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Chinese New Year, January, Hong Kong,
China The most important festival in Hong Kong is celebrated with more fun and
vitality than anywhere else in the world. The vibrant International Chinese New
Year Parade draws people from around the world and fills the streets with a dizzying
mix of musicians, performers, and colorful floats. Afterward, the annual Chinese
New Year fireworks extravaganza raises the level of excitement and lights up the
sky!
The Spring Festival, January,
Shanghai, China This festival ranks as China's largest national celebration. Shanghai
completely shuts down for nonstop street parties and dragon parades culminating
in a dazzling fireworks show.
Mardi Gras,
February - March, New Orleans, Louisiana Mardi Gras is a multi-day series of parades
with music, dancing, costumes, floats, and colorful excitement culminating on
Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Family-friendly
parades are held on various streets throughout New Orleans, but for more wild-and-crazy
activities, the center of your action will be Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.
Carnevale, March, Venice, Italy The
last 10 days before Ash Wednesday. The greatest of all events in Venice, and perhaps
in Europe is Carnevale, Venice's answer to New Orleans' Mardi Gras. Carnevale
traditionally marked the all-out period of fun before the period of abstinence,
which starts at Lent and ends with Easter. Everyone dresses in costumes, from
the waiter at your restaurant to groups of friends laughing and cajoling as they
stroll down the street. There are masked balls, concerts, and fireworks throughout
the week.
St. Patrick's Day, March
17, Dublin, Ireland Over half a million people line the streets to celebrate the
patron Saint of Ireland. Parades, parties, and everything shamrock pay homage
to the man credited with driving the snakes out of Ireland and converting its
pagan population to Christianity.
Equinox at
Chichén Itzá, Spring and Autumn Solstice, Cancún, Mexico Visitors gather
at the Mayan Pyramid of Kukulcán at Chichén Itzá to see the decent of the serpent
deity, Kukulcán. History has it that the Maya constructed the temple in such a
way that during the equinox, a beam of sunlight creates a shadow moving down toward
the earth resembling a snake.
Independence Day,
July 4, Washington, D.C. Don't miss the parade, with more than 100 marching units
stepping out at noon along Constitution Avenue. When that's over, popular music
groups entertain from mid-afternoon until the fireworks.
Running
of the Bulls, July 7-14, Pamplona, Spain At the Fiesta of San Fermin
every morning at eight, a group of bulls are released from a pen and led toward
the bullring in Pamplona. Many revelers try to prove their bravery by taking part
in leading the bulls into the bullring by running with them. Raucous celebrations
continue to all hours of the night, and begin anew with the next days running
of the bulls.
Oktoberfest, September
18 - October 3, Munich, Germany Since the wedding of Prince Ludwig was such a
good time, Münchners have been attending the "biggest keg party in the world"
every year since 1810. Oxen are roasted and over 750,000 kegs of beer are tapped
to the sounds of oompah-pah music. Don't let the name fool you, Oktoberfest starts
on a Saturday in September and ends 16 days later on the first Sunday in October.
Deepavali, October or November, Singapore,
Singapore A colorful festival that is celebrated by all Hindus worldwide. Also
known as the Festival of Lights. The Hindus consider Deepavali as one of the most
important festivals to celebrate.
Thanksgiving
Day, 4th Thursday in November, New York, New York From 9 am to noon
on Thanksgiving, a procession of floats and huge cartoon character balloons marches
down to Macy's in this family favorite.
Christmas
Markets, November - December, Frankfurt, Germany Frankfurt's Christmas
Markets generally open before the first Advent and close two or three days before
December 24, so join in the festivities of "Christkindchesmarkt" (meaning Christ
Child Market) for all of your holiday shopping. Purchase traditional gifts such
as a Quetschenmannchen (prune man) for your sweetie, or delight your children
with toys this holiday season. In addition, other Christmas markets can be found
in smaller towns all over Germany.
Junkanoo,
December 26, Nassau, Bahamas A spectacular parade of elaborately costumed dancers
dancing to the sounds of cowbells and drums. Some of the costumes can cost thousands
of dollars. It is often compared to Mardi Gras or Carnival. The best place to
see the celebration is on Bay Street, preferably in one of the bleachers set up
for the occasion.
New Years Eve, December
31, Las Vegas, Nevada New Year's celebrations will be going on all over the United
States, but true to Las Vegas style, this party is completely over the top. The
Las Vegas casinos and resorts pull out all the stops to make your New Years Eve
one to remember. Indulge in a multitude of activities and nonstop parties to ring
in the new year. More
travel tips:
Shop
till you drop
What vacation personality
are you?
Traveling with
family and what to do before leaving on vacation
Packing
tips
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