Giggles and Goldie Hawn

Aspen, Colo.

March 8-12: Laugh it up at the 12th annual U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Along with stand-up, sketch and alternative performances from emerging talent, Goldie Hawn will be honored with the AFI Star Award. Garry Shandling and Jeffrey Tambor will be on hand for a tribute to “The Larry Sanders Show,” and Russell Simmons will celebrate the 15th anniversary of “Def Comedy Jam.” The festival also hosts a competitive comedy film festival, which includes the world premiere of Damon Wayans’ movie “Behind the Smile,” a drama set in the world of stand-up comedy.

Various locations. Ticket packages, $200-$600 per person. (866) 350-3369, www.hbocomedyfestival.com.

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Angels Camp, Calif.

March 11-12: Calaveras County gets a jump on St. Patrick’s Day with its Celtic Faire, billed as California’s oldest and largest. Traditions from Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall and Wales are celebrated with music, jousting, juggling, armored combat, courtesans, bagpipes, dancing, longbow archery and a gathering of modern clans. Performers reenact facets of Celtic culture from different eras.

Frogtown Fairgrounds, Gunclub Road off California 49. One-day tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12. www.calaverascelticfaire.com.

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Phoenix

March 18-19: It’s a two-day garden party at the West of Western Culinary Festival in downtown Phoenix. Noted chefs Bradford Thompson, Nobuo Fukuda, Robert McGrath and Deborah Knight are featured in a lineup of more than 50 chefs specializing in Western cuisine. The Grand Tasting and Wine Table, an assortment of 50 area, national and international wineries, is complemented by acoustic jazz and lectures on food and nutrition.

Arizona Center, 5th and Van Buren streets. Tickets start at $40 for adults, $14 for youths. (602) 262-5652 or www.westofwestern.com.

-- Blake Hennon