Unique Festivals From Around The World

With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, Kmind would like to introduce you to unique festivals from around the world. These festivals are both quirky and fun, and while knowing the fun knowledge, they may also add a touch of color to your trip sometime!.

Battle of the Oranges (Italy)

Battle of the Oranges may be one of the most unique festivals in Italy — though at first glance it resembles a massive food fight. There is much meaning and history behind the carnival that takes place in the Italian town of Ivrea. 

The festival is celebrated over three days — an exhausting but fun experience for many. By the end of each day, streets are covered with orange puree and a fresh citrus smell fills the air.

Yi Peng Lantern Festival (Thailand)

The Thailand Lantern Festival --- or Yi Peng --- is celebrated primarily in the northern part of Thailand, specifically in Chiang Mai. Each participant releases their sky lantern into the air at approximately the same time in the evening after music, other celebratory entertainment, or prayer. Thousands of lanterns ascend simultaneously, lifting at various speeds, introducing various levels of brightness to the night sky.

Holi Color Festival (India)

With the throwing of colored powder and water balloons, Holi has become known as India’s most vivid, joyous festival.

Although the Hindu festival of colors finds its origins in South Asia, it has now gained popularity across the world, with Holi events organized across the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere.

Floating Lanterns Festival In Honolulu, Hawaii (USA)

The Hawaiian Lantern Floating ceremony is mirrored after Toro Nagashi; the Japanese Floating Lantern Festival which takes place in late summer. The lanterns are floated out in to the ocean carrying prayers or messages for deceased loved ones written on the sides. The Hawaiian ceremony takes place on Memorial Day as many Hawaiians traditionally use this day to honor both those who’ve fallen in service, as well as friends and family who have passed.

The International Highline Meeting Festival, Monte Piana (Italy)

The International Highline Meeting Festival is one of the most terrifying and daring things we’ve heard about this year. The fearless adventurers sleep suspended above the Italian Alps on Monte Piana in just a hammock. It’s probably not something you will want to be trying out if you’re a restless sleeper.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (USA)

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a yearly hot air balloon festival that takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during early October. The Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event occurring in the first full week of October. The event is the largest balloon festival in the world.

Dia De Los Muertos Festival (Originated In Mexico)

Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations!

Burning Man Festival, Nevada (USA)

Burning Man is an event focused on community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance held annually in the western United States.

The name of the event comes from its culminating ceremony: the symbolic burning of a large wooden effigy, referred to as the Man.

La Tomatina Festival (Spain)

La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Buñol near to Valencia in Spain. Thousands upon thousands of people make their way from all corners of the world to fight in this ‘World’s Biggest Food Fight’ where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets.

Throwing Of The Grape Festival (Australia)

Throwing of the Grape is Western Australia’s answer to the La Tomatina Tomato Festival in Spain.

Reminiscent of ‘La Tomatina’ in Spain where streets are filled with people throwing tomatoes at each other, the Throwing of the Grape is all about stomping on grapes and throwing them at everyone.

Monkey Buffet Festival (Thailand)

Monkey Buffet Festival (Thailand)

On the last Sunday of November, among the ruins of the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi, Thailand, a bountiful banquet awaits the guests of honor, none of whom are human. This feast is held in celebration of Lopburi’s thousands of macaques, thought to bring good luck to the area and its people.