Carnival to Pride Parade, Snow sculptures and more, the coolest cultural fiestas are out on the roads...
Nothing is more colourful and lively than street festivals. As boulevards turn into party zones, culture vultures can get a glimpse of the customs of the place. If you want an experience like Holi in other countries, check out the Ice and Snow Festival in China, Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and the Lantern Festival in Taiwan among others.
1. Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin, China
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The annual winter festival commences on January 5 and lasts for a month. It’s the largest such event globally and features the world’s biggest ice sculptures — this year, there were ice castles, Buddha statue, Northern Lights-themed ice slides and more. The exhibits open before the official dates (weather permitting) and installations are erected throughout the city.
2. Pride march, New York, USA
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Every year in June, the LGBTQ Pride March celebrates the community and attracts tens of thousands of participants as well as supporters. It goes through Lower Manhattan to south on 5th Avenue, Greenwich Village and the Stonewall National Monument, the site of June 1969 riots that launched the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights. WorldPride NYC 2019 will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the uprising.
3. Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Just before Lent, the grandest and most colourful carnival in the world sees approximately two million people revelling on the streets every day, since 1723 when it first started. For the five days in February, a number of street parties, Carnival Balls and other events are held. The major attraction is the Samba Parade at the Sambadrome, much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, USA.
4. Lantern Festival, Pingxi, Taiwan
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It’s not stars but thousands of lanterns that light up the sky in Pingxi District during the event. Many other activities take place throughout Taiwan to commemorate the fest; for instance, the firecrackers ceremony of the Wumiao Temple in Yanshui District. There are folk performances, themed decorations and colourful installations, too.
5. White Nights Festival, St Petersburg, Russia
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The city doesn’t sleep for the two months of the midnight sun, which gives the festival its name. The streets are abuzz with vivacity as music, dance, film and outdoor celebrations fill the days as well as nights. The Scarlet Sails is the most important event that has firecrackers, a show and an illuminated water vessel, all a tribute to the kids’ story, Red Sails, soon after World War II.
