Best festivals around the world

FESTIVAL RAMADHAN

Now until July 6, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Celebrated in honour of the Muslim fasting month, this festival, held around Merdeka Square, features a variety of religious programmes such as Terawih Perdana at Dataran Merdeka (Terawih prayers); festive shopping, Tilawah & Khatam Al-Quran (Quran Recital) in Kelantan; Islamic tourism (ITC), bazaar Ramadhan, Forum Perdana Ramadhan plus performances by embassies, international Imams and many more.

 

NAKAFURANO LAVENDER FESTIVAL

July 16, Hokkaido, Japan

Lavender has been cultivated in Hokkaido for more than half a century. Nakafurano town, about four hours on the train from Sapporo Station, will host one of the biggest lavender festivals of the flower season with the lavender and flowers at their most beautiful. The farms also come alive with stalls and children’s entertainment shows. This is the perfect time to come and stay in Furano and experience the festivals. 

 

SINGAPORE FOOD FESTIVAL 

July 15 to 31, Singapore                 

Introduced in 1994, the Singapore Food Festival is an annual event, organised by the Singapore Tourism Board. This eating celebration features a colourful plethora of local cuisines that pay tribute to the City State’s multi-cultural heritage. It serves up a unique opportunity for visitors to get acquainted with local food in both traditional and contemporary ways. 

 

CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE

Today through September 23, New York City, USA

Enjoy a full schedule of live music, comedy and dance, plus films and recitals in the Big Apple’s Central Park. Approximately 30-35 free performing events are on show while the benefit concerts do the fund-raising. Expect everything from classic New York hip-hop artists in outer-borough NYC parks to big-name indie-rock bands on the Central Park mainstage.

 

GION MATSURI

July 1 to 29, Kyoto, Japan

The Gion Festival is perhaps Japan’s best known festival, running the entire month of July each year. The highlight is the splendid pageant of some 30 floats called yamaboko that parade along the main streets of Kyoto on July 17 and 24. Each float, two-storied and about six metres tall, is topped with a long pole shaped like a spear. During the parade, children, traditional dolls and musicians are seated on the second level of the floats. Adorned with exquisite craftwork such as woven fabric, dyed textiles and sculptures, these floats are so gorgeous that they are sometimes described as “mobile art museums”. 

 

BORYEONG MUD FESTIVAL 

July 15 to 24, Boryeong, South Korea

Get dirty at Boryeong’s Mud Festival on Daecheon Beach, 190 kilometres southwest of Seoul. Everybody is encouraged to make the most of mud and take advantage of its benefits for skin-care. The mud from Boryeong contains important minerals, which reduce wrinkles and remove excess oils from the skin surface. Medically, mud baths are also supposed to improve the blood circulation and stimulate new skin growth. Festival-goers apply mud packs to the entire body and join strings of events including mud wrestling, a mud king contest, mud fireworks fantasy and mud sliding. Get your mud pack ready, smear yourself all over and enjoy!