WHAT'S ON WORLDWIDE: Diving in Harrogate ... Wagner down under ... Copenhagen sees the light

20-22 Nov

UK

British Sub-Aqua Club members will have a chance to discover the secrets of the deep at Underwater World 98 - Britain's biggest annual diving event. Guest speaker Chay Blyth, the first man to sail around the world, will be joined by photographers, film-makers and technical divers from around the world at the Harrogate International Centre and Majestic Hotel. It will be interesting to see what technical developments in diving result from this meeting of the experts.

18 Nov-12 Dec

Australia

Antipodean Wagner-lovers will be delighted that Der Ring des Nibelungen is to be performed in Australia for the first time since 1913. Pierre Strosser's production, five years in the making, will be transferring from the Chatelet Theatre in Paris to the Adelaide Festival Theatre. The city will also play host to a range of associated Wagner events, from exhibitions to lectures. Opera-loving cricket fans should note that the third cycle of The Ring coincides with the arrival of the Ashes tour in Adelaide.

19 Nov

UK

Back in the 19th century, Will Ritson, the landlord of the Wasdale Head Inn in Cumbria, was so good at entertaining guests with his tall tales that he was given the title of "Biggest Liar in the World". Today, fibbers come from all over the country to contend for the title at an annual competition held at the Santon Bridge Inn, Wasdale. Politicians, lawyers and estate agents are, however, barred from entering as they are considered to have an unfair advantage.

25 Nov-5 Dec

India

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is holding its annual cultural festival. The city, considered to be the seat of classical music in India, lies approximately halfway between Delhi and Calcutta. During the 10-day event there will be colourful processions, traditional dramas, Kathak dances and sitar recitals. Exciting events such as ekka-racing, kite-flying and cock-fighting combine with other village entertainments to illustrate the richness of Lucknow's living culture.

18-22 Nov

Philippines

The people of the Cordillera mountain ranges, north of Manila, put their basket-weaving skills to the test at the annual festival. The event is held in Baguio, a city known for its silvercraft, woodcarving, knitted garments and hand-woven fabrics, and will feature demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops and a sale, as well as the weaving contests.

28 Nov

Denmark

The festive season comes early to Denmark as Santa Claus leads the Great Christmas Parade in Copenhagen. The city will literally light up as thousands of children, angels, fairy-tale characters and a jazz band follow his lead through the streets, lighting Christmas trees along the way.

21-22 Nov

Cyprus

Nicosia plays host to the Cyprus Avicultural Society's 15th exhibition of canaries and other ornamental birds. It provides a wonderful opportunity to admire not only the many varieties of canary but also budgerigars, parakeets, parrots and finches. With all that chirping, it is likely to be quite a noisy affair!

15-22 Nov

UK

A homage to the patron saint of music, the St Ceciliatide International Festival of Music will feature a wide range of music from the mystic sounds of 12th-century visionary composer Hildegard of Bingen, through to Bach, Handel, Brahms and Shostakovich. The festival will close on St Cecilia's Day with a performance of Haydn's The Creation. Among the performers will be the 18-year-old winner of the 1998 BBC Young Musician String Final, Marie Macleod.

21-22 Nov

Canada

Formerly known as the Toronto International Pow Wow, the Canadian Aboriginal Festival is a celebration of the traditions and way of life of the country's native communities. In addition to some spectacular dancing and singing displays, Toronto's Skydome will be alive with theatrical performances, readings, an art exhibition and a craft market.

Ingrid Kennedy