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If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug and are aching to take on a new adventure, you’ve come to the right place! We answer your “Where to go?” and “When to travel?” with this list of 12 exciting festivals taking place around the world.
Read on and take your pick!
1) Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
Where: Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
When: Officially starts on 5th January and ends after a month, but exhibits might open earlier, if weather permits.
What It Is: The largest ice and snow festival in the world which is also an international competition showcasing jaw-dropping ice sculptures. The sculptures are all carved out of ice from the Songhua River, intricately designed and illuminated with multicolored lights. Visit when the festival ends to help tear down the creations with ice picks!
2) Rio Carnival
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When: Usually held in the month of February, the festival is held right before Lent, ending on Ash Wednesday.
What It Is: Touted as the biggest carnival in the world, the Rio Carnival is a mind-blowing spectacle that sees 2 million revelers per day on the streets! From dancers parading in beautiful costumes and ostentatious floats to costumed balls and parties, this lavish fest sees the city come alive with music and dancing, with all non-carnival related commerce being completely shut down for the merriment.
3) St. Patrick’s Festival
Where: Dublin, Ireland
When: Around 17th March
What It Is: The festival is a 4-5 day celebration reflecting the talents and achievements of Irish people on the national and international front. The city buzzes with energy and the massive parade draws hundreds of thousands of people to the city center to witness magnificent creations and spectacular performances. St. Patrick’s Day is also celebrated with much fanfare in New York City each year!
4) Songkran
Where: Thailand
When: 13th April
What It Is: The Thai New Year is one of the country’s biggest celebrations that sees more than half a million tourists join in the revelry that extends for a couple of days. Be armed with a water gun and balloons and indulge in water fights- you’ll find barrels of water lining the streets. Phuket sees some hardcore celebrations, while you’ll get to witness the Buddha parade and sand stupa sculptures in Chiang Mai.
5) Cinco de Mayo
Where: Various locations
When: 5th May
What It Is: While Cinco de Mayo originally commemorates the day when the Mexican army won over France at the Battle of Puebla, the holiday has taken on a new meaning in the United States. People of all backgrounds get together to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage with parades, parties, tacos, and tequila!
6) Inti Raymi
Where: Cusco, Peru
When: 24th June
What It Is: The Festival of the Sun is held at the winter solstice in South America and is celebrated to pay homage to the Inca god Inti. During Inca times, the festival was celebrated by offering prayers and sacrifices; today, the tradition is honored by reenacting Incan rituals. Other sights include street fairs, stage performances, and the concluding street parade.
7) San Fermín Festival
Where: Pamplona, Spain
When: 6th-14th July
What It Is: Held in honor of Saint Fermin, this week-long festival is popular around the world for the Running of the Bulls or The Encierro, where hundreds of people run in front of bulls down a half mile stretch through the narrow streets of Pamplona. Other events include the Giants and Big-Heads parade, bullfights, traditional sports like stone and hay bale lifting.
8) La Tomatina
Where: Buñol, Spain
When: Last Wednesday of August
What It Is: Another famous festival, La Tomatina is the world’s largest food fight where thousands of enthusiasts gather to pelt overripe tomatoes at each other! What started as a street brawl is now a culmination of week-long festivities that include grand parades, cooking contests, and fireworks.
9) Mid-Autumn Festival
Where: Various locations
When: September-October, on the 15th day of the 8th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
What It Is: This harvest festival is celebrated in most East Asian countries like China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Eating mooncakes, admiring the full moon, enjoying outdoor barbecues, watching lion dances, and lighting lanterns are popular activities!
10) Oktoberfest
Where: Munich, Germany
When: Mid or late September to the first weekend of October
What It Is: This fest runs for 16-18 days and is an important part of Bavarian culture. More than 6 million people attend the Oktoberfest each year, consuming large amounts of beer and traditional foods. Amusement rides, games, and sidestalls make for other attractions.
11) Pirates Week Festival
Where: George Town, Cayman Islands
When: Second week of November
What It Is: Pirates of the Caribbean brought to life for all pirate enthusiasts! Dress up in your best costumes, flaunt your hats and statement rings, enjoy the parades and music, participate in competitions, and more. There’s also a mock-pirate invasion included!
12) Chichibu Night Festival
Where: Chichibu, Japan
When: 2nd-3rd December
What It Is: The Chichibu Night Festival is one of the top three Japanese festivals to feature floats. The floats are decorated with colored or gilded carvings, tapestries, and lanterns, and the festival also features flower parasols. The lanterns are lit on the evening of the second day of the fest, with drums and flutes bringing the floats to life. Feast on traditional foods and amazake or sweet rice wine to keep you warm!
Takeaway
Whether you’re planning to travel this year or the next, you’re all set with this list of exciting festivals happening around the world. Pick your choice, or two, and get going!
(Image credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)
(Bio: Swara Segal is a freelance writer for bluestone.com)
