150 epic performances. Sziget Festival has announced a number of bands and artists for their 2023 event, with Billie Eilish, Florence + The Machine, and Imagine Dragons featured as headliners. . Get along to absorb some brilliant cinematic works and perhaps rub shoulders with a few A-listers while youre at it. Mexico's Dia de los Muertos ('Day of the Dead') festival. Festivals are an expressive way to celebrate glorious heritage, culture and traditions. But if you know someone (or have the money to grease palms), MOMs Ball and Orpheuscapade Ball are frequently ranked among the best. Festival heaven for: Jazz aficionados and music fans with a t. Originally a pure jazz festival, Montreux Jazz Festival has expanded since the '80s . From majestic, natural wonders to silly food fights, romantic sky lanterns at night or modern creative gatherings in the desert, the above are without a doubt some of the best festivals in the world. Every year, over 9,000 men participate in this festival. Courtesy Watercress Festival Bacon Festival (Sacramento, California). As of June 2019, the largest LGBTQ events in other parts of the world include: in Europe: Madrid Pride, Orgullo Gay de Madrid (MADO), with 3.5 million attendees when it hosted WorldPride in 2017 [14] in Asia: Taiwan Pride in Taipei; [14] in the Middle East: Tel Aviv Pride in Israel; [14] in Oceania: Sydney Mardi Gras . Glastonbury's is one of the oldest music festivals in the world, having taken place most summers since 1970. Specific celebrations of the holiday differ from region to region, with some towns holding lively parades and celebrations, while others keep it a more subdued affair with religious overtones (it coincides with All Saints Day). 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. Montreux, Switzerland. 20 Most Unusual Festivals In The World. 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. Chicago's world-renowned fests and events celebrate food, music, culture, art, and history throughout the city. The world's best music festivals span Glastonbury, Tomorrowland, Coachella, Primavera Sound, UMF and many more, across the continents of Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia. By having the festivities in pleasant April, the proud Dutch were able to throw on their loud orange attire and toss back a few drinks without having to worry about weather. 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. And, while there are numerous religious festivals in Spain, this country deserves the crown for the most diverse festivals: from El Colacho (a baby-jumping festival); to Fiesta de Santa Maria de Ribarteme (festival for those who've had a near-death experience); to La Tomatina (tomato throwing festival); to Las Fallas (festival in which beautiful Da de los Muertos or Day of the Dead easily outshines even the most vibrant Halloween celebrations with its unique blend of ancient indigenous and European Catholic traditions. There are various legends associated with the Indian Festival. 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. Derived from the Sanskrit word for astrological passage (meaning a change or transformation), Songkran refers to the traditional New Year celebrated on April 13 in parts of India, China, and much of Southeast Asia. Mornings often start with visiting local Buddhist temples to offer food to the monks. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox. Holi Festival in India is ranked #20 in our countdown of 100 Ultimate Travel Experiences of a Lifetime. The next morning is the wild free-for-all for which Holi is known. 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. 1 January Festivals & Cultural Events 1.1 Wakakusa Yamayaki (Japan) 1.2 Sundance Film Festival (USA) 2 February Festivals & Cultural Events 2.1 Carnivale Di Venezia (Italy) 2.2 Sky Lantern Festival (Taiwan) 2.3 Rio Carnival (Brazil) 2.4 Mardi Gras (USA) 3 March Festivals & Cultural Events 3.1 Holi (India) 3.2 St Patrick's Day (Ireland & USA) Burning Man started in 1986, when Larry Harvey and his buddy Jerry James assembled a 8-foot-tall makeshift wooden figure and dragged it to San Franciscos Baker Beach on the Summer Solstice. iHeartCountry Festival 2023. The most famous festival is the Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri held in Okayama, where the festival originated. 40 Fascinating Christmas Traditions in Mexico, The 30 Best Places to Spend Christmas in Europe, 40 Ways to Celebrate New Year Traditions Around the World, Courtyard by Marriott Nashville SE/Murfreesboro, The 20 Best North Carolina Music Festivals, 20 Largest Lakes in the World by Continent (For Your World Trave Bucket List), What is Ecotourism? This list has no specified timeline. It still attracts top-notch jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, George Benson, and Fourplay. The festival also celebrates the citys Hokushin Shrine, the proud backbone of the belly button festival. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial policies. The average daily temperature in winter is around 1.8 F, and lows of -31 F are dauntingly frequent. It takes place from the last Sunday in August to Labor Day. Botanique Hotel & Spa, Campos do Jordo, Brazil. It attracts thousands from all around the world each year. It is now officially celebrated on April 27 (the Kings birthday) and includes an official government ceremony followed by sporting competitions and fun, family-friendly celebrations. Indio, CA April 28-30, 2023 / Book Tickets. It largely centers on the parade-like processions of Catholic brotherhoods (or fraternities), many of which date back to the Middle Ages or Baroque period. First, Sundance is known as one of the top documentary festivals. And while you might cop an eyeful of more cheek than you care to see, its all done with good-natured, inclusive, humorous fun. 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. The city turns into a hive of activity during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. But the main reason Songkran is known outside of Asia is the wet, wild celebration in Thailand, especially Chiang Mai. The area is particularly beautiful in late June/early July, when the festival is held. The Best Travel Clothes for Women & Men Theres also marching bands, dancing, food and drinks, and lots of laughter. Launched in 2002, the music festival is held every June on a 700-acre farm just south of Nashville. A true celebration of love in all its forms, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been showering Sydney with a glittering rainbow every March since 1978. And third is Iloilo, where the colorful Dinagyang festival is mainly celebrated. This film festival also favors films that have been fostered in Sundance labs and fellowships. Held in June, the event has grown considerably over the last 24 years, annually attracting some 100,000+ attendees. Now, Boryeong Mud Festival is just a great excuse to get down and dirty and have some fun. Getting invites to the private events isnt easy. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) Most film festivals can be counted on to provide entertainment, laced with some introspection. When: Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Sunday). The Baby Jumping Festival is a baptismal ceremony wherein babies who were born over the last year are absolved of sin. During Yi Peng locals homes and public places are decked out in colorful hanging lanterns and flag decorations. Check out H21 Hotel Boutique, Fiesta Inn Aeropuerto CD Mexico or City Express Ciudad de Mexico Aeropuerto. More than any other music festival, WOMAD has always been a celebration of global culture first and foremost. As depicted in the 2017 Pixar film Coco, the holiday is all about getting together with friends and family to remember and celebrate ancestors who have died in order to help them on their spiritual journey. Foto: Kristoffer Juel Poulsen (Courtesy Jazz.dk) 2. It can happen on any day between January, 21 st to February 20 th.According to tradition, Chinese New Year is a day for dedicating prayer to the . Diwali is one of the most famous and renowned religious and cultural festivals around the world in Hindus. Looking for a hotel to celebrate Kings Day in the Netherlands? Nobody seems to know where Krampus came from. In recent years the lineup has only gotten more eclectic. READ MORE:15 Harmful Traditions & Cultural Practices Tourists Should Never Support. But the central features are generally similar. Translated to Day of the Dead, this seemingly morbid festivity is a day to celebrate and remember those who have passed away with parades, costumes, paper decorations and edible skulls. Nobody throws a party quite like Brazil, and there's no Brazilian party quite like Rio Carnaval. But the thing that attracts travelers around the world is the fantastic floats (a.k.a. Holi is undeniably one of the biggest religious festivals around the world. Sprinkling water has always signified for Thai people, blessing, purging and newness. If youve read our many stories about Christmas, you know were especially passionate about the holiday and its myriad traditions. But in western Africa including Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo this ancient practice is integral to the morality, politics, and social order of many villages. This festival is for directors who have honed their filmmaking techniques. 10. There are plenty of music festivals in Europe, but this 50-year-old good time held on the shores of Lake Geneva is truly one of a kind and is the second-largest jazz festival in the world (pipped by Montreal, Canada). They also visit their loved ones graves, leaving these gifts and other beloved possessions as tribute to the deceased. You better watch out, you better not pout, Krampus is coming to town! This list features some of the craziest, messiest or most colorful art festivals and national holidays ever, which have gathered millions of . Youll mostly see Holi Festival across India and Nepal, but also in other areas with large Hindu populations. The great climate also makes for ideal conditions for a massive, country-wide flea market you have to see to believe. Once an intimate gathering of friends and family, the festival is now an arty, apocalyptic paean to the wonder of self-expression, attracting a tight-knit community of bohemians and misfits from all around the world. Looking for a hotel base to celebrate Songkran in Chiang Mai? Carnival, as Rio de Janeiro presents it, is one of the most interesting and well-attended cultural celebrations around the world. Harbin is transformed into a winter wonderland with seismic ice sculptures across the city, adorned with lights and lasers, drawing thousands of artists and art enthusiasts alike. But, in terms of the mesmerizing music and the surrounding scenery, we can guarantee itll be worth the trip. Enjoy traditional song and dance, watch musical street theater shows, grab some beer and get decked out in all green as you celebrate Irish heritage and culture. Get wild, get crazy and find yourself or lose yourself as you delight yourself in new pleasures. Burning Man takes place in Black Rock City, Black Rock Desert, Nevada in a full-fledged, thriving temporary metropolis established just for the festival. But were not sure any of them can adequately explain the inspired madness that goes down in the northwestern Nevada desert every summer. When: Full moon of the twelfth lunar month (typically Mid-November). Millions of litres of Oktoberfest beer are just the beginning of this 15-day Bavarian fair, which takes over Munich every year. where the Celtic ritual of wearing large wooden masks is still practiced. READ MORE:25 Symbols of Christmas: This History & Meaning of Traditional Christmas Decorations. Road Affair is reader-supported and may earn commission from purchases made through links in this article. 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. But Montreux benefits from its picturesque location on the stunning shores of Lake Geneva. Their trance-like dancing creates a remarkable flow of energy, with their flowing white robes mesmerizing as they twirl in time with the music. The festival reaches its climactic crescendo on December 17, the day when Rumi was united with Allah. It may not be quite as big as Coachella or as iconic as Lollapalooza. The day also commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and celebrates all things Irish. Looking for a hotel to celebrate Krampusnacht? . Thats because their Vesak Festival uniquely includes thoranas massive, temporary structures designed to impress, covered with colorful lights and paintings. Today, it has grown to be one of the Philippines most spectacular religious and cultural festivals. Check it out! So picture 5 million people whove been baking in the heat for months, preparing to give up the things they love for 40 days, set loose in a city filled with lively music and half-naked dancers shaking what their mama gave them. The festival is a wholly uplifting experience, no matter your religion. 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. And if thats not enough to tickle your fancy, theres also the Ice Lantern Art Fair, dog sledding to watch and our favourite, winter swimming watching. Family members who have moved away will often return home for the holiday to pay tribute to their ancestors. About the Writer. I want emails from Road Affair with travel updates and marketing. They give us a distraction from our day to day . All rights reserved. Water is often poured on statues of the Buddha, the young, and the elderly in a symbolic purification ritual. (The History & Principles of Responsible Travel). The event attracts nearly 5 million people each year, with a half-million or so being visitors traveling to see the spectacle. Each year there are tons of different festivals around the world to choose from, but dont fret, weve got you covered! It begins with social events in November, private balls held on Thanksgiving Day and New Years Eve, with parades and more private balls throughout January and early February. Its not just jazz, though. It may not be the easiest festival for our western readers to get to. Dating back 500 years, over 9,000 men participate in the Naked Festival - Hadaka Matsuri - every year in Okayama, Japan. A nine-day celebration, the vegetarian festival is arguably the most interesting although the title is somewhat misleading. Christmas meets a nightmarish take on Halloween when it comes to the Krampus Parade or Festival. Like Easter, the event has no set date. Thus, the Hokkai Heso Matsuri, commonly known as the Belly Button Festival. It has been taking place every summer in Budapest since 1993. Held on the same day each year, the festival goes for around four or so hours and holds cultural significance to locals as the wooden shrine is endowed with a dosojin (a deity that presides over roads and borders) before being set alight. 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. A highlight of the Kyoto festival is the Yamahoko Float Procession, featuring floats akin to beautifully intricate works of art. You know the line in Santa Claus is Coming to Town that warns, You better watch out? Erin Medlicott Being a highly spiritual country, festivals are at the heart of people's lives in India. 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. It is held every June. And colorful, thanks to creative costumes worn by the 70+ samba schools (each representing a different neighborhood) who compete for cash and national fame. The world is full of fun and crazy people, and these summer festivals are a solid proof. The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is an annual thematic winter festival that takes place in Harbin, China, and the largest ice and snow festival in the world. People have a lot . Austin, TX May . Queens Day was a national holiday (celebrated on April 30 until 2013) commemorating Queen Beatrixs birth. These are elaborately decorated with artful sculptures depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary. Red Carnation Hotels solves that problem. Residents of Furano in Hokkaido, Japan, have created a festival completely inspired by their geographical location. Harbin is transformed into a winter wonderland during the Snow and Ice Festival. Once upon a time in 1810 a German crown prince married his princess. Copenhagen Jazz Festival. There are certainly larger and more raucous celebrations of Saint Patricks Day than the one thats held in Dublin, Ireland every March. Place: Chiang Mai, Thailand. Check out the latest lineups and news from festival around the world. Also known as the Colour Throwing Festival, it takes place in March every year. However, in centuries this traditional festival of Brazil has received a great momentum due to its growing popularity among . This prestigious event has drawn car-loving crowds since 1950, growing into one of the best car shows in the entire world. If youre planning a ski trip to Japan, its well worth timing it to coincide with the wild and slightly alarming Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Matsuri. If youre looking for a hotel to celebrate HoliFestival, check out Hotel SR Plaza (India), Taleju Boutique Hotel (Nepal) and Royal Villa F-10/2 (Pakistan). sugar skulls), Aztec Marigolds, and the traditional foods and beverages of their ancestors. Everyone is welcome, everyone is fair game, and the playful, childlike vibe is incredibly infectious. The concerts take place in venues of ancient cultural heritage, from local riads to the grand courtyard of Bab al Makina, where the official ceremonies of the royal palace were once held. The Ice and Snow Festival is preceded by the Ice Lantern Festival. It seems every country has one major event on the annual calendar that claims to trump all others. If youre looking for a hotel inMontreux, Switzerland for the Montreal International Jazz Festival, check out Htel de Chailly, Le Coucou Hotel & Restaurant-Bar or Swiss Historic Hotel Masson. They carry processional candles or crosses, and many walk barefoot, bound by chuckles and chains. But, for our money, it doesnt get any better than watching the Mardi Gras Indians Parade in Treme. Looking to book your next trip? Nonetheless, in terms of overall progress, India has come a long way from 63.75 index . The religious custom dates back to the early 1600s. 1. On the other extreme, Libya has no paid public holidays, while Lebanon has only two paid . One of my favorite music festivals Ive attended, WOMAD (World Of Music, Arts & Dance) was founded in 1980 by Peter Gabriel and a team that included Artistic Director Thomas Brooman and influential concert promoter Martin Elbourne (who also books the Glastonbury Festival). Mobile, Alabama that had the first Mardi Gras, How Botswana Wildlife Conservation Helps Fight Poaching, The 10 Best Places for African Safari Tours, African Photo Safaris in Amboseli National Park & Timbavati Game Reserve, 20 Awesome Tips for Planning Your Patagonia Trip, 10 Latin America Ecotourism Adventures (for Your World Travel Bucket List), International Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival, The 20 Best Cultural Festivals Around the World, The Best Food Gifts from Around the World, The Mardi Gras Balls, Parades, & Parties (An Insiders Guide). Bret Love; lead photo By Gianluca Ramalho Misiti (Flickr: sem ttulo-25)CC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commons. DollarFlightClub orAirfarewatchdog to find a cheap plane tickets. Great emphasis is placed on Hindu tales about the burning of the demoness Holika and its relation to the festivities, so Holi celebrations are kicked off by large bonfires complete with singing and dancing on the eve of the festival. It was originally held at the Montreux Casino, until it burned down during Frank Zappas 1971 performance there. 18 / 22. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival provides the visitors each year a whole new wintry world of ice and snow. Each year festival goers head to Daecheon Beach for rocking live music, a wade in the nutrient-rich mud and for a chance to try out various mud-related health and beauty products and services. Whether you adore the wonderfully charismatic glamour of the film industry and its celebrities or you are enthralled by the creativity and storytelling of filmmaking, youll want to make the trip to Cannes Film Festival at least once. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest annual international event held in the US. As well as promising the latest and greatest in pop and rock music performances, event-goers are also treated to dance, comedy, theatre and circus acts. Again, the number of these days can vary worldwide. Well, kids have a lot more to fear from Krampus, a hellish demon who haunts Central Europe around the holidays. 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. Ice and Snow World opens at night, with colorful lights illuminating full-sized buildings made of 2- to 3-foot ice blocks taken from the river. 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. More commonly known in English-speaking countries as the Day of the Dead, the festivities begin on October 31 and last through November 2. They are in the trees, rivers, and rocks, with lesser vodun devoted to specific nations, tribes, and clans. A mock battle then erupts, to ensure good fortune in the coming year. The U.S. endures the most mass shootings in the world, withdepending upon one's definition of a mass shooting (see next section)somewhere between 21 and more than 600 in 2020. It was originally conceptualized to provide PR for a range of cosmetics created using the nutrient-rich mud from the area but the festival quickly became Koreas most popular summer festival. Founded back in 1967 (with considerable help from Atlantic Records honchos Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegn), Montreux is one of the oldest music festivals in the world. People fill water balloons and water guns, drench each other, then cover each other in powder in an array of dazzling colors. Although still a spiritual and religious festival with everyone paying a visit to their local monastery, Songkran has morphed into a joyous occasion for revelry across the kingdom. Ofrendas (altars) are constructed in both public spaces and private homes, and are often richly decorated with pumpkins and . This is the biggest, longest and most fun festival in Thailand and maybe the world! But to understand what we love about Bonnaroo (other than the fact that its 2.5 hours day trip from Atlanta), just check out their tagline. Historically, Carnival is a religious celebration. With its plurality of religions, linguistic and ethnic groups, it is no wonder that you name a festival and India has it. Dating back to 1650's, the carnival originally began to pay a tribute to the God of grape harvest. Their unique Campground Plazas also offer karaoke, late night parties, celebrity appearances, and more. And to make things even more entertaining, jockeys are allowed to do anything to their opponents other than tug their reins, so expect as many spills as thrills. 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 . And when it comes to celebration, festivals offer something for everyone. JOIN NOW . Kids especially enjoy playing with colors and water balloons. If youre looking for a hotel for the Semana SantaFestival, check out Gran Hotel Miramar (Mlaga), Hotel Palacete de Alamos (Mlaga), Monte Carmelo (Sevilla) or Petit Palace Puerta de Triana (Sevilla). Rio Carnival | Brazil. Adherents believe that the vodun spirits are deities governing both man and nature. Check out the Royal Frenchmen Hotel and Bar, Hotel Peter and Paul or Omni Riverfront New Orleans. A water fight on a national scale, Songkran in Thailand is the celebration of the Buddhist New Year. Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with street expressions of faith in the form of different processions with their own floats. And though certain aspects of it may not be for the faint of heart, it is an enlightening look at one of the worlds most misunderstood religions. If youre looking for a hotel for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, check out the Days Inn by Wyndham Manchester TN, Sassy Springs Retreat, and Courtyard by Marriott Nashville SE/Murfreesboro. In fact, it is almost impossible to think of Brazils capital city without thinking of its Carnaval. Centred around the national holiday, this festival of Irish pride, achievements and talents will be well supplied with Guinness and Irish cheer. Best Cultural Festivals Around the World Guide (Arranged by continent) Black-necked Crane Festival (Bhutan) Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival (China) Holi Festival (India/Pakistan) Naadam Festival (Mongolia) Songkran Festival (Thailand) Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (Morocco) Timket Festival (Ethiopia) 9. 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. Dont let the name fool you: Though the festival was jazz-only in its early years, by the 1970s legendary rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Van Morrison were topping the bill. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Loi Krathong is arguably the most famous festival in Thailand during which thousands of lanterns are dispatched to the night skies while the crowd is left captivated by the spectacle. Looking for a hotel to celebrate St. Patricks Day in Dublin? It made the information easy to understand and follow. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I also appreciated the amount of writing and resources that were provided. New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the most important cities in the history of jazz, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is perhaps its most significant music event. This is a world-class, multi-day celebration of jazz that's held every October (October 19 - 22, 2023), often hosting over thirty-five thousand visitors.