James AquinoLet’s face it, travel plans are not easy to make. And choosing the best places to visit on the month you are available is even a greater challenge. Fret not! I’ve just made a list of exciting world festivals you can look forward to in the last quarter of 2016. Now, you’ve got the perfect excuse to travel before the year ends!
Also read: 14 Bizarre, Almost Freakish Festivals in Asia You Have to Experience
September
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Enjoy the opportunity to experience something different and authentically Chinese. Attend the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Mooncake Festival, in China. This harvest festival is the best reason to eat those sweet cakes. Held during the full moon on the month of September, this tradition is an observance of the transitions of the seasons.
Image credit: Jon Mountjoy
If mooncakes do not tickle your taste buds, head off to Castello, Venice, Italy where Regata Storica takes place in September. This parade of boats, decorated in 16th century style and powered by crews in period costumes, is mesmerizing to watch.
Image credit: Sebastianblakehoward
Food and music come together at a street party in Brooklyn, New York. The city’s biggest festival, Atlantic Antic, has remained a well-kept secret. This celebration of multiculturalism stretches out along Atlantic Avenue, and transforms into a 2.5 km bazaar.
October
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Oktoberfest is celebrated worldwide, but pack your bags and head off to Munich to experience the true spirit of Oktoberfest. Attend the fair and take down one mug of beer at a time until your heart is content. The greatest excuse to drink and be merry is this celebration of beer, beer, and more beer.
Once done with the beer drinking, fly to India and experience the beautiful Diwali celebrations. Cast off the bad energy, and let thousands of lights guide you to your next destination. Don’t forget to buy some homemade sweets that you can eat along the way.
Image credit: Clinton & Charles Robertson
Swing by Texas in the United States to attend the Texas Renaissance Festival. Watch as men on horseback joust with each other for the win, just like the 16th century knights. This festival has eight different themed weekends. Take your pick, nothing will disappoint as this festival has been voted to be among the top 5 Renaissance Fairs in the US.
November
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Kick off the month in Mexico, and attend the Dia De Los Muertos. This parade aims at paying respect to the dearly departed and acknowledging that death is part of the life cycle.Participants have their faces beautifully painted to look like skulls, and they wear the most colourful clothes that are adorned with flowers. Live art installations and costumed processions are just a few of the things to see during the festivities.
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Once done paying respects to the dead in Mexico, grab some sky lanterns and head off to Thailand. Loi Krathong is one of the biggest festivals in the country. Wishes of good health and whispers of good fortune float away with the krathongs (small floating ornaments with candles or incense) on the river, and sky lanterns are lit to fly away into the night sky.
December
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This is the best time of the year to spend with your family, but when wanderlust takes over, go to Guatemala and start the month right by burning the devil. La Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil) gives you high marks ahead of Christmas. As a prelude to Christmas, Guatemalans clean their homes, and on the 7th of December, the trash is thrown out to be burned, with an effigy of the devil on top.
Image credit: kwaito
Burning the devil takes so much energy, so chocolate is a must. Go to Geneva where they have a festival for eating chocolates called L’Escalade. Chocolate cauldrons are smashed, and the sweet pieces are gathered and eaten. This provides a great excuse to indulge in chocolate.
Image credit: Robbie Shade
At the end the year, head to Edinburgh, Scotland, and celebrate Hogmanay, which is their own New Year festival. Here, people walk the streets and knock on people’s doors to wish them a “good year.” This is merry making at its finest, with concerts and festivities aplenty.
Also read: 5 Happiest Festivals in the World
There are a hundred and one more reasons to travel before 2016 ends; these cool festivals are just some of them. Take your bag, book a ticket, and off you go!
