10 AMAZING, FAMOUS FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD YOU NEED TO VISIT

There are some amazing festivals that take place around the world where millions of people gather to have a good time. This is life as it should be, so check out our selection of festival below, just a small selection of the many around the world you need to visit:

1. Holi – India

Holi, or the festival of colours, is an ancient spring festival, which is held primarily in India and Nepal, but has now spread to other regions of the world too. The celebrations begin with a bonfire party the night before, followed the next day with a ‘free for all’ carnival. Don’t wear your best outfit for this festival though, because this is the one where people cover each other with brightly coloured powder and paint. There’s lots of singing, dancing and anyone can join in; Holi is one of the most joyous festivals of them all.

2. Running of the bulls – Spain

Part of the San Fermin festival, held in Pamplona, Spain, the running of the bulls is a spectacle that is not for the feint hearted. Every year, around two hundred fifty people are injured in the spectacle, where angry bulls are released to chase a crowd of participants through the streets of the town.

3. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival – China

Another one of famous festivals around the world is the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China, which is quite simply spectacular. The festival is the largest of its kind in the world and, every January, you can visit and see the amazing ice and snow sculptures that are on display. We are not talking about little, dainty sculptures either, many are life sized buildings, built from blocks of ice, and illuminated with brightly coloured lights.

4. Glastonbury – England

Best known for its headlining contemporary music stars, the Glastonbury festival is actually a festival of performing arts and it also includes theatre, circus and comedy. Now the largest festival of its kind in the world, Glastonbury has become as famous for the English weather and the mud, as it is for its music, so if you do go, be sure to pack a pair of wellington boots.

5. Rio de Janeiro Carnival – Brazil

Another one of famous festivals around the world is Rio de Janeiro Carnival. With over two million revellers attending the carnival in Rio, it is by far the biggest street festival of its kind. With its beautiful costumes, elaborate floats and loud music, the Rio Carnival is just one big party with a distinctive Brazilian flavour.

6. Oktoberfest – Germany

Next one of fun famous festivals around the world is Oktoberfest. It’s beer, beer and more beer, at the annual Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. The 16 day festival runs over the end of September and early October, and over six million people attend every year to enjoy the music, the dancing and, did we mention the beer?

7. Burning Man – Nevada, USA

People, who have been to the Burning Man festival in Nevada, say that you have to go to be able understand it. It is said to be ‘an experiment in community, art, radical self-expression, and self-reliance’. The festival gets its name from the ritual burning of a 40ft effigy, which is set on fire.

8. Boryeong Mud Festival – South Korea

The annual Boryeong Mud Festival, held in a town about 200km south of Seoul, was first dreamt up by a cosmetics company as a way of promoting their beauty products that contain the mineral rich Boryeong Mud. The event has now become a fully-fledged mud festival with live music and fireworks displays, as well as mud slides, mud skiing and getting covered from head to toe in mud.

9. The White Nights Festival – Russia

For those seeking a slightly more upmarket and less messy festival experience, there is always the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia. The festival is the largest public event in Russia and it attracts over a million visitors who come to enjoy the classical music, opera and ballet events, as well as traditional Russian dancing and music.

10. Battle of the oranges – Italy

The final festival that you have to see is the Battle of the Oranges, which is held in the city of Ivrea, in Northern Italy. The origins of the festival are a little unclear, but it is thought to be a commemoration of the city’s defiance against a tyrant. The celebrations include two groups of citizens, battling it out in the streets of the city, with fresh oranges. In other words, it’s the biggest food fight that there is in Italy!

Do you know some other famous festivals around the world that are worth attending?

Stay happy!