Festivals that, perhaps surprisingly, didn't make it into the top 50 include Snowbombing in Austria, Latitude in the UK, and even Dimensions Festival in Croatia, which only . Although Cinco de Mayo may be more well-known in the US, this is arguably Mexicos most important and widely celebrated holiday. Looking for a hotel near Burning Man? When the big day arrives, its best to plan what you want to see and do before the parade of beads, boobs, and booze begins. With nearly 600 beautifully colored balloons being launched annually, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most photographed happenings on Earth. READ MORE:What is Ecotourism? There are two main exhibition areas: Sun Island is a recreation area along the Songua River, where youll find most of the giant sculptures. It may not be the easiest festival for our western readers to get to. (The History & Principles of Responsible Travel). Jan 02, 2023 - Sep 29, 2025. Massive ice sculptures are built for the festival, drawing millions of people from China and around the world to see the snowy spectacles. There are also markets filled with fetishes, wood carvings, and masks, and women dressed in all the vivid colors of the rainbow. Thats because their Vesak Festival uniquely includes thoranas massive, temporary structures designed to impress, covered with colorful lights and paintings. Well, kids have a lot more to fear from Krampus, a hellish demon who haunts Central Europe around the holidays. It has been taking place every summer in Budapest since 1993. Not only is Harbin is recognized as the ice capital of China, but Harbin is also renowned for its incredibly exquisite ice and snow sculptures. 150 epic performances. And like all good music fests expect gumboots, loud music and plenty of mud. READ MORE: The Mardi Gras Balls, Parades, & Parties (An Insiders Guide). All rights reserved. They give us a distraction from our day to day . With diverse headliners that have ranged from the Beastie Boys and Eminem to the Beach Boys and Paul McCartney, from Willie Nelson and Widespread Panic to Radiohead and Tool, its modeled after iconic music festivals like Monterey Pop and Woodstock. Now, Boryeong Mud Festival is just a great excuse to get down and dirty and have some fun. Learn more about us in ourMedia Kit. Picture an insane devil in chains, with matted fur, stag horns, and flaming coals for eyes, known for kidnapping children in a big sack so he can eat them later. Underwater Music Festival, Florida. The citys northeastern location in China allows for natural and abundant ice and snow, nicknaming the city as the Ice City. Ofrendas (altars) are constructed in both public spaces and private homes, and are often richly decorated with pumpkins and . Harbin is transformed into a winter wonderland during the Snow and Ice Festival. Looking for hotels inRio de Janeiro for Carnival? Mathura is very famous for Holi. Bar chart data visualization of the countries by the female population (% of the total population) 1960 - 2023.Check out my channel for more@datasloth128. There are many variations of the origin story for La Tomatina, ranging from harmless pranks among children to attacks on an awful musician to townspeople expressing their anger and disappointment with city councilmen. So it with some authority that we can say that Krampusnacht is easily the weirdest, creepiest Christmas tradition in the world. Red Carnation Hotels solves that problem. Mardi Gras - United States. It made the information easy to understand and follow. . And if you love music, check out the annual Galactic concert at the world-famous Tipitinas on Lundi Gras (the day before Mardi Gras). First, Sundance is known as one of the top documentary festivals. Viktorija Gabulait. Youll mostly see Holi Festival across India and Nepal, but also in other areas with large Hindu populations. Mardi Gras Festival, New Orleans, LA Enter the world's wildest Mardi Gras festival in the lively city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Lavish floats, intricately designed carpets, huge religious processions and colorful, elaborate religious displays bring thousands of people out to the streets to celebrate the spiritual and the cultural. Filed Under: Ecotourism & Green Living Blog, World Travel Bucket List, Were Bret Love & Mary Gabbett, partners in life, love, business, and adventure. Second, Bacolod, the city of smiles, celebrates the Masskara festival. People from all over the world visit Mathura to witness a grand celebration as the city is known to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. But Montreux benefits from its picturesque location on the stunning shores of Lake Geneva. It is believed that the spirits of the dead visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2, so many spend this time visiting cemeteries where there is often music and dances to honour the spirits. Music City Wine + Food Festival (Nashville, Tennessee) Photo courtesy of @musiccityfw on Instagram. In fact, it is almost impossible to think of Brazils capital city without thinking of its Carnaval. It is organized by the Dutch entertainment company ID&T and takes place in Belgium. And of course, the local sounds of Rajasthan, India will be given their due time in the spotlight, from Qawwali devotional music to the droning double flute known as the Satara. Check outPousada Irmos Freyhardt Galeo,Hotel Atlntico Business Centro or Casa Nova Hotel. The date varies from country to country, but the week-long celebration in Sri Lanka (which annually begins on the day of the full moon in May) is widely considered among the best. READ MORE:25 Symbols of Christmas: This History & Meaning of Traditional Christmas Decorations. Dancers paint themselves to depict the belly button as the mouth of a character and proceed to belly dance their way through the streets of the city. Millions of litres of Oktoberfest beer are just the beginning of this 15-day Bavarian fair, which takes over Munich every year. Get along to absorb some brilliant cinematic works and perhaps rub shoulders with a few A-listers while youre at it. But some historians suggest he may be a holdover from the regions pagan past, demonized by the Catholic Church. Featuring 26 most popular festivals around the world, it is time to grab our passports and embrace every single magical moment together! Taiwan Lantern Festival - February 2020 Phi Ta Khon - June 2020 Ice And Snow Festival - December 2020 Kandy Perahera - June 2020 Holi - March 2020 Chaul Chnam - April 2020 Awa Odori - August 2020 This ancient Hindu festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love, celebrates the end of winter and the victory of good over evil. The festival also marks the end of winter and the anticipatory celebration of the abundance of the upcoming spring harvest season. Water is often poured on statues of the Buddha, the young, and the elderly in a symbolic purification ritual. The masks are worn by caretos, meaning disguised as the devil. With so many destinations touting luxury and attention to detail, it's hard to find consistently unforgettable experiences around the world. La Tomatina is the ultimate food fight festival held every August in the town of Buol. Over a quarter of a century, the Robin Hood Festival has grown into a pop-up village of sorts, with stalls and attractions spread across about a square half-mile of woodland that can be circumnavigated comfortably in an hour or so. As well as the bathtub race, the event includes an antique car show and tastings of flamiche, a local delicacy. So before the self-restraint kicks in, New Orleans becomes a hub for masquerade balls, glittering beads and excess booze, with some cracking parades across the city. Weve crafted a list of the best festivals in the world so you can prioritize and start planning your dream trip sooner. Vietnam's festivals and holidays are colorful experiences, often showcasing national heritage, music and dance performances, and high-energy activities such as dragon boat races and street parades. Nobody seems to know where Krampus came from. Wherever you are in Thailand anywhere from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Krabi or Koh Samui you can expect to get thoroughly wet with everything from water guns to elephant trunks being employed for the purpose. Head to the Wiesn (fairgrounds) to enjoy agriculture shows, costume processions, fun fair rides, historical and cultural displays, all the food you could possibly eat and of course the copious amounts of beer Oktoberfest is famous for. Holy Week the week between Palm Sunday and Easter is celebrated throughout much of the Christian world. There, most of the major streets are closed off to traffic and packed with young people for what is likely the worlds biggest water fight. READ MORE: One Week in Ireland (The perfect Road Trip Itinerary). Festivals are an expressive way to celebrate glorious heritage, culture and traditions. This festival runs for five days and five nights in March and is packed fuller than a leprechauns pot of gold with a program of music, performing arts, literature, tours and food events. But the main reason Songkran is known outside of Asia is the wet, wild celebration in Thailand, especially Chiang Mai. 20 Most Unusual Festivals In The World. where the Celtic ritual of wearing large wooden masks is still practiced. There are various legends associated with the Indian Festival. Diwali - India. The Best Travel Shoes You know the line in Santa Claus is Coming to Town that warns, You better watch out? It commemorates the last week in the life of Christ, including the entry of Jesus and his disciples into Jerusalem, the crucifixion, and resurrection. This is one of the world's most unique festivals as it celebrates the long light nights of the north of Russia, in St Petersburg. Yeah, its THAT crazy. Having started in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, the event is still held on the original site, dubbed Theresienwiese (Theresas fields). Its also easily the messiest, coming off like the worlds biggest food fight. More commonly known in English-speaking countries as the Day of the Dead, the festivities begin on October 31 and last through November 2. If youre looking for a hotel in Fes for the World Music Festival, check out Palais Faraj Suites & Spa, Riad Naila or Dar Mfaddel. Yi Peng is celebrated all over Thailand but Chiang Mai hosts the largest Yi Peng Festival and tops off their enviable displays with cultural shows and fireworks you wont want to miss. It's the world's largest Carnival . If you go, please follow some simple rules: Dont throw hard objects, squash the tomato before throwing it, stay a safe distance away from tomato trucks, and stop when the starter pistol indicates that the hour of mayhem has ended. For more than four decades, the first or second week in October has ushered in the magical moving picture show of colorful hot air balloons gliding through the crisp fall air. Over the past seven centuries his influence has spread throughout the world, influencing everyone from Turks, Greeks, and Iranians to Muslims in Central and South Asia. iHeartCountry Festival 2023. At the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Gaelic Ireland, where he worked as a shepherd for six years before making his escape and making his way home. It is held annually in late July. Pebble Beach, California, one of the most desirable zip codes in the country, hosts events year-round, including the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Again, the number of these days can vary worldwide. However, in centuries this traditional festival of Brazil has received a great momentum due to its growing popularity among . With a roster of literally thousands of performances happening in every nook and cranny of the city, from cabaret to comedy and opera to spoken word, you have plenty of opportunity to soak in the colourful and sometimes kooky vibes of the festival. Built around 1460 and located on a hill 410 feet above the city, the massive fort (one of Indias largest) includes an impressive museum and several palaces renowned for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. In recent years the lineup has only gotten more eclectic. Come winter, the beautiful Japanese town of Nozawa lies half-submerged in powder, making it not only excellent for skiing, but the ideal place to watch the lighting of a towering pyre and fire-fuelled battle between villagers. Looking for a hotel base to celebrate Songkran in Chiang Mai? On Holika Dahan, people perform religious rituals before a raging bonfire, which symbolizes cleansing and the forgiveness of past debts and other transgressions. Carnival, as Rio de Janeiro presents it, is one of the most interesting and well-attended cultural celebrations around the world. This list has no specified timeline. Burning Man takes place in Black Rock City, Black Rock Desert, Nevada in a full-fledged, thriving temporary metropolis established just for the festival. Vodun) religion has been demonized by puritanical cultures for centuries. Sure, Saint Patricks Day is celebrated anywhere in the world where there is an Irish diaspora (or even just an Irish pub), but if youre going to get involved, theres no better place than Dublin. Credit: thesun. Others link it to Shiva, who is often associated with yoga and meditation. Check out these great options! Festivities also include live theatrical plays featuring intriguing and comical traditional folk characters, lavish 18th century-style galas in beautiful old Venetian buildings, open air street parties and an award ceremony at Carnivals closing to celebrate the very best costumes and masks. Originally launched in 1994 in Fes (with King Mohammed VI as its royal patron), this world music festival is a celebration of the ancient Moroccan citys rich traditions in the arts, knowledge, and spirituality. Looking for a hotel to celebrate Krampusnacht? Up-Helly Aa, Scotland. Check out the latest lineups and news from festival around the world. Locals and tourists alike are invited to take part in one of Belgiums most popular yet unusual festivities, the International Bathtub Regatta on the gorgeous Meuse River in Dinant. Tomorrowland is arguably the most popular and legendary festival in all of Europe, and is known for producing massively beautiful stages, bringing in the best DJ's spanning every electronic music genre, and boasting an insanely international crowd! The festival also celebrates the citys Hokushin Shrine, the proud backbone of the belly button festival. Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Matsuri the Fire Festival runs in Japan every January. 2. This has led to some extraordinary collaborations, such as when Echo & the Bunnymen played with the Drummers of Burundi in 1982, and when Malis Tinariwen played with two members of TV On The Radio in 2010. All boats involved in the one-kilometre race must be made from a bathtub and are not allowed a motor, making for some interesting inventions and contraptions. Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea. 1. Officially dubbed the International Festival of Masks and Arts, Festima is a centuries old tradition celebrated in several West African countries, including the Ivory Coast, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Its part Mad Max, part Survivor, and part Comic-Con (see: CRAZY costumes & festival clothing), with an emphasis on experimental creativity, cooperation, and civic responsibility.
