TEDxCapeTown, South Africa

Ticket prices for the twice-yearly TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) conferences are beyond most people, so try out one of the thousands of TEDx events instead. Following the same format, these cheaper locally organised events all over the world offer an easy way to meet and mix with thinkers, movers and shakers. TEDxCapeTown brings together Africa's social entrepreneurs, musicians and academics against a Table Mountain backdrop with the intent to change the world.
• 21 July, price tbc, tedxcapetown.org

Wisdom 2.0, Silicon Valley, California

A fusion of creative technologies and 21st-century spirituality, Wisdom brings together social media architects such as Evan Williams (Twitter) and Dustin Moskovitz (Facebook) with mindfulness gurus to explore how technology can save the world. It can be easily tacked onto a Pacific coast holiday. February's event is nearly sold out, but there is another in May.
• 23-25 February, £173-£945, wisdom2summit.com

South by South West, Austin, Texas

SXSW Interactive is still the yardstick against which ideas and tech festivals are measured, holding hundreds of talks and workshops. So when you've learned how to build a start-up or why we need to adapt technologies for humanitarian aid, you can join the party at SXSW Music and watch Bruce Springsteen.
• 9-18 March, £375-£879, sxsw.com/interactive

The Do Lectures, Wales

Described as "TED meets Burning Man meets Where the Wild Things Are", the Do Lectures take the theme back to its homespun roots. You spend four days sleeping in wigwams, participating in talks ranging from organic vegetables to the importance of hope. California is hosting a US version in September.
• 25-29 April, £1,500, dolectures.com

99% Conference, New York

Run by creative research institute Behance, the 99% conference is about sharing ideas and then making them happen. Bringing together 400 innovation enthusiasts, it offers a turbo-charged introduction to the city's creative scene and is a fabulous way to start a weekend. 2012 is sold out, but there is a waiting list.
• 3-4 May, £566, the99percent.com/conference

FutureEverything, Manchester

Manchester stalwart FutureEverything has been mashing together music, innovation and art since 1996. This year, it's taking over the warehouses of the Museum of Science and Industry to stimulate debate on the changing nature of collective action. Time for a north-west city break?
• 16-19 May, £120-£240, futureeverything.org

LikeMinds, Devon

This Exeter festival has evolved into a quasi-movement to connect innovators and ideas people, with events in Paris, Helsinki and Dubai and coworking clubs in London and New York. Its schedule is rather business-focused, but its south-west base seems to inspire a friendly vibe. Could be a motivating start to a Devon and Cornwall road trip.
• 24-25 May, £150, wearelikeminds.com

Vivid Sydney , Australia

Vivid transforms Sydney into a canvas of light, music and ideas, this year taking over the Museum of Contemporary Art with debates and talks led by Asia-Pacific's foremost creative thinkers, and dramatic art installations. The Opera House lit with lasers is something you won't forget in a hurry.
• 25 May-11 June, prices tbc, vividsydney.com

North by North East, Toronto, Canada

Canada's answer to South by South West, NXNE sets an impressive pace with 50 panel discussions, 40 films and 650 bands. It's the perfect lens through which to explore Toronto's thriving indie innovation-fuelled neighbourhoods.
• 11-17 June, £63-£284, nxne.com/interactive

World Domination Summit, Portland, US

This festival brings together 1,000 entrepreneurs, artists and bloggers for talks, city tours and music. Tickets sell out fast, but the line-up does include TED social researcher Brené Brown and Zen Habits' Leo Barbauta. You can explore the US indie heartland by joining "best of hipsterville" and "crafty wonderland" city tours.
• 6-8 July, £370, worlddominationsummit.com