10 Must See Local Festivals

Festivals are a time of enjoyment and merrymaking in every country. And often are one of the best times to visit any country. Here we have compiled a list of holidays across the calendar and around the globe that is sure to sweep you off your feet.

1. Carnival of Venice, Italy: Organized just before Lent between the months of February and march, it started as a celebration of victory over pirates who had abducted 12 brides and their dowry. The carnival is famous for it’s use of masks and elaborate costumes donned by revelers. They have become such an intricate part of carnival that at the end of it “the most beautiful mask” is judged by panelist of elite designers.

2. Chinese New Year: Celebrated as a spring festival to mark the start of new year, dates vary between 21st January and 19th February. It is an ancient celebration that symbolized victory over a mythical beast with crackers, food and color red. These three items still play a major role in the celebrations today. Since it is a time for family reunion dinners, elders give gifts of red bags or envelopes of money to children.

3. Saint Patrick’s Day Festival, Ireland : Every year on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated as a national holiday for Irish the world over. While in Ireland, try catching the mythical creature leprechaun who is said to grant three wishes. Rub some Irish luck: wear green, try finding a four leaved shamrock and kiss the Blarney Stone.

4. Festival of the Sun, Peru: The original celebration used to involve mass animal sacrifices. Though that tradition has long stopped, June 24 is still celebrated as Inti Raymi by the indigenous tribes. A re-enactment of ancient rituals is done with a actor- king being borne on a replica gold chariot with four pallbearers. Music, ethnic woven masks and sharing of food are part of the celebration.

5. Pflasterspektakel, Austria: Come July, and Austria wakes up from a long slumber to celebrate the “Pavement festival” of magic tricks, dances, plays and parades, outrageous daring acrobat performances. Every evening, streets and pavements are full with performers and awestruck audience.

6. La Tomatina, Spain: On the last Wednesday in August, Brunol is painted red with tomatoes to celebrate the hour long food fight. Rules are simple and strict. Crush the tomatoes before throwing, no ripping of clothes, no other object to be thrown, give way to trucks and lorries and no tomatoes after the second shot.

7. Pushkar Camel Festival, India: Pushkar is a tiny lake town in Rajasthan which witnesses it’s boom in November, when the biggest cattle fair, mustache competition, camel races and decoration competitions is held.

8. Obon Fesitval, Japan: In August, Japanese observe Obon festival to honor their ancestors. Dressed in colorful Kimonos, people dance the “Bon Odori” to rejoice in the happiness of their ancestors.

9. Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany: This sixteen day festival is famous for it’s standards for beer that is to be sold during the event. The food and drink served remain unparalleled which draw in maximum number of visitors during late September-first weekend in October.

10. Monkey Buffet Festival, Lopburi, Thailand: This is one of the most weird festivals observed in Thailand where a whole table of fruits is laid out buffet style for local monkeys. It is observed at the end of November.

11. Christmas, Ukraine: A bonus festival for you. Ukraine Christmas is special in a way that with the traditional decorations, a spider’s web is hidden in the tree. The one to find is promised a whole year of good luck.

Intrigued? Visit our website for more holidaying options. Happy Holidaying!