Fantastic Festivals of the World

By the shores of Patzcuaro Lake, descendants of the Purepecha Tribe celebrate a colorful and uplifting way of honoring their adored dead.

One of the oldest and most traditional pre-lenten carnival events in Germany. Historic handmade costumes and uniquely painted hand-carved wooden masks are always the most distinctive aspect of the festivities.

Easter is celebrated with great passion. A 20-hour procession on the streets of Trapani with men carrying heavy "Misteri" statues that are 500 years old tell the story of Christ's suffering.

This May festival is in thanksgiving for a good harvest and is in honor of San Isdiro de Labrador, patron saint of farmers. Festival includes a water buffalo parade, a parade of colorful giant figures, parties in the streets and decorated chandeliers and flora.

The Aboriginal people, who have 40,000 years of cultural history, gather every year for Garma. The festival features the "bunggul performance", traditional Nuku Dhulang paintings on bark, dances, song, art.

These games pre-date recorded history. Games include strength competition, dances, bagpipes, drumming, and plenty of Scottish food.

Influenced by Portuguese and Arab populations. The festival is a competition between two groups of Boi performers who contend in dancing, singing, and band music. Each group tries to out-do each other with stunning displays.

Over time the festival has become more charming and performance oriented with spectators becoming part of the show. There are a myriad of events including Korean mask dances, puppet theatres, and performers who use visitors for impromptu jokes.

People of Taitung province throw firecrackers at the God Handan for luck and wealth. The festival celebrates the Lunar New Year displaying large handmade animal lanterns that are released into the sky as far as 3,000 feet in the air.

Thousands of Jewish people arrive from all over Israel for this festival which celebrates a ritual for 3-year-old boys getting their first haircut. Raging bonfires are a major part. The customs of Shavout include reading of a liturgical poem and the Book of Ruth.

This is one of the oldest and most popular festivals in Europe. It features traditional dancing, jugglers, musicians, actors, burghers, merchants, theatre performers, concerts, and medieval street feasts.

The Kumano area, where the fire festival takes place, is one of the most sacred and mysterious shrines in Japan. Participants parade with decorated fans, huge torches, to invoke the gods and to pray for the well-being of all creatures on earth.

Witness the amazing teamwork, akill, beauty and tradition of one of the world's fastest growing sports, "Dragon Boat Racing". Culinary delights feature some of the best dim sum in Hong Kong, the making of rice dumplings and minimalist yet luxurious menu by the "Demon Chef".