A Year of Festivals

Freaky, mad and wonderful stuff going on in the world to keep you inspired on your travels.

November - Día de la Tradición, Argentina

ARGENTINA | Monday, 19 Oct 2009 | Views [389] | Comments [1] | Video

Location: San Antonio de Areco, Argentina Dates: the weekend of November 10th Level of Participation: 3 – show up for the carnival scene ready to eat, dance, and join in the gaucho culture Description: Día de la Tradición ... Read more >

Tags: argentina, gaucho, culture, asado, buenos aires, world festivals


October - Moulid of Sayyed Ahmed Al-Badawi, Egypt

EGYPT | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [112] | Video

Location: Tanta, Egypt Dates: At the end of the cotton harvest in late October Level of Participation: 2 – wander among snake charmers and entranced Sufis Description: One of Egypt’s most important ... Read more >

Tags: egypt, world festivals, moulid of sayyed ahmed al-badawi


October - Fantasy Fest, USA

USA | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [139] | Video

Location: Duval St, Key West, Florida, USA Dates: 10 days ending on the last Sunday in October Level of Participation: 5 – indulge your wildest fantasies Description: One of the most outrageous ... Read more >

Tags: fantasy fest, world festivals, usa


October - Halloween, USA

USA | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [530]

Location: New York City, New York, USA Dates: 31 October Level of Participation: 5 – dress up and explore your dark side Description: The shrill cry of ‘trick or treat’ from children on the ... Read more >

Tags: halloween, usa, world festivals


October - Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages), Japan

JAPAN | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [81] | Video

Location: Kyoto Gosho, Kyoto, Japan Dates: 22 October Level of Participation: 2 – shed a tear for Kyoto’s former glory Description: Compared with the former Japanese capital’s other major ... Read more >

Tags: japan, festival of the ages, jidai matsuri, world festivals


October - Divali (Festival of the Lights), India

INDIA | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [129] | Video

Location: Mumbai, India Dates: Fifteenth day of the Indian lunar month of Kartika (October/November) Level of Participation: 2 – watch India light up Description: Having celebrated Krishna’s ... Read more >

Tags: india, divali, world festivals


October - River Festivals, Laos, Cambodia & Thailand

LAOS | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [127] | Video

Location: Laos, Cambodia and Thailand Dates: Full moon in late October or early November Level of Participation: 3 – send a boat to Naga Description: Also known as Ok Watsa, Laos’ Awk Phansa ... Read more >

Tags: laos, thailand, cambodia, river festivals, world festivals


October - Bridge Day, USA

USA | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [69] | Video

Location: New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, USA Dates: Third Sunday in October Level of Participation: 2 – watch the daredevils plummet Description: It’s the world’s largest extreme-sports ... Read more >

Tags: usa, world festivals, bridge day


October - MassKara Festival, Philippines

PHILIPPINES | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [123] | Video

Location: Bacolod,  Negros Occidental , Philippines Dates: Weekend nearest 19 October Level of Participation: 3 – smile with the masked masses Description: MassKara’s name is a fusion of ... Read more >

Tags: phillipines, world festivals, masskara festival


October - El Senor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles), Peru

PERU | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [240] | Video

Location: Lima, Peru Dates: 18, 28 and 29 October Level of Participation: 3 – slip into something purple and hit the streets Description: This procession of hundreds of thousands of people ... Read more >

Tags: lord of miracles, world festivals, peru


October - Entenrennen (Duck Race), Germany

GERMANY | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [95] | Video

Location: Alleenbrücke , Tübingen, Germany Dates: Early October Level of Participation: 4 – try your luck in the bobbing derby Description: It’s not exactly Running of the Bulls. Indeed, the ... Read more >

Tags: germany, duck race, world festivals


October - Cirio de Nazare, Brazil

BRAZIL | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [131] | Video

Location: Praça Justo Chermont, Belém, Brazil Dates: Second weekend in October Level of Participation: 3 – join the human surge to the basilica Description: The largest festival on the River ... Read more >

Tags: brazil, cirio de nazare, world festivals


October - Matchmaking Festival, Ireland

IRELAND | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [76] | Video

Location: Main Street, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland Dates: Last Friday in August to first Sunday in October Level of Participation: 5 – take the opportunity to pick an Irish rose Description: ... Read more >

Tags: matchmaking festival, ireland, world festivals


October - Vegetarian Festival, Thailand

THAILAND | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [89] | Video

Location: Jui Tui temple, Th Ranong, Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand Dates: First nine days of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar (late September/early October) Level of Participation: 3 – receive fruit from ... Read more >

Tags: thailand, vegetarian festival, world festivals


October - Durbar, Nigeria

NIGERIA | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [58] | Video

Location: Emir Palace Road, Kano, Nigeria Dates: End of Ramadan Level of Participation: 2 – watch the colourful cavalry Description: Throughout the Islamic world, the Eid al-Fitr festival is ... Read more >

Tags: nigeria, world festivals, durbar


October - Ghadames Date Festival, Libya

LIBYA | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [114] | Video

Location: Old city, Ghadames, Libya Dates: Three days in October Level of Participation: 4 – dates and dancing in the desert Description: At the end of the date harvest in Ghadames, Libyans ... Read more >

Tags: libya, w9orld festival, ghadames date festival


October - Combat des Reines (Fight of the Queens), Switzerland

SWITZERLAND | Thursday, 17 Sep 2009 | Views [99] | Video

Location: Martigny, Valais, Switzerland Dates: First week in October Level of Participation: 2 – watch the queens do battle Description: Switzerland’s Valais region is famous for its pistes ... Read more >

Tags: switzerland, world festivals, fight of the queens


October - Oktoberfest, Germany

GERMANY | Friday, 11 Sep 2009 | Views [801]

Oktoberfest. Photo by [46137], Flickr.com Location: Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany Dates: 16 days from late September to early October Level of Participation: 5 - messier than a stag night Description: In 1810, a horse race was held ... Read more >

Tags: world festivals, oktoberfest, germany


September - Burning Man, USA

USA | Tuesday, 18 Aug 2009 | Views [860]

Burning Man. Photo by [lightmatter], Flickr.com Location: Black Rock Desert, Gerlach, Nevada Dates: Week prior to and including Labor Day weekend (first Monday in September) Level of Participation: 5 - stay alive in the desert and contribute ... Read more >

Tags: world festivals, usa, burning man, concerts


September - Farm Aid, USA

USA | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [111] | Video

Location: Varies each year around the USA Dates: One day in September Level of Participation: 2 – play along on your air guitar Description: The longest-running series of benefit concerts in ... Read more >

Tags: farm aid, usa, world festivals


September - Festival of the Virgin of Mercy, Spain

SPAIN | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [129] | Video

Location: Barcelona, Spain Dates: Four days around 24 September Level of Participation: 2 – join the Catalan party as Barcelona is overrun with giants, devils and human pyramids Description: ... Read more >

Tags: festival of the virgin of mercy, world festivals, spain


September - Galway Oyster Festival, Ireland

IRELAND | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [112]

Location: Nimmo’s Pier, Galway City, County Galway, Ireland Dates: Last full weekend in September Level of Participation: 4 – you’ll never want to see an oyster again Description: The Galway ... Read more >

Tags: ireland, galway oyster festival, world festivals


September - Atlantic Antic, USA

USA | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [88] | Video

Location: Brooklyn, New York City, USA Dates: Last weekend in September Level of Participation: 2 – stroll with the Brooklynites   Description: This 33-year-old street party is one of the ... Read more >

Tags: usa, atlantic antic, world festivals


September - Hermanus Whale Festival, South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [120] | Video

Location: Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa Dates: Last week in September Level of Participation: 3 – put an eye to a telescope Description: Situated near Africa’s southernmost tip, Hermanus ... Read more >

Tags: hermanus whale festival, south africa, world festivals


September - Dasain, Nepal

NEPAL | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [182] | Video

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal Dates: Fifteen days ending on the full moon in late September/early October Level of Participation: 2 – steel yourself for mass sacrifices and a procession of swords   Description:... Read more >

Tags: nepal, world festivals, dasain


September - Cow Ball, Slovenia

SLOVENIA | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [135] | Video

Location: Bohinj, Slovenia Dates: Sunday in mid-September Level of Participation: 3 – a ticket to the bovine ball   Description: Kitsch, possibly of the unintentional kind, comes out to ... Read more >

Tags: slovenia, world festivals, cow ball


September - Egremont Crab Fair, England

UNITED KINGDOM | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [141] | Video

Location: Egremont, Cumbria, England Dates: Third Saturday in September Level of Participation: 4 – take the gurn challenge Description: This Cumbrian fest is one of the world’s oldest fairs, ... Read more >

Tags: england, egremont crab fair, world festivals


September - Imilchil Wedding Moussem, Morocco

MOROCCO | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [136] | Video

Location: Imilchil, Morocco Dates: Three days around the third week in September Level of Participation: 2 – get caught up in the romance in the Atlas Mountains Description: Like the Cure ... Read more >

Tags: morocco, world festivals, imilchil wedding moussem


September - Mid-Autumn Festival, China

CHINA | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [206] | Video

Location: China Dates: Fifteenth day of the eight lunar month Level of Participation: 2 – gaze at the woman in the moon Description: Also called the Moon Cake Festival, China’s harvest festival ... Read more >

Tags: china, mid-aurumn festival, world festivals


September - Janmastami, India

INDIA | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [63] | Video

Location: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India Dates: Indian lunar month of Bhadra (August/September) Level of Participation: 3 – offer puja (prayer) with the pilgrims Description: Held on the ... Read more >

Tags: india, janmastami, world festivals


September - Horn Dance, England

UNITED KINGDOM | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [120] | Video

Location: Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire, England Dates: Wakes Monday (first Monday after the first Sunday after 4 September) Level of Participation: 2 – glimpse an 800-year-old pagan dance involving unwieldy antlers ... Read more >

Tags: england, world festivals, horn dance


September - Salt Cure, Niger

NIGER | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [121] | Video

Location: Tegguidda-n-Tessoum, In-Gall, Niger Dates: A week in the first half of September Level of Participation: 3 – make an extreme journey to the deepest Sahara to watch a beauty contest Description:... Read more >

Tags: salt cure, niger, world festivals


September - Joust of the Saracen, Italy

ITALY | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [109] | Video

Location: Grande Piazza, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy Dates: Penultimate Saturday in June and first Sunday in September Level of Participation: 3 – don some breeches and watch the jousters charge Description:... Read more >

Tags: italy, world festivals, joust of the saracen


September - Braemar Gathering, Scotland

UNITED KINGDOM | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [140] | Video

Location: Memorial Park, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Dates: First Saturday in September Level of Participation: 4 – climb Morrone or down a dram Description: Caber-tossing can be seen throughout ... Read more >

Tags: scotland, world festivals, braemar gathering


September - Umhlanga (Reed) Dance, Swaziland

SWAZILAND | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [567] | Video

Location: Lobamba, Swaziland Dates: Late August/early September Level of Participation: 2 – join Swazi royalty and watch the debutantes’ ball in the bush Description: Swaziland may be a pint-... Read more >

Tags: swaziland, world festivals, reed dance


September - Regata Storica (Historic Regatta), Italy

ITALY | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [99] | Video

Location: Castello, Venice, Italy Dates: First Sunday in September Level of Participation: 2 – watch the Venetians row like it’s 1489 Description: These rowing races on the Grand Canal commemorate ... Read more >

Tags: italy, regata storica, world festivals


September - Henley-on-Todd Regatta, Australia

AUSTRALIA | Sunday, 16 Aug 2009 | Views [114] | Video

Location: Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia Dates: Saturday at the end of August/beginning of September Level of Participation: 5 – get ready for the desert challenge Description: ... Read more >

Tags: australia, world festivals, henley-on-todd regatta


July/August - Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Croatia

CROATIA | Friday, 14 Aug 2009 | Views [391] | Video

Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia Dates: July 10 - August 31 Level of Participation: 1 – Sit back, relax, and enjoy the shows, concerts, and performances Description: Each summer, more than 2000 dancers, actors, musicians, writers and artists ... Read more >

Tags: croatia, dubrovnik summer festival, performance, world festivals, dubrovnik, music


August - Notting Hill Carnival, England

UNITED KINGDOM | Thursday, 16 Jul 2009 | Views [99] | Video

Location: Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, London, England Dates: Last Sunday and Monday in August Level of Participation: 3 – make a costume or float, or just wander along for some jerk chicken and a dance ... Read more >

Tags: england, world festivals, notting hill carnival


August - Famadihana (Turning of the Bones), Madagascar

MADAGASCAR | Thursday, 16 Jul 2009 | Views [146] | Video

Location: Hauts plateaux (highlands), Madagascar Dates: Throughout winter (June to September) Level of Participation: 2 – watch the Merina’s unique ritual – and join the attendant party Description: ... Read more >

Tags: madagascar, turning of the bones, world festivals


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