10. Scarlet Sails, White Nights Festival | Russia
During the Midnight Sun period in the Arctic Circle regions, St. Petersburg in Russia celebrates the White Nights Festival; An annual international festival of the arts with competitions, shows, etc. The main attraction is its culmination, the Scarlet Sails: in which a ship with scarlet sails, amid incredible ambient lights and a spectacular fireworks display.
Together with star artists and millions of guests, he embarks along the Neva River, marking freedom from school and rules. The tradition, which began after World War II, was marked by the sailing of the Scarlet Sailboat, designed to update the old rusty revolutionary propaganda and student gathering.
9. Electric Forest Festival | United States
The Electric Forest Festival, which began less than a decade ago as the Rothbury Festival, is a four-day multi-genre event. Held at the JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan. The main focus of the event is on electronic and jam bands. But, what catches the eye is the atmosphere during this June festival.
The environment around him becomes a kaleidoscope of psychedelic laser light shows. These are mixed with electronics and jamming. The lights and sounds excite different senses at the same time and create a surreal wilderness experience. A portion of the festival proceeds is donated to Grant Township.
8. Winter Light Festival | Japan
The Winter Light Festival is celebrated in the Kuwana city of Japan, during the winter season; When many other beautiful and creative festivals are held throughout the country. In this city is the beautiful botanical park focused on flowers, the Nabano No Sato, with its greenhouses, gardens, and the very special tunnel of light. The Winter Illuminations are held in this botanical garden from November to March.
When millions of LED lights, powered by solar energy during the day, light up together, creating beautiful scenes. Shimmering over land and water, creating powerful images and theme-based settings. The tunnel is illuminated with flower-shaped LED lights.
7. Up Helly Aa Fire Festival | Scotland
To mark the end of the Christmas season, Shetland in Scotland celebrates a variety of fire festivals each year. All in the middle of the winter season, along with a procession made up of a large number of güzers. The most pompous of these take place in the capital, Lerwick; Where the culture is born from an older Christmas tradition of tar barrels.
Where barrels of burnt tar used to be pulled on sleds by mischievous men, as early as 1876. Today, thousands dress in period-themed clothing and transport viewers back in time. The procession finally burns down the replica of a Viking ship. The men in clothes from bygone eras and the glow of the fire are a spectacle.
6. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta | USA
This unique festival takes place every year. Hot air balloons of different shapes, sizes, and colors fly through the air and cover the sky for nine days. There are various events, during which hundreds of balloons are released at once; Or puff up the works of artists; Or balloons with unique or themed shapes, are also seen.
The balloons, lit by static and propane burners, are quite a sight. There are also many special events and contests. It all started as 770 KKOB Radio’s birthday celebration in 1972. And today, it has taken the form of the biggest and most beautiful balloon festival in the world.
5. Carnival of Brazil
This annual festival marks the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period before Christmas. The festival has its roots in the pagan festival of Saturnalia. While the carnival is mainly Catholic in nature. The entire world contemplates this spectacle of pomp, color, music, and rhythm.
As performers, especially exotic samba dancers and revelers, take to the streets and show off their best moves, dressed in body paint, glitter, feathers, and little else. Ironically, the excesses of the parade represent an “act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh” before Lent, during which Christians are supposed to refrain from all acts of bodily pleasures.
4. Lantern Festival | Asia
The Lantern Festival has been celebrated in Asian countries since the Hans dynasty. It takes place on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, marking the last day of the Lunar New Year, that is, February or March. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the “Lantern Festival”, is in Singapore and Malaysia. It is a harvest festival, which takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese and Vietnamese calendars, which is in September or October.
The only thing in common between the two is the magnificent display of lanterns; Especially the sky lanterns which are small paper hot air balloons with suspended fire at the end. The entire globe lights up in this fire, and a great number of these fill the sky at night.
3. International Sand Sculpture Festival | Portugal
This is the largest sand sculpture festival in the world. Held in the Algarve of Portugal, which is also famous for its beautiful naturally sculptured caves. Starting in 2003, the festival sees 60 sand artists use 35,000 tons of sand to build 50 works of art. The festival has a new theme every year, based on which the sculptures are created. These temporary sculptures are a real feast for the eyes, especially for those who are artistically inclined.
The exhibit is also open at night when ambient lights create an atmosphere that is an experience in itself. The festival is spread over 15,000 square feet of area on the beautiful Portuguese beach.
2. The Sapporo Snow Festival | Japan
For seven days in the month of February, Sapporo in Japan hosts the Snow Festival. One of the biggest and most extraordinary winter events in Japan. Having started in 1950 when six local high school students created six snow statues. Year after year, more people and organizations started coming together to build snow sculptures, and the Snow Festival, today, is famous for this.
Today, millions of people visit Sapporo to see the statues and sculptures made of snow. Every year there is a theme, but the statues and sculptures make Sapporo a magnificent land that seems straight out of a fairy tale.
1. Holi | Hindu Nations
India is the place of colors, and it is the birthplace of one of the most colorful festivals, Holi. This ancient Hindu festival is celebrated by the Hindu populations of all nations or all people of Indian origin. People celebrate by throwing colors at each other, in the form of dry powder called Ghulal, Aabir, etc. Or with colored water.
It is perfectly in sync with the mood of the spring season, the season of love and colors. The bonfire is an important part of the celebration, marking the death of Holika’s evil spirit. In the Braj region of India, the festival is observed to mark Radha’s love for Lord Krishna. Collectively, people revel in colors, love, and joy during the splendid Holi.
There are many more beautiful festivals that are observed all over the world. These pompous and beautiful celebrations are a representation of the inner peace and happiness that is achieved by such celebrations. When it comes to such ceremonies, the best way to observe them is by coming together with open hearts, crossing all religious or national borders, or any restrictions, to feel the true spirit of the ceremony.
