It might be a while before festival season officially kicks off here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning which events and festivals you want to attend in the coming months! To get you wander lusting, we thought it would be fun to take a look at 10 of the most magical festivals in the world which are coming up in this year’s calendar! Have you ever been to any of these magical festivals?
Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil
When: 28th February – 4th March 2014
Celebrations at this time of year take place across the country but Rio de Janeiro is truly where it’s at! Around 1.5 million people filter into the streets, joined by more than 500,000 foreign visitors to get involved in the festivities. Samba schools, parades, floats, dancers, street parties, costumes and cross dressing – you name it, the Rio Carnival has it all! With Brazil hosting the World Cup in 2014 too, this year’s festival is set to be more explosive than ever before.
Yi Peng Festival, Thailand
When: 6th November 2014
One of the best known events in Thailand, Yi Peng Lantern Festival (otherwise known as the Festival of Lights) is certainly a visual treat. Thousands of floating lanterns are lit and sent on their way, floating high into the night sky simultaneously in Chang Mai. Elsewhere around Thailand, the event is celebrated by releasing Loi Krathongs, decorated floating water lanterns onto water to signify luck and bring good wishes.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA
When: 4th – 12th October 2014
With more than 500 hot air balloons taking to the skies and drawing crowds of around 800,000 spectators, the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta is the largest of its kind in the world. Nothing will quite prepare you for this spectacle as the balloons float peacefully in the sky at dawn with the Sandia Mountains as their back drop.
Holi Festival, India
When: 17th March 2014
Colourful and crazy, India’s Holi Festival is one of the most fun events of the year. Sometimes known as the festival of colours or the festival of love, it takes place during spring in celebration of ancient Hindu religious traditions. The name of the game involves covering each other with dry coloured powders and plenty of water; if you’re in the streets you are a target, regardless of whether you’re a stranger or not! The Holika Bonfire the night before is also a big part of the festival along with street parties and plenty of food.
La Tomatina Festival, Spain
When: 27th August 2014
If you haven’t heard of this one before, you might have had your head in the sand. It’s famous as being the biggest food fight in the world! Hosted in a tiny town in Spain, many thousands of people from around the world descend on Buñol to get stuck into 100 metric tonnes of tomatoes. Like with Holi festival, everyone is fair game for a tomato or two to the face! Last year due to increasing popularity, a ticketed system was brought in which now limits lucky visitors to 20,000; without a ticket, you’re not getting in.
Songkran Water Festival, Thailand
When: 13th April 2014
The Songkran Water Festival is actually in aid of the Thai New Year and sees thousands of people flood into the streets to act like giant kids with massive water fights ensuing. That said, the origins of the event are religious held in honour of Buddha; it is thought to bring good luck for coming year. This is the hottest time of the year in Thailand though and the festival now leans more towards the fun of water fights, whilst also marking the beginning of the solar calendar. If you’re visiting during April, make sure you don’t miss out!
Glastonbury Music Festival, UK
When: 25th – 29th June 2014
No doubt you’ve heard of Glastonbury; it is after all, the world’s largest open air performing arts festival. Encompassing everything from famous bands and musical talent (around 2,000 in total) to poetry, circus acts, theatre performances and much, much more there is almost too much to see here. Even better, you get to camp in a field with your friends for a weekend and around 100,000 potential new friends, too!
Full Moon Party, Thailand
When: Each full moon
Full moon parties occur throughout the year in Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand but as the name suggests, only when there’s a full moon! When that happens, party goers take to the beach to indulge in a full night beach party with plenty of drinking, dancing and music until the sun comes up the next day. Depending on the time of year, anywhere from 5,000 – 30,000 people celebrate at each party!
Burning Man, USA
When: 25th August – 1st September 2014
A fitting title for an event held in the depths of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, Burning Man is a festival of epic proportions. Lasting for a week, it starts on the last Monday in August each year. It sees around 60,000 people make the pilgrimage here for incomparable shenanigans, where usual social constraints cease to exist. An arts and music festival there is plenty here to keep you entertained but be sure to read up on the culture and leave no trace when you come to leave. Above all, prepare yourself mentally and physically for a festival like no other!
King’s Day, Netherlands
When: 26th April 2014
Whilst Queen’s Day has long been celebrated in the Netherlands, the event has now changed names to King’s Day when Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands renounced her throne after 33 years. With her oldest son, Willem-Alexander, now having taken to the throne the festival has been renamed! The main festivities take place in Amsterdam where close to 1 million people flood the streets to get involved in this annual celebration. This makes for an exceptionally busy city but the mood is always relaxed and fun; soak up the atmosphere whilst relishing in the markets, street sellers, performers, singing, dancing and street parties!
What magical festivals in the world have you been to before? Have you ever visited any of those we’ve listed? Got any on your wish-list? Start the conversation and leave us a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
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