Practical Info
1) Disclaimer and Intro
Have Fun, Be Prepared!
This guide is meant to inspire, entertain and educate. Locations, dates and conditions are subject to change without warning and it is possible that some information may be inaccurate. Certain countries have volatile political situations and are prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. Do your homework before you travel and be prepared for the worst case scenario.
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2012 Festival Calendar
A year of Festivals for the End of the World!
January
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About Festivals
Welcome to the World's Best Festivals
Here you will find a collection of some of the greatest parties on Earth. This is a select list of the very best celebrations and we are growing.
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About the Author
Aloha and Mahalo!
This guide is a collective effort of experienced festival enthusiasts, cultural junkies, world travelers and local experts. Many thanks to all of the wonderful contributors who have helped make this a useful, accurate and inspiring guide. We are working to make this the best guide possible so please contact us for inclusion of new festivals or inaccuracies you may find. Thank you!
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Festival Calendar 2011
A Year of Festivals!
January
- 8 (2012), Yamayaki Grass Burning, Japan
- 10 – 16 Ati-Atihan, Phillipines
- 12- 14, (2012) Festival in the Desert, Mali
- 19 - 21 Thaipusam, India
- 19- 29 (2012), Sundance Film Fest (USA)
- 23 (2012) Chinese New Years, Hong Kong
- 21 – 24 (2012), Rainbow Serpent, Australia
- 21 - Feb 6, Big Day Out, Australia
- All Month, Harbin Ice Festival, China
February
- 6, Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash, Jamaica
- 5 (2012), The Superbowl (USA)
- 6- 8, The Battle of the Oranges, Italy
- 11- 21 (2012), Venice Carnival, Italy
- 12- 26 (2012), Viareggio Carnival, Italy
- 15, Hadaka Matsuri, Japan
- 17- 21 (2012), Carnival Rio, Brazil
- 18 (2012), Paraty Mud Carnival, Brazil
- 21 (2012), Mardi Gras (USA)
March
- 3 (2012), Iditarod, Alaska (USA)
- 4 – 7, Grape Harvest Festival, Argentina
- 5, Paraty Mud Carnival, Brazil
- 6-8, Battle of the Oranges, Italy
- 8 Holi, India (2012)
- 9-13 (2012), SXSW (USA)
- 9-20, Surfest, Australia
- 13, Calle Ocho, Miami (USA)
- 15 -19, Fallas de Valencia, Spain
- 17, St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland
- 23 - 27, Bali Spirit Festival, Indonesia
- 23-25 (2012), Ultra Music Festival (USA)
- All Month, Cherry Blossom Festival, Japan
April
- 13 - 15, Water Festival (Thailand)
- 15-17, Coachella (USA)
- 21 - 25, Splashy Fen, South Africa
- 23, Rouketopolemos, Greece
- 24, BYOBW Race (USA)
- 25 - May 7, World Gourmet Summit, Singapore
- 29, 30 & May 5 - 8, Jazz Fest, New Orleans (USA)
- 30 - May 1 Witches Night, Germany
May
- 5, Cinco De Mayo, Mexico City
- 7, Kentucky Derby (USA)
- 9, Victory Day, Russia
- 11-22, Cannes Film Fest, France
- 13-15, Joshua Tree Festival (USA)
- 15, Bay to Breakers, San Francisco (USA)
- 21, Cheung Chau Bun Festival, China
- 26-28. Primavera Sound, Spain
- 26 - 29, Monaco Grand Prix
- 27-30, Lightning in a Bottle (USA)
- 27-30, Sasquatch (USA)
- 30 (TBD), Cheese Rolling Festival, UK
- 12 - June 4, Prague Spring International Music Festival
June
- 3 - 5, Rock am Ring Rock am Park, Germany
- 6, Baby Jumping Festival, Spain
- 9-12, Bonaroo (USA)
- 10 – 12, Bluesfest, Chicago (USA)
- 10 - 12, Download Festival, UK
- 11 - 13, Pink Pop Festival, Netherlands
- 16 - 18, Sonar Electronic Festival, Spain
- 17 - 19, Provissirock, Finland
- 18, Arcata Bay Oyster Festival (USA)
- 20 - July 3, Wimbledon, London, UK
- 20- 26, Turkish Oil Wrestling, Turkey
- 21, Summer Soltice, Stonehenge, UK
- 22 -26, Glastonberry, UK
- 23 - 26, Gnaoua Music Festival, Morocco
- 24, Inti Raymi, Peru
- 24- 25, Electric Daisy Carnival (USA)
- 24 - July 3, Queenstown Winter Festival, New Zealand
- 24 - July 4, Taste of Chicago (USA)
- 26 Gay Pride Parade, New York (USA)
- 29, Haro Wine Festival, Spain
- 30- July 3, Rock Werchter, Belgium
- 30- July 3, Roskilde, Denmark
- 30 - July 3, High Sierra Festival (USA)
- 29 - July 3, Summerfest (USA)
- All month, White Nights, Russia
July
- 1 - 2, Roswell UFO Festival (USA)
- 2, Il Palio, Italy
- 4-16, Running of the Bulls, Spain
- 5-10, Summerfest (USA)
- 5 – 11, Nowhere, Spain
- 7 - 9, Camp Bisco, New York (USA)
- 7-10, Oxeygen, Ireland
- 8 – 11, Exit Festival, Serbia
- 8-10, Santa Fe Folk Market (USA)
- 8 - 17, Calgary Stampede, Canada
- 10, Beer Can Regatta, Australia
- 11 - 13, Naadam Festival, Mongolia
- 16- 17 Reggae on the River (USA)
- 16-24 Boryeong Mud Festival, Korea
- 17-23 Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica
- 21-24, Secret Garden Party, UK
- 21-24, Comic-Con, San Diego (USA)
- 29 (TBD), Festival of Near Death, Spain
- 29-30, Global Gatherings, UK
- 29- 31, Gilroy Garlic Festival (USA)
- 29- 31, Fuji Rock Festival, Japan
- 29- 31, Splendor in the Grass, Australia
- TBD, Rainbow Gathering (USA)
August
- 5- 7, Nature One, Germany
- 5- 8, Shambala Music Festival, Canada
- 5 – 8, Star Trek Convention (USA)
- 5 - 29, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland
- 6 -20, Kazantip, Ukraine
- 8 – 14, Sturgis Motocycle Ride (USA)
- 10-15, Sziget, Hungary
- 12-14, Outside Lands (USA)
- 16, Il Palio, Italy
- 13, Street Party, Switzerland
- 13- 14, Highlands Cultural Festival, PNG
- 13- 14, Summer Sonic, Japan
- 18-20 Pukkelpop, Belguim
- 25- 28, Air Guitar Worlds, Finland
- 29 - Sep 5, Burning Man (USA)
- 31, Tomato Festival, Spain
September
- 8-11, Bestival, UK
- 12, Moon Festival, China
- 16 - 18, Austin City Limits (USA)
- 16 – 19 Icarus Cup, France
- 17 & 24 + 6 weeks, Aloha Festival, Hawaii
- 17 - October 3, Octoberfest, Germany
- 27 - October 5, Vegetarian Festival, Thailand
- 30-October 2, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (USA)
- TBD, Vienna Recordia, Austria
Festival Essentials
Festival Tips for the Road
What to Bring
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Travel Tips
Spy Skills for the Road
WHAT TO BRING
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