Florence and the Machine takes her soulful indie rock on the road once again in support of the latest album, Ceremonials. This tour date is at Perth's Burswood Dome in Australia and tickets are sure to sell out fast.

Every Ascension Day, members of St Michael's congregation process through Oxford marking out the parish boundary by beating specially marked stones with sticks. Since some of the stones are in bars, pubs and shops, startled and bemused onlookers are common.

The highlight of Nikko's Grand Festival of Spring is a Samurai procession honouring Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan's first Shogun, who was buried at Toshogu Shrine in 1617. Over 1000 men, lion dancers, musicians and Shinto priests take part.

In an English National Opera season populated by seabourne operas, Wagner's early success The Flying Dutchman heaves into view at the London Coliseum in Jonathan Kent's new production, conducted by music director Edward Gardner. James Creswell stars in the title role.

A highlight of York Racecourse's calendar, May's Dante Festival starts the summer season with three days of highly competitive racing. Wednesday's programme begins with the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes; Thursday's features the Dante Stakes, while Friday concludes with the Yorkshire Cup.

On the Isle of Man, the long days of summer are heaven-sent for leisurely rambles or energetic hikes along the island's rugged coastline. The Isle of Man Walking Festival organises guided walks along some of the region's most spectacular routes.

One of Tokyo's traditional "Three Grand Festivals", the Sanja Matsuri sees beautiful gold- and black-lacquered mikoshi shrines paraded through the streets of Asakusa. Hundreds of thousands of spectators turn up to join in the drinking, dancing and lively festivities. Please note: due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on 11 March, it is not known which local events will take place in 2011.

Held since 1259 on the last Sunday of May, the Palio of Ferrara is the oldest in the world, comprising four races in Piazza Ariostea. On the previous Saturday a procession in 15th-century costume parades through Piazza Castello.

A colourful array of hot-air balloons fills the sky above Tuscaloosa during this fundraising race for the Sunrise Community. An all-day carnival adds to the festive atmosphere for the thousands of spectators.

Depending on the amount of rainfall in winter, the natural beauty of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Borrego Springs is enhanced by the appearance of colourful desert wildflowers in the spring. Flowers to be enjoyed include the monkey flower.

AIDS Walk Orlando takes place in the beautiful environs of Lake Eola in the heart of the city. The three-kilometre event helps to raise much needed funds for those suffering from AIDS in the Florida area.

Domestic winemakers show off their wares in venues across Billings, Montana alongside premier wines from around the world - all available for tasting and auction. The idea is to stock up on knowledge and wine, while schmoozing and socialising.

For two weekends in May, everything in Cincinnati revolves around classical music as the Cincinnati May Festival, the oldest continuous choral music festival in the US, takes over the city. Don't miss the opening night which sees a grand concert.

The action-packed Swindon Festival of Literature presents literary talks, discussions and readings at the main theatres, arts venues, libraries, schools and pubs around town. Guests include famous authors and stars from the worlds of politics, sport and entertainment.

Manchester's award-winning urban digital arts and music festival, FutureEverything presents a programme of experimental performance and exhibitions at venues across the city. The festival also expands its focus beyond the arts to include lively debate on environmental and global issues.

Liverpool Sound City features a host of gigs, showcasing an eclectic mixture of established names and up-and-coming acts, at venues around the city. Parties and a music conference complete the festival programme.

New South Wales' spectacular Jenolan Caves host monthly classical music recitals in their Cathedral Chamber. Concerts in the Caves take place on the third and fourth Saturdays. The Chamber is known for its pure acoustics; limestone formations provide a phenomenal backdrop.

Anthony Minghella's acclaimed English National Opera production of Puccini's 1904 weepie Madam Butterfly is revived at the London Coliseum. Minghella's original Cio Cio San and Pinkerton, Mary Plazas and Gwyn Hughes Jones return, under Oleg Caetani's or Martin Fitzpatrick's baton.

The Leeds International Concert Season runs throughout the year, but peaks between September and December each year at Leeds Town Hall. Expect exceptional performances from the Leeds Philharmonic Society and other prestigious international orchestras, led by world-renowned conductors.

Branson's Plumb Nellie Arts & Crafts Festival brings together more than 150 skilled crafters to show and sell their wares in the heart of the city. The best exponents are rewarded in the juried show.

There are no cheerful cocktails at the annual Maui Brewers Fest, where visitors discover the delights of the country's beer industry. The festival sees hand-crafted beer brewed in Hawaii and around the US served at Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

Legends such as Bill Cosby, Quincy Jones and Roberta Flack have performed at the annual Great Night in Harlem event. Hosted by the Apollo Theater, the night raises money for jazz musicians across the country in financial difficulties.

Santa Monica Festival shows it is possible to have a great time while being environmentally conscious. The zero-waste festival, held annually at Clover Park, welcomes art exhibitions, live music, craft displays, food vendors and environmental workshops for the whole family.

This popular agricultural show in Gympie features show jumping, Ute Show, rodeos and events and competitions for horses, studs, prime and dairy cattle, dogs and goats. The event usually kicks off on the Thursday night with a high-powered fireworks display.

The Juneau Jazz and Classics festival presents classical, jazz and blues music at venues all over Juneau, Alaska, including onboard cruise ships. The festival also includes workshops and family entertainment.

Enjoy Jersey's wildlife, history and heritage at a leisurely pace during this week of escorted walks. Spring Walking Week includes a series of Moon Walks, held when the influence of the moon on coastal waters is at its strongest.

Join hundreds of women on a 10-mile sponsored night walk from Shelford Rugby Club around Cambridge in aid of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. It's a good way to get fit, catch up with friends and support a great cause!

Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta is lit up throughout the summer in a dazzling display of light and fire. Relax on the lawn, and take in the spectacle in all its glory, as Stone Mountain is transformed into a natural amphitheatre.

It's never truly springtime until Le Printemps des Sonneurs has sounded in Brest's centre-ville! This wonderful celebration of Celtic music fills the air with folky melodies by (amongst others) Breton group Kevrenn Sant-Mark and is a real insiders' event.

The Devon County Show in Exeter promotes agriculture and allied commercial industries, including the finest examples of livestock. There's also an exciting paramotor aerial display conducted by parachutists, a rugby tournament and a grand parade of livestock.

Marseille's Palais Longchamp Festival is a spring festival set in the park beside the Palais Longchamp. Join locals as they celebrate with live music, family games, art workshops for children, poetry, folk dances and other entertainment.

Get out and about in one of Atlanta's loveliest neighbourhoods. Walk, run or stroll the Brookhaven Bolt's 5km course with hundreds of others in aid of the local Ashford Park Elementary School.

Taking place at the History Place in Morehead City and the Carteret Public Library, the American Music Festival concentrates on chamber music. Featured work ranges from the French Impressionists and masterpieces of the Baroque to American cross over composers.

Foire aux Croûtes is a funny name for an art fair (it literally means Fair of the Crusts). Nevertheless, this event, held in Brest's St-Martin quarters, is a must for those looking for unusual artworks by up-and-coming local artists.

Downtown Sevierville celebrates spring with mountain bluegrass music, arts and crafts, kids' activities and steaming barbecued goodies. The popular barbecue cook-off is Tennessee's official championship, so don't forget your napkin.

The Cavalcata Sarda in Sassari is a pageant and a joyful gathering of people from all over Sardinia, showcasing their different traditions. The town livens up with colourful costumes and decorations, horse shows, poetry competitions, chants and traditional dances.

The greatest Sumo wrestlers in Japan, and therefore the world, meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall for The May Basho, one of the year's six Grand Tournaments. Crowds cheer as meaty men fight for victory using throws, trips and tricks.

Mille Miglia (Thousand Miles) is a famous vintage car race that follows a loop circuit from Brescia to Rome and back, via Bologna. "The world's greatest road race", according to Enzo Ferrari, attracts participants and spectators seeking adventure and excitement.

Set in 77 acres of wooded park in Lisse, Keukenhof are some of the world's most spectacular flower gardens. Established in 1949 as a showcase for Dutch bulb-growers, every spring more than seven million buds reach to the sky.

Great tennis returns to Rome with Internazionali BNL d'Italia, the Masters Series event at the Foro Italico. Aside from the Grand Slams, this is the highest-ranking tennis competition in the world, attracting the best male and female tennis players.

The AIDS Walk New York began in 1985 and is now the largest AIDS fundraiser in the world. The 10km stomp starts and finishes in Central Park and passes some of the most beautiful and historic areas of the city.

This season's third and final Barbican International Associate Residency visitor is Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. With chief conductor, Mariss Jansons, conductor laureate Bernard Haitink and honorary guest conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the orchestra arrives in London for two matinées and an evening concert.

Over 100,000 runners can't be wrong. Every third Sunday in May, San Francisco is engulfed with runners - serious and silly. The route? From the San Francisco Bay piers over to the Pacific Ocean, hence the name: Bay to Breakers!

Ipswich Show is a country-style fair not far from the urban landscape. Ipswich, just south-west of Brisbane, has hosted its annual agricultural event since 1874, offering a traditional variety of produce and livestock plus arts and crafts exhibits.

Has your lucky star turned into a black hole? Don't worry, help is at hand at Florence's Festa del Grillo at Cascine Park, where thousands of "lucky crickets" are sold every year on the Day of Ascension.

Unless you're taking part, prepare to belt out cheers of encouragement as over 10,000 entrants race through the city in the Sydney Half Marathon. The 21.1km race starts and finishes in Hyde Park North.

The Paniyiri Greek Festival celebrates Greek culture at Brisbane's Musgrave Park and Greek Club & Convention Centre each year. Expect Greek-themed food, wine, a fashion show and music, and an attempt at the festival's own "Zorba Till You Drop" dance marathon record!

Venice's Feast of the Sensa is the continuation of a 1000-year-old tradition. The head of the city (the Doge) annually renews the marriage between Venice and the sea by throwing a ring into the waters of the lagoon.

The enjoyable fundraising Race for the Cure is a mini-marathon in Rome, raising awareness of breast cancer. Participants walk/jog/run among some of the monuments of this ancient and beautiful city, starting and finishing at the Stadio delle Terme di Caracalla.

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra and music director David Loebel present the annual season at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. The orchestra offers one major programme a month, plus chamber, family and special concerts.