Holi Festival; India
You’ll need to bring both a sense of fun and a set of old clothes to this colorful early spring festival in which participants douse each other with vibrant colored powder. Celebrating, in part, the end of the winter season, revelers also sprinkle each other with scented Holi Festival; India
You’ll need to bring both a sense of fun and a set of old clothes to this colorful early spring festival in which participants douse each other with vibrant colored powder. Celebrating, in part, the end of the winter season, revelers also sprinkle each other with scented water.… see moresee less

Holi in India is the welcoming of spring. Not just dry colors, water with color is also splashed around. Lots of Fun, Naughtiness and games are the highlights of the festival.

Pasadena Chalk Festival; Pasadena, California

Beautiful but fleeting these sidewalk masterpieces last just a few days before nature, pedestrians, or cleaning crews wash them away. Now in it’s 20th year, the Pasadena Chalk Festival hosts artists who compete in categories that range from “Best 3-D Pasadena Chalk Festival; Pasadena, California

Beautiful but fleeting these sidewalk masterpieces last just a few days before nature, pedestrians, or cleaning crews wash them away. Now in it’s 20th year, the Pasadena Chalk Festival hosts artists who compete in categories that range from “Best 3-D Effect” to “Best Rendering of a Masterpiece.”… see moresee less

Sandskulpturfestival, Søndervig, Norway
Only 10 years old, this festival attracted over 140,000 visitors last year, not to mention competitors from all over the world. If you plan on competing, take note that the theme for 2013 is “The Wild West.”

Holi in India is the welcoming of spring. Not just dry colors, water with color is also splashed around. Lots of Fun, Naughtiness and games are the highlights of the festival.

Holi Festival; India
You’ll need to bring both a sense of fun and a set of old clothes to this colorful early spring festival in which participants douse each other with vibrant colored powder. Celebrating, in part, the end of the winter season, revelers also sprinkle each other with scented Holi Festival; India
You’ll need to bring both a sense of fun and a set of old clothes to this colorful early spring festival in which participants douse each other with vibrant colored powder. Celebrating, in part, the end of the winter season, revelers also sprinkle each other with scented water.… see moresee less

Dia de los Muertos; Buenos Aires, Argentina

This vibrant, reverent festival is perhaps best-known as a Mexican tradition, but in fact, exists all over the world. A day when the living pay tribute to friends and relatives who have passed away, it’s very much a celebration of life and reminder of all Dia de los Muertos; Buenos Aires, Argentina

This vibrant, reverent festival is perhaps best-known as a Mexican tradition, but in fact, exists all over the world. A day when the living pay tribute to friends and relatives who have passed away, it’s very much a celebration of life and reminder of all they were on earth.… see moresee less

Hemingway Days; Key West, Florida
Held for the area’s most famous literary resident, events at this festival include readings, look-alike contests and a mock “Running of the Bulls.” If you happen to look like the celebrated scribe and want to enter the contest, be forewarned; last year’s competition Hemingway Days; Key West, Florida
Held for the area’s most famous literary resident, events at this festival include readings, look-alike contests and a mock “Running of the Bulls.” If you happen to look like the celebrated scribe and want to enter the contest, be forewarned; last year’s competition garnered 120 participants.… see moresee less

Papa is good, but a similarly weird event is the Elvis festival in Porthcawl, Wales. A normally sleepy seaside village it hosts the largest Elvis Festival outside of Vegas.

La Tomatina; Buñol, Spain
Now that’s going to leave a stain! It may only last an hour but this festival in which participants throw tomatoes at each other leaves enough of an impression that local shopkeepers wrap their storefronts in plastic in preparation. If you go, make sure to bring old clothes La Tomatina; Buñol, Spain
Now that’s going to leave a stain! It may only last an hour but this festival in which participants throw tomatoes at each other leaves enough of an impression that local shopkeepers wrap their storefronts in plastic in preparation. If you go, make sure to bring old clothes because there’s no chance of you ever being able to wear them again.… see moresee less

Sapporo Snow Festival; Sapporo, Japan
It’s estimated that roughly two million people come to marvel at the snow and ice sculptures constructed at this annual event. Amazingly, local legend has it that the impetus for this festival was the creation of six snow sculptures created by high school Sapporo Snow Festival; Sapporo, Japan
It’s estimated that roughly two million people come to marvel at the snow and ice sculptures constructed at this annual event. Amazingly, local legend has it that the impetus for this festival was the creation of six snow sculptures created by high school students in 1950.… see moresee less

Cherry Blossom Festival; Japan
At least there’s one upside to keeping up with The Joneses. Legend has it that a friendly rivalry between families in the 1600s lead to the profusion of the trees after which this festival is named. If you plan on being among the thousands who now congregate here every Cherry Blossom Festival; Japan
At least there’s one upside to keeping up with The Joneses. Legend has it that a friendly rivalry between families in the 1600s lead to the profusion of the trees after which this festival is named. If you plan on being among the thousands who now congregate here every year to see the trees in full bloom, aim for what locals call the “Golden Week” when the blossoms are at their peak.… see moresee less

Taiwan Lantern Festival; Pingxi, Taiwan
Once used by farm workers to send signals to their families in nearby towns, the lanterns at this stunning festival are now considered symbols of peace and prosperity. Combining the traditional with the modern, the festival now includes an enormous fireworks Taiwan Lantern Festival; Pingxi, Taiwan
Once used by farm workers to send signals to their families in nearby towns, the lanterns at this stunning festival are now considered symbols of peace and prosperity. Combining the traditional with the modern, the festival now includes an enormous fireworks display as well as electromechanical lanterns.… see moresee less

Lopburi Monkey Festival; Lopburi, Thailand
Bet you’ve never been to a tea party like this. At this festival local monkeys are feted with offerings of fruits and eggs by locals who hope the gesture will bring them good luck. If you go, keep in Lopburi Monkey Festival; Lopburi, Thailand
Bet you’ve never been to a tea party like this. At this festival local monkeys are feted with offerings of fruits and eggs by locals who hope the gesture will bring them good luck. If you go, keep in mind that the monkeys are known for helping themselves to things other than food, like expensive cameras and sunglasses.… see moresee less

Fête du Citron; Menton, France
Now nearing its 80th year, this celebration of all things citrus takes place in late winter due to its location in a mild, and unbelievably scenic part of the world. The parade themes here have ranged from “Signs ofFête du Citron; Menton, France
Now nearing its 80th year, this celebration of all things citrus takes place in late winter due to its location in a mild, and unbelievably scenic part of the world. The parade themes here have ranged from “Signs of the Zodiac” to “Lemons Without Borders.”… see moresee less

Trailing of the Sheep; Ketchum, Idaho

Celebrating the migration of sheep from the north to the south of this state, this festival offers everything from knitting classes to a “Lamb Dine Around” in which lamb is the featured dish of local restaurants. The event features some great activities for kids,Trailing of the Sheep; Ketchum, Idaho

Celebrating the migration of sheep from the north to the south of this state, this festival offers everything from knitting classes to a “Lamb Dine Around” in which lamb is the featured dish of local restaurants. The event features some great activities for kids, too, like cheese-making and sheep shearing demonstrations.… see moresee less

Phuket Vegetarian Festival; Phuket, Thailand

According to locals a pre-festival regime of meditation and a strict vegetarian diet mean that no pain is felt and no (or at least, minimal) blood is lost during what is a pretty serious piercing ritual. If this isn’t exciting enough for you, some Phuket Vegetarian Festival; Phuket, Thailand

According to locals a pre-festival regime of meditation and a strict vegetarian diet mean that no pain is felt and no (or at least, minimal) blood is lost during what is a pretty serious piercing ritual. If this isn’t exciting enough for you, some participants climb a ladder made of blades.… see moresee less

Ghent Light Festival; Ghent, Belgium

The season for bright lights may be over in most parts of the world, but not here. At only a few years old this relatively young festival dazzles with lights in the form of cathedrals, sculptures, and even giant murals projected on public buildings.