By Gladys Mutie
One of the beauties of travel is the number of limitless things you can do. Nothing stops you from doing the simplest things, like traveling to a nearby city for lunch or going over the top. I consider festivals to be one of those over-the-top activities because you get to dress up –in most cases –and meet many people. Before we proceed, I would like to emphasize that festivals are generally massive gatherings where people come together to celebrate different cultures. Therefore, prepare yourself to see and interact with people. Some people might prefer quieter options, like me (I am an introvert), but experiencing these events once in a while is worth it. After all, this is why most festivals only take place once a year. Festivals are also great because they take place over a span of days, weeks, and even months, making it easy to plan around them. Let us explore the top five festivals that should be on your bucket list:
1. Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held in Munich. Its origins can be traced to the 19th century when it began as a celebration of King Louis I (then the crown prince of Bavaria) marrying Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Today, people come together to drink beer and eat different foods such as sausages, roast chicken, fish on a stick, pretzels, etc. When you attend the festival, be prepared to enjoy yourself, experience new music, dance, and, of course, a lot of beer wagons and floats.
Date: Late September to early October
Dress Code: Traditional Bavarian clothes and Folk Costumes
Budget: Free entry, but of course, you will spend money on food, drinks and other items. $70-$100 a day will suffice. For tourists traveling to the region, it can cost $3000-$3500 during the entire period, considering accommodation and other costs.
Attendance: Approximately 6 million people attend Oktoberfest over a span of 16 days.
Jacqueline Macou
2. Edinburgh Fringe Festival – Edinburgh, Scotland
It is the world’s largest performance arts festival and spans more than three weeks. The festival was founded in 1947 after World War II to reunite people through art. Many live performances, ranging from musicals, opera, circus, comedy, plays, dance, etc, take place during the festival. The beauty of the festival is that any individual can perform since it has an open-access model that grants people the freedom to express themselves. Imagine attending an event where you get to experience such diverse talent. You also get to try out new foods and other activities. You can plan your itinerary by going through their website or walking around and finding shows that interest you.
Date: August
Dress Code: Any outfit of your choosing.
Budget: Approximately $100 per day. For tourists, it costs around $3000 considering accommodation and other fees.
Attendance: Around 400,000 people attend the festival but approximately 3 million people visit Edinburgh during this period.
Luxstorm
3. Crop Over Festival – Barbados
I am sure that if you use social media, you have come across an image of a person wearing an intriguing outfit covered in feathers at a Carribean Festival. My first experience was with Rihanna in 2011. She wore a two-piece set embellished with gold and a headpiece that matched it. The outfit captivated me, and I wanted to know what the event was. Over the years, I was invested in every outfit she wore to the festival. That’s how I came to know about Crop Over. Anyway, enough about Rihanna and her outfits. If I start talking about her and fashion, I might end up writing a novel. So, back to the festival. It is the most popular festival in Barbados, traced back to the 18th century when people celebrated to mark the end of the sugarcane harvest on plantations. Today, it is a cultural event whereby people come together to celebrate the Barbadian culture through music, arts, cuisine, partying, festivities, etc.
Date: Late July to early August
Dress Code: Bright-colored costumes, feathers, gem ensembles, dazzling headpieces (you get the picture).
Budget: Approximately $100 per day. For tourists, it can cost about $3000 over a two-week stay.
Attendance: More than 100,000 people
4. The Gion Matsuri Festival – Kyoto, Japan
The festival, otherwise known as the Festival of the Yakasa Shrine, is Japan’s biggest festival. It can be traced back to the year 869 as a means to appease the gods during an epidemic. People gather to receive blessings and pacify themselves from disease-causing entities. It takes place over the entire month of July and has two processions. One of the most fascinating things about this event is the big floats, with some weighing up to 12 tons. The event in itself is beautiful, with a procession that celebrates the culture. People also get to interact and enjoy themselves well into the night.
Date: July
Dress Code: Kimono, Yukata, and other traditional Japanese outfits.
Budget: Around $100 a day and approximately $2,500 for tourists for a week or two, depending on your accommodation.
Attendance: Around 300,000 people
5. Carnival – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Carnival is an event that marks the end of one season while commemorating the beginning of another. It takes place before Lent season. People fast during Lent season and avoid eating many foods. The Carnival Festival involves people enjoying different types of food and entertainment before they begin their fast. You will enjoy parades, partying, and different forms of entertainment. The festival is very merry, and you are guaranteed to have a great time.
Date: February
Dress Code: Costume that matches the local Cariocas, but you can also wear what you want.
Budget: Around $800-$1,000 per week.
Attendance: 2 million per day, 46 million during the entire period.
When you intend to attend a festival, you should plan and book early to avoid last-minute price hikes. That’s why we are here. Contact us to plan a trip for the festival you desire. Booking with us will ensure you have a seamless and well-organized stay.
What other festivals around the world can I attend?
Some other festivals you can attend include Coachella, Lollapalooza, Tomorrowland, Saint Patrick’s Day Festival, and The Sziget Festival.
I am an introvert. What should I do if I want to attend a festival?
Festivals might be tricky and scary for introverts because they have large crowds. However, do not be afraid because the experience will be worth your while. All you need to do is look forward to having fun and find a friend or someone you trust to attend the festival with. If not, fear not, I am sure that you will still meet other people and enjoy yourself.
Which festivals have the highest attendance in the world?
Kumbh Mela in India, Carnival, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, and Oktoberfest (not in order).