Cats Parade

Ieper, Belgium May 13

The world’s biggest procession of feline floats and figures, staged
once every three years in Flanders, is the cat’s meow for those
who scratch outside the box. Book a grandstand seat in Grote
Market Square for the parade, snack on the special cat candies
adorning the sweet shops, and try to snag one of the toy cats
tossed from Cloth Hall Tower by the city jester.

Top Of The Gulf Regatta

Pattaya, Thailand May 4–8

The siren calls of discos mesmerize
landlubbers and sea captains alike at
Asia’s largest sailing regatta. Waves
of yachts, catamarans, dinghies and,
for the first time, extreme sailboards
are set to clash at Ocean Marina Yacht
Club, where a gala dinner fêtes the
victors.

Opening Of The Wales Path

Wales May 5

Talk about walkabouts: Wales becomes
a coastal beachcomber’s paradise
as it opens this 870-mile route, the
world’s only formal trail encompassing
a country’s entire coastline. From the
mouth of the River Dee in the north to
the market town of Chepstow in the
south, locals host weekend rambles to
seldom-trodden strands and cliff tops.

Canes Film Festival

Cannes, France May 16–27

Italian actor and director Nanni Moretti
presides over the grandfather of all
film festivals, which turns 65. More
than a thousand films will be juried as
celebs scale the famous red steps of
the Grand Theatre Lumière, and Out
of Competition works debut outside
along the star-drenched French Riviera.

Klimt: The Wien Museum Colection

Vienna, Austria May 16–Sept. 16

Gustav Klimt’s 150th birthday is best
celebrated amid the world’s largest
collection of his sketches. As a pioneer
of Modernism, epitome of Art Nouveau
and creator of a landmark canvas,
The Kiss, Klimt is a colossus of the art
world. The Wien Museum contains not
only his drawings but also several engrossing
artifacts, including his death
mask and a cast of his right hand.

Nosa International Fod And Wine Festival

Noosa, Australia May 17–20

The sun shines brightly on the Sunshine
Coast as 200 leading chefs,
iconic winemakers and dedicated
foodies gather in Queensland. A gala
dinner concert kicks off the festivities,
followed by gourmet picnics on
the riverbanks, celebrity chef cooking
demos, luncheon cruises and the
Qantas Best Dinner in the World with
wines to match.

Spoleto Festival Usa

Charleston, S.C. May 25–June 10

Unsurpassable musicians, dancers and
actors welcome summertime with theatrical
treats (a nostalgic Noel Coward
revival, a timely take on Steve Jobs),
operatic offerings (Philip Glass, Feng Yi
Ting) and a spectrum of sounds (John
Cage, k.d. lang). The Alvin Ailey Dance
Theater kicks off a chic Opening Night
Fete, followed by cocktails, supper and
a dance under (and with) the stars.

Golden Gate Festival

San Francisco, Calif. May 26–27

The majestic bridge on the bay turns
75 over Memorial Day weekend, and
the birthday party covers the waterfront.
Historic watercraft and a show
of cars dating from 1937 will make
some waves, as will art installations
and music performances stretching
from Fort Mason to Fisherman’s
Wharf.

Lantern Floating Hawai

Honolulu, Hawaii May 28

Forty thousand people materialize at
Magic Island on Ala Moana Beach to
bathe in the glow of a traditional Japanese
lantern ceremony remembering
those lost to war, health and natural disasters.
At dusk 3,000 wooden-framed
lanterns lit by candles are launched
into the Pacific, a Memorial Day tradition
in its 14th year. Secure a lantern
of your own or attach a memorial note
to the grand communal lantern and
watch it light the waves.