More than 300 events are planned to mark Liverpool's 800th birthday. -- Photo courtesy of Visit Britain

There are some things you can only experience once. Among them are celebrations tied to landmark anniversaries or special exhibitions. If you're looking for something different to do this year, consider these possibilities:

Liverpool's Big Birthday

Proclaiming itself the 2007 world party capital, Liverpool has set the stage for a four-day bash this summer (Aug. 24-27) to celebrate its 800th birthday.

Granted its first charter in 1207, Liverpool has grown from a fishing community to a world-class city boasting more theatres, museums and galleries than any other British city outside London.

More than 300 events are planned and will culminate in what is billed as Europe's largest fireworks display on Aug. 28. See liverpool08.com.

An economical way to discover the city is with the new visitor pass "Your Ticket For Liverpool," which offers free entry to a number of top attractions such as The Beatles Story, Liverpool Football Club Museum, and the Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise, as well as discounts at others.

The card is #9.99 for adults (about $20 Cdn.) for a one-day City Explorer card, or #24.99 for adults (about $50) for a three-day Liverpool Mini Break card. Check yourticketforliverpool.com.

Bombardier's 100th anniversary

The Canadian who invented the snowmobile was born 100 years ago this year and to mark the occasion, two new exhibits will open in Valcourt, Quebec.

Exhibits at Musee J. Bombardier will honour the 100th anniversary of the snowmobile inventor's birth. -- Photos courtesy of Musee J. Armand Bombardier

The first is "Joseph-Armand Bombardier: A passion for invention and entrepreneurship," which opens Feb. 8 at the J. Armand Bombardier Museum. Visitors will learn how the Valcourt-native perfected the track and sprocket that led to the development of the B7 snowmobile, as well as the history behind the B12 snowmobile sold across Canada in the 1940s to transport schoolchildren and mail, and his invention of the Ski-Doo. See museebombardier.com.

Across the street from the museum at the Yvonne L. Bombardier Cultural Centre (named after the founder's wife), visitors can see some of artist Frederick Simpson Coburn's (1871-1960) most famous works on the theme of winter transportation.

Paintings and sketches borrowed from other Quebec museums and private collections illustrate the gruelling work of cutting and hauling logs and the pleasure of country outings in the Eastern Townships.

It runs from April 15 to Sept. 16. Check centreculturelbombardier.com.

Anniversary of Alpinism

An Autoneige, an early forerunner of the snowmobile.

To mark the 150th anniversary of Alpinism this year, Switzerland Tourism will present the world premier of the new IMAX movie The Alps in Washington D.C. in March.

The movie follows John Harlin III conquering the Eiger North face, the mountain that took his father's life 40 years ago. Dates will soon be announced for other cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Houston

It was 1857, when some British mountain climbers returned from a climb to Switzerland and decided to form the Alpine Club. For years, the organization was the only source of information for adventurers planning a trip to the Swiss Alps. Recognizing their groundbreaking work for Swiss tourism and the Alps, a major ceremony will take place in Zermatt this summer. A brochure with day excursions, mountain peak hotels, events, and historical facts will be available in the spring.

1857: A Capital Choice

It was 150 years ago that Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada. To mark the anniversary, the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau as well as festival and tourism partners in the Capital Region will hold special events and celebrations this year.

At Winterlude (Feb. 2-18), aboriginal traditions from 1857 will be featured at Jacques-Cartier Park, in Gatineau. (Despite the unusual winter we've been having, organizers say Winterlude events will go ahead as planned). In the spring, the fascinating story behind the choice of the capital will be recounted in a series of exhibits to be located in the various public places, such as Plaza Bridge and the National Capital Commission's (NCC) Capital Infocentre, across from Parliament Hill.

Other events include outdoor classical music evening concerts on June 29-30 to inaugurate a new festival site at LeBreton Flats, and a bigger than ever night show on Parliament Hill on Canada Day.

Also through some of its popular activities and programs such as the Sound and Light Show, Discover the Hill, and Noon Under the Bridge Series, the NCC will convey the story of the choice of the capital to residents and visitors. For more, see 1857.gc.ca.