THE UNITED STATES OF EVENTS

THE UNITED STATES OF EVENTS
Where to go and what to do
Following are picks for the festivals, fairs and celebrations nationwide in November that are most worthy of planning a trip around. For more events, check www.festivals.com or the comprehensive "Chase's Calendar of Events" (Contemporary Books).
2 New York City Marathon. Thirty thousand athletes hit all five boroughs along the 26.2-mile course, with more than 2 million spectators and 12,000 volunteers supporting them. (212) 423-2249, www.nycmarathon.org.
6-Feb. 2004 Pigeon Forge, Tenn.: Pigeon Forge Winterfest. The American Bus Association, which knows about these things, has designated Winterfest the event of 2003. With 4 million lights strung throughout the town, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas entertainment and the World's Largest Outlet Extravaganza. (800) 252-9100, www.pigeonforgetours.com.
7-16 Kona, Hawaii.: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. The state's oldest food festival also features tours of coffee mills, art exhibits and weaving lessons. (808) 326-7820, www.konacoffeefest.com.
7-Jan. 4, 2004 Asheville, N.C.: Christmas at Biltmore Estate. The Vanderbilt family opened their new house to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895, and the tradition continues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, open New Year's Day. Tickets ($36-$45) available online or from (800) 211-9803. (800) 624-1575, www.biltmore.com.
21-Jan. 4, 2004: Christmas in Victorian Cape May, N.J. Tiny Tim & amp; Co. appear at this Victorian-themed festival in Cape May's historical district. Brass band concerts, folks in period dress and candlelit Christmas house tours. (800) 275-4278, www.capemaymac.org.
27 New York City: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Marching bands, celebrities and massive balloons float their way through Manhattan, with Santa and his reindeer bringing up the rear. Standing on Central Park West as the clowns cartwheel along is way cooler than watching it on TV. Watch the balloons inflate the day before (3 to 10 p.m. at 77th Street and Columbus Avenue). (212) 484-1222, www.nyctourist.com.
29-30, Dec. 5-8, 12-15, 19-22 Bethlehem, Pa.: Christkindlmarkt. A Festival of Trees, countless cr & egrave;ches, crafts and carolers abound at this German-style market that draws 50,000 visitors to the city that was founded on Christmas Eve 1741. Tickets $6. (610) 861-0678, www.christkindlmarkt.org.
29-Dec. 14 Honolulu: World Art Bazaar. The million-and-first reason to visit Hawaii: an annual bazaar with crafts, jewelry, artworks, textiles and holiday items from Indonesia, Russia, China, Japan, Africa, Papua New Guinea and Samoa, among other countries. (808) 532-8700, www.honoluluacademy.org/exh/upcoming.htm.
29-Jan. 2004 Baltimore: Hampden's Miracle on 34th Street. The folks on 34th Street go wild with holiday light displays, illuminated cr & egrave;ches, neon candy canes and rooftop reindeer. There goes the neighborhood, looking great. (877) 225-8466, www.christmasstreet.com.
Source: Washington Post