JANUARY

JANUARY
LANSING, MICH.
Twistars USA Annual Invitational. 1,700 male and female gymnasts from around the country compete. 517-322-0360, www.twistarsusa1.com.
DETROIT
North American International Auto Show. One of the country's longest-running auto shows. Tickets $12. 248-643-0250, www.naias.com.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINN.
Icebox Days XXII. You haven't experienced cold until you've completed a Freeze Yer Gizzard Run, glided on a Moonlight Ski and gone Turkey Bowling in Minnesota. 800-FALLS-MN, www.rainylake.org.
PARK CITY, UTAH
Sundance Film Festival. More than 20,000 film lovers and industry people screen 125 feature-length films and 60 shorts. Packages are quick to go, even at Hollywood prices ($150-$2,500). www.sundance.org.
NEW YORK CITY
Winter Antiques Show. One of the nation's most exclusive collectibles shows. Daily tickets $16. 718-292-7392, www.winterantiquesshow.com.
SAN FRANCISCO
Sea Lions' Arrival at Pier 39. Each January, sea lions arrive in droves to join their brethren at the herring-rich waters around K Dock at Pier 39. You can see them here throughout the year, but today is the official heralding of their first dockside appearance 13 years ago. Free informational talks weekends. 415-705-5500, www.pier39.com.
RANGELEY, MAINE
Snowmobile Snodeo. Besides snowmobile antics, there's chili, a casino and fireworks. 800-685-2537, www.visitportland.com.
FORT MYERS, FLA.
Edison Festival of Light. Fort Myers fetes hometown inventor Thomas Edison with a Science and Inventors Fair, crafts, fireworks and one of the largest nighttime parades in the country. Most events are free; others up to $16. 239-334-2999, www.edisonfestival.org
SAN DIEGO
Super Bowl XXXVII. Unless you planned ahead, you'll be watching the halftime show at home as the top two teams in the NFL battle it out. The ticket lottery for Super Bowl 2004 (Houston, Feb. 1) opens Feb. 1, 2003. 619-226-2003, www.superbowl.com.
NEW YORK CITY
Winter Restaurant Week. More than 170 Big Apple restaurants honor the new year with $20.03 three-course prix-fixe lunches (add $10 for a dinner deal). 212-484-1222, www.nycvisit.com.
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA.
Groundhog Day Celebrations. Whether Phil the Groundhog sees his shadow or not, there are parties, music, a carving show and the Little Mr. and Miss Groundhog Contest. Many events free; others up to $5. 800-752-PHIL, www.groundhog.org.
FEBRUARY
NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.
Napa Valley Mustard Festival. California kicks off its two-month gala of Napa Valley culture with a Mustard Magic Masquerade and continues with photo contests, wine tasting, art exhibitions and a Mustard Recipe Competition. Ticket prices vary. 707-259-9020, www.mustardfestival.org.
ASHLAND, ORE.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival. With a lineup that includes "Romeo and Juliet," "Antony and Cleopatra," "Richard II" and "Titus Andronicus," it's a good thing they included "A Midsummer's Night Dream" for a little levity. Ticket sales ($20-$60) begin Jan. 22. 541-482-4331, www.orshakes.org.
LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS
Hidden Art Locked Away. The city's motto ("Every day's a 'cell'ebration in Leavenworth") may be humorous, but the prison inmates who create the pieces sold at this event are serious artists. 913-682-4459, www.lvarea.com/cvb.
GLENDALE, ARIZ.
Glendale Chocolate Affaire. Love and chocolate. The home of Cerrata Candy Co. hosts more than 50 vendors of the sublime confection, as well as romance novelists on hand to autograph their latest bodice-rippers. 877-800-2601, www.glendaleaz.com/seeanddo.
NEW YORK CITY
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Dogs from around the country vie for the title of Best in Show at the 127th Westminster. General admission $41. 212-465-6741, www.westminsterkennelclub.org.
BALTIMORE
Vivat! St. Petersburg. Celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg without having to fly Aeroflot. Baltimore hosts artworks, dance troupes, orchestras and more, direct from Russia. Tickets $20-$40. 877-225-8466, www.vivatfest.com.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.
Daytona 500. The kick-off event of the Winston Cup Series. Grandstand tickets $120. 386-253-7223, 386-253-7223 for box office, www.daytona500.com.
SAN FRANCISCO
Chinese New Year Parade. The largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia includes a Golden Dragon more than 201 feet long that takes 100 people to operate. Free; bleacher tickets $30. 415-391-9680, www.chineseparade.com.
HOUSTON
Livestock and Rodeo Show. Brush up on the seven tenets of rodeo while raising money for charity. 832-667-1000, www.hlsr.com. Bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping.
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS
Charro Days. Mariachis, Big band performances, Tejano music and a nighttime parade are part of this celebration of Mexican and American culture. 956-542-4245, www.charrodays.org.
PLANT CITY, FLA.
Florida Strawberry Festival. Horticulture shows and concerts by Billy Ray Cyrus and others. Advance tickets ($5-$15) available through Feb. 14. 813-754-2190, www.flstrawberryfestival.com.