Fantastic Festivals of the World

This festivals origin dates back to the 14th Century uprising against the Mongols. Rebels wrote calls to revolt on pieces of paper and hid them in pastries they could smuggle to their compatriots. People eat these same pastries during the festival today, as well as light paper lanterns of all colors, shapes, and sizes that illuminate the city of Hong Kong.

The art of puppet theatre started in World War II, to make children laugh during the war years.

A celebration of live street performances by some of the best "buskers" from around the world.

This 12-day carnival is the world's largest snow-oriented festival featuring over 300 family activities and events.

Parade of giant creations of Styrofoam, wood and paper mache, created in honor of St. Joseph, patron saint of all carpenters.

An April carnival with non-stop calypso music is lively colorful with fun activities. Two highlights are the children's parade followed by an action-filled adult parade.

In the month of May two amazing and very different festivals occur in France. One is a "Medieval Festival" in the Champagne Ardennes region. The other is the Gypsy Pilgrimage in Provence.

Every year in June or July, millions of Hindus throughout India celebrate one of the oldest festivals in the world honoring the deities of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra. Beautifully decorated chariots are pulled through Puri's main street.

Every summer, beginning in the 1800s, mountain men, townsfolk, and tourists gather to celebrate their survival, exchange stories, gain a wife, play games and get ready for the upcoming winter in the mountains.

Beginning in the 18th Century, Bolivians celebrate acts of faith that portray a combination of Indian-Pagan and Christian beliefs. Dance groups from all over Bolivia perform and play music in honor of the virgin.

Every summer, for 3 days, Okinawa and Japanese cultures believe that the spirits come and visit their living relatives. This tradition is famous all over the world wherever Eisa groups can be found.

Painted with spiritual masks and dressed with grass skirts, men and women of New Guinea honor their ancestors with dances and music.

Konya is the holiest city in Turkey because it is the home of the poet Celaleddin Rumi. Every December this festival portrays the spectacular dances by The Whirling Dervishes with magnificent dance, red turbans, and flowing white skirts.

Songkran marks the Thai New Year and is considered to be the Kingdom's most fun and family oriented festival with its traditional water splashing, water cannons, and water purification and cleansing from illness and evil.

When Spain comes to mind you might imagine a sunny landscape or bull fighter these are certainly symbols of Spain, but there are many more.

Mother of all celebrations is the Chinese New Year. The city is dressed in gold and red, the colors of good fortune. The New Year's parade attracts groups from around the world. The Costumes, music and dances are nothing but spectacular!