The Ultimate Guide to the World's Best Festivals
If you're a fan of world festivals, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up the best ones for you to take part in.
Whether you're into the dust-throwing, color-crazy celebration, or a pretty light display in the sky, there's something for everyone! So, get ready to book a ticket and start packing your bags.
Rio Carnival
Rio Carnival is a colorful, lively celebration with plenty of music, dance, and people dressed in bright costumes. It’s a fun time to visit and there are plenty of things for you and your kids to do.
Firstly, you can check out the Sky View Observatory Voucher Code where samba schools compete to impress judges and win a prize. It’s a great way to see the best of the city’s samba talent and is a must-see for all samba lovers!
Another cool thing to do is head to a Bloco, which is a giant street party. These are a free and awesome way to experience the carnival! They take place in different locations throughout the city and you can find out where they are from your hotel or hostel.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is one of the most colorful and elaborate festivals in the world, and it’s celebrated all over the globe. It’s a time for partying, dressing up, and feasting on customary foods such as king cake.
While New Orleans takes the cake for its renowned parades and festivities, there are plenty of smaller neighborhood celebrations and parades to enjoy. The LGBTQ community has also put its mark on the festival, with several krewes and balls that are particularly LGBT-friendly.
If you want to see behind-the-scenes of the famous floats, take a tour at Mardi Gras World. Located near the French Quarter, this is a great way to appreciate all of the hard work that goes into constructing these spectacular floats each year.
Spicemas
Spicemas in Grenada is an experience you'll never forget. It celebrates the end of slavery and offers a week of carnival-themed parties, shows, and other fun events.
The festivities are a mix of music, dance, and pageantry that reflect Grenada’s rich African and Caribbean heritage. One of the most memorable activities is the Queen Ceremony where young women compete for the title of National Carnival Queen.
A staple of Grenada's festival is soca music, a blend of African and Caribbean traditions. You can also hear a mix of other genres at the various performances, such as dancehall and pop.
Other highlights include Dimanche Gras Night and J'ouvert, a morning emancipation parade that echoes the earliest days of slaves. Thousands of Jab-Jabs dance through the streets, chanting and beating drums.
La Tomatina
Everybody loves a festival - they're a great way to get together with friends, have fun, and indulge in a bit of chaos. There's no denying that La Tomatina in Bunol is one of the most entertaining festivals in the world!
The origins of this tomato-throwing food fight are a little hazy, but it's been celebrated in Bunol since 1945. Some people believe that it started when locals were roughhousing during a street parade and knocked over a vegetable cart, while others say that it originated from a friendly food fight between locals.
As well as a massive food fight, Seasonal Discount Code also has a variety of activities and attractions to keep you entertained. For example, there's a palo jabon competition where young men climb a two-story-high pole that's greased and topped with ham.
Diwali
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated holidays in India. According to the Hindu American Foundation, it marks the return of the deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile.
People clean their homes, create rangoli (detailed colored patterns made on the floor with flowers, powder, or rice), and make special sweets called mithai. They also stock up on puja samagri (prayer offerings) and purchase ornate gifts for friends and family.
Even if you’re not celebrating Diwali in the Indian style, you can still bring the spirit of the holiday to your workplace by arranging a fun Diwali party. Here are some ideas for how you can make it a truly memorable event:
Rock in Rio
The ultimate festival for hardcore rock 'n' roll die-hards, Rock in Rio has been one of the biggest and most famous music festivals around for decades. With a host of top artists, including a few that have become legends, this festival is not to be missed.
This year's edition of Rock in Rio, now back in its home city after a Covid-19 hiatus, promises a variety of activities and attractions for its visitors. In addition to concerts, it features a wide range of food and merchandise, as well as performance art and interactive experiences.
This year's edition of Rock in Rio is scheduled to run from September 2 through 11 and will feature 250 concerts. Its main stages include the Palco Mundo and the Palco Sunset, and there are also DJs at a specialized stage for electronic music.
Cheesy Festival
A cheese festival is a great way to get involved with a local farmer or artisanal cheesemaker. It's also a great way to sample their cheeses and learn about the making process.
One of the most iconic cheese-themed festivals in Europe, the Bra Cheese Festival takes place every other September outside Turin in Piedmont. The event features a cheese market; a wine bar with DIY cheese plates; a pizza piazza; and a selection of seminars, workshops, and tastings.
The tiny town of Kolan on the Croatian island of Pag hosts the annual Kolan Cheese Festival in August, and it's an ideal place to combine coastal adventure with a visit to the local dairies that produce cheesy creations with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status. Some tours also include a trip to the village's Camembert House, which tells the story of this cheese through videos, displays, and tastings.
Hong Kong Festival of Lights
The iconic Victoria Harbour skyline lights up every night with a spectacular multimedia show known as the “Symphony of Lights”. Since 2004, this is one of the world’s most amazing and spectacular shows, which illuminates some of Hong Kong’s tallest buildings.
This dazzling festival of lights showcases the city’s creative spirit and vibrant culture through light art installations by local and international artists. Several curated works will also be displayed throughout the city and many are interactive.
You can watch the show from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Avenue of Stars, along the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai (Hong Kong Island), and on sightseeing ferries. Music and narration are broadcast at these locations, and admission is free so you can enjoy the full experience.
Chiang Mai Lantern Festival
The Chiang Mai Lantern Festival (Yi Peng) is a beautiful and spiritual holiday that celebrates the twelfth full moon of the Lanna calendar. Traditionally, this is in November but the exact dates change every year.
During the festival, locals honor Buddha, ask for good luck and wisdom, and release lanterns into the sky. It’s a great way to let go of anything that is weighing you down and to make a wish for the new year.
It’s a magical time for locals and tourists to come together and enjoy the beauty of the Lanna culture in the city center. You can find a range of temples where monks will help you to release your lantern safely, or head to Nawarat Bridge and watch the thousands of Krathongs floating down the Ping River.
Whirling Dervishes
Whirling Dervishes are members of a semi-mystical branch of Islam that aims to reach spiritual enlightenment through meditation, recitation, and dance. They whirl continuously while performing a series of movements that symbolize their journey to God.
The whirling Dervish ritual is called Sema, or worship, and is based on the 13th-century Mevlevi order. Founded by Celaleddin Mevlana Rumi, the order remains active today and is considered to be a "cultural brotherhood" of Sufis.
Whirling Dervish shows are a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul and there are many places where you can witness one. The Galata Mevlevihanesi Museum is regarded as the best place to watch a show but if you're looking for a more authentic experience, Hodjapasha Cultural Centre is another great option. This is a slightly more touristy venue but it offers an interesting exhibition of Dervish objects, including clothing and instruments.
Conclusion
Based on the information provided in the guide, it can be concluded that there are a wide variety of festivals around the world that cater to different interests, cultures, and traditions. Attending these festivals can be a great way to experience new cultures, meet new people, and have fun. It is important to plan and research the festivals to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
