navy’s elite flying squadron, the Blue Angels, will perform at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the first time in more than 30 years. Other highlights include military aircraft and water-rescue demonstrations.
kennedyspacecenter.com
November 9–16
Miami Book Fair International
Miami
Held at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus, this festival features readings and discussions with prize-winning, best-selling, and emerging authors. Look for appearances this year from Sandra Cisneros, Junot Díaz, Wally Lamb, Stewart O’Nan, and Amy Tan.
miamibookfair.com
November 13–15
Philadelphia Improv Festival
Philadelphia
Improv comedy groups from around the country will perform at Plays and Players Theater on Delancey Street. Up-and-comers can also take part in workshops designed to help them discover and hone their craft.
phif.org
November 13–16
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
Philadelphia
This 32nd annual event showcases the works of nearly 200 artists at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Everything from textiles to jewelry to housewares is for sale, with proceeds benefiting the museum.
pmacraftshow.org
November 13–23
Southern Christmas Show
Charlotte
Get a jump on holiday shopping at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart, where you’ll find over six acres of crafts, gifts, and decorations.
southernshows.com/scs
November 19–23
St. Croix Blue Bay Jazz Fest
St. Croix
Catch performances from local and nationally acclaimed musicians, sample Caribbean cuisine, peruse the wares of local artists and craftsmen, and take in street entertainment and dance performances.
frederiksted.org
November 20–23
Charlotte International Auto Show
Charlotte
More than 500 cars worth over $40 million will be on display. You can check out the latest consumer models as well as concept cars and prototypes.
charlotteautoshow.com
November 29
5th Annual Turks and Caicos Conch Festival
Providenciales
From conch fritters to curry conch, taste a Caribbean delicacy as prepared by local chefs competing in three categories: best conch salad, best conch chowder, and best specialty conch dish. Other highlights include boat races, live music, a conch treasure hunt, and a conch-blowing contest.
conchfestival.com
November 29–December 7
Pirates in Paradise Festival
Key West
Celebrate the island’s colorful maritime heritage with nine days of events that include historic reenactments, tall-ship sails, pub strolls, and a party marking the official end of hurricane season with a ceremonial burning of the hurricane flags.
piratesinparadise.com
December
December 4–7
East London Design Show
London
The top independent product, interior, and jewelry designers from across the U.K. come together at Shoreditch Town Hall.
eastlondondesignshow.co.uk
December 4–13
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Las Vegas
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association celebrates the 50th anniversary of its premier competition. See the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls compete in seven main events: tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, and team roping. It all takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center.
prorodeo.org
December 5–14
Paris Boat Show
Paris
Test your sea legs at this huge event, which spotlights the latest vessels from sailboats to motorboats. The show also features special exhibits on water sports.
salonnautiqueparis.com
December 5–23
Downtown Holiday Market
Washington, D.C.
Local artisans display and sell their creations, from jewelry and pottery to paintings and textiles. The outdoor showcase is located on F Street between 7th and 9th streets, across from the National Portrait Gallery.
dhm.reiel.com/dhm
December 6
Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon
Negril, Jamaica
More than 1,500 people turn out every year for this race, which features live reggae bands marking time along the entire course.
reggaemarathon.com
December 7
Grand Illumination
Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg kicks off the holiday season with a night of fireworks and musical performances.
history.org
December 13–14
2008 Holiday Home Tour
New Orleans
The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans hosts self-guided walking tours of historic homes in the Garden District. Tickets will be on sale at Trinity Episcopal Church on Jackson Avenue, with proceeds benefiting the organization’s Homeowner Assistance and Neighborhood Recovery Fund.
prcno.org
December 15
California Hall of Fame 2008 Induction Ceremony
Sacramento
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver celebrate the 2008 California Hall of Fame inductees at the California Museum. They include Jane Fonda, Theodor Geisel (“Dr. Seuss”), Quincy Jones, Jack LaLanne, Jack Nicholson, and others. An exhibit showcasing artifacts and mementos loaned by the inductees will be unveiled; the exhibit will stay on display through next year.
californiamuseum.org
December 16–22
Olympia, The London International Horse Show
London
See some of the world’s finest equestrians in show-jumping and dressage competitions, and don’t miss the dog agility obstacle course and Shetland pony race. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will also perform.
olympiahorseshow.com
January
January 8–11
Wintersköl
Aspen
Since 1951, the people of Aspen have celebrated their mountain hideaway with a weekend of festivities. Guests can taste free samples of the best soups from local restaurants and vote for their favorites during Soupsköl, then enjoy the snow sculpture and carving competition, canine fashion show, parade, and fireworks.
aspenchamber.org
January 10
Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience
Mesa
The Mesa Historical Museum hosts this interactive exhibit (no set closure date) chronicling the history of Major League Baseball spring training in Arizona. You’ll learn more about Willie Mays, the first person to hit a homer at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, and about the season that Mantle and DiMaggio played spring-training ball together.
playballexperience.com
January 10–25
London International Mime Festival
London
Founded in 1977, this event is recognized as one of the world’s best showcases for visual theater. Performances take place at venues across the city.
mimefest.co.uk
January 10–25
National Western Stock Show
Denver
No livestock to buy or sell? No problem. This annual event also includes professional bull riding, dancing horses, the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, and catch-a-calf and sheep-shearing contests.
nationalwestern.com
January 14–February 1
SF Sketchfest, the San Francisco Comedy Festival
San Francisco
Tickle your funny bone with performances from sketch comedy acts, improv groups, stand-up comedians, and musical comedy acts at venues across the city.
sfsketchfest.com
January 15–May 3
America I AM: The African American Imprint
Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center will be the first U.S. stop for this exhibit, which traces 400 years of African American history, from the roots of slavery in West Africa to the black experience in America. Conceived by PBS talk-show host Tavis Smiley, the show comprises 12 galleries and 150 artifacts, including the writing table of 18th-century African American poet Phillis Wheatley, materials associated with Motown, and Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves.
constitutioncenter.org, americaiam.org
January 20–January 3, 2010
Presidents in Waiting
Washington, D.C.
The National Portrait Gallery showcases the 14 American vice presidents who have gone on to the presidency. The exhibit focuses on the men — who represent almost a third of America’s presidents — and how they got to the Oval Office.
npg.si.edu
January 29–February 1
World Circus Festival of Tomorrow
Paris
Up-and-coming performers from circuses around the world compete to see who will be the next big star. Now in its 30th year, the event gives spectators the rare opportunity to see some of the world’s best circuses under one roof.
cirquededemain-paris.com
