SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
If you have not had enough of fireworks at last month's National Day celebrations, head down to the Seoul International Fireworks Festival for more world-class displays.
A fireworks village will open in Yeouido Han River Park. When the sun sets, professional fireworks teams will set the sky ablaze over the Han River.
There will also be lighting displays, laser shows, performances and events.
When: Oct 8
Info: www.hanwhafireworks.com/en/common/main.do
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
The Melbourne Festival is one of the premier events on the Australian cultural calendar, drawing hundreds of thousands of people every year.
With free and ticketed events, expect a line-up of dance, theatre, circus, visual arts, as well as contemporary and classical music performances.
This year's festival features 207 performances by artists and companies from countries such as Spain, Canada, Germany, Britain, China, the United States, France, Ireland, Japan and Australia.
For example, Spain's reigning flamenco queen Sara Baras will grace Melbourne's Hamer Hall for the first time with her exhilarating work, Voces.
Also catch the National Theatre of China's production of Two Dogs - a hilarious dark comedy about two brother dogs and the hardship and injustices they encounter as they travel to the city to pursue their dreams.
When: Oct 6 to 23
Info: www.festival.melbourne
ALBA, PIEDMONT, ITALY
October is a great month for Italian food festivals and the one you cannot miss is the Alba White Truffle International Fair.
There is a truffle market where visitors can see, touch and smell truffles that are sold directly by trustworthy vendors and local truffle hunters.
There will also be gourmet events where you can - upon request - enter the kitchens of the most important chefs in the area, and taste a freshly cooked dish.
On Oct 2, six days before the festival starts, there is also a donkey race. Originally started as a practical joke, the race has become an eagerly awaited competition, with two heats and a final.
When: Oct 8 to Nov 27
Info: www.fieradeltartufo.org/2016/en
KEY WEST, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
Every year, more than 100,000 revellers from around the world descend upon this city for Fantasy Fest - 10 days of costumes, parades and general merriment.
This year's attractions include a mile-long street fair featuring arts and crafts, food vendors and people in costumes as well as a masquerade march, which is essentially a moving cocktail and dance party.
This year's theme is "Political Voodoo & Ballot Box Barbarians", so get ready those horned helmets and Donald Trump masks.
When: Oct 21 to 30
Info: www.fantasyfest.com
SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
Singapore fans of MotoGP can get their hearts racing with a short trip up north next month, as the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix rolls into the Sepang International Circuit. It is one of Malaysia's biggest motoring events, drawing more than 120,000 people annually.
Expect to see big names such as Italian racer Andrea Dovizioso and German rider Stefan Bradl in action. Spectators can also look forward to a Mega MotorGP carnival in the circuit's mall area.
When: Oct 28 to 30
