JANUARY

Polar Bear Dip. Jan. 1. Run from white as snow sand around the infamous Flora-Bama Lounge into the bracing, blue Gulf. Steaming bowls of lucky black-eyed peas, hot music and New Year’s toasts! Perdido Key, Fl., 800-874-1234, www.florabama.com.

Mario Villafuerte / Bloomberg News
(ENLARGE)
Mardi Gras celebrations are happening throughout the Southeast in January and February.

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Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana. Jan. 6-Feb. 6. Festivities begin with the Twelfth Night celebration and feature 43 krewes and 2,000 royalty members in seven colorful parades. Special events for kids and seniors. Lake Charles, La., 800-456-7952, www.visitlakecharles.org.

51st Annual Fur and Wildlife Festival. Jan. 11-12. The oldest and coldest festival in Louisiana has sporting competitions, hunting instruction, oyster shucking, retriever dog trials, food booths and carnival rides. Cameron, La., 800-456-7952, www.furfestival.com.

Florida Classic Clusters AKC All-Breed Dog Show. Jan. 11-14; 16-20. More than 18,000 four-legged friends compete in individual breed shows and judging; obedience and rally trials. Bring your pets to the "Doggie Fun Zone!" Brooksville, Fl., 813-215-3580, www.floridaclassicpark.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Festival. Jan. 19-21. Festival salutes the achievements of the civil rights activist with parades, concerts and a candlelight vigil. Lake Charles, La., 1-800-456-7952, www.visitlakecharles.org.

Wilderness Wildlife Week. Jan. 12-19. Naturalists host 175 seminars covering the history, mystery, past, present and future of the Great Smoky Mountains. Hands-on activities from fly-fishing instruction to mandolin lessons. Pigeon Forge, Tn., 1-800-946-8373, www.mypigeonforge.com.

Dog Days of Winter and Bow-wow Bone-anza. Jan. 12-Feb. 29. Canine carnival, dog and master look-alike contest and a no leash zone. Huntsville, Al., 256-830-4447, ext. 290, www.hsvbg.org.

Augusta Futurity. Jan. 17-26. Cutting horse competition with a $1 million purse attracts nearly 50,000 fans. Western Family Fun Festival and Championship Bullriding, dancing, quarter horse sale and an cowboy parade. Augusta, Ga., 706-823-3362, www.augustafuturity.com.

Cape Fear Model Railroad Club Inc.’s 11th Annual Model Railroad Show & Sale. Jan. 26. Train supplies, trains and all types of railroad memorabilia. Wilmington, N.C., 910-270-2696, www.capefearmodelrailroadclub.org.

Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade. Jan. 26. Activities include bands, a kids parade, a pets parade, dance team performances, carriage rides and shopping. Monroe-West Monroe, La., 318-338-3172, www.kreweofjanus.com.

Kumquat Festival. Jan. 26. Come for kumquats, stay for the fun. Crafts show, four stages of entertainment, kids’ area. Dade City, Fla., 352-567-3769, www.dadecitychamber.org.

North Carolina Jazz Festival. Jan. 31-Feb. 2. World renown jazz musicians featuring B.E.D., violin prodigy, Jonathan Russell and Big Band swing by the University of N.C. at Wilmington in a cozy, cabaret-style setting. Wilmington, N.C., 910-793-1111, www.capefearjazz.com.

Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo/Western Heritage Days. Jan. 31-Feb. 2. "The Greatest Show on Dirt," thrills thousands with rodeo events, livestock shows, Wild West Gun Fights and a live cattle drive. Lake Charles, La., 1-800-456-7952, www.ssrodeo.com .

Opry at the Ryman. Jan. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23. Celebrate the history of country music at the Opry. Entertainment ranging from legends to newcomers, Opry House tours, shopping and Blue grass celebrations. Nashville, Tn., 1-800-733-6779, www.opry.com.

FEBRUARY

Pensacola Mardi Gras parades. Feb. 1-3. 100,000 revelers line the streets during the illuminated parade Feb. 1 that lights up the night with twinkling floats, marching bands and colorfully costumed celebrants tossing trinkets, treats and doubloons. Day parades rolls Feb. 2-3. Pensacola, Fla., 850-436-7638, www.pensacolamardigras.com.

Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival. Feb. 7-9. Old West sagas and cowboy poetry, scary stories, liars contests, spoken word workshops and more. Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 800-WINTERFEST, www.mypigeonforge.com.

Antiques and Garden Show. Feb. 13-17. Discover paintings, antiques and other collectibles. Nashville, Tenn., 1-800-891-8075, www.antiquesandgardenshow.com.

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Feb. 15-17. Appearances by Jack Hanna, 400 international artists, Busch Gardens Wildlife Exhibits and outdoor fun. Charleston, S.C., 843-723-1748, www.sewe.com.

Antique Appraisal Fair and Show. Feb. 16. Bring your treasures for appraisal. Antiques and art sale and live auction follows. Greeneville, Tenn., 423-638-4111, www.greenecountypartnership.com.

Georgia National Rodeo. Feb. 21-23. Cowboys and cowgirls competing in PRCA-sanctioned saddle bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling and more. Livestock show, 4-H and FFA student competitions. Perry, Ga., 478-987-3247, www.gnfa.com.

Saddle Up! Feb. 21-24. Western music and cowboy poetry, swing dancing, songwriters’ workshops, Dutch oven cooking competitions and cowboy church. Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 1-800-WINTERFEST, www.mypigeonforge.com.

Dogwood Arts Festival House & Garden Show. Feb. 22-24. 10,000 square-feet of fully landscaped gardens and blooming flowers, 250 exhibitors. Knoxville, Tenn., 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com.

Charleston Food and Wine Festival. Feb. 28-Mar. 2. Lowcountry fare, gospel brunch, barbecue, beer, guest chefs, sommeliers and more! Charleston, S.C., 843-722-5547, www.charlestonfoodandwine.com.

Black Heritage Festival. Feb. 29-Mar. 1. Cultural and performing arts, gospel, R&B and a Zydeco street dance and seminars. Lake Charles, La., 1-800-456-7952, www.bhflc.org.

MARCH

Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire. Mar. 1-2. Make medieval merriment with costumed musicians and dancers, jousting knights, swashbucklers, wizards, jesters and jugglers. Period food, drink, crafts and wares. Pensacola, Fla., 877-429-8462, www.gcrf.net.

Festival of Flowers. Mar. 5-9. Blossoms from around the world, life-size landscapes, children’s area. Mobile, Ala., 251-639-2050, www.festivalofflowers.com.

Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Mar. 5-11. Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra presents two dozen contestants ages 18-30 vying for $24,000 in prizes during this acclaimed competition. Hilton Head Island, S.C., 843-842-5880, www.hhipc.org.

Canadian American Days. Mar. 8-16. Nine-day fete that centers on Canadian and American visitors. Shag dance competition, kitefest, golf competition and more. Hosted by U.S. and Canadian ambassadors. Myrtle Beach, S.C., 843-626-7444, www.canamdays.com.

Kentucky Crafted. Mar. 8-9. Pottery, paintings, baskets, metal works; the finest traditional, folk and contemporary Kentucky crafts. Frankfort, Ky., www.kycraft.ky.gov.

A Mountain Quiltfest. Mar. 12-16. 20,000 quilting enthusiasts and crafters attend sewing sessions, master classes for cloth artisans of all skill levels, and compete in the multi-category quilt show. Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 1-800-251-9100, www.mountainquiltfest.com.

Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens and Antiques Show. Mar. 13-Apr. 12. Enjoy the port city’s brilliant blooming season exploring gardens and private interiors of 150 colonial and antebellum homes. Charleston, S.C., 843-723-1623, www.historiccharleston.org.

Beaches to Peaches Yard Sale. Mar. 14-15. More than 200 miles of bargain hunting along scenic Highway 341. Antiques, collectibles, glassware, linens, coins and more in 11 counties and 24 friendly communities. Culloden to Brunswick, Ga., 912-375-5035, www.goldenislesparkway.com.

Iowa Rabbit Festival. Mar. 14-16. More than 35,000 revelers celebrate the rabbit industry with music, carnival rides, parades, a petting zoo, pony rides, Miss Bunny Pageant and food. Iowa, La., 1-800-456-7952, www.visitlakecharles.org.

Annual Runabout in the Royal District Car Show. Mar. 15. Vintage, classic and antique cars; tractors, motorcycles and trains; swap meet, historic tours, scavenger hunt and music. Kingsland, Ga., 912-729-2848, www.kingslandgeorgia.com.

Savannah Music Festival. Mar. 20-Apr. 5. The world comes to the historic city for 18 days of performances by renowned classical, jazz, blues and bluegrass national and international artists. Savannah, Ga., 912-234-3378, www.savannahmusicfestival.org.

Columbus Spring Pilgrimage. Mar. 24-Apr. 5. Tour historic homes and churches amid blossoming gardens of azaleas, dogwoods, irises and roses. Carriage rides, artisans market and nightly "Tales from the Crypt" at Friendship Cemetery. Columbus, Miss., 1-800-920-3533, www.historic-columbus.org.

Chasco Fiesta. Mar. 27-Apr. 6. Pithlachascotee River pow wow has street and boat parades; antique show and flea market; Native American arts and crafts; sports tournaments; carnival and music. New Port Richey, Fla., 877-424-2726; www.chascofiesta.com.

Walking Tour of Private Houses and Gardens. Mar. 28-29. Picturesque peek into the historic port city’s most beautiful private homes and gardens. Charleston, S.C., 843-530-5164, www.thegardenclubofcharleston.org.

Springtime Tallahassee. Mar. 29. More than 200,000 festival-goers welcome the season with colorful parades and marching bands, seafood feasts, beer gardens and crafts show. Tallahassee, Fla., 850-224-5012, www.springtimetallahassee.com.

Ramp It Up! Festival. Mar. 29. Tasty day of trout fishing, ramp samplings, barbecue cook-off, entertainment and an "Honor the Elders Day" recognizing the more seasoned citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee, N.C., 828-259-9910, ext. 108, www.cherokee-nc.com.

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