Weird, Wonderful, and Famous Festivals Around The World
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Most of us have heard about international festivals and celebrations like the Cannes Film Festival, Brazil’s Carnival, and music festivals like Coachella or Glastonbury, but have you heard of the Peru Sun festival Inti Raymi or epic festivals like Japan’s Tug-of-War Festival, The Knaresborough Bed Race, or the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival? If not, then read on!
These are the weird, wonderful, and famous festivals around the world you may not have heard of. From Central America, Europe, Asia, and North and South America, they’re quietly some of the biggest festivals in the world and celebrations that will have you eagerly adding to you your travel bucket list. Prepare to be amazed, as we journey through some of the best cultural festivities and celebrations around the world.
Knaresborough Bed Race
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race - North Yorkshire, UK
A chocolate-box pretty little town in North Yorkshire is the location for one of the weirdest and most marvelous festivals in the UK.
Organized by the Knaresborough Lions Club, The Great Knaresborough Bed Race is a fund-raising event that's been a calendar fixture on the second Saturday in June since 1966. The race is best described as a fancy dress pageant crossed with an energy-sapping time trial over a challenging 2.4-mile course. It's so popular that 90 fiercely competitive teams vie to win the coveted winner's title each year. Each team comprises six runners, a passenger, a horn, and an all-important bed! The passenger's role is to be lightweight and to sound the horn as often and as loudly as possible!
The unique blend of fun, spectacle, excitement, and sheer madness grips the whole town for the day and attracts thousands of visitors to Knaresborough. Trains from Leeds, Harrogate, and York are usually packed. Still, it's the best way to visit Knaresborough on race day, as car parking is challenging.
Bed Race day starts early at Knaresborough Castle, as the teams line up, hoping to win the 'Best Dressed Team' prize. From 1 pm, the winning decorated team leads a parade through the town's medieval streets down a steep hill to Conyngham Hall, accompanied by marching bands, troubadours, and dance groups.
The teams then strip their beds of decorations and set off around the challenging course at 10-second intervals. After taking on steep hills, the dramatic Nidd Gorge, the cobble-stoned Marketplace, and ancient bridges, it's time for the biggest test! The beds, runners, and passengers plunge into the icy cold and fast-flowing River Nidd for a 20-yard swim to the finish line.
The fittest and fastest teams take about 14-minutes to run the course, while the slower teams usually manage a respectable 30 minutes.
Even the weather gods seem to approve of this injection of British madness into the summer calendar. While Yorkshire is notorious for its changeable weather, local legend talks about the 'Knaresborough Shadow' protecting the event like a great umbrella, and it seems to ring true, as the race has only ever been called off due to the recent pandemic!
-Coralie Thornton from Grey Globetrotters
2. Tapati Festival - Easter Island, Chile
Tapati Festival - Easter Island
Tapati Festival is an annual celebration on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Visiting Rapa Nui is always an adventure, but the Tapati festival is a particularly exciting time of year. “Tapati” means week in the local language, but the festival is actually a two-week-long celebration of traditional culture. The festival is set up as a competition between two young women competing to be crowned ‘queen’ of the island for the next year. They do this by their ‘tribe’ or supporters accumulating the most points in a series of competitive events.
Some of these events are what you might expect – there are gastronomy, shell jewelry-making, and wood and stone carving competitions. Others are less obvious like body painting and story-telling competitions. But it is some of the sporting events that get truly weird and wonderful.
For the Haka Pei, men paint their bodies and then, dressed in a loin cloth, slide down the slope of a steep hill on a sled made by tying the trunks of two banana trees together. It’s over quickly but is insane while it lasts.
The Tau’a Rapa Nui (Rapa Nui Triathlon) is like no other triathlon you’ve ever seen. Instead of running, cycling, and swimming, the three events are Vaka Ama, where contestants row across a lake in the center of a volcano on a tiny raft made from water reeds; Aka Venga, where they run around a lake carrying two large (and heavy) bunches of bananas; and Pora, where they swim across the lake using a small reed float.
The final event of the festival is a large street parade. Points are given for the ‘tribe’ with the most people in the parade. Anyone is welcome (and encouraged) to participate, so you can join in behind your favorite contestant to help them earn points.
-James Ian from Travel Collecting
Inti Raymi - Cusco, Peru
3. Inti Raymi - Cusco, Peru
While most people travel to Cusco to see Machu Picchu and the energizing sites around Cusco, Peru, there’s another reason to visit Cusco. If you’re looking for an unusual and interesting festival, check out the Inti Raymi festival. This Festival of the Sun pays tribute to the Incan sun god, Inti, celebrating his return every year in late June. It’s one of the most important celebrations of the year.
The Peruvians keep their culture alive paying homage to their indigenous roots. This nine-day celebration culminates on the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. People gather to celebrate, including locals and tourists. It’s a great activity to include in your Cusco itinerary.
Inti Raymi is a staged re-enactment celebrated at three locations in Cusco. It starts at sunrise at Korikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun. Hundreds of colorfully-dressed actors, musicians, and dancers share the story of the gathering of the four provinces of the Incan Empire.
The progression then heads to the main square in Cusco, Plaza de Armas, dancing and singing. It’s a huge party as the celebrants make their way through the city. After Plaza de Armas, they work their way to the last location: the Incan ruin of Sacsayhuaman.
Here is where the main event is held. Representatives from the four provinces report the state of the realm to the Emporer, reaffirming their allegiance to him. The singing and dancing continue through much of the night.
Inti Raymi is amazing, beautiful, and overwhelming. If you’re looking to understand what it means to be Peruvian, you’ll want to add it to your travel list!
-Sam from My Flying Leap
Rougarou Festival
4. Rougarou - Louisiana, United States
Imagine how wonderful and weird New Orleans Mardi Gras, a Medieval Renaissance Faire, and Halloween celebrations are. Now imagine all three events wrapped up into one deliriously delightful and delicious festival. Not possible you say. Oh, but it is, and that event, Rougarou Fest in Houma, Louisiana, should top your list of weird and wonderful festivals to attend at least once in your lifetime.
Rougarou Fest usually occurs during the last weekend in October and celebrates all things Rougarou. What is a Rougarou? Well, it is basically a Cajun werewolf living in the Louisiana swamps and bayous. As with most things Cajun, the tradition of the Rougarou harkens back to old France (werewolf in French is Loup-Garou).
Children in this part of Louisiana grow up hearing light-hearted tales about the Rougarou coming out of the swamp. While Rougarou Fest is a huge and wacky celebration, it also has the purpose of protecting the Louisiana wetlands. In other words, to keep the Rougarou happy so it does not reign terror on the town. Rougarou Fest is 100% volunteer operated and food, drink, and supplies are donated by local businesses. All proceeds from Rougarou Fest (food, drink, and souvenirs are for sale, but all events are FREE) support the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center.
Some of those fascinating events include a narrative stage (with folklore tales and presentations), nutria pardoning, dozens of kid events (including a crawfish toss), live music, arts and crafts, and the you-have-to-see-it costume contest. The most popular Rougarou Fest event is the parade, featuring witches and zombies (in Krewes, like Mardi Gras), three-story-high puppets, and the Rougarou Queen.
-Charles McCool of US Gulf Coast Travel
Las Fallas
5. Las Fallas Festival - Valencia, Spain
Las Fallas festival is just one of the many things Spain is famous for. Celebrated in the city of Valencia, Spain. From the 1st to the 19th of March, fireworks are set off, with the most important display being the mascletà, a very Valencian pyrotechnic show.
Mascletas consists of a continuous and rhythmic firing of firecrackers with the intention of making a lot of noise. The more noise you make, the better. So hereby you have been warned. The mascletàs in front of the town hall are the best, so they are super noisy.
Another typical pyrotechnic tradition of Las Fallas is that of throwing firecrackers, an activity done by adults and children alike… and that’s from morning until late at night.
During the year, artisans called “Fallas artists” build incredible monuments of papier-mâché, cork, wood, and other combustible materials, with an undeniable artistic value and usually with a satirical view on current affairs. These monuments, called fallas, are placed in the streets on March 15th, the day of the plantà.
Since Las Fallas is a festival or purification through spring cleaning, all fallas are burned at midnight on March 19th in the middle of a huge street party. Due to its undeniable cultural and artistic value, Las Fallas has been declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
-Laura of Travelers Universe
6. Holi - India and Nepal
One of the biggest religious festivals in the world, Holi is a Hindu holiday celebrating the arrival of spring. While Holi produces around-the-world celebrations amongst Hindu populations, the largest celebrations occur in India and Nepal.
Celebrations begin on Holika Dahan, the night before Holi, with people burning bonfires, performing religious rituals, and praying for their internal evils to be destroyed. On the morning of Holi, a free-for-all festival of colors commences. Participants throw colorful powders at each other, then use water-filled balloons and water guns to fully saturate each other with these richly pigmented powders. Word of warning, anyone outside is fair game, so don’t leave your hotel if you don’t want to be coated in technicolor powders.
There are also groups playing music, beating drums, and singing and dancing. The festivities continue into the evening when people dress up to visit friends and family.
The idea behind the Holi Festival is to rid oneself of your past errors, end conflicts, and begin anew heading into the start of Spring. Holi has its origins as an ancient Hindu festival. It is celebrated according to the lunar calendar and usually occurs in mid-March.
-Jenn of Sick Girl Travels
Manhattan Beach Pier, Manhattan Beach, California, USA
7. International Surf Festival - California, USA
The International Surf Festival in the South Bay Los Angeles is a wonderful celebration of California beach and surf culture. The festival typically happens the first week of August every year and is hosted by the four beach cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance. It’s a fantastic week that draws big crowds and is full of liveliness!
Contest participants come from all over the world to enjoy the waves and compete to be the world’s best lifeguard service. Plus, thousands of participants flood in to compete in various physical fitness and surf challenges. The three signature events for the festival are the Lifeguard Medley Relay, the Pier-to-Pier Swim, and the 6-Man Volleyball Tournament.
Other popular events include a bodysurfing contest, beach run, paddleboard races, and even sandcastle contests! As an observer, you will see some impressive talent in the ocean and physical feats on the sand, all while you enjoy the beautiful, warm weather of LA in the summer.
The location of the festival is along the popular piers of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach which are lined with delicious restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, plus fun bars that will be lively after the events of the day. There are certainly many incredible things to do in South Bay LA to keep you entertained outside of the events and make a trip out of experiencing this wonderful festival.
With its friendly atmosphere and beautiful setting, the International Surf Festival is the perfect place to enjoy the intriguing sport of surfing and beach culture!
-Janelle Axton of Make the Trip Matter
Lelo Burti - Guria, Georgia
8. Lelo Burti - Guria, Georgia
Lelo Burti is a fascinating festival held every year on Orthodox Easter Sunday in the Guria region of Georgia. Steeped in history and religious tradition, it mixes full-contact sport with wine, celebration, and paying respect to one’s ancestors.
The main spectacle of the day-long festival is the game of Lelo. Meaning ‘field ball’, Lelo dates to the 12th century and is thought to be a precursor to rugby union. It was popular during the Soviet period when Georgia had its own league, but nowadays it is only played once on Easter in the village of Shukhuti.
Essentially, the game is a giant scrum where hundreds of people from two opposing villages push to try and get a ball over their goal line. In this case, the goal lines are two streams. The ball is no ordinary ball, either – made from sand and earth stitched into a leather case, the 16-kilogram ball is blessed by the local priest and doused with wine before the game begins.
The first Lelo matches were played to commemorate a great battle between Georgian and Ottoman troops. In the past, it was believed that the winning team would secure a better harvest for their village. These days, the game – and the Lelo Burti festival itself – honor the deceased. After the game, the winning team carries the ball to the local cemetery and places it on the grave of someone who passed away during the previous year.
Lelo is a very special cultural celebration and something totally unique to Georgia. Aside from watching the spectacle of the game, there are handicraft and food markets set up for the festival, as well as other sporting matches including wrestling.
-Emily Lush of Wander-Lush
Yee Peng Lantern Festival Chaing Mai
9. Yee Peng Lantern Festival - Chiang Mai, Thailand
There are many lantern festivals around the world, including The Water Lantern Festival in North America, Shangyuan Festival in China, Diwali in India, and Hoi An Lantern Festival in Vietnam, but Yee Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai is one of the most beautiful. The festival turns northern Thailand into a sky lantern lovers’ paradise. The night sky sparkles with thousands of bamboo and rice paper lanterns for 3 days in November as Yee Peng overlaps with another lantern holiday, Loy Krathong.
The best locations in Chiang Mai to view this event are the Three Kings Monument, Thapae Gate, the Old Town Moat area, and Ping River. Temples and homes are decorated with coconut leaves and colorful flowers as people celebrate moving from darkness into light.
Street vendors sell lanterns you can light up and release. Don’t forget to make a wish as you do so!
-Jenn Lloyd of Sick Girl Travels
Tug-of-War Festival - Naha, Japan
10. Tug-of-War Festival - Naha, Japan
The Naha, Japan Tug-of-War is an annual festival open to all participants. This has been going on as far back as the 17th century with periods of unrest that delayed its revival such as WW2. It is a combination of celebrating not only the city and its inhabitants but also ensuring a good harvest in the future and helping fill the country with prosperity.
There is more than one tug-o-war festival, with others occurring in smaller regions throughout Japan, but Naha’s is the largest in the world. The festival takes place in early October.
But why should you go? This is a great way to really get a unique cultural experience in Japan as well as getting to rub shoulders with travelers from all over the world. This is a popular event. You will find the streets packed with people, both participants, and spectators.
If you are lucky, you will be able to see the opening ceremony where locals in traditional Okinawan garb perform. What happens at the end is even crazier. What do you do with a rope weighing 40 metric tons after you finish your tug-of-war? Chop it up for souvenirs to take home with you and keep it as a good luck charm.
Do not miss out on this great opportunity. If you happen to be in Naha in October, make sure you bring some scissors to cut yourself a little tug-of-war souvenir.
-Nicholas Rosen of The World Overload
Feria de Abril - Seville Spain
11. Feria de Abril - Seville Spain
Seville Fair, known as Feria de Abril, is one of the most lively and popular festivals in the south of Spain.
The festival has been celebrated every year since 1846, and it normally starts two weeks after Semana Santa (Spanish Holy Week). During the 7 days that the festival lasts, you are guaranteed a unique experience. But it’s important to book your accommodations early so you can snag one of the great places to stay in Seville, Spain to be close to the action.
The festival starts with amazing fireworks in the Guadalquivir River and when all the fairground lights are lit in the evening.
The fair looks like a town as it is 75,000 square meters and has over 1,000 stalls, attractions for all ages, and beautiful streets decorated with small lights, called farolillos in Spanish.
The atmosphere is incredible as locals wear traditional flamenco dresses and suits, dance, and have a great time with friends and family.
Dance flamenco, eat the traditional pescaito frito (Andalusian fried fish), wander around the fair complex, and if you like wine, try Manzanilla wine, the special wine to celebrate this festive period.
Attending this fair is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture and have a unique experience in Spain.
Feria de Abril is one of the many reasons why Seville is worth visiting!"
-Cristina of My Little World of Travelling
Merrie Monarch - Hilo, Hawaii
12. Merrie Monarch - Hawaii
One of the more spectacular events that happen when you visit Hilo in springtime is the big hula competition and weekly event called Merrie Monarch Festivals. An entire week celebration that celebrates everything hula including the big competition for solo, men's, women's, and overall group performances.
During the week there are free hula demonstrations, craft, and art shows and then the hula competition that happens on stage or for others on TV that cannot get tickets to this mostly sold-out competition event. After the main competition period is done, a grand parade takes place to celebrate the winners and other hula-inspired participants in a beautiful tropical parade with fresh flowers on the floats, cars, participants, and even the horses and their festive riders.
This is a colorful and fun celebration of hula and many other traditions and cultural practices that takes place here in Hilo and maybe you might be able to participate and see it in person yourself.
-Noel with This Hawaii Life
Harbin Snow and Ice Festival, Harbin, China
13. Harbin Snow and Ice Festival - Harbin, China
Winter in Harbin, China reaches up to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, but that doesn’t stop this unique snow sculpture festival in northern China. The Harbin Snow and Ice Festival is the coldest world festival on our list. Each year for three months from December thru the New Year, an entire city is carved out of snow and ice to the delight of tourists.
More than 400 activities are held in Harbin city surrounding the snow and ice festival. From an entire theme park carved out of snow and ice, lit with glowing lights, to an ice lantern park, to snow-related sports like skiing, sledding, and tubing, to the incredible snow sculpture competition. The artistry involved in making this incredibly detailed winter wonderland will blow your mind.
More than eighteen million people attend this incredible and unique festival.
As for my travel tips and I cannot stress this enough, dress warmly. You’re going to need it.
-Jenn Lloyd of Sick Girl Travels
Standing with the Buscias at Pierogi Fest - Whiting, Indiana
14. Pierogi Festival - Whiting, Indiana
Pierogi Fest is a food festival celebrating all things Polish. The name of the festival is derived from the delicious little dumplings that are a staple in any Polish home. Organized by the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce in 1994, this festival takes place on the last weekend of July on 119th Street in Whiting, Indiana. The festival lasts the entire weekend and attracts over 350,000 attendees.
The streets of this Chicago suburb are lined with food booths serving pierogi, potato pancakes, kielbasa, sauerkraut, and other delicious Polish treats. There are also live Polka performances and other live music. Festival attendees can also enjoy carnival rides, a Polka parade, a competitive pierogi toss, eating competitions, and the Mr. Pierogi Songfest, where popular songs are turned into food and fest-related parodies.
Attendees can also snap pictures with costumed characters like Mr. Peirogi, Miss Paczki, the Buscias (Polish for grandmas), Halupki Guy, and the Pieroguettes. Pierogi Fest is good clean fun for the whole family. It’s even been mentioned as one of the best American festivals by Oprah, Yahoo Travel, and more.
-Jenn Lloyd of Sick Girl Travels
Dia de Los Locos - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
15. Dia De Los Locos - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
You won't want to miss the Dia de Los Locos parade if you're in San Miguel de Allende! It's a unique festival celebrated nowhere else in Mexico. Typically, it's observed on the Sunday that falls closest to June 13 each year.
A long parade of people dressed in all manner of bizarre costumes winds through the streets while dancing, shaking, and shimmying to loud, ruckus music. All the while, many of them toss handfuls of candy to onlookers.
Costumes can vary from masks of politicians and actors to cartoon characters and monsters. Participants aren’t all adults either. You might see elementary-age kids in “IT” clown masks or teens wearing werewolf faces. Anything goes on Dia de los Locos!
Although this unusual event seems to be fully secular, it actually has deep religious roots. The day starts with mass at the San Antonio church before the flock of marchers floats, and dancers head into Centro for the parade.
The entire day has the distinct feeling of Carnaval or Mardi Gras. So if you're looking for a fun-filled, festive day while in San Miguel de Allende, be sure to check out the Dia de Los Locos parade!
-Brodi Cole of Our Offbeat Life
Montreaux Jazz Festival Signage
16. Montreux Jazz Festival - Switzerland
Festival attendees travel from far and wide to hear some of the best jazz and other musicians in the world in this idyllic town. Taking place in early July in Montreux, Switzerland, the Montreux Jazz festival is the second largest jazz festival in the world behind Canada’s Montreal Jazz Festival. What makes Montreux unique is that it has evolved to include other forms of music and doesn’t stick strictly to jazz.
Artists who have performed at Montreux include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Peter Tosh, George Clinton, Prince, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, and over 1300 other artists.
The event takes place at The Montreux Musique & Convention Centre. The venue boasts two main stages but as one of the largest music festivals in the world, it offers several other venues. Smaller shows take place on boats cruising beautiful Lake Geneva as well as smaller stages around the main event space.
Each year three judged competitions also take place at the festival: solo piano, voice, and guitar.
The shores of Lake Geneva make Montreux one of the most naturally beautiful world festivals on this list.
-Jenn Lloyd of Sick Girl Travels
The tower engulfed in flames on the final night of Burning Man
17. Burning Man - Black Rock Desert
Once a year thousands of people from around the world descend upon the Black Rock Desert in Nevada to create the ephemeral Black Rock City. The Burning Man Festival is focused on community, art, self-reliance, and self-expression. First held in 1986, Burning Man is made up of artists, makers, and community organizers from around the world who gather annually to build a participative yet temporary city.
The wide-open desert field is transformed into a living, breathing city lit with LED lights, and on the penultimate night of the celebration, a massive bonfire in which the wooden ”man” is burned, giving the festival its name.
If you enjoy music, art, community building, and a sometimes clothing-optional environment, Burning Man may deserve a place on your bucket list.
-Jenn Lloyd of Sick Girl Travels
Songkran Water Celebration - Thailand
18. Songkran Water Festival - Bangkok, Thailand
Taking place on April 13th, Songkran was once the Thai New Year celebration before the calendar was changed to observe January 1 as the official start of the new year. Still, Songkran Water Celebration is an official national holiday stretching up to 3 days in some areas. This event takes place outside Thailand as well, but the largest and most famous celebrations are within the capital of Thailand when the sun moves from Pisces to Aries in the zodiac.
Public water fights take place in the streets. Everything from water balloons, to water guns, to buckets, are acceptable in doing battle. The drenching of friends and strangers is framed as ritual cleansing.
As a ritual, people who have moved away return home for Songkran. Paying respect to one’s ancestors is an important part of the holiday. The morning begins with making offerings of food to local Buddhist monks. It is also common to pour water on Buddha statues to wash away one’s sins and bad luck.
There are different traditions throughout the different regions of Thailand, but the famous and fantastically fun water fights take place in the streets of Bangkok. If you’d like to experience this part of the Songkran festivities, make sure to be in the capital city on April 13… and bring your super soaker.
-Jenn Lloyd of Sick Girl Travels
Day of the Dead Altar Oaxaca, Mexico
19. Day of the Dead - Oaxaca, Mexico
Day of the Dead is one of the most festive holidays in Mexico, and for many Mexicans, one of the most important holidays all year. It is celebrated on November 1 and 2, and as the name states, Day of the Dead is a time to remember our deceased loved ones.
There are large celebrations for Día de Muertos, which means Day of the Dead in Spanish, in cities throughout Mexico. Some of the most elaborate take place in the state of Oaxaca, particularly in its capital, Oaxaca City, Mexico.
In fact, Day of the Dead is arguably the best time to visit Oaxaca City. The entire city transforms into a giant party, as this is a festive affair with decorations, parades, ofrendas (altars), special foods, and street parties.
Though a holiday about death, Day of the Dead is anything but a somber affair, its origins date back to the Aztecs, which also held a multi-day holiday to honor the deceased. For them, death was merely a transition, not an event to mourn.
Such sentiment continues to this day. For those who celebrate the holiday, they want to make it as elaborate an affair as possible — as the more fun the party is, the more likely it is that the souls of our departed loved ones will want to attend!
For culture travelers, this is a special time to be in Mexico to truly experience this unique country. While some might label this nothing more than a "strange festival," for those who have been, it's an affair you'll never forget.
Looking to enhance your stay? Why not check out some of Mexico’s best ecoresorts? Many of which are located near Oaxaca.
-Contributed by Shelley of Travel To Oaxaca
Hanal Pixan - Yucatan, Mexico
20. Hanal Pixan - Merida, Mexico
The Hanal Pixan holiday (pronounced ha-nawl pick-shawn) is sometimes called Mayan Day of the Dead, as it bears a lot of resemblance to the Day of the Dead holiday. It is celebrated November 1-2, just like Day of the Dead.
However, unlike Día de Muertos which is celebrated all over Mexico, Hanal Pixan is something unique to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The Yucatan is the ancestral homeland of the Maya, whereas much of the rest of the country has closer ties to the Aztecs, Zapotecs, and other groups.
The best place to celebrate Hanal Pixan in Mexico is the city of Merida, the capital of Yucatan state. Merida is known as the safest city in Mexico and the Cultural Capital of Yucatan, and it is fast becoming a top travel destination in Mexico.
During Hanal Pixan, the main event in Merida is the Paseo de las Animas, which means Parade of Souls. In Maya, the word pixan means "soul," and hanal pixan means "food for the souls."
Besides the parade, there are large ofrendas (altars), floral decorations, and street parties in Centro Historico (Historic Downtown). There are special foods you can only get at this time of year as well, like pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and pib (AKA mucbipollo), which is a crispy, baked tamale.
Much like Day of the Dead, Hanal Pixan is a celebration of our departed loved ones. It is both a time to remember them fondly, and welcome their spirits back to Earth to reunite with us for just a short moment each year.
-Contributed by Shelley of Travel To Merida
Edinburgh, Scotland Skyline
21. Edinburgh Fringe Festival - Edinburgh, Scotland
Perhaps one of the most famous festivals in the world is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Started in 1947 when some theatre groups showed up to perform "on the fringe" of the Edinburgh International Festival, Fringe Fests are now highly anticipated events around the globe, but Edinburgh remains the epicenter to this day.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a theatre festival committed to giving anyone who wants to perform a chance. Submissions are selected at random through a "draw", so no one is sitting around deciding who can be in or out!
This method is what makes the Fringe so fun, you never know what you are going to get! Many famous musicals and performances that hit Broadway or have had their own successful tours have their roots in Fringe.
Fringe is so much more than a theatre festival, it is a celebration of people and inclusivity. In addition to the shows and incredible venues, you will find music, street performers, and artisans lining the Royal Mile for the month of August every year.
Edinburgh Fringe officially starts the first weekend in August every year and during this time the population of Edinburgh triples! If giant crowds are not your thing, catching the "pre-fringe" can be a great way to ease yourself into Fringe life.
In the week leading up to the Fringe, performers are settling into their venues and doing rehearsals and soundchecks. Tickets are half-price, and you get an intimate peek at the shows before all the other attendees arrive!
If you think Edinburgh is a bit too big of a fest for you, that's ok! The Fringe Festival is now celebrated in over 250 cities around the world! Some are nearly as big as the Edinburgh Fringe, others are much smaller, but all are absolutely weird, and wonderful.
-Shev of Shevstrolls.com
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this list of weird, wonderful, and famous festivals around the world. World-wide there are thousands of music, religious, cultural, film, and other festivals each year. These are just some of the most intriguing, beautiful, and/or unusual.
Have you been to a weird and/or wonderful festival? Tell us about it in the comments below.
