Favorite Festivals Around The World

[shygirl724]

I know that in my travels I have scheduled trips to coincide (or at times, avoide due to congestion) some of the many festivals / events around the world.

I am curious which festivals are the past favorites, or "bucket list" future events, worthy of attending? I'm sure the LL community has a wealth of insight to share and maybe we will all learn of new sights / experiences to explore.

Shy ~

[shygirl724]

Uitmarkt - In Amsterdam

Held annually the last weekend in August. Dates for 2011: August 26th through the 28th

The Uitmarkt is the national launch of the cultural season that traditionally takes place the last weekend of August. It is a festival to present many artists, companies and cultural institutions to the public. With more than 450 free performances at 30 venues, 500,000 visitors get a taste of the upcoming season. From ballet to hip-hop, from theater to jazz.

The event takes place near the Museumplein, Leidseplein and the Vondelpark.



We "tripped across" this festival when in Amsterdam. It was a great time. The outdoorconcerts were wonderful. This weekend is well worth attending. Even with the large number of festival attendees, we never felt overly crowded, nor did we have difficulty getting a hotel nearby or a seat in a restaurant.

I am hoping we will be able to go again in the near future.

Shy ~

[Mountie]

I know that in my travels I have scheduled trips to coincide (or at times, avoide due to congestion) some of the many festivals / events around the world.

I am curious which festivals are the past favorites, or "bucket list" future events, worthy of attending? I'm sure the LL community has a wealth of insight to share and maybe we will all learn of new sights / experiences to explore.

Shy ~

I would have to go with Burning Man Festival The Burning Man Project :: Welcome Home Only been to two of them, but both were a real change of pace from normal daily activities and an opportunity to meet different people.

[kyshel]

The Ludlow Derby Rat Races are always held Friday before the Kentucky Derby. It's a charity event sponsored by the Turners Organization.
Sadly (or perhaps happily) there are no photos posted other than the maze. It's a rat race (well, small mice--slid out of a large plastic tube, off to fend for themselves for the ubiquitous morsel of cheese at the end of the replica maze of river town, Ludlow KY.)
Beer flows, weenies are grilled and consumed in copious numbers and betts are placed with ferocious speed. Now, if I can just find an old race program... It's worth a trip to the Ky side of Cincinnati waterfront to experience a very irreverent rat race...
Ludlow Derby (Rat Races) | Facebook

[kyshel]

On a more global scale, Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is pretty hard to beat for the fireworks alone.
I have yet to experience Nyepi in Bali
Just one of many links for the occasion:
Nyepi | Ask.com Encyclopedia

Nor have I been to a full moon party in South East Asia--I hear they are well-attended by Aussie holiday makers!

[copahc]

Shy-
Wow, I’ve never even heard of this Uitmarkt festival. It looks huge. Amsterdam (as well as the rest of Holland) has so many outdoor festivals in the summer it’s amazing! It seems like there is always something going on.
My favourite is Queens day (Koninginnedag in Dutch).

It takes place every year on 30 April which is the former Queen’s birthday. Its an entire day of Orange madness. The canals are stuffed with party boats blaring dance music, with everyone dressed in orange (the national color). The streets are also brimming with partygoers and there are various music stages set up throughout the city for people to dance. It's really a sight to see and a crazy day. Last year a bunch of friends and I threw a boat party and were able to experience the party from the canals, with a DJ on board and several kegs of beer

[shygirl724]

Mountie, Kyshel and copahc,

These all sound like great fun. The pic of the Queens Day event looks like a real kick in the pants!

Add tnis one to the list....the Berlin International Beer Festival - held annually the first weekend in August. (upcoming Aug. 5 - 7, 2011).


For one weekend a year the most diverse city in Europe boasts the longest
beer garden in the world at more than a mile long - between Straus Platz
and Frankfurter. This festival usually brings an excess of 1 million visitors to
Berlin. It is unusual as it is a Summer beer festival, which complements a
great festival itinerary. In 2011 there will be 300 breweries from 86 countries
with about 2000 beers, many of which will be from micro-breweries.


Shy ~

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Any Semana Santa period in Latin America - we experienced Semana Santa in Cuzco - great!
Pre Semana Santa festivities in Antigua, Guatemala - now I want to be there for the full week!
Any Latin American town where they are celebrating a saint's feast day - wonderful experiences all

[kyshel]

I agree--we experienced it in Malaga!! Antonio Banderas was literally "undercover" in the parade

[LL_Travelfan]

Here is a listing of all the European Festivals. Best European Festivals 2011 dates in a Europe Festival Calendar