festival hop

Want to experience some of the worlds top festivals? Here I listed 8 of (what I think) are the best cultural festivals to attend throughout the year!

Burning Man:

- Started in 1986 when 2 men dragged an 8ft wooden figurine to San Francisco, lit it on fire and a crowd of curious people watched as it burnt down.

- Next festival date: August 25 - September 2nd 2019

- Located in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA

Carnival:

- Historically, Carnival is a religious celebration. The festival takes place in February or March, over the 5 days preceding the Catholic season of Lent, which starts 40 days before Easter. It also coincides with the end of the long, brutally hot Brazilian summer.

- Next Festival Date: March 1st - March 9th 2019

- Located in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Mardi Gras:

- Mardi Gras is 'Fat Tuesday' in French. Fat Tuesday is traditionally known as the day before Ash Wednesday, where people will celebrate and be merry before the fasting season of Lent.

- Next Festival date: March 5th 2019

- Located in New Orleans, LA, USA

Dia De Los Muertos:

- Known as "Day of the Dead" this Spanish tradition is all about getting together with friends and family to remember and celebrate ancestors who have died in order to help them on their spiritual journey.

- Next festival date: October 31st - November 2nd

- Located throughout Mexico but best place is Mexico City, MX

St Patrick's Festival:

- The holiday was originally a religious celebration honoring the death of the patron saint of Ireland, and has become the world's largest part where people dress in green and drink till the next day.

- Next festival date: March 17th 2019

- Located in Dublin, Ireland

Holi Festival:

- This ancient Hindu spring festival, also known as “the festival of colors” or “the festival of love,” celebrates the end of winter and the victory of good over evil.

- Next Festival Date: March 20th 2019

- Located in Braj, India

Oktoberfest:

- Began on October 12, 1810 with the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig, who later became King Ludwig I. His marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen was celebrated in Bavaria and is now the biggest beer festival in the world.

- Next festival date is: September 29th 2019

- Located in Munich, Germany

Sky Lantern Festival:

- More than 2 thousand years ago bands of outlaws frequently raided the lowland villages, forcing residents to seek refuge in the mountains. Village watchmen used  “fire balloons” as signals to inform the residents that their houses were safe once again and when those hiding in the hills saw the celestial flares, they knew it was time to go home. Now it's purpose is to set hope into the sky.

- Next Festival Date: February 19th 2019

- Located in Pingxi, Taiwan