8 Best Parties and Festivals in the World
Yesterday’s post on Finding Festivals and Cultural Events around the World got me in the partying mood and motivated me to put together a list of the Go Budget Travel “8 Best Parties and Festivals in the World”. This list is a compilation of my favorites, as well as recommendations from many of my traveling friends. They are all pretty big festivals, but size wasn’t a requirement. The two main requirements for making it on this list were uniqueness and fun. What is your favorite party or festival? Can be big, small, popular, or unpopular, leave your comments below!
Oktoberfest – (Munich, Germany)
Oktoberfest is a legendary event that takes place from late September until early October every year in Munich, Germany. It is an event where Germans from across the country gather in one of 14 tents, and spend all day drinking beer and consuming popular German dishes such as sauerkraut and sausages. It is a fantastic drunken celebration, where people from all around the world get drunk and have fun together.This year’s dates (2007): Sept 22 – Oct 7
Costs: Estimated cost for a liter of beer this year is 8 Euros.
More info: www.oktoberfest.de/en/
Photo: www.oktoberfest.de/en/10/galerie.php?date=060929_hofmann01&img=9
Fiesta of San Fermin – (Pamplona, Spain)
The Fiesta of San Fermin is a truly unique Spanish event unlike any other in the world. For 9 days the city of Pamplona puts on an incredible party, enjoying a street carnival during the day, liter after liter of sangria at night, and of course a daily run with the bulls every morning at 8am.Event dates (every year): July 6 – July 14
Costs: Free
More info: www.sanfermin.com
Calgary Stampede – (Calgary, Canada)
The Calgary Stampede, the world’s largest rodeo, how can you even think about missing that!? Let’s face it, it’s fun to dress up like a cowboy and drink beer all day long while screaming “Yee-Haw” at a rodeo or country music concert. Other events include horse racing, casino games, a poker tournament, a street fair, and chuck wagon racing.Event dates (every year): July 6 – July 15
Costs: Events such as the rodeo, chuck wagon races, and evening shows all require tickets which range from $23-$30 per person, and up.
More info: www.calgarystampede.com
Carnival in Salvador da Bahia – (Salvador, Brazil)
It’s no surprise to have the biggest party in the world on this list, Carnival. However, you may be surprised by the location, no the best Carnival is NOT in Rio de Janeiro, it’s in Salvador. The Rio celebration has become extremely touristy over the past 15 years. A much more genuine celebration where Brazilians and foreigners alike come to share in the non-stop high energy atmosphere and party until the sun comes up is in Salvador da Bahia!Event dates (2008): February 2 – February 5
Costs: The event itself is free to attend (though everything else can get quite expensive as prices rise for the season).
More info: www.carnaval.salvador.ba.gov.br
Ati-Atihan – (Philippines)
Ati-Atihan is the Filipino celebration of the Santo Niño or the Christ Child. It features an amazing Carnival-style street parade, as well as full days of drinking and nights of partying to the beat of Filipino drums. A true party, South Pacific style.Event dates (every year): The culmination of the festival is the 3rd Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of January.
Costs: Free
More info: www.ati-atihan.net
Photo: www.ati-atihan.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=116
Holi – (India)
Perhaps the most colorful festival in the world, Holi is a Hindu celebration celebrated mainly in the North of India. Every year, in early Spring, Indians spend Holi dowsing one another with colored powders, dyes, water, or just plain old mud. Nobody is safe, and everyone has fun and gets involved. Many even indulge in a little Bhang (chewy balls made from cannibis leaves) during the festival. Most experts claim that Mathura features the biggest Holi party, though every community has its own unique version.Event dates (every year): February or March (exact dates depend on the Hindu calendar)
Costs: Free
More info: holifestival.org
Las Fallas – (Valencia, Spain)
Las Fallas is a 7 day festival held in Valencia, Spain to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day. At night, hundreds of thousands of people gather in the streets to watch amazing pyro-technic displays, as huge, fire-cracker filled, monuments go up in flames in front of everyone’s eyes. Absolutely amazing to see 300 ft. tall Michael Jackson burst into flames right in front of you! Then, of course, we couldn’t call it a Spanish party if it wasn’t followed by a night of sangria and dancing until dawn!Event dates (every year): March 12 – March 19
Costs: Free
More info:
Photo: Flickr.com/photos/azugaldia
Daytona 500 – (Daytona Beach, USA)
Say what you will about NASCAR and its fans, but they sure as hell get excited about watching those cars go around in circles, and put on one hell of a party because of it. NASCAR is all about pounding back Budweisers, tailgating, and hooting and hollering for your favorite drivers, and the Daytona 500 is the Super Bowl of NASCAR events. It’s a crowd unlike any you will find anywhere else on the globe, and it’s an ‘elluva good time!*This entry was inspired by Maxim’s Top 10 Best Parties in the World.
Event date (2008): February 17 (this will be the 50th running of the Daytona 500)
Costs: Race tickets start at $99.
More info: DaytonaSpeedway.com
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