The Best Festivals and Celebrations

International Busker Festival (Halifax, Nova Scotia): In early August, the 10-day International Busker Festival brings together talented street performers from around the world, performing in their natural habitat. Best of all, it's free.

Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival (St. John's, Newfoundland): How did such a remote island develop such a deep talent pool? That's one of the questions you'll ponder while tapping your feet at this 3-day festival, which is laden with local talent. It's cheap, folksy, and fun.

Winter Carnival (Québec City, Québec): Ice sculptures, parades, a canoe race across the frozen St. Lawrence, and an impressive castle of ice are among the principal features. The general jollity is fueled by a nasty drink called Caribou, whiskey sloshed with red wine.

Toronto International Film Festival (Ontario): Second only to Cannes, this film festival draws Hollywood's leading luminaries to town for 10 days in early September; more than 250 films are on show.

Stratford Festival (Ontario): This world-famous festival of superb repertory theater, launched by Tyrone Guthrie in 1953, has featured major players such as the late Sir Alec Guinness, Christopher Plummer, Dame Maggie Smith, and the late Sir Peter Ustinov. Productions, which run from May to October or early November on four stages, range from classic to contemporary. You can also participate in informal discussions with company members.

Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival (The Pas, Manitoba): This festival celebrates the traditions of the frontier pioneers each February with world-championship dog-sled races, ice fishing, beer fests, bannock baking, moose calling, and more.

Calgary Stampede (Alberta): In all North America, there's nothing quite like the Calgary Stampede. Of course it's the world's largest rodeo, but it's also a series of concerts, an art show, an open-air casino, a carnival, a street dance -- you name it, it's undoubtedly going on somewhere. In July, all of Calgary is converted into a party and everyone's invited.

Celebration of Light (Vancouver, British Columbia): This 4-night fireworks extravaganza in late July and early August (www.celebration-of-light.com) takes place over English Bay. Three of the world's leading manufacturers are invited to represent their countries in competition against one another, setting their best displays to music. On the fourth night, all three companies launch their finales. Up to 500,000 people show up each night. The best seats are at the "Bard on the Beach" Shakespeare festival across False Creek.