The Australian Open: The world's best tennis players compete in the year's first Grand Slam.

Sundance Film Festival: America's premier independent film event.

From LA without the crowds to portuguese tarts in Lisbon, here are the best destinations to visit in January.

The Tour Down Under. The biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere.

The Sydney Festival: 150 cultural events, many of them free, across the city.

North America's most European city hosts Carnaval de Quebec over 10 days.

Rio Carnival. Hit the party hard with samba, street parties, and parades. Sequins compulsory.

From the sloths, toucans and monkeys of Costa Rica to the stunning beauty of French Polynesia, here are the best destinations to visit in February.

Tapati Rapa Nui. An Easter Island festival celebrating Polynesian pride with queens and volcano tobogganing.

Dubai Food Festival. Devour the best from celeb chefs, enjoy a desert feast and taste Emirati cuisine.

Las Fallas: A Pagan-style sculpture burning is followed by an all-night dance party.

Adelaide Fringe: The largest open access arts festival in the southern hemisphere.

From catching sight of the big five in South Africa to the tourist hotspots of Kerala in the south of India, here are some of the best destinations to visit in March.

South by Southwest (SXSW) attracts music fans from across the world.

St Patrick's Day: The whole city turns into a big green party.

Nanghol, Pentecost Island: April-June. Young men dive from towers in a tradition that inspired bungy jumping.

Coachella: America's premier music festival takes place over two huge weekends.

From Malta's 300 days of sunshine a year to the spectacular landscapes of Namibia, here are the best places to visit in April.

Scoppio del Carro: Florence celebrates Easter Sunday with a spectacular wagon of fireworks.

Songkran Water Festival: Things get wet and wild to welcome in Thai New Year

White Nights of St. Petersburg: A festival extravaganza that features Scarlet Sails, a fleet of tall ships, and a cracking fireworks show.

Rose Festival: Locals celebrate as a valley in the High Atlas mountains becomes awash with roses.

From beating the crowds to Machu Picchu in Peru to the bohemian charm of Prague, here are the best destinations to visit in May.

Vivid: Lights! Music! Art! The city and harbour sparkle every night of the festival.

Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling: Hundreds gather to chase a 3kg circle of cheese down the hill

Dark Mofo: Mona's festival of dark art returns.

Haro, Batalla Del Vino: Party through the night, then awake and head to the mountains for a mighty wine fight.

From beautiful summer hiking in Canada to exploring the Okavango Delta in Bostwana, here are the best destinations to visit in June.

Taste of Amsterdam: Chefs and foodies gather in Amstelpark park for the culinary festival of the year.

Africa Oye: Eat and dance in the sunshine at the largest African music festival in England.

Mount Fuji: Climbing season opens from July 1 and even beginners can reach the summit.

Winter Wonderlights. Sovereign Hill lights up for a Christmas in July spectacular.

From the blue lagoons of New Caledonia to Queenstown's scenic ski area, here are the best destinations to visit in July.

Wimbledon Championships: See tennis greats compete while sipping Pimms and eating strawberries.

Splendour in the Grass: Indie bands rule at this fashion-forward festival in laconic surf town.

Notting Hill Carnival: Street drums, giant floats and colourful dancers, this is one of the highlight’s of London’s summer.

Fringe Festival: The world's largest arts festival celebrating theatre, music and dance.

From the fabled spice-trading island of Zanzibar to the great wilderness of Mongolia, here are some of the best destinations to visit in August.

Nevada, Burning Man: A temporary city in Black Rock Desert dedicated to music, art and self-expression.

Gay Pride: A canal parade of people in brilliant costumes on boats celebrating gay pride.

Feast Festival: Gorge yourself silly at Portland's biggest food-fest.

Lollapalooza: A world-class lineup of music acts hits the stage over two days.

From the soaring rainbows of Argentina's Iguazu Falls to the ultimate castaway island luxury of the Maldives, here are the best destinations to visit in September.

Floriade: Celebrate the glorious onset of spring amidst millions of flowers.

Oktoberfest: A Bavarian celebration of great food, roller coasters, singing and specialty beers.

Halloween: LA's theme parks embrace the holiday with terrifying temporary attractions.

The Melbourne Festival: A festival of art, culture, creativity and communal feasts.

From the jaw-dropping scenery of Chile to the gloss-blue sea of Greece, here are some of the best destinations to visit in October.

Paris Nuit Blanche: The city of love lights up for the original White Night festival.

Sculpture by the Sea: Bondi Beach is transformed into an outdoor gallery.

Day of the Dead: A procession of floats, colour and costumes; this cultural celebration is about the spiritual journey.

Festival of Lights: Thousands of lanterns are sent into the sky to honour the Buddah.

From compelling Cambodia to the artsy vibrance of Chile's Santiago, here are some of the best places to visit in November.

Airwaves Festival: An eclectic music festival held in cool bars, old churches and museums.

Anniversary of Puno: Traditional dance, fireworks and a re-enactment of the Inca origin myth.