Thousands of diverse festivals take place around the world every year. Travel enthusiasts who enjoy having fun, learning new things, and making connections in different parts of the world often attend such events. It's hard to resist the opportunity to participate in a festival after attending such an event even once. It's truly an exciting way to spend time by combining travel, relaxation, and fun.
We follow global trends in organizing festivals of various scales. Studying the experience of colleagues helps broaden our horizons, inspires and motivates us to create even more interesting projects. Our selection of the world's most unusual festivals will surely be useful for people striving for something new.
Burning Man
It is held in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada (USA), begins on the last Monday of August and ends on the first Monday of September. This bright and spectacular event aims to bring together a community capable of «radical self-expression and self-determination», free of boundaries and stereotypes.
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Burning Man |
The cult of creativity – one of the main ideas – manifests everywhere: in giant statues, often of abstract or even fantastical content, in incredible costumes, in music, in performances and the involvement of each participant. Active participation, rather than passive observation, is one of the important principles of the festival. The culmination is the burning of a huge wooden statue of a man as a symbol of creative energy bursting from within. A special feature of the event is the absence of money on site, self-sufficiency in food and water, and cleanliness of the venue.
Boryeong Mud Festival
In the height of summer, in mid-July, the South Korean resort town of Boryeong welcomes thousands of tourists to the «dirtiest festival». A feature of the local beaches is the large amount of healing sea mud, rich in minerals, so it is used for cosmetic purposes. It has become the main attribute of this event, which lasts a whole week.
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Boryeong Mud Festival
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Mud bathing is presented here in various forms and ways: mud baths with races, dancing and games in mud, mud rain, mud slides, mud showers, and even a 5-meter mud waterfall. And all this is accompanied by a rich program that usually includes music of various styles, performances by popular DJs, b-boys, rock musicians, dance groups, and fireworks shows. In short, no one will be bored here. Don't be afraid to look funny, feel like a child! Just don't forget a change of clothes!
Looe Key Reef (Underwater Music Festival)
One of the most unusual festivals, held in July off the coast of Florida (USA), in one of the largest coral reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the whole action takes place on the ocean floor, and festival participants try to «play» musical compositions among exotic underwater inhabitants. Such unusual music is broadcast above water through speakers located on a boat. A mandatory attribute of this event is bright costumes. One of the main goals of the event is to draw attention to the preservation of the still-living coral reefs of the coast.
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| Looe Key Reef (Underwater Music Festival) |
Cheese Rolling
This «chase» for a 5-kilogram wheel of cheese is traditionally held on the last Monday of May on Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester (UK), which is why it is also called the Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling. According to local residents, this custom is several centuries old, although local authorities have repeatedly tried to intervene: ban it, move it to a safer place, charge a fee, etc. But English traditions are stronger than any bans, so every year spectators come here in anticipation of a thrilling spectacle.
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Cheese Rolling |
The essence of the race is that its participants, on command, set off in pursuit of a wheel of cheese down a steep hill. The winner is the one who first reaches (rolls, flies) to the cheese and the finish line. At the bottom of the hill, several ambulance crews and rescuers are always on duty, ready to help the «especially fast» participants stop. It is worth noting that such a race is very dangerous: there have been serious injuries, fractures, dislocations, and bruises. But this does not stop those who want to get a dose of adrenaline and the coveted wheel of cheese.
Oktoberfest
The world's largest folk festival, attracting not only Germans from all over Germany but also foreign tourists to Munich in late September – early October, lasts about 16 days. This colourful, vibrant, noisy and crowded event has a rich programme of entertainment and fun, but beer remains the king of the whole event. Only Munich breweries are allowed to take part in Oktoberfest, and they traditionally brew a special "festival" beer with a strength of about 6%.
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Oktoberfest |
The opening day of the festival begins with a mass costumed procession of participants to the Theresienwiese, where dozens of beer tents, rides and dance floors are located. This is where the real celebration begins: wild fun, songs, dancing, an endless river of beer with sausages, pretzels and other traditional snacks. In other words, you can forget about your diet for the duration of the festival. But what an experience and indescribable emotions!
Festival of Light in Japan
You can see real wonders of modern light illumination in the Japanese city of Kuwana every year from November to March. The local Nabana no Sato flower park turns into a huge glowing field of human imagination. Billions of small LEDs cover vast areas, forming incredibly beautiful figures, alleys and clouds.
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Festival of Light in Japan |
During the day the bulbs charge from daylight so that in the evening they can delight visitors. It feels as if you are entering another reality. Even the local reservoirs are covered in bright lights, and the famous "light tunnel" and "sunset over Fuji" are iconic spots for true romantics. If you are planning a winter trip to Japan, be sure to visit this festival!
Yuanxiao Lantern Festival
Another colourful light show takes place in China on the 15th day of the first lunar month, so the date of the festival constantly changes and marks the end of the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year. This event has ancient roots and many legends describing it. According to legend, the souls of the dead, who came to earth to celebrate the new year with their families, ascend back to heaven on this day, and lanterns are needed to light their way.
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Yuanxiao Lantern Festival |
Lanterns of all shapes, colours and sizes fill all homes, shops, cafes, streets and squares. In the evening, major Chinese cities become as bright as day. Here you will find lanterns in the form of animals, birds, plants; materials and forms are also diverse: paper, glass, frame, decorated with beads, carvings, drawings, etc. All this action is accompanied by a real cacophony of sounds produced by drums, gongs and special rattles. The spectacle is truly bright and impressive!
Up Helly Aa (Viking Festival)
It is called the largest fire festival in Europe and takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January in the Scottish town of Lerwick. The celebration has a historical basis, with Vikings as the main characters. That's why there are many realistic costumes of this warlike nationality. Participants elect a leader – the Jarl – after which, with hundreds of burning torches, amid shouts, songs and dancing, they burn a Viking ship built specially for the event. After that, the celebration itself begins with folk songs, battles and competitions, fuelled by plenty of ale, mead, beer and homebrew.
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Up Helly Aa (Viking Festival) |
Holi Festival of Colours
This centuries-old event is held in India in late February – early March during the full moon and has important religious significance, supported by various legends. During the festival, an effigy is burned and the victory of good over evil is proclaimed. It is also considered the beginning of spring and the awakening of nature. Preparations for the festival begin long before it starts and take place throughout the country.
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Holi Festival of Colours |
After the stage of bonfires and purification from evil spirits, the brightest and most emotional stage begins – mass throwing of colored powder. This tradition is widespread in all regions, although it has some differences. The “colorful” folk festivities are accompanied by songs, dances and round dances, competitions, games, sprinkling with paint and water dousing. Such a fun and colorful action appeals to all Hindus, regardless of age, gender and status.
Coachella Festival
One of the largest music festivals in the US, it is held annually in the Coachella Valley in Indio, California. The event spans two weekends in late April, two phases with a week-long break. A feature of this festival is its musical diversity: there is no specific music genre, unlike other similar events. Several stages and tents are set up at the venue, where music of the most varied styles plays simultaneously. This combination attracts music lovers from around the world to visit the festival, tickets for which go on sale a year before it starts. The venue is filled with general merriment, constant music and dancing, which is why Coachella is especially popular among young people.
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Coachella Festival |
If you love unusual events and new experiences as much as we do, you should think about planning your trip in advance. Learn about tickets, book a hotel, plan your route. An alternative to such a trip could be a holiday organized on your own, even if not on such a grand scale. Aventura event agency will gladly help you bring your most fantastic ideas to life and turn them into an unforgettable show. Our specialists will help you with organizing all stages of the event: from ideas and choosing a location to decorations, inviting guests and transfers.
Don't be afraid to create, make a real holiday together with us!
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