AgitÁgueda
ÁGUEDA, PORTUGAL
Águeda’s streets get a bright uplift in the month July, as colorful umbrella canopies line the streets of this town. From the 7th of July through the 29th, visitors and locals can expect art installations, performances and tons of street art as the festival AgitÁgueda takes place.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Hundreds of balloons set flight at this 9-day October fiesta in Albuquerque. Kids and adults alike gather to the massive launch site for its festival like atmosphere and the absolute spectacle of seeing countless floating balloons of all shapes, sizes and colors light up the desert sky.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival
THAILAND
The skies of Chiang Mai are set aglow as thousands of lanterns are released throughout the city during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. This citywide gathering takes place on the evening of the full moon on the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (usually November) and is often celebrated alongside Loy Krathong during three days of parades, markets, candle lightings and more.
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival
JAPAN
This springtime floral extravaganza sees the blooming of hundreds of thousands of Shibazakura flowers at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. For the best experience visiting these vibrant blooms, you'll want to bring along your flower power gals.
Holi Festival of Color
INDIA
A Hindu celebration of the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring, Holi is catching on as a colored-powder-throwing party in many cultures beyond India. In fact, if you live in Boston, Houston, Chicago or a number of other major cities in the States, there may be a Holi Fest near you.
Dia De Los Muertos
MEXICO
Celebrating the lives of loved ones who’ve passed away is at the core of this Mexican tradition. But the colorful, marigold-filled altars and graveside flower installations combined with parades and Aztec rituals that are meant to bring the spirits to life for the day feel anything but somber. Día de los Muertos, which takes place on November 2, brings families and friends out in big groups, many donning traditional skeleton makeup and colorful costumes.
La Tomatina
SPAIN
If you happen to be in the Valencian town of Buñol the last Wednesday of August, look out for flying tomatoes. The city’s wild tomato-throwing festival has been going since 1945 and is sheerly for entertainment purposes, giving you the opportunity to finally toss a few smashed tomatoes at your most annoying travel buddies.
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival
INDIA
Three days before the full moon of February, people travel in groups to the Thar Desert in the Sam Sand Dunes to celebrate Jaisalmer Desert Festival. Over the course of three days, the remote desert landscape comes to life with performances, folk music and local lore being passed from generation to generation.
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