What’s on?

Europe

Fruhlingsfest

• Munich, April 20-May 6
• Known as “Little Oktoberfest”, this festival will bring Lederhosen, beer tents and a party atmosphere to Munich’s Theresienwiese – the central public space where Oktoberfest takes place.
• Visit muenchen.de

Mecal International Short Film Festival

• Barcelona, April 13-29
• Screening more than 300 films from 35 countries, the Spanish festival has quirky categories such as End of the World, Antihero, Freak and Nerd.
• Visit eng.mecalbcn.org

Sea Odyssey Giant Spectacular

• Liverpool, April 20-22
• A nine-metre-tall Little Girl Giant and her 15-metre-tall uncle will roam around the city as part of a three-day theatre extravaganza.
• Visit giantspectacular.com

Asia Pacific

Chinese Grand Prix

• Shanghai, April 13-15
• Engines will be revving around Shanghai International Circuit – where Michael Schumacher holds the lap record – before the Formula One action heads to Bahrain on April 20-22.
• Visit formula1.com

Sakura Season

• Tokyo, March 30-April 14
• Japan will be at its most beautiful this month, as the cherry trees that line its cities’ streets and parks burst into colour. Peak blooming times vary depending on location. 
• Visit seejapan.co.uk

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

• March 28-April 22
• Stephen K Amos, Simon Amstell and Dave Gorman represent the UK in this year’s impressive line-up. The Raw Comedy National Grand Final will provide a platform for the best undiscovered comedic talent Down Under.
• Visit comedyfestival.com.au

BMW Sydney Carnival

• March 24-April 28
• Premier horse racing events such as the AAMI Golden Slipper Day are the carnival’s backbone, taking place every Saturday in April. There will be 49 group races in total, with more than £13 million up for grabs.
• Visit thesydneycarnival.com.au

Americas

Zona Maco Mexican Contemporary Art Fair

• Mexico City, April 18-22
• This celebration of international modern art and design will showcase exhibitions from more than 90 galleries across the globe, including London’s Max Wigram and the Sultana in Paris.
• Visit macomexico.com/en

Moscow, Cheryomushki

• Chicago, April 14, 20, 22, 25
• This comical opera, which takes a satirical stab at the Soviet Union’s extreme housing shortage, runs on selected dates this month at the Harris Theatre in the city’s Millennium Park.
• Visit harristheaterchicago.org

Month of Photography

• Los Angeles, March 31-April 30
• The theme for 2012 is innovation and technology in photography, including how social networking has affected the artform. There will be free exhibits and photo projections in outdoor spaces across the city.
• Visit mopla.org

Middle East and Africa

Beirut Tango Festival

• April 26-29
• A series of dance workshops for all abilities will be led by world-famous artists such as Argentinian duo Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa, and Lebanese choreographer Mazen Kiwan.
• Visit tangolebanon.com

Aljazeera International Documentary Festival

• Doha, April 19-22
• The Sheraton Doha will stage the judging of this annual event’s eighth edition, which celebrates cutting-edge international documentaries. Its Promising Film competition seeks out young local talent.
• Visit festival.aljazeera.net

Taste of Cape Town

• April 19-22
• Samples from the city’s top restaurants will be dished up at the Green Point Cricket Club. There will also be vintages from local wineries for visitors to taste.
• Visit tasteofcapetown.com