10 unique autumn festivals around the world

(Baonghean.vn) - Watching lanterns in Thailand; attending Halloween in the US; coming to the Smile Festival in the Philippines; enjoying fresh beer in Germany or seeing cherry blossoms in Japan are festivals you cannot miss if you have the opportunity to come here in the fall.

1- Oktoberfest in Germany

The joy of beer girls at Oktoberfest.

The Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Germany. It is the world's largest beer festival, with over 6 million people attending each year. The first festival was held on October 12, 1810, on the occasion of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig 1) and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. In 1910, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary, 12,000 liters of beer were sold during this event.

Coming to Oktoberfest, visitors can immerse themselves in the passionate festival atmosphere, enjoy traditional dishes and especially sip glasses of beer full of the typical flavors of this land. After nearly 2 centuries, the German beer festival is still taking place on an increasingly large scale and bringing the city billions of Euros.

2 - Diwali Festival of Lights (India)

Spectacular fireworks displays at the festival of lights in India.

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals of India, celebrated for 5 days in October by Indian communities all over the world. During these days, India becomes brilliant with lights, candles and fireworks.

For Indians, Diwali is an occasion to pay homage to Goddess Lakshmi – the goddess of happiness, prosperity and beauty. They believe that thanks to the goddess, they have luck and success in life. On this day, Indians often clean, paint their houses, decorate with lights and candles inside and outside the house. The ancestral altar is always full of cakes and fruits to welcome the gods. Everyone from old to young wears new clothes. Women will wear traditional sarees and visit and congratulate each other.

3- Halloween Festival

Halloween costumes

Halloween is a traditional holiday celebrated on the night of October 31st every year. The holiday originated with the Celts, who lived more than 2,000 years ago in the lands that are now England, Ireland, and Northern France. Halloween was brought to America by the first immigrants, mostly from England and some from Celtic regions, who brought many different customs to America. But for many reasons, it was not until the 1800s that it became a widely accepted custom.

Up to now, Halloween has been present in many countries and is warmly welcomed by young people. This is the happiest festival of the year for children in the US and Europe. Before, each family often decorated their house with pumpkin lanterns. On this day, children will wear strange costumes and go knocking on each house to ask for candy. Haunted houses are also attractive places for many people to visit.

4 - MassKara Colorful Smile Festival in the Philippines

MassKara Festival is one of the October world festivals that attracts many tourists to the Philippines.

From October 18, the MassKara Festival - Festival of Smiles is held in Bacolod City, Negros Island, Philippines. The MassKara Festival was born in 1980 as a reminder or declaration that Bacolod people, no matter how difficult the situation, will overcome and stand up. Also within the framework of the festival, there are many attractive street dance competitions. The "opponents" enthusiastically compete with the most beautiful and attractive dances, making the "street" dance floor even more bustling.

Visitors also join in the lively music and dance or enjoy the beer festival in the city's main square. In the bustling atmosphere of the festival, visitors and locals vote together to choose the Queen of the annual MassKara festival. The "street party" lasts until dawn.

5 - Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico, USA

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world's largest hot air balloon festival.

The world's largest international hot air balloon festival is held annually in the first week of October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Each year, the festival attracts more than 500,000 people from all over the world to visit and witness the colorful hot air balloon party.

Coming to the festival, in addition to enjoying the performance of colorful "air balloons" floating in the sky, visitors can also enjoy many interesting concerts and explore the city's unique culinary culture.

6. Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Thailand)

A moment of self-torture at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Thailand)

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is one of the most colorful and spooky events in Thailand and the world. It is held for 9 days in October. The Chinese people of Phuket believe that abstaining from meat during the 9th lunar month will help them stay physically and mentally healthy.

As for the origins of the festival, many believe that it was brought to Phuket by a Chinese opera troupe in the 19th century. On the 6th day of the festival, the most gruesome and also the most fascinating ritual is performed, including acts of self-mortification and painful challenges, including piercing the body with knives, needles or walking on hot coals. Festival participants believe that the more pain they endure during this event, the luckier and more successful they will be in the coming year.

During the festival, people strictly follow the rules of abstaining from meat, alcohol and sex. Local people believe that during the 9 days of the festival, 9 gods will descend to earth to help life be peaceful and crops to be bountiful the following year.

7 - Okunchi Matsuri Festival in Japan

Okunchi Matsuri festival is held in Japan.

Okunchi Matsuri is considered the most unusual festival in Japan, held in Nagasaki starting in the 17th century. This was the time when many Chinese people lived in the city, in which Dutch and Chinese merchants often anchored their ships in the harbor.

This was also the time when the Japanese government banned foreigners from docking in Japanese ports, but Dutch and Chinese merchant ships in Nagasaki were an exception. The Okunchi Festival honors these merchants by featuring traditional Dutch dances and Chinese lion dances, along with other exciting activities such as processions, fairs, parades, and other entertainment.

8 - Fiesta del Pilar Spain

The Fiestas del Pilar festival in Spain is a combination of religion and art.

Fiestas del Pilar is an annual festival held in October in the city of Zaragoza, Spain, to honor the Virgin Mary. It usually takes place in October during the week of the 12th and lasts for 10 days. It is a religious and artistic celebration that includes art exhibitions, bullfights, las vaquillas (amateur bullfights), beer festivals, and all-night musical performances.

The highlight of the festival is the flower offering ceremony at the del Pilar square. Accordingly, from the morning to the afternoon of October 12, the participants will wear traditional costumes of the Aragon region or any region in Spain, carrying flowers on the street to the center of the del Pilar square. Here, volunteers will arrange flowers in the shape of a pyramid to cover the statue of the Virgin Mary placed in the middle of the square for everyone to admire.

9 - Donkey racing festival in Italy

Donkey racing in Italy.

The White Mushroom Festival usually takes place from early October to mid-November, in which traditional performances reenact the history of the community here, donkey races, large processions with thousands of people participating in the parade in traditional medieval costumes will make you feel like you are lost in an ancient world.

At the international fair held here, you not only have the opportunity to buy precious mushrooms but also to see specialties from neighboring lands such as olive oil, sea salt, butter, sausage, pasta and many other traditional Italian dishes.

10 - Rubber duck racing festival, Tubingen, Germany

Yellow racing ducks filled the river.

The rubber duck race was first held in 1999 and has now become an annual event in the historic town of Tübingen, near the city of Stuttgart, Germany. The festival, held on the Neckar River, attracts thousands of locals and tourists to watch and participate.

Approximately one-third of Stuttgart’s population, more than 7,000 yellow rubber ducks will be released into the Neckar River. A metal weight is attached to the bottom of the rubber racing ducks to keep them balanced. To avoid cheating, participants will not be allowed to bring their own ducks from home but must rent “racing ducks” from the organizers.

Peace

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