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Let’s be honest, traveling the world is only as fun as the exciting adventures you embark on and the new experiences you have as you discover foreign cultures. Festivals are a great way to have a fantastic time with others while engaging with local customs in a tangible way. Not to mention it’s an incredibly easy, fun way to spice up your sightseeing plans.
Each year there are tons of different festivals around the world to choose from, but don’t fret, we’ve got you covered! We’ve crafted a list of the best festivals in the world so you can prioritize and start planning your dream trip sooner.
Person in a carnival costume attends the end Carnival of Venice in Venice, Italy
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Carnival of Venice
Location: Venice, ItalyWhen: 40 days before Easter, on Shrove Tuesday
Carnevale di Venezia or Venice Carnival dates all the way back to the 11th century, but came to international acclaim in the 18th century. During the weeks dedicated to Carnival each year thousands of tourists and locals take to the streets in beautiful costumes and masks to enjoy music, dancing, parties and the festive atmospher
Festivities also include live theatrical plays featuring intriguing and comical traditional folk characters, lavish 18th century-style galas in beautiful old Venetian buildings, open air street parties and an award ceremony at Carnival’s closing to celebrate the very best costumes and mask
Holi celebration in Nepal or Indias.e.
street theater shows, grab some beer and get decked out in all green as you celebrate Irish heritage and culture. Different towns and cities host their own street parades and celebrations that are memorable and exciting but Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day is the common favorite.
Locals reenact biblical scenes walking over handmade dyed sawdust carpets on Good Friday in colonial town with most famous Holy Week celebrations in Antigua, Guatemala
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Semana Santa
Location: Antigua, Guatemala
When: Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Sunday)
The arrival of the Spanish to Guatemala in 1524 also brought the tradition of Semana Santa (Holy Week) to the Latin American country’s shores. Centuries later the tradition continues, with Guatemala having the distinct pleasure of hosting one of the most elaborate Holy Week celebrations in the world.
Lavish floats, intricately designed carpets, huge religious processions and colorful, elaborate religious displays bring thousands of people out to the streets to celebrate the spiritual and the cultural. Semana Santa mixes Spanish tradition, Catholic faith and indigenous cultural beliefs to create perhaps the most highly anticipated week of celebration in Guatemala.
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with street expressions of faith in the form of different processions with their own floats.
Person wearing an evil mask at Krampuslauf in Graz, Austria
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Krampus Run
Location: Austria
When: Late November until Christmas
You better watch out, you better not pout, Krampus is coming to town! Christmas meets a nightmarish take on Halloween when it comes to the Krampus Parade or Festival. Krampus, in Alpine folklore, is presented as the horned Christmas devil that severely punishes or even kidnaps naughty children.
The antithesis of jolly old Saint Nick, Krampus is depicted as a mean half-goat half-demon, and the tales of his cruelty at Christmastime vary depending on who tells them. In some Alpine town realistic costumes are crafted so Krampus can go knocking on doors and walking down the street to ‘scare’ or ‘punish’ misbehaving kids. These events are known as Krampuslauf (Krampus Run) and occur all throughout December until Christmas.
From majestic, natural wonders to silly food fights, romantic sky lanterns at night or modern creative gatherings in the desert, the above are without a doubt some of the best festivals in the world. Get wild, get crazy and find yourself or lose yourself as you delight yourself in new pleasures. Happy travels!
