(FORTUNE Small Business) – Feb. 1-9 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Named for a 19th- century Chippewa, this grueling, 420-mile race around the north shore of Lake Superior ranks second in stature only to Alaska's Iditarod. But the Beargrease is more easily accessible to those of us in the lower 48 and includes events for nonmushers, like sled dog rides and a cutest-puppy contest. Duluth, Minn.; 218-722-7631; beargrease.com

Feb. 16-18 Coconut Grove Arts Festival Nearly one million people each year turn out for this outdoor fine-arts fest, just 15 minutes from downtown Miami. View the work of more than 300 artists and take the little ones to the Convention Center for the Kids Creative Corner, where they can paint, draw, and get in touch with their inner Picasso. 305-447-0401; coconutgroveartsfest.com

Feb. 20 Boys Choir of Harlem The choir, which has performed with everyone from Luciano Pavarotti to LL Cool J, gives a concert at the University of Michigan to help celebrate Black History Month. The university's Hill Auditorium, site of the concert, is renowned for having excellent acoustics. Ann Arbor, Mich.; 734-764-2538; ums.org

Feb. 22-24 Newport Seafood & Wine Festival The best of the Northwest is available for tasting and drinking in this Oregon coastal town. Vintners and chefs compete in contests for pros and amateurs alike. 800-coast44; newportchamber.org/swf/

--SASHA SMITH