Festivals

The "Roaring Twenties" era lends itself perfectly to festive parties, especially for students looking for a creative "living history" experience. Young people in the 1920s enjoyed…

Multicultural festivals are held annually in many large cities to celebrate community diversity. During such festivals, peoples of different ethnicities come together to share their cultural values…

Medieval Hocktide festivals are ancient English festivals that are celebrated the second Monday and Tuesday after Easter Sunday. Hocktide, also known as Tutti-Day, is still celebrated in Hungerford,…

Festivals serve as major sources of income for vendors. No matter what they sell, vendors rely on festivals throughout the year to help keep them in business. You can purchase a variety of things from…

Some 4H members raise and nurture sheep as their project. Many take their sheep to county and state fairs throughout the season. They house the animals at the fairgrounds and them during the fair. The…

Major metropolitan areas in Japan and throughout the world honor the Land of the Rising Sun culture by hosting art festivals showcasing Japanese artwork. While these festivals feature works by…

Dancing is as important to Greeks today as it was in ancient times. In fact, many of today's dances have been passed down from one generation to the next with few changes. Children learn Greek dances…

Greece has a very wide and colorful history full of gods and goddesses, epic battles and the most well-known philosophers in the world. Most of the Grecian culture is surrounded by food. With almost…

Celtic peoples once populated central and western Europe. Those in the Scottish Highlands are Goidelic Celts, or Gaels. Though they are part of the United Kingdom, the people of Scotland have never…

A festival is a major endeavor involving many people. You must hire entertainers, invite dignitaries, advertise the event to the public and seek vendors. But first you should get the proper permit for…

Midsummer is a traditional Scandinavian celebration held each year on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Midsummer is celebrated --- albeit with slightly different customs --- in…

You can exchange something you own or a service you can provide for something you need if the dollar becomes worthless. Bartering is an economic system that stems from the beginning of the human race.…

Renaissance fairs and festivals are events that celebrate and highlight the ways and means of medieval times. The most elaborate events feature performers that speak and dress in medieval attire and…

Each summer, the "Rainbow Tribe," also self-identified as the "Rainbow Family of Living Light," gathers in a United States National Forest to preach and practice its stated ideals of love, peace,…

Every year there are dozens of crab and lobster festivals held in coastal towns to celebrate the bounty of the sea. These lively annual events often center around large tents dolling out crab and…

Outdoor festivals can be unique parties. They can include celebrations of music, food, art, wine, culture and history. Because they are held in outdoor settings, they often can accommodate large…

Chinese culture spans thousands of years, and so does its history of philosophy. Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism and Maoism are some of China's major schools of thought. They have colored Chinese…

In Greek mythology, Artemis is the Olympian goddess of the hunt, the wilderness and wild animals and childbirth. This virgin goddess is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo. A…

The name Buddhism comes from its founder Sakyamuni Buddha. Buddha simply means "the enlightened one." Unlike many monotheistic religions such as Christianity, in Buddhism there can be many Buddhas.…

The Anglican Church evolved in England from the Roman Catholic Church when Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to Britain to bring the Celtic Church, which was then prevalent in Britain, more…

In ancient times, pre-modern peoples such as the Celts and Germanic tribes of Europe were steeped in superstition. They held mythological beliefs that the natural events of weather, climate and the…

There are many religions across the world, with each having special days of the year where celebrations are common. In the Christian world, December 25th and Good Friday are days where people…

Spain is well known for the annual tomato festival, called La Tomatina, that takes place each August in the town of Buñol in Valencia province. People come from all over the world to throw…

Artemis was the ancient Greek goddess of feminine purity, wild beasts, and the hunt. In postclassical Greek religion, the lunar titaness Selene was subsumed into her devotional cult, transforming…

German viticulture began with the ancient Romans; and since Roman conquests never extended eastward into the heartland of Germany, viticulture took root in the west. Even today, all but two of the 13…

When decorating a booth for an Italian festival, you must first take several things into consideration. Depending on the type of festival you are decorating for, certain factors should be taken into…

A music festival celebrates a specific region or type of music. A festival includes food and activities in addition to the music to provide an entertaining experience for all visitors. Schools,…

Outdoor art festivals highlight the works of local and regional crafters. Shows are often infused with tunes from local musicians, locally grown food and judged art competitions. Guests at outdoor art…

Jewish music festivals occur each year throughout the world. Many of them are located in the United States. Such festivals present Jewish pop, klezmer -- a type of folk music with origins in Eastern…

It's classy and refreshing to serve wine at your outdoor party, but that proverbial fly in your chardonnay is not something your guests will want to worry about. Covering your wine glasses does not…

British Columbia's Okanagan Valley is known for its tasty wines, beautiful mountain scenery and sunny, relaxed atmosphere. Cities in the Okanagan host celebrations and art festivals throughout the…

The community of Fredericksburg, Va., has a unique way to support homeless women and their children. Each holiday season, the Festival of Trees fills a local business center with lovingly adorned…

Poles make up one of Michigan's largest ethnic groups, and Polish heritage celebrations are common throughout Michigan during the summer. Events vary at the festivals, with some holding classic car…

Fundraising for your school or organization can be a lot of work, but it can also lend itself to some fun with the perfect activities. Planning a fundraiser in the fall should take advantage of the…

The Samara Jazz Festival is one of the largest jazz festivals in Russia, comparable to the Moscow Jazz Festival. Moscow is a much larger city, but Samara is considered a more favorable climate and…

Typically used at public events, such as rallies or protests, concerts, parades and festivals, control barriers help maintain order in crowded events by placing people behind a restricted area. Places…

Orlando is home to many festivals throughout the year, most aimed just as much at local residents as the thousands of tourists who pass through the state each year. The themes of these festivals vary…

Whether you are looking for a Celtic festival to practice Scottish dancing or to enjoy Irish food, Michigan holds tremendous possibilities. Although thousands of Celts settled in America in the 17th…

Every fall in North Wildwood, New Jersey, one of the largest Irish festivals in the United States takes place over a weekend in late September. The Irish celebration is hosted by Cape May's Ancient…

Northwest Ohio is home to several significant U.S. cities, such as Toledo and Bowling Green, and a number of state parks and three national wildlife refuges. Bordered by Lake Erie to the north and…

New Hampshire, otherwise known as the Granite State, was one of the original 13 colonies. While the state has numerous official emblems, it does not have an official food. However, it does have three…

Since 1993, the West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival has raised funds for the community. The event provides a venue for quality musical entertainment, serves locally produced wines, highlights the…

In planning a Greek festival, consider several aspects of the culture including music, dance, religion, and the agora, or marketplace. Special activities for youngsters are also important. If you…

Food festivals are traditional in cities all over the nation. They often are scheduled in spring and summer months. Lovers of fresh produce can look forward to the annual Georgia Strawberry Festival…

To pay tribute to the Greek community that has been in Wilmington since 1890, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds the Wilmington Greek Festival for four days each June. The festival features…

The San Jose Greek Festival has been held by St. Nicholas church in early June for the past 39 years. Patrons can find Greek food, music and culture at this festival. Admission is $5, or free if you…

Scottish families have worn kilts as a declaration of their unity and nationality for centuries. The word "clan" is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "clann," and means children. Clans were…

Fairs and festivals can be organized as community-based celebrations or large-scale events tailored for special interests. Various sources of funding include private, state and federal grant…

Saint Lucia was born in Syracuse where tradition says she was persuaded by a messenger of God to give away all of her dowry to the poor. She wore candles on her head and snuck food to the persecuted…

Michigan hosts a large Greek community and there are Greek Festivals throughout the state. While summer is the most popular time for such events, festivals can be found year-round. There are several…

The Salt Lake City Greek Festival is held annually on the first weekend after Labor Day. This September event features Greek music, dance, food, recipes, culture and hospitality. It is Utah's largest…

India is a colorful culture that celebrates harvest times, religious events and even regions of the country by throwing festivals. Vibrant clothing is worn during festival time, and special food is…

Taking place every spring since 1987, the Sheepshearing Festival celebrates the forthcoming warm weather by removing sheep's winter fleece coats. Occurring rain or shine, this Waltham, Massachusetts,…

The Tibetan people view their spirituality as a highly important aspect of life. According to a tradition still practiced widely, every Tibetan family is required to send at least one son to a local…

Anime festivals are gatherings for people interested in anime, manga, and Asian pop culture. These conventions offer attendees opportunities to participate in discussion panels, compete in cosplay…

The Chinese Lantern Festival is an event that falls after Chinese New Year and occurs on the fifteenth day of the third lunar month of the year. The tradition began more than 2000 years ago and is…

The Chinese New Year celebration starts with the first new moon of the year and finishes with the full moon 15 days later. In China, Hong Kong and other Asian countries this first full moon signals…

Michigan is home to festivals year-round. The communities in southeastern Michigan (Livingston, Jackson, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw and Lenawee counties) hold music, film, art, cultural…

The significance of celebrating Cinco de Mayo is to acknowledge the victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. Cinco de May means the fifth of May. Celebrating includes mariachi music, singing,…

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and celebrates Hispanic culture and what the Hispanic people have contributed to the U.S. In Michigan, there are several festivals organized to…

Advertising a children's festival with lively, bold-colored poster designs will attract many people to come out and enjoy their day with the festivities, attractions, bazaar and foods. A children's…

The Chinese Lantern Festival, or Yuan Xiao, ends the 15-day celebration of the Chinese New Year. Chinese people celebrate by guessing riddles, eating special rice balls and gathering together with…

The state of Kentucky is probably best known for its annual horse-racing event, the Kentucky Derby. This is an event that attracts visitors from all around the country, and even the world, but it's…

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, falls on the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This is the first full moon of the new year, as well as the last day…

The United Nations categorizes West Africa as 16 nations: Benin, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone,…

Carrying on in the spirit of the Woodstock Festival of 1969, peaceful outdoor summertime festivals are easy to find. Some are smaller affairs largely attended by locals, others are multi-day music…

The central region of Illinois has dozens of fairs and festival throughout the year. Ranging from the expected state and county fairs, various art festivals and a few air shows, Central Illinois also…

Traditional Irish social gatherings such as fairs and festivals are occasions that call for traditional Irish food. In addition to local Irish whiskey and ale, food such as corned beef, soda bread,…

Texas abounds with history and agricultural and ranching experience. As such, the state is home to a range of fairs and festivals that are open to vendors who have unique items to sell. Most of the…

What women wear to festivals in Japan depends as much on their role in the festival as the type of festival they are attending. As observers, they'll wear casual Western-style clothing, a yukata or a…

Religious, spiritual and celebratory festivals are an integral part of African life in many parts of the continent, including West Africa. Tribes such as the Ga in Ghana, the Igbo in Nigeria, and the…

The Rainbow Family of Living Light has been gathering in national forests since their first gathering in Colorado in 1972. There has been an annual gathering every year since, always in a different…

The Chinese Lantern Festival has many names. It is also known as Shang Yuan Festival, or the Little New Year, as it marks the end of the celebrations stemming from the Chinese New Year. The Lantern…

Jewish festivals cycle over the course of a year. Many Jewish holy days and festivals, such as Purim, Passover and Chanukah, incorporate food as central to the celebration. Jewish festivals and holy…

In her book, "How to Get Started Selling Your Art," author and artist Carole Katchen calls fairs and festivals among the best places to begin an art career. However, these days, fairs and festivals…

The invention of paper in China and its transfer to other cultures led to the development of a number of inventions based on paper. From Chinese fans and lanterns to the printing press and books,…

The crab festival in Maryland, better known as the Maryland Seafood Festival, began in 1966 in Annapolis. At the time, the festival promoted Maryland clams, which were rarely eaten. The festival…

The French observe and celebrate Easter with great fanfare. It is a religious holiday where instead of Easter baskets, chocolate candy arrives in the early morning by a flying bell. This tradition…

The United Kingdom is famous for many things, including their music festivals. The summer starts the music festival season that runs until the end of November, and Birmingham is no different.

Liverpool, England is home to many great musicians, most famously The Beatles. When you walk around the city you see traces of them everywhere. Liverpool is also one of the biggest cities in the…

The "Cheeseburger in Caseville" festival is held for ten days in August in the normally quiescent beach town of Caseville, Michigan. It is based on the famous tune by Jimmy Buffet entitled…

Raw and living foods is an Internet community that is committed to supporting and encouraging people to eat only raw and living foods. The International Raw and Living Foods Festival was held in…

Hoboken is known for having two Italian festivals, one in the heart of summer (St. Ann's Festival) and one at the end of summer. The latter is in celebration of the Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri…

Kumbh Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world. A Hindu tradition, it is held four times every twelve years and rotates among the four locations: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasi.…

Everybody, well almost everybody, loves chocolate and what better way to raise money for charity that to involve chocolate? Working with chocolate and charity offers a number of ways of creating a fun…

The Three Pilgrim Festivals are an important time in the Jewish calendar. They celebrate Passover, the Festival of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. Read this eHow to learn how to celebrate the…

Portland's annual Greek festival is a three-day-long celebration of Greek food, crafts and culture. Each year Portland locals come out to learn Greek cooking, indulge in Greek delicacies and even do…

The Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days and culminates with the Chinese Lantern Festival. This festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month, dates back to the Han Dynasty. Today, the…

The Miss America Organization has been around since 1921 and offers a national scholarship competition that is known the world over. Use these steps to learn how to win the local pageants and advance…

Maybe you're on business or your loved one is on business and you find yourself suddenly alone, a bit bored and with a nagging anxiety to go out. You cringe, afraid that going out alone means dining…

The Dragon Boat Festival is a spring celebration which began as a way to ward off the spread of disease which accompanies summer. Over time, the festival broadened to honor the death of Qu Yuan, a…

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Cake Festival, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon. This typically falls towards the end of September or early October on the…

Carnival is a huge festival celebrated every February in Venezuela. You can celebrate this day yourself every year with your family and friends. To help you, we've gathered a list of fun things to do.