The world is full of diverse cultures, each with their own unique traditions and celebrations. Today, just about anybody can travel the world and experience the unfamiliar yet fascinating customs and practices of another culture.
Are you traveling to a foreign land this holiday season? This blog will tell you everything you need to know about some of the most fun and unique cultural festivals that take place around the world. Let’s begin.
Carnevale di Venezia
The Venice Carnival, known in the Italian language as Carnevale di Venezia, gained global attention around the 18th century. However, the festival dates all the way back to the 11th century. Every year, 40 days before Easter, during what is known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’, thousands of tourists from across the world join the locals of Venice to celebrate the Venice Carnival. Participants put on colorful masks and extravagant costumes, then sing and dance their way through the bustling streets of Venice.
During the Venice Carnival, you can even watch live stage performances featuring stories and characters, inspired by local lore and history. Venice is known for its stunning 18th century architecture.
While you’re here, be sure to explore the local sights, and the delicious local cuisine. If you’d like to bring back souvenirs for your friends and family, use packing cubes so you can save space in your pink suitcase.
Rio Carnival
You won’t find another carnival like this anywhere else in the world. Rio de Janeiro, the capital city of Brazil, is known all over the world thanks to the carnival. The Rio Carnival has been featured in media and art for years, and continues to be a popular tourist attraction in Venice even today. Every year, thousands of people visit Venice just to experience the festival.
The carnival originated during the time of the Greek empire, to venerate the deity Dionysus. As time passed, Romans appropriated the Rio Carnival as a way to honor their own gods. Years later, the Vatican Church used their influence to make the carnival a Christian celebration in the eyes of the people.
Some call Rio de Janeiro the ‘Carnival Capital’ of the world, thanks to the Rio Carnival. So what are you waiting for? Leave your large luggage at your hotel room and join the festivities as soon as you can.
Holi
The Indian festival of Holi is one of the most fun cultural festivals you’ll ever experience, with its kaleidoscope of colors and loud, traditional music. The festival is celebrated at the end of winter, to usher in the beginning of spring. However, there are also legends that say Holi has a deeper significance. Some locals participate in Holi to celebrate the day that good triumphed over evil. There is a Hindu legend that claims long ago, a demoness known as Holika, was successfully banished from this world, and that is why Holi was first celebrated.
Regardless of the true origins of Holi, the locals are incredibly welcoming, and love inviting tourists to participate. Just remember to pack some large luggage, because your clothes will definitely be a mess of colors when the day is over. If you’d like to participate in a festival like nothing else you’ve ever seen, grab your pink suitcase and head to India as soon as you can.
Oktoberfest
For all you beer connoisseurs, there is no better festival to experience than Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Legend has it that the first Oktoberfest took place centuries ago, to celebrate the wedding of the German Prince.
As the story goes, the locals of Bavaria Munich had so much fun that night, that they decided to celebrate Oktoberfest every year since. Eventually, the annual tradition spread across the rest of Munich, and across Germany, and eventually Europe. Today, Oktoberfest is known around the world, with many pubs and bars in other countries even celebrating their own versions of the festival.
Every year, millions of tourists visit Munich to experience Oktoberfest for themselves. The festival isn’t just known for its endless supply of the world’s best beer, there are countless other activities to participate in as well. If you’re traveling to Germany to experience Oktoberfest firsthand, you may want to use packing cubes. Packing cubes are great for saving space in your pink suitcase.
Boryeong Mud Festival
You may not be familiar with the Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea, but it definitely deserves a place on this list. Unlike other popular festivals around the world, South Korea’s mud festival is relatively new, having first taken place in 1998, in Boryeong, South Korea. Interestingly, the festival actually began as a marketing campaign by a cosmetics company that had created a range of products using the mud from the town of Boryeong, which is known to be rich in nutrients. Since then, the festival has become one of the most popular annual events in South Korea.
If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty and play in the mud, you and your friends should definitely take a trip to South Korea. If you come with large luggage, don’t worry. You can store it at an affordably priced hotel room while you’re there.
There are plenty of fun mud-related activities to participate in, from mud slides to arts and crafts and so much more.
La Tomatina
Whoever said food fights were for school cafeterias clearly never heard of La Tomatina, the Spanish tomato festival. Every year, thousands of people take to the streets of Buñol, Spain, with tomatoes in hand and participate in the largest food fight in the world.
The true origin of the festival is up for debate. Some claim La Tomatina started as a harmless prank by some local children. Others claim it was an act of rebellion against corrupt politicians. Whatever the case may be, today, thousands of people revel in the chaos of hitting each other with tomatoes, and quite literally painting the town red.
You’re bound to get your clothes dirty while you’re in the midst of a city-wide tomato fight, so make sure you use packing cubes to bring lots of clothes.
Burning Man
Burning Man is one of the most well-known festivals in the world, taking place every year out in the open desert of Black Rock City, Nevada. Between the end of August and beginning of September, thousands of people flock to Burning Man to experience something truly unique.
Festival goers call Burning Man a life-changing experience, where they can be their truest selves, free of societal expectations and commodification. Even popular musicians come to Burning Man every year to perform. The festival features concerts, dance parties and interactive art events. Burning Man gets its name because every year, a towering humanoid structure is built, and then lit on fire to signal the beginning of the festival.
Begin Your Adventure Today
Now that you know so much about some of the festivals that take place around the world every year, what do you think? Which festival would you like to experience for yourself? Given that many of these events take place at different times of the year, you can even plan your trip so that you can visit a few of them. No adventure is complete without your very own Royce and Rocket suitcase, you can buy one today, on their website.
