On the occasion of the UN’s International Day Of Happiness, The Sherp picks out the festivals that radiate good vibes!
1. Holi
Holi A.K.A. ‘The Festival Of Colours’ is an ancient Hindu religious festival celebrated during spring. The festival has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. Although it is primarily observed in India, it is also celebrated in Nepal and other regions of the world with significant populations of Hindus or people of Indian origin. In recent years the festival has spread to parts of Europe, North America and even Australia where Music Festivals are organized with the Holi theme.
2. Wilderness Festival
The Wilderness Festival is an award winning festival of music, food, arts, learning, literature and rejuvenation. The festival is set amongst the lakes, forests and parkland of Oxfordshire’s exquisite Cornbury Estate. They aim to strike a balance between relaxation and revelry, artistic refinement and simple pleasures. Honestly the pleasure of having attended Wilderness is ideal for you ‘happy place’ bucket list.
3. La Tomatina
Every year, a little town in Spain has an abundance of tomatoes, so much so that they don’t know what to do with it. The La Tomatina, held in the Valencian town of Buñol, is a festival in which participants throw tomatoes and get involved in a massive and city-wide tomato fight purely for entertainment purposes. The festival has been held on the last Wednesday of August since 1945.
4. Ozora
Ozora is a psychedelic tribal gathering that aims to establish a universe of openness and togetherness where we can evolve towards becoming one with cosmic energies, with nature, with consciousness, with wholeness through dance, trance, creation, invention, transformation and peace.
5. Songkran
The Songkran Water Festival is a celebration of the Thai New Year. Much like Holi, the festival involves getting wet and getting others wet. Spray guns, hoses and even elephants are used in this water fight.
6. Lightning In A Bottle
Lightning in a Bottle is a transformational festival held in the Central Coast region of California. Presented by The Do LaB, the production team, it seeks to promote sustainability, social cohesion, personal health, and creative expression.
7. St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is the celebration of the feast of the foremost patron saint of Ireland. In what has become a day of extravagance, revelry and stereotypical Irish drunkenness, people all over the world celebrate this much loved festival.
8. Roskilde
Known not only for being a huge festival and having great lineups, but also for its humanitarian activities. This festival’s efforts include money donated to charity, food being distributed to homeless shelters and free water for festival goers!
