1. Festival of Lights, Thailand
As the inspiration between the floating lantern scene in "Tangled," the Festival of Lights has become a must-see for friends, lovers, and Disney fanatics everywhere. Occurring during the full moon in November, the religious aspect begins the festival as monks begin their chants and rituals. Participants are then able to buy lanterns for $2.51 a piece and release it into the air, along with thousands of others surrounding them. The thoughts behind the floating lanterns is that festival-goers make wishes in order to ward off bad omens and even worse luck. The lanterns are then released, illuminating the night sky and creating a quite picturesque moment.
2. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, China
Occurring in the dead of winter between the months of January and February, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival takes place in China. Although walking around and looking at ice and snow sculptures while simultaneously getting frostbite may not seem ideal, the festival brings in more activities in hopes to attract a broad audience. Ice lantern art fair, winter swimming watching, ice hotels, dog sledding, safari-style Siberian tiger watching, or the traditional ice-skating, sledding, etc. are all available for the festival-goers to partake in. The two main exhibits to this festival, however, are the "Sun Island" that features all of the snow and ice sculptures and the "Ice and Snow World" that takes buildings made of ice blocks and illuminates them in the nighttime.
3. Holi Festival, India
Although the picture below may look like something taken from, "The Color Run," this is definitely not the case. Also known as the "Festival of Colors" or the "Festival of Love," this festival is a rich religious ancient Hindu rituals and takes place in India. However, it has become popular enough that non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia create their own version of this festival. It is a two day event, where the night before the color explosion, a bonfire is held, where people can sing, dance, and chat amongst themselves. The next day brings enormous amounts of happiness when the main event takes place. All are welcome to partake in the victory of good over evil where participants chase each other with dry powder, colored water and water balloons.
4. The Battle of the Oranges, Italy
Categorized as the largest food fight in Italy, the Battle of the Oranges sounds just like what it actually is. Although the original origin remains unclear, a popular belief is that the festival celebrates the city's defiance against the city's tyrant. Of course, citizens could not battle it out with swords and stones, so why not go for one of the most acidic fruits to throw at peoples faces? As the picture is shown below, it's no wonder that they have to wear helmets and masks - oranges can surprisingly do a lot of damage (bloody noses, bruised eyes, etc.).
5. Songkran Water Festival, Thailand
Coinciding with the new year according to the traditional Buddhist/Hindu solar calendar, Thailand carries on the tradition of the Songkran Water Festival. In order to ring in the new year, the cleansing ritual of splashing and pouring water on others is practiced. The traditional water pouring is meant as a symbol of washing away all of their sins and bad luck. If the celebration is practiced traditionally, fragrant herbs are added. Lasting three days, I would say this is the ultimate way to beat the heat.
6. San Fermín Festival, Spain
This nine day festival, most commonly known for "the running of the bulls," takes place in the city of Pamplona from July 6 to July 14. As the most internationally acclaimed fiesta in Spain, the San Fermín festival celebrates the co-patron of Navarre, Saint Fermin. Single day events include Chupinazo (a rocket is set off marking the opening of the festival), Riau-Riau (a procession and mass activity), Saint Fermin procession (the statue of Saint Fermin is processed throughout the streets), Struendo (people make as much noise as possible for the entire day), and Pobre de mí (a candlelit ending to end the festival). The "running of the bulls", most likely the scariest day out of the festival, is when six bulls are released into the streets and people try to run in front of them.
7. La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain
Each year, on the last Wednesday of August, a massive tomato food fight takes place in Spain. People from all countries are able to buy tickets to participate in the "World's Biggest Food Fight," a one day event. The tickets, however, are limited and only 20,000 people are able to attend. The actual food fight only lasts an hour, but cleanup lasts forever. Storekeepers cover their storefronts with plastic tarp and participants go to a nearby river in order to wash themselves afterwards.
8. Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, New Mexico
This nine day event, with over 500 hot-air balloons, takes place in October. The festival originally began in 1972 as a 50th birthday celebration for a local radio station and has now grown into the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world. Events such as Dawn Patrol (hot-air balloons take off before dawn, measuring wind speeds and directions), Mass Ascensions (all balloons are launched in two waves until they fill the sky with color), Artistic Vision (local artists paint some hot-air balloons), Special Shape Rodeo (uniquely shaped and non-traditional hot-air balloons are released at the same time), Balloon Glows (hot-air balloons are released during dusk and the lights inside the balloons illuminate the night sky), and other competitions draw thousands of participants and viewers, leaving a large impact on the local level.
