Festivals from around the world

Songkran

Thailand’s famous new year water fight attracts more than half a million tourists each year! This is the ultimate water fight and takes place in April during Thai new year. This is one of Thailands largest celebrations and the whole country celebrate days off work, spending time with their family, visiting temples,partying and water fights. Click here to book a trip to Thailand for Songkran.

Holi Festival

Holi is a traditional Hindu festival which celebrates the beginning of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil. Festival goers throw coloured powder around leaving everyone coated in colour by the end of the day. The festival originated in India but has now been adopted by many places around the world including London. The story behind Holi festival is that Lord Vishnu appeared as half-man, half-lion and killed Hiranyakashyap at dusk, on his porch steps. A Holika bonfire is lit every year to remind us of the victory of good over evil. Holi is celebrated on the day after the bonfire.

La Tomatina

La Tomatina, also known as the ‘worlds biggest food fight’ takes place in Bunol near Valencia in Spain. Each year tourists flock there for the huge tomato fight. The origins of the festival aren’t clear, however one of the theories is that in 1945 an annual parade of enormous figures with big heads was passing through the streets of Bunol. Some youngsters tried to join in the parade and accidentally knocked one of the giants who then started swinging out at everyone around him, the youngsters retaliated by grabbing some tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stall and throwing them at him until police arrived.

St Patricks Day

St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17. There are street parades around the world with many people wearing green and celebrating with a pint of Guinness. It is said the reason to drink is because St. Patrick himself got angry at an inkeeper as he was served too small a whisky. Over 13 million pints of Guinness are drank on St Patricks Day! The day is celebrated to remember St Patrick, one of Irelands patron saints who ministered Christianity in Ireland.

Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. The day is to celebrate loved ones who have passed away, it is believed that the spirit of the dead visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2. The day is to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honour of those of have passed away. In Mexico the streets near cemeteries are filled with decorations, flowers, candy skulls and parades.

*This post is sponsored, but all opinions remain my own*