Global Festivals You Should Experience At Least Once In Your Lifetime

Must-See Global Festivals To Experience At Least Once In Your Lifetime

Festivals are a part of a group of people's cultural and historical life. Each festival is important and linked with a myriad of traditions and rituals. Irrespective of the extent of the celebration, one or another festival is celebrated by every group of people worldwide. All festivals have some embarking journey of their own. Visiting these festivals is a fun activity that helps us learn about the different traditions and cultures. You can also become a part of some of the great festivals celebrated around the different parts of the world. Though innumerable festivals are celebrated all across the globe, you can learn about some of the global festivals that you must attend at least once in your lifetime, about which you can learn in the provided article.

Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

• When celebrated- Close to Papua New Guinea's Independence Day (16 September)
• Where celebrated- Goroka Town, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
• Historical link of the festival- The staging of the Gorokha Show was first conducted in 1957 by Australian patrol officers, who were locally known as 'kiaps'. 
• Cultural celebration- It is Papua New Guinea's longest-running annual cultural festival. 
  • Over 100 indigenous tribes gathered for three days in a kaleidoscope of color, culture, and music to showcase their unique traditions.
  • You can enjoy a "sing-siing" dance by the performers, who wear intricate feathered headresses, grass skirts, vibrant body paints, or moulded mud masks. Traditional drums play in the rhythms. 
  • A traditional display of various ceremonies, mock battles, and strength helps them to indicate their region's pride and cultural richness.
• Tips while you visit- You are advised to dress modestly while visiting the Goroka Show.
  • It is their custom to shake your hand with indigenous people for a greeting or raise your hand in a wave. 
  • You are allowed to take photos at the show. However, if you like to take close-up shots of people, especially people who wear traditional costumes, you are advised to ask politely before taking one. 

Naadam, Khatgal, Mongolia

• When celebrated- 11 to 13 July
• Where celebrated- Khatgal, Lake Khovsgol, Mongolia
• Historical link of the festival- Naadam is believed to have been celebrated for centuries in one form or another. 
  • The festival began to be held annually from 1639 onwards. 
• Cultural celebration—During the festival, Mongolia focuses on its three traditional games: archery, wrestling, and horse racing. 
  • The festival features oral traditions, performing arts, craftsmanship, national cuisine, and various cultural forms, including long song, Bie biyelgee dance, Khoomei overtone singing, and Morin khuur fiddle.
  • Mongolians don unique attire and utilize specific tools and sporting equipment. 
  • Winners are rewarded with titles for their achievements. 
• Tips while you visit- Everyone is encouraged to participate in the event, which nurtures community involvement and togetherness. 
  • Naadam is a popular festival in Mongolia, so you are required to book your flight in advance.

Carnival, Brazil

• When celebrated- Usually during February or in early March
• Where celebrated- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Historical link of the festival—The roots of the Carnival festival can be traced back to the colonial period.
  • In the 29th century, the extent of the festival expanded further in Brazil.
• Cultural celebration—Guinness World Records has recognised the Rio de Janeiro Carnival as the largest carnival in the world.
  • The Carnival of Rio de Janeiro has become a major celebration festival for the LGBTIQ+ community.
  • Streets are filled with samba dance parades, bloco street parties, and family-friendly children's parties. 
  • Brazilian dancers showcase their samba skills on the main stage of the carnival.
  • The atmosphere of joy and fun has been created throughout the city.
  • It is a celebration of diversity, culture, and passion. 
• Tips while you visit- Wearing colourful and fun masks and costumes is a significant part of the festival.
  • You can learn a few steps of Samba before visiting the festival and ensure that you enjoy the music and dance of the festival. 
  • There are some free street parties in Rio de Janeiro, which you can join to enjoy the event even more. 

Oktoberfest, Germany

• When celebrated- Celebrated for 16 days, up to the first or rarely the second Sunday of October.
• Where celebrated- Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Historical link with the festival- On 12 October 1810, a marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildurghausen occurred. The officials of Munich have invited the general public to the celebration outside the city walls, at a site named Theresienwiese.
  • During the first festival, a horse race was organised, which has become the core of the annual Oktoberfest tradition.
  • Since then, the festival has been organised more or less every year apart from some pandemic times.
• Cultural celebration- The World's largest drink-a-thon event is organised.
  • These two weeks are full of community parades, traditional music, carnival rides, Bavarian regalia, and locally brewed Lowenbrau beer. 
  • Some of the features of the festivals include a funfair, thrill rides, magic performances, an agricultural show, and various stalls.
• Tips while you visit- During the festival, you must arrive at the festival site early in the morning to find a suitable seat.
  • Most of the tents there may not accept credit cards or online payments, so it is advisable to bring some cash with you.
  • For security reasons, you cannot bring large backpacks or handbags.
  • It is the custom of the festival to provide a tip to your server for their services.
  • It may be possible that you have to share your seats with strangers, so it would be good if you were friendly.
  • Apart from beer, there are various traditional German rituals and foods that you can enjoy.