Let there be light

HOI AN FULL MOON LANTERN FESTIVAL

September, Hoi An, September 14

The ancient town of Hoi An in Central Vietnam will keep electricity use down to the minimum and let the full moon light up the night for its lantern festival. The folks in Hoi An welcome every full moon with a lantern festival but the upcoming lunar event coincides with Mid-Autumn Festival when, it’s said, the moon is at its brightest and most beautiful. The action is centred in the area between the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Cau An Hoi Bridge and spills onto the surrounding streets and river banks. You can’t miss the sea of colourful lanterns if you stay close to the river.

 

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

September 16 to 18, Singapore

Singapore held the first night-time Formula One Grand Prix in September 2008, with 5km of track snaking around Marina Bay under specially designed lights. The thrilling race – which has been dominated by Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso – is held every September and includes a fantastic line-up of events at various locations across Singapore. The terrific atmosphere and enthusiasm of the locals make it one of the best times to visit.

 

ULTRA BEACH BALI 2016

September 15 to 16, Bali, Indonesia

Ultra Beach, the Bali leg of the world-renowned electronic Ultra Music Festival, is slated to rock the Petitenget beachfront of Potato Head Beach Club Bali this September. International DJs including Martin Garrix, Anna and Afrojack, will take turns to entertain the festival goers. The two-day festival in Bali this follows on from Japan, and will continue with events in Ibiza, Chile and Brazil.

 

HYOSEOK CULTURAL FESTIVAL

September 2 to 11, Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea

The Hyoseok Cultural Festival is held to commemorate modern Korean writer Lee Hyo-seok and his popular novel “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom”, which demonstrates the connection between human life and beauty of nature through the dazzling scenery of the author’s hometown. The festival highlights different locations depicted in the novel as well as the area’s folklore and is held at the time when the buckwheat flowers blanket the entire Bongpyeong area. Don’t miss the wide range of foods made from buckwheat and other exciting activities. 

 

AKAN MARIMO MATSURI

October 9 to 10, Hokkaido, Japan

Akan Marimo Matsuri Festival on the shores of Lake Akan brings thousands of visitors to Kushiro, a small town in Hokkaido. Marimo (unique spherical green algae) is the nation’s special natural heritage and a symbol of this festival. Concerned about the destruction of nature, the Ainu people started the festival in 1950. The event features traditional dances and religious rites handed down by the Ainu and sees the Ekashi, as the respected elders are known, go out on Lake Akan in a traditional dugout canoe and gently place the marimo one by one into the lake. At night, visitors can enjoy the Pine Torch Procession and the fireworks display.