Guide: 14 of the World’s Most Extraordinary Festivals

I enjoy attending festivals globally.
\Local festivals provide a unique experience and offer travelers a chance to participate in local customs and traditions, which are often more rewarding than visiting tourist attractions.
\Below is a list of festivals to visit throughout the year.
\1. January
\Carnevale di Venezia
\1/27 - 2/13
\Venice, Italy
\Venice Carnival is very old, romantic, and extravagant, and one of the most visually pleasing carnivals. It is known for its unique, outstanding, and extravagant masks.
During Carnival, all Venetians and tourists put on elaborate masks to disguise themselves as described/illustrated in the history books and legends. The whole city and its guests become one big ball.
\Byron, the poet, described it as Italy's supreme masquerade.

In the ancient city of Venice, Europe highly regards it as one of the most expensive and luxurious celebrations. It offers food, wine, balls, fascinating performances, and glorious parades.\
Location: The Festa Veneziana, Venice, Italy
\2. February
\Rio Carnival
\2/10 - 2/19
\Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
February is carnival month in South America. Out of all the carnivals celebrated in South America, Rio Carnival is the most famous and the most enjoyable of all.
Rio Carnival has the largest number of samba dancers, costumes, and long celebrations and is a consideration of everyone in Rio.

If you wish to partake in the premier parades and interact with the most exceptional performers, book a ticket ahead of time. The city entertains visitors from all regions of the world, ticket sales are highly anticipated, and booking hotels becomes a frantic race. Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — the entire city is experiencing the celebration. Greece Carnival `23 - 13 February to 07 March 2023 - Greece - Rio Carnival 3 March Lathmar Holi 2/23 - 3/1 India | Lathmar Holi, the "Festival of Beating Men" Holi (the Festival of Colors), a week before Holi, local women organize themselves into groups and start the festival. The festival is seen as an opportunity for women to exercise their control in a society that is characterized by traditional patriarchal oppression. Women wear traditional saris, take sticks, and hit men who walk by. Locations: 2/23, 2018: Barsana, Vrindavan 2/24, 2018: Nandgaon, Vrindavan Holi 3/1 - 3/2 India | Festival of Colors Yes, I have participated in this festival, and I take pride in it. Holi is the Indian New Year, and I consider it a great honor to have been a participant. For the celebration, the locals prepare several bags filled with colored powder which they then throw at anybody and everybody along the street. As a result, my friends and I quickly became targets of the same color-filled assault as those that initiated the street chase. Additionally, I've lost count of the many strangers that colored my face without my permission. If you want to attend, I suggest you plan your journey and lodging ahead of time. The area will be overrun with people who enjoy a good party. I almost found myself with an open space in the area where I was located. The festivities begin at the local temples in the morning. After the temple parties end, the color fight moves onto the streets.

Come with your own colored powder and be ready to participate.

Suggestions:

Where?

Mathura: Dwarkadheesh Temple
Vrindavan: Banke Bihari Temple

April 4

Songkran
April 13 - 15

Thailand | Songkran Water Festival

Thailand's well-known water festival coincides with its customary New Year. People hit the streets with water guns and buckets and drench everyone around them. It's evident I have a soft spot for festivities that turn into playful combat.

It's a nationwide festival, and there are many prime spots to participate in the action. Here are a few of the most popular.

Suggestions:

1. Use caution and keep an eye on your belongings. The scenario can become very chaotic, so store your belongings in the hotel. Be aware of motorcycles.

2. If filming, use a waterproof case to shield your device.

3. For protection, consider wearing sunglasses to guard your eyes from water.

Where?

Bangkok | Khao San Road & Silom Road
Chiang Mai | Tha Phae Gate
Phuket | Patong Beach

May 5

“Summer of Love”

May (specific date still to be confirmed)

San Francisco, United States | “Summer of Love” nude parade

This festival is not designed for children. Not for adults either. Just kidding.

San Francisco has a long history of being a center for innovative thinking. The city sees many LGBTQ+ and hippie-inspired parades and celebrations; the “Summer of Love” nude parade is just one of them.

Public nudity is becoming a norm at events in San Francisco: a nude bike ride in March and a fully nude parade in May.

Parade participants must be completely nude. Topless This event acts as a form of body liberation, creating space for a wider conception of beauty and celebrating the idea that all bodies are deserving of celebration. Parade route: Starting at Jane Warner Plaza, we will go North on Castro, West on Haight up to Stanyan, then we will return East on Haight, South on Castro, and back to Jane Warner Plaza.   6. June Royal Ascot 6/19 – 6/23 London, United Kingdom | Royal Ascot Royal Ascot is a very old and prestigious royal horse-racing event. It is still very strict when it comes to fashion. Members of the British royal family attend, so you might see a prince. There is a chance to see a prince because they sell tickets to normal people. The main attraction besides the racing is Ladies' Day on the third day of the event. It is a huge fashion event. Every year, the racecourse changes the dress code for spectators. The theme changes, but the main idea remains the same: you need to dress well. Men are expected to wear morning coats that are black or gray, so they can wear a top hat. There are more specific rules for women compared to men. They all have to wear a hat, and it should be big, otherwise she will be instructed to buy another one at the site. That is when this grand contest of style truly begins. Tickets & event details:  

7. July San Fermín 7/6 – 7/14 Spain | Running of the Bulls The Running of the Bulls is one of the most traditional celebrations in Spain. It offers a genuine Touch of Spain experience, incorporating local customs and traditions for what is sure to be a rewarding and engaging experience.

It embodies the Spanish code of honour, which is described as larger than life.

The most notable event is the San Fermín festival, which takes place in Pamplona, Navarra, from 7th July. Attendees typically dress in white and wear red scarves around their necks. A number of young people choose to run with the bulls as an act of bravery.

Arrive early for your own safety and try to find a place with a higher view for a safer way to watch the event. Staying in the crowd is not advised as the festival has a history of reckless behaviour and injuries.

Location: Pamplona, Madrid, Spain

August 8 La Tomatina Festival

8/28 - 8/29

Spain | Tomato Fight Festival

Spaniards certainly know how to make noise. This is another festival built around a joyful, all-out battle—and watching other people “fight” is undeniably part of its appeal.

La Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday of every August. A street battle with over 120 tons of ripe and juicy tomatoes takes place, and tens of thousands of people from all over the world participate.

In addition to the tomato frenzy, the carnival parade continues along the main road of the town, where the tomato throwing also takes place, and the festivities.

Location: Buñol, Spain< Tickets & event details:

September 9 Burning Man

8/26 - 9/3

Nevada, United States | Burning Man

This is the fourth year I have tried to go to this, and even though I was outside of the US this was the first year I was determined to go and of course, was able to get a ticket.

Burning man is held annually in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. For nine days starting from Labor Day, there is an event that takes place in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Starting on the Sunday before Labor Day and ending on Labor Day Monday, it runs each day from morning until night. There are numerous wooden structures developed to add to the desert atmosphere. From the entire United States, people of all styles as well as hippies come to the Burning Man Festival. Many attendees rent RVs to stay on site for the entire duration of the event. The festival is known as \\"Burning Man\\" due to the events of the final night where a giant wooden figure is set on fire. Tickets to the event are sold in advance. From September 22nd until October 7th Oktoberfest takes place in Munich Germany. This festival is known for its beer. Various parades take place and may have people dressed in traditional clothing. Folk music is played, and people are encouraged to let loose and have a good time. In addition to beer food is offered and is inclusive of snack food. Large horse-drawn carts deliver beer to the festival, and there are numerous activities that take place from racing to acrobatics, all with some sort of musical performance. This festival is the largest of its kind in the world. From October 31st until November 2nd of each year, the Day of the Dead festival takes place in Mexico. The celebration is rich in history as I discovered after watching the film Coco. People take part in the festival to celebrate the closing of a yearly cycle and the reopening of the portal that allows the living and the deceased to reunite. There is music, dance, and celebrations that last throughout the night in order to share the festival with loved ones who have already passed. Those in Mexico of all ages participate in the festival by dressing up and acting like skeletons. There is a positive and festive atmosphere in the streets. Notable festival gatherings occur in Mexico City, Oaxaca (southern Mexico), Janitzio & Patzcuaro (Coco movie locations), Mixquic, and Mexicos Merida Yucatán. From the 22nd to the 25th of November, I will be in Chiang Mai for the Loy Krathong festival. Historically, I have always desired to take part in this event because it is touted as Thailand's version of Valentine's Day. The idea of releasing your hopes and dreams along with your significant other into the water is deeply romantic. Even though many guides for the festival have already been written, the mass lantern release in Chiang Mai is the most impressive and will be the main reason I attend the festival. Event locations, in order from first to last, are detailed below. Informal public mass lantern release near Nawarat Bridge on the Ping River (no charge). December Christmas 12/25 Santa Claus Village, Finland | Christmas Christmas comes every year, but if you have the chance, spend it once in Santa Claus’s hometown. Santa Claus Village is a Finnish town near the Arctic Circle, with snow, reindeer sleighs, the Northern Lights, and, naturally, a smiling Finnish Santa Claus. There is a Christmas market, the legendary Santa Claus Post Office headquarters, and elves selling stamps, postcards, stationery, and all kinds of Christmas-themed souvenirs. At night, when the lights come on, the village becomes wonderfully dreamlike—a true fairytale setting. Location: 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland Tickets & event details: That is my festival recommendation list for now. In the new year, I hope you travel to more places and make every day feel a little more like a carnival. Don’t be strangers—see you on our public account: Alei Lena