The diversity of cultures around the world is vividly reflected in unique and unusual festivals that take place throughout the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
1. Dinagyang Festival occurs in the first month of the year and is highlighted by the Ati-Atihan Tribal Competition on the fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo City, Philippines. This religious festival honors the Santo Niño and celebrates the return of the Panay people who settled in Malaysia. A festival launch takes place in mid-October of the previous year. Participants showcase impressive dances with colorful tribal costumes and prominent props to depict religious and social cultural scenes that illustrate life in Panay.
2. Rocket War Festival is an annual event held during Easter on Chios Island, Greece. Here, two churches from rival parishes, Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani, located on opposite hillsides, launch thousands of homemade rockets at each other’s bell towers. The rockets are wooden sticks filled with an explosive mixture of charcoal, nitrogen, and sulfur. As the church bells signal the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the sky fills with colorful sparks and the sound of thousands of rockets.
3. Jaisalmer Desert Festival is one of the most famous and colorful cultural events in Rajasthan, India, attracting visitors from all over the world. This event takes place around February and features stunning performances of folk music, dance, magic shows, acrobatics, puppetry, and martial arts. The festival vividly showcases local culture and traditions.
4. Madeira Flower Festival occurs in April or May, four weeks after Easter, during the blooming season in Portugal. Madeira has the perfect climate for flowers to blossom vibrantly. The island is chosen as the venue for this festival, symbolizing the offering to spring. During the festival, exhibitions are held, markets open, and colorful flower carpets are created; parades are organized, and flowers are attached to the Wall of Hope, symbolizing a call for peace in the world.
5. Cheung Chau Bun Festival: In this traditional Chinese festival, participants compete to climb a bun tower to reach the highest bun, hoping to bring them the best fortune. This festival dates back to the 18th century and marks the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, coinciding with the celebration of Buddha’s birthday.
6. White Night Festival celebrates the phenomenon of the sun remaining visible near midnight due to its position close to the Arctic Circle. This festival is held annually in Saint Petersburg, Russia, starting from June 12 and ending on July 2. Each year, from around April 21 to August 21, the sky here only transitions to twilight and never completely darkens.
7. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held in the fall in the state of New Mexico (USA) with the participation of many pilots and flight teams from around the world. During the first nine days of October, hundreds of colorful hot air balloons float above the city every morning as dawn breaks over the Sandia Mountains. It is no surprise that this visual feast is considered the most photographed event in the world.
8. Kukur Tihar Festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nepal. This is a Hindu festival that takes place in October or November each year. On this special day, prayers are offered to the god of death, Yama, and dogs are worshiped as they are considered his messengers. The dogs are bathed, adorned, and draped with garlands. They are also provided with milk and meat to appease the god Yama.
9. Els Enfarinats Festival takes place on December 28 in Ibi, Alicante, Spain, with a tradition that dates back 200 years. Here, people do not fight each other with swords or guns but with flour and eggs. This festival is also considered a Spanish version of April Fool’s Day.
