They say travel is about the journey, not the destination. But let’s pretend for a second that the opposite is true – and, in this case, the destination is an awesome festival. Consider these 2012 travel dates…

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival

Showcasing fresh, new music in unique settings, this festival has outgrown its laneway origins and now tours Brisbane, Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Singapore between January 28 and February 12.
www.lanewayfestival.com.au

Lviv Chocolate Festival

Real life Willy Wonkas will pave the Ukraine town of Lviv with chocolate from February 9–12. The local confectioners are among the best in Europe, and there are chocolate sculptures, demonstrations and tastings to indulge in.
www.shokolad.lviv.ua

Tropfest

Sixteen finalists battle it out for the glory and film industry cred of winning Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival. Returning to Sydney on February 19, the giant outdoor screen, food, music and live entertainment invite you to pack your picnic rug and enjoy the show. Best of all, it’s free to attend!
www.tropfest.com

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

More than 300 events are scheduled for this festival’s 20th anniversary. Take a cooking masterclass at the beautiful Langham hotel, or roll home after indulging at the Cellar Door and Farm Gate in the Docklands. From March 2–21 all over Melbourne.
www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Brisbane Comedy Festival

A funny thing happened on the way to Queensland… Local and international comedians added the March Brisbane Comedy Festival to their circuit in 2009, and the festival has been growing ever since.
www.briscomfest.com

Saint-Louis Jazz Festival

From May 24–8, top jazz players from around the world gather in Senegal to improvise and share in Africa’s best jazz festival. Join a tour with Peregrine Adventures and let them take care of the details, allowing you to relax, open your ears and soak up Africa’s creative spirit.
www.peregrineadventures.com

London Festival

So you may not have tickets to the athletics or swimming, but London’s Olympics will also feature a cultural party that’s almost as exciting. From June 21 to September 9, the London Festival will feature more than 1000 culture, fashion, food and film events.
http://festival.london2012.com

La Tomatina

Did someone say “food fight”? Get to Buñol in Spain on the last Wednesday in August to experience La Tomatina. More than 150,000 tomatoes are thrown in this annual festival held purely for fun.

The Festival of Dangerous Ideas

If the name itself isn’t enough to make you want to go, check out some of the past debate and panel discussion topics (“If You Want Fidelity, Get a Dog”, anyone?). Big-name authors, philosophers, and expert types come to Sydney in October for the festival that isn’t afraid to address the unspoken and unmentionable.
www.sydneyoperahouse.com/festivalofdangerousideas

Loi Krathong

At the full moon of the twelfth lunar month – usually mid-November – hundreds of thousands of beautifully decorated krathong (vessels holding candles and offerings) are set adrift in Thailand’s rivers and waterways. An ancient show of respect to the spirit of the waters, Loi Krathong is now simply a time of beauty and joy.

Yum In My Tum

Step way beyond “Fruit salad, yummie, yummie” and wiggle your way through the only festival in Australia dedicated entirely to junior foodies. Held in Perth on November 25, the festival teaches children about the growing and production of food, and encourages them to experience new flavours and textures. Kids can get involved making pasta, smoothies and pizza. You may even end up with the next Junior MasterChef.
www.yuminmytumfoodfestival.com


Photo from St Jeromes Laneway Festival