Are you ready to globe-trot while accumulating unforgettable memories? You are invited to the biggest parties in the world! The subject of this article is the magnificent festivals that are held every year that take the world by storm. Everyone knows about Paris Fashion Week and Rio’s Carnival but, what about the others?
Well-known festivals are celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world. It is possible to explore various geographies through these festivals where you also can explore the different cultures of each of the host countries. The festivals also have an artistic side. Festivals allow you to get to know a country better through their garments, languages, religions, rituals, and other folkloric features. In this article, we have compiled the most exciting festivals around the world that you can join with great enthusiasm just by packing your bag. If you are ready to explore, you can start by examining the table we have prepared with places and dates of some popular festivals!
1. For Those Who Want to Follow the Light: Diwali Festival
The Diwali Festival held in India symbolizes the battle of good and evil; black and white. India, which amazes those who discover it with every detail, is a country where festivals are very colourful with different faith representations. One of the legends of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, one of the Hindu gods, saves his family from many evils while in exile for many years. The townspeople placed lights to welcome Rama and his family’s return. For this reason, Diwali means “beam of light”. Diwali, one of the most famous festivals in the world, invites you to unique light shows!
2. Rio’s Carnival, the Most Famous Party in the World
The Rio Carnival, which takes place before Lent in the Christian faith, is an elaborate event that draws in people from around the world. You have surely seen the dancers having fun in the streets with their colourful costumes, the enthusiastic crowd and the magnificent parade floats in images and films. If you want to also take part in the fun, plan your next February holiday to Rio De Janeiro in well in advance!
3. This Festival Is Like No Other: Día De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead Festival is quite interesting. The festival takes place in Mexico at the beginning of November every year, is an event that contrary to how it sounds mourning is actually prohibited. In this festival, which has a long history, Mexicans prepare offerings and food for their dead relatives and invite them to their homes.
It is a tradition to commemorate the dead with joy, especially during the festival where costumes and skull figures are everywhere. Do not confuse this event, which is among the most interesting festivals in the world, with Halloween. Although they seem very similar, there are serious differences between the two! While Halloween is associated with sweets, spooks, and mischief, Día de los Muertos is an extremely colourful and celebratory event!
4. The Carnival of Venice, where you will have fun for 40 Days and 40 Nights
Let us tell you a secret! Behind the spiritual side of Venice hides a great fun: the Carnival of Venice! Moreover, this carnival is considered one of the oldest entertainment events in the world. Venice, which you may know as a city of gondolas and canals is built between the deltas of the Po and Piave rivers. It is most famous for its canals and this special carnival. If you want to see colourful carnival participants touring the city with gondolas, you should go to Venice in February next year!
5. More Than Just the Running of the Bulls: San Fermín Festival
San Fermín, one of the most famous festivals in the world, is held in Spain every year in July. Of course, unique bull run places this festival among the best known in the world. Therefore it attracts tourists from all over the world to see the spectacle. San Fermín, where energy and excitement never fade, is much more than a bull run. When you visit this festival, you can see many other religious and secular activities as well. Music recitals, dance performances, parades, sports, fireworks, and the performance of religious rituals are held during this festival. When you go to Spain for San Fermín, you’ll feel like a local, not a spectator!
6. One of the World’s Biggest Festivals: Holi
We are in India again! The Holi Festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring, attracts thousands of travellers every year. At this festival, which falls at the beginning of March, participants throw colourful powdered dies called gulal at each other. The various colours are reminiscent of nature each symbolize a different meaning. These colours turn the 28 states of the country into living rainbows. Let us give you another excuse to travel, Holi Festival is also celebrated in Nepal and Sri Lanka!
7. One of the Craziest Parties in the World: Mardi Gras
One of the cities that manage to organize the most fun parties in the world is undoubtedly New Orleans! Mardi Gras, which was brought to this region by the French through cultural migration, is carried out before Lent (a forty day fasting period in Christianity). Mardi Gras, which is recognized as a holiday not only in the United States but also around the world, is celebrated in February. Themed around food, entertainment, and music, you can see people filling the streets in colourful and interesting outfits. Colourful candies, masks, and beads are seen everywhere during Mardi Gras!
8. Time for the Japanese to Welcome Their Ancestors: Obon Festival
Curious about Japan? Here’s your chance for a cultural experience The Obon Festival, which is held every year in August, allows you to see this beautiful country and its warm-hearted people. The Obon Festival, where you can see its most colourful moments in Kyoto, is a festival full of lights similar to Diwali.
The Japanese believe they guide their dead home by lighting paper lanterns during the festival. The locals light not only lanterns but also large fires in front of the houses to welcome the arrival of spirits. The Obon Festival, where street entertainment and many local events are organized, can be this year’s excuse to explore Japan!
9. One of the World’s Best Music Festivals: Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival is legendary in Europe and throughout the world. Held on the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland, this festival hosts music enthusiasts from all over the world. At this festival, which is usually held in July, you can watch live performances of world-famous musicians. The Montreux Jazz Festival, where you will also see the traces of French culture, is for you if you are looking for music, fun, and romance!
10. One of Asia’s Most Important Holidays: Chinese New Year
When talking about famous festivals around the world, it would be impossible to skip the Chinese New Year. This festival, which time changes every year according to the Chinese calendar, usually falls between the end of January and the beginning of February. China celebrates its new year according to its traditional calendar with a fifteen day period of fireworks, dances, and local activities. The most exuberant examples of Chinese New Year events take place in the capital Beijing.
11. Hello Summer! Swedish Midsummer Festival
Swedish Midsummer, one of Sweden’s famous festivals, is a very entertaining event where the arrival of summer is celebrated. The main theme of the activities, which are held in the bosom of lush nature accompanied by local dances, is to greet the awakening of nature. The Swedish Midsummer Festival is held every year in June and is now a Swedish cultural landmark. This festival has similarities to Nowruz. We are sure that it will provide interesting memories. What do you say, wouldn’t it be great to experience it at least once?
12. The World’s Most Famous Beach Party: The Full Moon Parties
One of the biggest parties in the world are the Full Moon Festivals of Thailand! This regularly held party, which takes place on Ko Pha-Ngan Island, and other places, is a favourite of young people with its magnificent full-moon view and beach party entertainment. If you are curious to see fire dancers and to swim in the magnificent Gulf of Thailand, you should buy your ticket now! Moreover, your date range to go to this region is extremely wide, because full moon parties are held during every month of the year with a full moon.
If you want to feel the pulse of the globe in your hands, start setting your course now. Have fun in advance!
