October events around the world
Africa
Durbar, Nigeria
Nigeria’s Islamic north country celebrates the end of Ramadan with Durbars – whereby gloriously decorated horses and riders are parade through Kano, West Africa’s oldest surviving city
Ghadames Date Festival, Libya
After the date harvest, residents head for Ghadames old quarter, officially uninhabited, for celebrations in their old family homes, with much singing, dancing and other festivities under the Saharan sun
Moulid of Sayyid Ahmed al-Bedawi, Egypt
Tanta, in the Nile Delta, draws in two million pilgrims to this festival honouring local saints – Sufis chant and beat drums around the al-Bedawi mosque, while devotees perform ritual dances
Australasia & Pacific
Melbourne International Arts Festival, Australia
Twinned with Spoleto’s arts festival in Italy, Melbourne’s annual event is high culture with a cutting-edge fringe festival running simultaneously
Europe
Duck Race, Germany
Alleenbrücke host a rubber duck version of Poohsticks, in which 7,000 yellow ducks are released from one bridge on the Neckar River and ‘race’ to another – the spectator whose ticket corresponds to the winning duck receives a €1,000 holiday voucher
Combat des Reines, Switzerland
This is a civilised event, although it may not sound like one – it’s a celebration of cow-fighting, in which the cows fight to see which one will lead the herd to summer pasture – fortunately they don’t get hurt
Festival du Vent, France
Forty thousand people head for Calvi to take part in wind-based events, such as hot air ballooning and kite surfing, while other political and cultural debates take place each evening
Iceland Airwaves, Iceland
Six city-centre venues across Reykjavik stage cutting edge and up and coming international acts, while the audience, seekers of cool, come from across Europe, the US and Iceland
Mondial du Snowboard, France
The most raucous snowboard event of the year remains a showcase for manufacturers showing off designs and competitors showing off their skills – 30,000 people come along to also enjoy the parties and BMX and skateboarding events
Nuit Blanche, France
Paris’ nocturnal citywide street party sees the capital transformed into one giant art installation in which 1.5 million people take to the streets, bars, parks and public pools until its time to get up
Oktoberfest, Germany
The famous German celebration of all things ale is officially the world’s largest public festival – with seven million people coming to drink more than four million litres of bee
Salone del Gusto, Italy
The Slow Food movement organised this biennial event in Turin which sees rare-food producers, retailers, restaurateurs and the simply curious get together to source new products, swap ideas and sample various delights
Far East
Jidai Matsuri, Japan
A relative newcomer to Kyoto’s festivals, this one began in 1895 when the Imperial Court moved to Tokyo – it’s one big parade in which 2,000 people walk the streets decked out in a range of fantastic traditional costume
MassKara Festival, Philippines
Bacolod’s 450,000 residents fill the streets wearing decorative masks – made to resemble sea creatures, starfish, peacocks and exotic flowers – to remind themselves theirs is ‘the city of smiles’
River Festivals, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand
Three festivals run at a similar time each of which see boat races, battles and processions – on the Mekong mysterious orbs of flame explode out of the river at this time, while the Tonlé Sap changes its direction
Vegetarian Festival, Thailand
Thailand’s largest festival sees devout followers of the Tao abstain from meat eating and hold processions, cultural performances and make religious offerings – it ends with amazing acts such as walking on hot coals, climbing knife-blade ladders and skin piercing
Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean
Dasain, Nepal
Nepal’s biggest annual festival occurs during monsoon season, when the sky is clear and the air clean – followers sacrifice animals for Durga, a Hindu deity, in a celebration of victory over evil
Diwali, India
The Hindu festival of lights, symbolising health, wealth and all things positive, celebrates the return of Rama and Sita in the Ramayama and is the biggest annual event in India
Latin America
Cirio de Nazare, Brazil
Brazil’s second largest festival – after Rio – sees Belém carry its most revered icon, the Virgin Mary, in a solemn procession to the Basilica de Nazare, after which riotous partying begins and continues until she needs returning to the cathedral two weeks later
El Señor de los Milagros, Peru
A procession of 2,500 people carry a 350-year-old mural of Christ, which has survived various catastrophes – everyone wears purple, the colour of the Nazarene nuns that look after it, sing hymns and wave incense
North America
Aloha Festivals, Hawaii, United States of America
The Hawaiian islands celebrate their culture over two months, in the only statewide festival in the US – see traditional ukulele music and hula dancing of the Big Island, and experience block parties on Oahu and Maui
Bridge Day, United States of America
The world’s largest extreme sports event sees around 450 BASE jumpers throw themselves from a 265m high bridge in West Virginia while 200,000 look on
Fantasy Fest, United States of America
Key West off the south coast of Florida hosts one of the wildest fancy dress parties anywhere – music and rum keep revellers dancing at this camp, but all-inclusive celebration
Halloween, United States of America
New York celebrates Halloween like nowhere else, with a huge parade running over much of downtown Manhattan by people in vibrant, if spooky, costumes
