Celebrate the World: A guide to the World’s Most Enchanting Festivals

Written and designed by: Justa Wee (24-E4)

Around the world, festivals serve as vibrant expressions of culture and community, each uniquely reflecting the values and traditions of its people. From the colourful altars of the Day of the Dead in Mexico to the elaborate floats of Japan's Gion Matsuri, these celebrations are rich with history and meaning. They often blend solemn remembrance with joyous festivity, creating a tapestry of experiences that honour the past while embracing the present. Whether it's the cleansing water of Thailand's Songkran or the playful leaps of Spain's El Colacho, each festival invites participants to connect with their heritage, celebrate life, and strengthen communal bonds.

Perhaps you have heard of this festival from the Pixar animated movie Coco– the Day of the Dead is a celebratory holiday to honour the dead with a rich blend of tradition, colour, and emotions. It is widely observed in Mexico. Families create intricate altars adorned with photos, the deceased’s favourite foods, and marigold flowers to welcome the spirits back to the living world. Parades are filled with lively music, traditional dances, and the iconic sugar skulls bring communities together in a joyful remembrance of those who have passed. Rather than a sombre occasion, the Day of the Dead celebrates life, love, and the enduring bond between the living and the deceased, reminding us that while death is a part of life, memories and legacies live on.

The breathtaking floats adorned with intricate tapestries and lanterns, and vibrant parades filled with locals in traditional kimono is the indication of the start of the Gion Matsuri festival in Japan. This is one of Japan’s most famous and visually stunning festivals, held annually in Kyoto throughout the month of July. Originating over a thousand years ago as a purification ritual to appease the gods during a time of plague, it has evolved into a grand celebration of culture and community. The highlight of the festival is the Yamaboko Junko, a spectacular parade featuring elaborately decorated floats called yamaboko, which are pulled through the streets by teams of locals. 

Songkran, the Thai New Year festival, is a jubilant celebration marked by water fights and cultural traditions, typically held from April 13th to 15th. Rooted in ancient customs, Songkran symbolises the cleansing of the past and the welcoming of the new year, with water representing purification and renewal. During this lively festival, streets transform into vibrant battlegrounds where people of all ages engage in playful water battles, dousing each other with buckets, water guns, and even hoses. Beyond the fun, Songkran is also a time for spiritual reflection; many people visit temples to pour water over Buddha statues and pay respects to their elders, seeking blessings for the year ahead. 

On this night, the fearsome figure of Krampus—a horned, half-goat, half-demon creature—roams the streets alongside St. Nicholas, embodying the darker side of the Christmas season. Krampusnacht, celebrated on the evening of December 5th, is a unique and intriguing festival rooted in Alpine folklore. While St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, Krampus serves as a warning for those who have misbehaved, often depicted punishing naughty children with a bundle of birch branches or dragging them away in his sack. Festivities include parades filled with people dressed as Krampus, featuring elaborate masks and costumes, creating a lively yet eerie atmosphere.

A quirky and unique tradition that welcomes spring. El Colacho, or the Baby Jumping Festival, is a fascinating and unique celebration held in the village of Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, each year during the feast of Corpus Christi. Dating back to the early 1600s, this festival features men dressed as the devil, known as "Colachos," who leap over infants laid on mattresses in the streets. This dramatic act is believed to cleanse the babies of sin and protect them from evil spirits, symbolising a rite of passage into the world. The festivities are accompanied by colourful parades, lively music, and a joyful atmosphere as the community comes together to celebrate both tradition and the arrival of summer. 

Sham el-Nessim is an ancient Egyptian spring festival that celebrates the arrival of the warm season and the renewal of nature, observed on the Monday following Easter. This vibrant holiday, which dates back over 4,500 years, blends Pharaonic traditions with modern practices, symbolising the joy of spring and the awakening of life. Families and friends gather for picnics in gardens or along the Nile, enjoying traditional foods such as feseekh, fresh green onions, and coloured eggs, which represent rebirth. The festival is also marked by festive activities, including music, dancing, and outdoor games. 

In exploring these diverse festivals, we uncover the universal human desire to honour our roots, celebrate the cycles of life, and forge connections with one another. Each event, from Krampusnacht's eerie charm to the joyful gatherings of Sham el-Nessim, encapsulates the spirit of resilience and renewal. These celebrations remind us that while traditions may vary, the underlying themes of love, remembrance, and community unite us all. As we partake in these vibrant festivities, we not only preserve our cultural heritage but also create new memories, ensuring that the legacies of the past continue to inspire the future.