You've probably dreamt of going to a music festival like Coachella in California or Tomorrowland in Belgium (I know I have). But do you know about these (much cheaper) festivals dedicated to hot air balloons, lobsters and the formation of a unique metropolis?
Balloon Festival
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Photo via Travelers Today
The sky fills with colorful hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes for a 9-day fiesta. Hot air balloons come from all over the world, representing different companies and organizations as well as individual creativity. This is probably the only place you'll see over 500 hot air balloons take off into the sky. Along with the balloons, there are rodeo events and even lighted balloons in the evening, filling more than 70 acres of land.
Wellfleet Oyster Fest
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Photo via US News
Along with food, arts and crafts, music and races, Wellfleet Oyster Fest has an oyster-shucking competition that entices the crowd. Proceeds go to local educational programs along with the shellfish industry.
Burning Man
Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Photo via Neo-Ren
Photo via The Creative Gap
This one is different than any other. Words like "carnival" and "circus" don't do justice to this one-of-a-kind festival. Creating a temporary metropolis in the middle of the desert for a week near the end of each summer, about 60,000 participants gather to express themselves through art, performances, and many other obscure mediums. Previous themes over the years include "The Body," "The Floating World," "Caravansary" and "Fertility 2.0." Just as the name suggests, they set fire to the main giant sculpture each year on the Saturday before Labor Day. If you want a place to go to see all types of people, Burning Man is it.
Tribeca Film Festival
New York, New York
Photo via Squarespace
A lineup of diversified films from all over the world, special events and panels fill cinemas across New York City. After many of the screenings, directors and actors stick around for conversations. A majority of the screenings are premiers, so if you attend this festival, you might be the first to see the next big number one box office hit.
Maine Lobster Festival
Rockland, Maine
Photo via National Geographic
For five days in August, Rockland, Maine, attracts people from all over, spanning from the town next door to as far away as Europe, for its annual Lobster Festival. If you're a fan of lobsters, you might want to check this out. There are races, competitions, cooking contests, lots of freshly cooked lobster, a parade and live entertainment.
The Race of Gentlemen
Wildwood, New Jersey
Photo via Press of Atlantic City
An automotive carnival brings the heritage of American racing to life. Historically based, this festival allows racers to showcase their cars along the shore on the beach of Wildwood, New Jersey.
Texas Renaissance Festival
Todd Mission, Texas
Photo via FunTober
Want to take a little trip back to the Renaissance era? Put on your favorite cloak or jerkin and join the millions of other guests each year in watching performances, crafting, shopping, venturing on human-powered rides, and a fireworks show at dusk. This "theme park" in Texas is an 8-week festival with special themed weekends focusing on aspects such as Halloween, Christmas and pirates.
