Lonely Planet - 50 Festivals To Blow Your Mind

Introduction

Theres something about festivals, be it a giant, joyous party or a respectful honouring of tradition; a seemingly bizarre adherence to ritual or a celebration of a quirky obsession; its a uniquely human thing to be involved in. We like to get together to dance, sing, eat, laugh, drink, dress up, light fires, take our clothes off, throw tomatoes at each other, roll around in mud just about anything really, but we seem to like doing it in really large groups with bags and bags of enthusiasm.

Why is it that we behave in this way? Because were pleasure seekers? Because were obsessives? We think its because festivals are a life-affirming example of the inherent goodness in humanity. They take our desire to have a good time with our friends to a global level.

They kick-start because of our passions and our wish to spread and share our joy with as many other people as possible. But they continue and thrive because they ignite curiosity and go on to promote understanding, compassion and a greater acceptance of the human race, and all the crazy fun and fervour that comes with it.

PRISMA BILDAGENTUR AG ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

All action

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, USA

www.balloonfiesta.com;
first week of october.

What are we talking here? party balloons?

If you go in expecting something like that, then you are going to be totally blown away (pun intended). This annual fiesta in New Mexico is the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world, with more than 500 of these spectacular aircrafts taking to the skies for nine days each October.

The sky looks magical.

The sight of enormous balloons floating serenely through the New Mexico skies in all their kaleidoscopic colour is breathtaking. Keep your eyes peeled for the quirky and unusually shaped balloons theres nothing quite like seeing a skyscraper-sized turtle floating overhead.

Can we JUMP on board and get a view from up high?

While the festival is flooded with hardcore enthusiasts and serious professional balloonists who compete in races and other exhibition events, its also open to curious onlookers. Its possible to walk around the field while the balloons are being lit and inflated, and book a ride on one also. Get in early though, as rides in the balloons sell out fast.

BILL HEINSOHN GETTY IMAGES

Argungu Fishing Festival, Kebbi, Nigeria

mid March (depending on water levels)

Were a bit sceptical as to how exciting fishing can be.

Well, let these West African fishermen show you a thing or two.

Where are the rods?

Exactly. This is where it gets interesting. The festival centres around a competition where approximately 35,000 fishermen wade into the water with hand nets and try to outdo each other by grabbing the biggest fish they can see. Fishermen can work in pairs, but they must catch their fish by hand. There was once a winner who dragged an 80-kilo catfish ashore. Not as boring as you first thought, right?

No, this is not what we expected.

The whole thing started over 80 years ago as a peace-making exercise between the Argungu people and their neighbours from Sokoto. It has grown to be one of the most popular festivals in West Africa, drawing in massive numbers for the fun and the spectacle. Oh, and it might also have something to do with the prizes. The lucky winner takes home around US$8000 and a new minibus. Not bad for a days work.

EPA EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY B.V. ALAMY

Holi, India and Nepal

www.holifestival.org;
end of February or early March.

Cant you narrow down the location for us a bit more?

Holi, or the Festival of Colour, as it has come to be known, is primarily a Hindu festival and its celebrated with wild parties and crazy colour fights all over India and Nepal in areas with large Hindu populations. Youll know youve found one when you spot the revellers who look like theyve walked through a rainbow waterfall.

A colour fight?

Holi is a celebration of the victory of ones inner good over evil but has basically become a frolicking free-for-all involving coloured powder and water. In a joyous and raucous street fight, participants throw powder and water at each other using the bright, exuberant colours to signify the start of spring, the power of love, and the generosity of humanity.

Sounds like some seriously messy fun.

Just try to resist the truly jubilant spirit of the festival everyone, and we mean everyone, comes together to play, laugh, forgive and give thanks. Whats not to like?

PORAS CHAUDHARY GETTY IMAGES

Las Bolas de Fuego, Nejapa, San Salvador, El Salvador

31 August.

We cant help but notice that taking part in this festival looks decidedly dangerous.

There are some local festivities that we recommend you observe from a safe distance; if the balls of fire shooting back and forth, inches from participants faces, hadnt already tipped you off, let us say keep back, right back.

You dont have to tell us twice.

What looks like an out-of-control street fight to the uninitiated is actually an established tradition for the people of Nejapa. In 1922 the town was threatened by the eruption of a nearby volcano, and as the volcano emitted flaming rocks, the townspeople interpreted it as their patron saint Jeronimo fighting the devil to save their homes. As a gesture of gratitude, the battle is now recreated in the streets each year with rival groups (usually exclusively young men) facing off and throwing fire at one another.

Thats certainly an interesting way to say thanks.

Despite the obvious health hazards there are surprisingly few injuries each year. That said, the sidelines are still the best place to be while the flames are going down.

REUTERS / Alamy

Rouketopolemos (Rocket War), Vrontados, Chios, Greece

www.rocketwar.com;
March or April (Easter).

Easter celebrations in Greece can get pretty large, or so weve heard.

It may well have been the Rocket War on the Greek Island of Chios that youve heard ringing in this important date on the Christian calendar.

Rocket War doesnt sound like your typical Easter celebration.

The story goes something along the lines of a traditional rivalry between two places of worship, and their respective congregations deciding to settle their differences by firing cannons at one another from opposing hilltops all very Christian-spirited, right? Over the years it was sensibly decided that firing actual cannons was a tad too dangerous and the practice became what it is today. A massive display of large bottle rockets careening across the sky, the object of which is to hit the opposing churchs belltower.