When it comes to tropical islands, Australians are spoiled for choice.

Sundance Film Festival, Jan 18-28: America's premier independent film event.

The Australian Open, Jan 15-28: The world's best tennis players compete in the year's first Grand Slam.

The Tour Down Under, Jan 13-21. The biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere.

The Sydney Festival, Jan 6-28: 150 cultural events, many of them free, across the city.

Adelaide Fringe, Feb 16 - March 18: The largest open access arts festival in the southern hemisphere.

SXSW, March 9-18, attracts die-hard music fans from across the world.

Las Fallas, 15-19 March: A Pagan-style sculpture burning is followed by an all-night dance party.

St Patrick's Day, March 17: The whole city turns into a big green party.

Holi Festival, March 2: Spring's arrival is welcomed with bonfires, sweets and mass colour-bombing in the streets.

Coachella, April 13-22: America's premier music festival takes place over two huge weekends.

Scoppio del Carro: April 1. Florence celebrates Easter Sunday with a spectacular wagon of fireworks.

Commonwealth Games, April 4-15: Some of the world's greatest athletes will compete across 18 sports.

Songkran Water Festival, Apr 13-15: Things get wet and wild to welcome in Thai New Year

Keukenhof: The famous gardens burst with colour all month with tulips in bloom.

Rose Festival, May 1-31: Locals celebrate as a valley in the High Atlas mountains becomes awash with roses.

Vivid, May 25-Jun 16: Lights! Music! Art! The city and harbour sparkle every night of the festival.

White Nights of St. Petersburg, 26 May-23 Jul: A festival extravaganza that features Scarlet Sails, a fleet of tall ships, and a cracking fireworks show.

Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling, May 28: Hundreds gather to chase a 3kg circle of cheese down the hill

Cannes International Film Festival, May 8-19: The coastal city is transformed into a glitzy show of cinema.

Haro, Batalla Del Vino, Jun 28-30: Party through the night, then awake and head to the mountains for a mighty wine fight.

Taste of Amsterdam, Jun 2-5: Chefs and foodies gather in Amstelpark park for the culinary festival of the year.

Dark Mofo, 15–24 June 2018. Mona's festival of dark art returns.

Africa Oye, 16 & 17 June: Eat and dance in the sunshine at the largest African music festival in England.

Download Festival, 8-10 June: Three days full of the biggest names in rock.

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

Wimbledon Championships, Jul 2-15: See Roger Federer and Garbiñe Muguruza defend their titles.

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

Splendour in the Grass, July 21-23: The XX and LCD Soundsystem headline this year's massive music fest.

Just for Laughs, July 11-29: The hottest names perform at one of the world's biggest comedy festivals.

Fringe Festival, Aug 3-27: The world's largest arts festival celebrating theatre, music and dance.

Nevada, Burning Man, Aug 26-Sept 3: A temporary city in Black Rock Desert dedicated to music, art and self-expression.

Notting Hill Carnival, Aug 25-27: Street drums, giant floats and colourful dancers, this is one of the highlight’s of London’s summer.

Helsinki Festival, Aug 16-Sep 2: A celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus and visual arts.

La Tomatina, Aug 29: Tons of overripe tomatoes are thrown at the world's biggest food fight.

Lollapalooza, Sept 8-9: A world-class lineup of music acts hits the stage over two days.

Floriade, Sept 15 - Oct 14: Celebrate the glorious onset of spring amidst millions of flowers.

Feast Festival, Sept 13-16: Gorge yourself silly at Portland's biggest food-fest.

Octoberfest, Sept 22 - Oct 7: A Bavarian celebration of great food, roller coasters, singing and specialty beers.

Festes de la Merce, Sept TBC: Non-stop street entertainment for four days.

The Melbourne Festival, Oct 4-21: A festival of art, culture, creativity and communal feasts.

Paris Nuit Blanche, Oct 6: The city of love lights up for the original White Night festival.

Halloween, Oct 31: LA's theme parks embrace the holiday with terrifying temporary attractions.

Sculpture by the Sea, October 19 - November 5: Bondi Beach is transformed into an outdoor gallery.

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Oct 26-28: The island roars with the sound of MotoGP's best riders.

Festival of Lights, Nov 22-25: Thousands of lanterns are sent into the sky to honour the Buddah.

Airwaves Festival, Nov 7-10: An eclectic music festival held in cool bars, old churches and museums.

Day of the Dead, Nov 2: A procession of floats, colour and costumes; this cultural celebration is about the spiritual journey.

Anniversary of Puno, Nov 5: Traditional dance, fireworks and a re-enactment of the Inca origin myth.

Guy Fawkes Day, Nov 5: Bonfires and fireworks celebrate the capture of Guy Hawkes in 1605.

Times Square New Years Eve, Dec 31: Celebrate as the ball drops amidst thousands of revellers.

Whirling Dervishes, Dec TBC: A spectacle of twirling men dressed in white skirts and tall hats.

Hogmanay, Dec 30-Jan 1. Finish of the year in boozy style with thee days of drinking, music and spectacular events.

Krampusnacht, Dec 5: Mythical Krampus creatures scare kids into behaving at Christmas.

Ice Sculptures Festival, Dec 25-Feb 28: Winter is celebrated with exquisite ice sculptures and figures.