The variety of New England summer festival offerings is mind-boggling, and wherever you wander throughout the region's historic cities and quaint towns, you're sure to uncover unique and wonderful events with themes ranging from from classical music and dance to eggs and crustaceans. Here's an A to Z guide to New England's festival offerings for the 2012 summer season:

A rts & Ideas Festival - The International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven, Connecticut, is a multifaceted celebration of the arts that runs June 16-30 in 2012. "Serious Fun" is the theme for this year's 17th annual festival, which features hundreds of performances; most events are free. Highlights include a free June 30 performance on the green by country music legend Rosanne Cash, ERTH’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo on June 16 and 17, the American premiere of National Theatre of Scotland's The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart and a series of foodie experiences in the city.

B lueberry Festival - Did you know that Maine produces 99 percent of the country's wild blueberries? The 37th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival in Washington County, where the majority of these berries are harvested, celebrates the state's top fruit crop August 17-19. The event features a children's parade, a fish fry, music, a blueberry pancake breakfast, crafts, a blueberry quilt raffle, a blueberry pie eating contest and more.

C hamber Music Festival - The Portland Chamber Music Festival marks its 19th year this summer with five captivating classical performances in Portland, Maine. The Festival runs August 9-18 on select dates. Ticket and other information may be obtained by calling toll free: 800-320-0257. Or, order your tickets online at the festival Web site.

D iscover Jazz Festival - Burlington, Vermont, hosts 10 days of performances ranging from traditional New Orleans jazz to Latin sounds to polyphonic funk at a variety of venues on Lake Champlain during this June 1-10 festival. The legendary Bonnie Raitt and fellow Grammy winner Marc Cohn will appear on the Flynn MainStage on Sunday, June 3, and other headliners include Béla Fleck, Dianne Reeves and Jimmy Cliff. Tickets for various performances may be purchased online. Some events at area restaurants, bars and clubs are free, as are shows on the two Church Street Marketplace stages. For details, call 802-863-7992.

E gg Festival - Take part in the 40th Annual Central Maine Egg Festival, July 17-21. Pittsfield, Maine's Manson Park is the place to be for egg breakfast cooked in a 300-pound frying pan, entertainment, the "Egg-lympics" and egg-citing surprises. The theme for 2012 is 40th "Egg"stravaganza. For information, call 207-487-3136.

F estival of Fireworks - Take your family to the 23rd annual Festival of Fireworks in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, on Saturday, August 18, and in addition to seeing a spectacle in the sky--touted as one of the best fireworks shows in New England--you can enjoy kids' activities, music and more.

G arlic and Herb Festival - No vampires allowed. The 17th annual Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival takes place September 1-2 in Bennington, Vermont. Enjoy live music, sample a wide variety of garlic foods, learn about garlic and herbs and watch cooking demonstrations. Call 802-447-3311 for more information.

H illsborough Balloon Fest & Fair - Watch hot air balloons lift off gracefully and color the sky during this four-day festival, July 19-22, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Other activities typically include an an old-fashioned fireman's muster, a parade, carnival midway, tractor pulls, food, fireworks and entertainment. For schedule details and more information, call 603-464-0377.

I nternational Film Festival - The 15th annual Maine International Film Festival in Waterville, Maine, runs from July 13 to 22 and features a variety of American and foreign independent films, plus films made by Maine and New England filmmakers. Call 207-861-8138 for more information.

J acob's Pillow Dance Festival - With free "Inside/Out" performances Wednesday through Saturday evenings and a schedule of major performances by some of America's foremost dance companies and ensembles, Jacob's Pillow in Lee, Massachusetts, is definitely a dance lover's place to be this summer. 2012 marks the festival's 80th year; it is the longest running dance festival in the U.S. For information about this summer's events, call 413-243-9919. For tickets, call the box office at 413-243-0745.

K neisel Hall Chamber Music Festival - From June 22 to August 26, enjoy a wide array of Friday evening and Sunday afternoon classical concerts at Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill, Maine, as this chamber music festival celebrates its 110th year in 2012. For more information on the festival, call 207-374-2811.

L owell Folk Festival - For the 26th year in 2012, head for the largest free folk festival in the U.S.--three days of traditional music and dance, crafts, ethnic foods and more on six outdoor stages throughout Lowell, Massachusetts, from July 27-29. For more information, call Lowell National Historical Park, the event sponsor, at 978-970-5000.

M aine Lobster Festival - If you love lobster, you need to be in Rockland, Maine, August 1-5 for the 65th annual Maine Lobster Festival. There's only one word for this gargantuan celebration of Maine's beloved crustacean--Yum! Highlights include the Big Parade, Lobster Crate Race and entertainment for all ages. For details, call 207-596-0376 or toll free, 800-LOB-CLAW.

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