A look back at some of the most interesting celebrations around the globe!
Yi Peng Festival
Chaing Mai, Thailand
Yi Peng is a three-day festival known for the release of paper lanterns called “khom loi”. Buddhists believe that the act of releasing the lantern during the full moon frees them of bad luck from the past year, and generates good fortune in the coming year.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, New Mexico
With over 500 hot air balloons each year, this nine-day event is the largest balloon festival in the world. There are themed activities like Balloon Glows to see them lit from within at night and the popular Special Shape Rodeo where you can see the most unique balloons from Yoda to a pirate ship!
Holi Festival
India
Holi is a Hindu festival marking the end of winter and welcoming spring. On this festive day, people meet and greet one another and create new beginnings, but the most widely-known part of this celebration is the free-for-all festival of colors.
Oktoberfest
Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest began as a wedding celebration more than 200 years ago when Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese. It’s now the world’s largest beer festival with more than six million people attending each year.
La Tomatina
Buñol, Spain
La Tomatina is a festival in which thousands of people come to participate in a town-wide tomato fight purely for entertainment purposes.
CARNIVAL
Carnival is a global festival celebrated around the world. This Catholic tradition signaling the start of Lent takes on many forms throughout the world with some celebrations becoming icons of their destination. From parades and dancing to elaborate costumes and masks, there’s nothing quite like Carnival!
New Orleans, Louisiana
Known here as Mardi Gras, this extravagant party includes parades, balls, and other activities but perhaps is most known for its large floats and bead throwing. There’s even a seasonal treat that Mardi Gras partygoers eat called the King Cake with a special surprise inside!
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Often referred to as the “Greatest Show on Earth”, Carnival is the most popular holiday in Brazil and a major part of the culture. This extraordinary party combines music, dancing, and famously extravagant costumes.
Venice, Italy
Dating back to the 12th century, Carnival in Venice is the most popular in Europe. The quintessential feature of this celebration are the traditional Venetian masks characterised by their ornate design.
