Celebrations And Festivals Around The World

Chinese New Year – New York – United States

During the month

The first full moon following January 21 kicks off the festivities: processions of colorful silk dragons, fireworks, drums and dances… A short visit in Chinatown is a must!

Lunar New Year – Tet Festival – – Vietnam
Between January 20 and February 10
The Tet holiday has become so familiar and so sacred, that when spring comes, wherever they are, all Vietnamese people get excited about the arrival of Tet. Tet begins on the first day of the first lunar month (end of January – beginning of February), and is the first season of the new year (according to the lunar calendar). We therefore speak of Têt Nguyên Dan, which means “Feast of the first day” or Têt Tam Nguyên, the “Feast of the first three days”. The Lunar New Year is above all a family celebration. This is an opportunity for the household geniuses to come together, that is to say those who have supported the family throughout the year, the household God, the Earth Genius and the from the kitchen. According to this legend, every year, on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, the Kitchen God flies on a carp to the Heavenly Palace to report on the family’s domestic affairs, then returns on the 30th day of the 12th month to welcome spring. Têt is also an opportunity to welcome deceased ancestors for a family celebration with their descendants. This centuries-old tradition has become sacred. Therefore wherever they are and whatever the circumstances, family members find a way to return to reunite with their loved ones. Tet is a very important event and travelers will be delighted to experience these festivities in the company of the Vietnamese population. Better to find out the exact date as it changes every year. then returns on the 30th day of the 12th month to welcome spring. Têt is also an opportunity to welcome deceased ancestors for a family celebration with their descendants. This centuries-old tradition has become sacred. Therefore wherever they are and whatever the circumstances, family members find a way to return to reunite with their loved ones. Tet is a very important event and travelers will be delighted to experience these festivities in the company of the Vietnamese population. Better to find out the exact date as it changes every year. then returns on the 30th day of the 12th month to welcome spring. Têt is also an opportunity to welcome deceased ancestors for a family celebration with their descendants. This centuries-old tradition has become sacred. Therefore wherever they are and whatever the circumstances, family members find a way to return to reunite with their loved ones. Tet is a very important event and travelers will be delighted to experience these festivities in the company of the Vietnamese population. Better to find out the exact date as it changes every year. Therefore wherever they are and whatever the circumstances, family members find a way to return to reunite with their loved ones. Tet is a very important event and travelers will be delighted to experience these festivities in the company of the Vietnamese population. Better to find out the exact date as it changes every year. Therefore wherever they are and whatever the circumstances, family members find a way to return to reunite with their loved ones. Tet is a very important event and travelers will be delighted to experience these festivities in the company of the Vietnamese population. Better to find out the exact date as it changes every year.

Festival – Agrigento – Italy

Between February 01 and February 15
Festival of music, dance with costumes and fireworks.

Flower Festival – Chang Maï – Thailand

Between February 6th and February 8th
Parade of floats and flower boats, flower competitions, exhibitions…

Carnival – Pattaya – Thailand

Between February 13 and February 15
fireworks, parades, colors, and mixed population for these 2 days of celebration, in which Chinese, Japanese, Australians, Singaporeans and Thais participate.

Carnival celebrations – Cadiz – Spain

Between February 17 and February 28
It is a popular carnival: the groups that are generally the most successful are the “chirigotas ilegales” (satirical groups), which play in the middle of the street to entertain passers-by. The choirs parade on floats and sing Andalusian burlesque songs, popular songs and medleys; then come the “comparsas” (groups of people in costume), on foot; the “chirigotas” are similar to the “comparsas” but with more comedy in words and gestures; and quartets accompanied by whistles and percussion.

Traditional – Cuzco – Peru
February 19

Langui and Layo replay old war games. They are dressed traditionally, and fight with slingshots.

 

Carnival of Mohacs – Budapest – Hungary

Between February 19 and February 24
This carnival is made of folk dances, banquets, balls, wine tasting, cultural events and masks of the Busojaras

Spring Festival – South (Mount Ba Den) – Vietnam

Between February 23 and April 21
Mount Nui Ba is also called Mount of Lady Den after the devout daughter of a guard officer. She is said to have fled her father’s house to escape marriage; she would have gone to the mountain, where she died, in order to become a monk. The Nguyen dynasty erected a bronze statue in her honor and named her Saint Linh Son. During the first two lunar months, pilgrims from Ho Chi Minh City and other southern provinces visit Lady Den Mountain. Pilgrims and tourists must climb half the mountain before entering Linh Son Temple. Visitors can taste vegetarian dishes in exchange for a few donations. They can also stay in the pagoda for a few days; the monks have a reputation for being well take care of their visitors. Another temple is on top of the mountain. It offers a splendid view of Dau Tieng Lake.

Shrove Tuesday – All over the country – Iceland

Between February 23 and February 25
Before Lent, we feast on cream puffs on “Cabbage Monday” and fill our stomachs with pea soup and salted mutton on Tuesday bold. On Ash Wednesday, costumed children roam the streets and sing for candy.

Wrestling Competition in Lieu Doi (North of Vietnam) – North – Vietnam

Between February 24th and February 29th
The traditional wrestling festival in Lieu Doi, Thanh Liem district of Ha Nam province, is held on the fifth day of the first lunar month. The festivities are in honor of a young man who is said to have defeated the Chinese invaders with a magic sword found on a piece of red cloth. Since then, he has been the wrestling king for the villagers of Lieu Doi. The celebration begins with a procession that enters the arena where the wrestling matches take place. Then, the master of ceremonies lights a torch and gives Thanh Ong’s sacred sword and a piece of red cloth to a village wrestler. The wrestlers compete for five rounds. The festival ends with a dance of the flags;

 

Dong Da Festival – North (Hanoi) – Vietnam

February 24
Dong Da Festival is held on the fifth day of every Lunar New Year in Dong Da district of Hanoi. It was at Dong Da that Emperor Quang Trung defeated 290,000 Quing invaders two centuries earlier. The festivities begin with the sacrifice ceremony at the Khuong Thuong communal house. Then, a procession leads Quang Trung’s palanquin from the communal house to Dong Da temple. The most spectacular part of the celebrations is the dragon dance. Young men move the dragon of paper and fabric at the end of their arms. Other young men follow the dragon doing martial arts and simulating the historic battle.

Perfume Pagoda Festival – North – Vietnam

Between February 25th and May 06th
Huong Pagoda, also called Perfume Pagoda, is located in Huong Son district in Ha Tay province, 70 km from Hanoi. Although the festival officially takes place on the fifteenth day of the second lunar month, visitors flock to the site from the fifteenth day of the first lunar month until the fifteenth day of the third lunar month. Pilgrims can enter pagodas, temples and caves. Some also take the opportunity to admire the splendid landscapes of the surroundings.

Co Loa Festival – North (near Hanoi) – Vietnam

Between February 25 and March 06
The twelve villages of Co Loa in the Dong Anh district of Hanoi, gather annually between the sixth and sixteenth day of the first lunar month. During this festival, dignitaries and residents of each village take part in processions and ceremonies in honor of King An Duong Vuong. The marching band leads the procession followed by dignitaries and villagers carrying offerings for the king. On both sides of An Duong Vuong temple, two stone horses, one red and one white, have their hooves engraved. When the procession arrives at the temple, the villagers place the offerings in front of the altar. Participants take part in a religious ceremony until noon. There is then another procession in honor of the king. Dignitaries and villagers carry flags and palanquins to the rhythm of the marching band. Once at the Trong Thuy well and at the gates of the village, the participants stop for a few fireworks. They then continue the festivities to their villages. Games such as chess and cards are popular activities. Games for children include wrestling and cockfighting, martial arts, flag dancing and rice cooking competitions. Games such as chess and cards are popular activities. Games for children include wrestling and cockfighting, martial arts, flag dancing and rice cooking competitions. Games such as chess and cards are popular activities. Games for children include wrestling and cockfighting, martial arts, flag dancing and rice cooking competitions.

Trieu Khuc Festival (North Vietnam) – North – Vietnam

Between February 29 and March 02
The Trieu Khuc festival, in the Thanh Tri district of Hanoi, takes place annually between the tenth and twelfth day of the first lunar month to celebrate the tutelary genius Phung Hung. The festivities begin with the rhythm of the traditional bong dance which pays homage to the spirits of the village. Then there is the impressive dragon dance which ends in the courtyard of the temple. The dragon dance is usually followed by the lion dance. Finally, the flag race closes the festival. This last portion recalls the army of brave warriors of Phung Hung.

Firewalking – All over the country – Mauritius

Between December 15 and February 15
Tamil ceremony. After 10 days of purification through abstinence, meditation and prayer, the penitents go to the temple and walk slowly through a brazier of coals, then dip their feet in milk to soothe the heat.

Cavadee All the landalign=Cavadee – Whole country – Mauritius

Between January 01 and February 01
Tamil festival. Devotees in a trance, their bodies pierced with needles, their tongues and cheeks pierced with pins, must walk to a temple to lay the “Cavadee” at the feet of the deity. It is a wooden arch covered with flowers which has a jug of milk at its base.

Chinese New Year – San Francisco – usa

Between January 17th and February 8th
Parades, Miss Chinatown election, festivities…

Snow Festival – Kiruna – Sweden

Between January 20 and February 10
The biggest in Europe. Ice sculptures, dog sledding, reindeer races, all under the Northern Lights!!

Spring Festival/Chinese New Year – All over the country – Mauritius

Between February 01 and February 15
Illuminated houses, dominant red color, firecrackers to chase away evil spirits, candles, prayers, and the most hearty meal of the year for the island’s Chinese community, which has many other followers by involving Christians and Muslims in their costumed parades and other dragon dances…

Navam – Colombo – Sri Lanka

Between February 01 and February 28
The full moon day which commemorates the appointment of the two main disciples of Buddha in pre-Christian times. A colorful perahera takes place on the shores of Lake Gangaramaya, in front of the temple of the same name. Dancers and elephants are there.

Shwedagon Festival – Nationwide – Burma

During the month
The biggest paya pwe or “pagoda festival”. At the same time, the Water Festival is held: the three days of Thingyan mark the beginning of the Burmese New Year. We throw buckets of water on everything that moves and we place leaves and flowers in front of the houses to welcome Thagyamin, the king of the nats.

Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria – Puno – Peru

Between February 01 and February 08
Big Folk Festival with Carnival.

Mardi gras – Main cities – Ecuador

Between February 01 and February 28
Carnivals very colorful, and very watered.

His Sartiglia. – Oristano – Italy

Between February 01 and February 28

Sheep festival or sacrifice festival – The whole country – Turkey

Between February 01 and February 22
Approximate date: 2 and a half months after the sugar festival. It commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham who, getting ready to offer his son to God, saw approaching him at the last minute a ram “sent from heaven”, which allowed him to spare his son.

Arts of Pacific Asia Show – San Francisco – usa

Between February 01 and February 28
Antiques and art from Asia and the Pacific.

Candlemas Day – All the country – Mexico
February 2

Parties, parades and bullfights in the streets decorated with lanterns.

European Figure Skating Championships – Budapest – Hungary

Between February 2nd and February 8th
Ten after a first selection, Budapest has this year again the honor of organizing this international skating event.

Carnival – Valletta – Malta

Between February 3rd and February 8th
The carnival in Malta is one of the oldest in Europe. The first took place in 1535. Today, the carnival is a real institution, with its giant papier-mâché floats, its brass bands, its costumed dancers and its unmistakable “King Carnival”, a joyful and colorful character. Fireworks are used extensively for a rhythmic party that does not run out of steam all week…

Large winter market – Jokkmokk, in the Sami region – Sweden

Between February 5th and February 7th
Crafts, cooking, traditional Sami (“Lapp”) objects.

Constitution Day – All over the country, especially Cozumel, Veracruz and Mazatlan – Mexico

February 05
Carnivals and parties are organized in the seaside resorts.

Snow Festival – Sapporo – Japan

Between February 05 and February 11
Dozens of ice sculptures are erected in the center of the city.

Miners’ Festival Oruro and Potosí.align=Miners’ Festival – Oruro and Potosí. – Bolivia

February 10

Festival du voyageur – Winnipeg – Canada

Between February 11 and February 20

Maha Shivaratree (La grande nuit de Shiva) Grand Bassinalign=Maha Shivaratree (The Great Night of Shiva) – Grand Bassin – Mauritius

Between February 15 and March 15
This Hindu festival is celebrated on the moonless day of the month of phalguna (lunar calendar). During the 10 days preceding the Great Night, the faithful refrain from eating meat, drinking alcohol, and remain chaste. During this period, they go on a pilgrimage to the sacred lake of Grand Bassin located in the center-south of the island, all dressed in white and carrying Kanwars (miniature temples of decorated and flowered bamboo) on their backs. Once there, believers rest and pray around the lake, also called Ganga Talao. The way back is made with a Lota (small copper vase) filled with sacred water to bring back to the village. The procession is grandiose: 500,000 Hindus take part in it every year in Mauritius!

Montréal en lumière – Montréal – Canada

Between February 17 and February 27
Gastronomy, music, theatre, dance, visual art exhibitions, entertainment on a magical and playful outdoor site, and a whole enchantment of lights over the city.