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Top Summer Festivals this August
siddlobo
05 August, 2009 09:22
It’s summer, it’s sizzling and it’s time to party. What
better way than with some of the hippest, funkiest and unique festivals from
all over the world this August.
San
Jose Jazz Fest, USA
7th- 9th August
One of the finest music festivals in the U. S, this festival
attracts over 1000 artists and 100,000 jazz lovers from around the world. Jazz,
blues, salsa, Latin, R&B, electronica and many other forms of contemporary
music are the order of the day. If that sounds like music to your ears, the
place to head for is San Jose.
Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland
14th August – 6th September
Concerts, opera, theatre, ballet, dance, orchestra – the
world-renown Edinburgh Festival has it all. Performances take place in six
major concert halls and theatres and a number of smaller venues as well. The
best occasion to savour the classics.
Audi- Hamilton Island Race Week, Queensland
22nd – 29th August
This is one for the regatta enthusiasts. Thousands of
sailors, their families, and friends make the annual pilgrimage to the
Australian tropics to enjoy some of the most competitive and enjoyable racing
to be had at any regatta in the world. 2008 boasted of a record fleet of 225 yachts.
Assa Abloy
Henley-on-Todd Regatta, Alice
Springs Australia
22nd August
Now here’s a weird one… this is a regatta with a difference.
Unlike other regattas, the Assa Abbloy Henley-on-Todd Regatta takes place on
the dry beds of River Todd. Teams and individuals race ‘boats’ which take on
strange forms like 'bath tubs', 'yachts' and 'oxford tubs' on the dry river
beds in outback Alice Springs. A hilarious and insane
experience and one that’s for a good cause. Proceeds are donated to charity.
Ganesh
Chaturthi, India
23rd August
This is the birthday of the famous Elephant God in Hinduism.
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of India’s
biggest festivals and is celebrated with gusto across the country. Clay idols
of the Elephant God varying from one inch to 25 feet are decorated and
worshipped. On the eleventh day, the idol is taken through the streets in a
procession before being immersed in a river or the sea.
La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain
27th August
Now this is fun. This August, head to the world’s largest
tomato fight. The action happens in Bunol, a little town in Spain
about 30 miles from the Mediterranean. On the last
Wednesday of August, the locals explode into a tomato flinging frenzy. For a
full week leading to the epic ‘batalla’, the town is filled with parades,
fireworks, food and street parties. Join in the battle frenzy.
Puck Fair, Killorglin, Ireland
10th – 12th August
This is Ireland’s
most unusual street festivals. From horse fairs to puppet shows, circus
routines to parades, you’ll find it all crammed in three days of non-stop, free
family entertainment. A great option for those looking for wholesome, family
fun.
Wine Festival, Baja California,
Mexico
7th – 23rd August
As the name suggests, this festival is for the wine lovers.
Every summer, the wineries of Baja California,
Mexico host an amazing
series of wine, food, music and cultural events throughout the region. Join in
and discover new favourites this month.
Please note that there
may be changes to the dates, events and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed
information, check the official websites.
Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based out of Munich
