Feature shot by re-ality Photo above by grahammclellan
Mardi Gras? Carnival? Octoberfest? The Running of the Bulls? Been there. Done that. Everyone knows about these parties. They’re great. They’re famous. But most people go to them once and never come back. Let’s talk about parties where the same people return year after year.
In no particular order, here are our top 10 must see parties:
La Tomatina
What: Nobody is really sure how it began- practical joke? A harmless food fight between two merchants? A prank? No one knows but this messy fiesta has been a strong tradition since 1945. On the last Wednesday in August, about 30,000 people descend on this little town to participate in the world’s largest food fight. Never had that massive cafeteria food fight when you were younger? Well, here’s your chance.
When: The last Wednesday in August.
Where: The tiny town of Buñol in the Valencia region of Spain
Bring: Throw-away clothes and goggles! Tomato juice in the eye stings!
Learn more
Full Moon Party
What: Legend has it that the Full Moon Party started as a birthday party in the 80s. The backpackers decided to come back again and again. Soon word spread and every month, backpackers would head to KPG to party.
Over the years, the hippy party morphed into a 20,000 person festival. Even in the low season, the party still sees about 10,000 visitors. Many people will tell you that it’s lost its charm over the years but for a serious dose of all night (and all day) partying in Thailand, this is place to get it.
Photo by jeremydeades
When: During the full moon, every month
Where: Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Bring: Your drinking shoes, a red bull, facepaint, and clothes you don’t care about.
Learn more
Burning Man
What: Looking for the ultimate arts extravaganza? Burning Man is for you! An 8 day festival that culminates in the burning of a 72ft wooden man, this festival is where you can cut loose. Each year has a theme (this year, it’s “American Dream”) and last year 47,000 people decided to join the fun.
Photo by colvid daorado
When: Starts 8 days before the American Labor Day, September
Where: Blackrock Desert, Nevada USA
Bring: Everything BUT money! Burning Man runs on a full barter system and the only things you can buy are water and ice. Aside from the obvious supplies you’d take camping, other essentials include sunblock, a Camel Back and goggles. MOST importantly, bring something that allows you to participate–that’s what Burning Man is all about.
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Songkran
What: Songkran is the Thai New Year. It’s a spiritual festival designed to cool you down and wash away the sins of the previous year. What better way of doing that than by committing a few new ones, right away? Songkran takes place all over the country with everyone embarking on possibly the world’s largest water fight.
When: Mid-April
Where: Anywhere in the land of Smiles (Bangkok and Chang Mai have the biggest parties)
Bring: Anything you don’t mind wearing only once, a water gun, extra water, and a good attitude.
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Glastonbury Music Festival
What: A 3 day music festival designed to celebrate the earth, music, and the arts, this festival brings in people from all over the world. Last year’s event had over 177,000 people and 700 musical acts.
When: The last weekend in June
Where: Pilton, England
Bring: Tickets, a tent, sleeping bag, food, and whatever else you “need” to have fun.
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Holi
What: Similar to the Thai holiday of Songrkan, Holi is a two day Hindu spring festival that occurs in northern India. The first night is marked by bonfires, and the second day is spent pleasuring your inner 2nd grader by splashing colored flour and water over everybody. It’s a celebration about renewal.
Photo by faceme
When: The full moon in March.
Where: India
Bring: Red, orange, and green flour, lots of water, clothes you don’t need!
Learn more
Bay to Breakers
What: It’s supposed to be a 7 mile foot race but instead it’s a 7 mile costume party and keg race that goes through downtown San Francisco. It began in 1906 to keep people’s sprits up after the earthquake and locals are still keeping that alive, in force! Over 70,000 people, congregate downtown in costumes (or nothing at all) and shopping carts filled with kegs. A little Mardi Gras + a little Halloween college party = a lot of fun.
Photo by weylandphoto
When: The third Sunday in May.
Where: San Francisco, California
Bring: A crazy costume and lots of beer!
Learn more
Australia Day
What: Australians love two things: beer and bbqs. No day brings out the best in these two than Australia Day, when Aussies celebrate the first European settlement on the continent of Australia. Aussies, a normally festive bunch, kick it up a notch all over the country with bbqs, music, and beer. From the cities to the towns, Aussies are out in full force. If you don’t already have an Aussie friend to take you under his/her wing, head to a beach with beer and make some new friends! Most Australians would love nothing more to break in a newbie!
Photo by Scootie
When: January 26
Where: Anywhere in Oz!
Bring: Your Australian pride, a case of Carlton draught or Coopers, and something for the grill.
Learn more
Queen’s Day
What: The normally reserved Dutch cut lose to celebrate the birth of their Queen. Originally to celebrate the birth of Juliana, the day now celebrates the birth of Beatrix, whose January birthday makes it cold to party. All over the country, the Dutch head outside with their beer and music, flood the streets in orange, and cruise up and down the canals in revelry.
When: April 30th
Where: The Netherlands (Amsterdam has the biggest party)
Bring: Anything orange!
Learn more
Calgary Stampede
What: A 10 day rodeo that attracts over a million visitors during its course. The festival features a parade and is the largest event in Canada. But don’t come to watch the rodeo, come for the party! The throngs of people who flock to Calgary are there for the revelry, the beer, and the girls (or boys).
When: Second week in July
Where: Calgary, Alberta
Bring: Your best cowboy outfit and a tolerance for country music.
Learn more
What’s your favorite party on the planet? What nationality of people do you think party the hardest? Let your voice be heard and leave something for all to see, in the comments!
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209 Comments... join the discussion!
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EEEEE???WHAT ABOUT THE BIGGEST PARTY IN THE WORLD CALLED LOVE PARADE?????
IT USED TO BE IN BERLIN BUT NOW ITS ARUND THE WORLD .
I REMEMBER THAT ONCE THERE WHERE OVER 1.800.000 PEOPLE IN BERLIN .
I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF S*^& ON YOUR LIST AND THAT YOU DID NOT PUT THE LOVE PARADE SORRY THAT A HAVE TO SAY ID LIKE THIS .↵ -
How about the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City held every 3rd Sunday of January – last crowd count was 2 million and it keeps on increasing every single year.
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How about the real thing in Trinidad and Tobago!! Carnival in Trinidad is the second largest carnival in the world behind Rio. For 3 straight days the ENTIRE island shuts down and starting on a sunday night for 3 nights and 2 straight days of drinking, dancing, and partying in the streets following Macktrucks filled with speakers with girls in beads and bikinis jumping in the streets. Nothing can compare to the raw energy of Trinidad Carnival.
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There's also Shambhala Music Festival near Nelson, B.C. in Canada. It's a 3-6 day (depending how early you get there, the first couple days it is only half open) outdoor electronic music festival on a ranch in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Usually about 10,000-12,000 people show up and last time it was sold out. It's the 1st or 2nd week of August every year.
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Sweet post.. But what about Oktoberfest and Spirit of London?
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The party at my house in Leeds on New Years Eve takes some beating !
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im making it my mission to go to all of these events before i die hahahaha.
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World Party Day! every April 3 until the massive World Party I.
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"Declare World Party 1" see you there and will post this page on me blog!!
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Thats awesome that Calgary was thrown into the mix!! I defintely wasn't expecting it, even though I guess it is a full 10 day stretch of partying for the whole city. Oh and Eva: The Red Mile is only in effect if the Flames actually go for a cup run again. That was only 2004, and briefly for 2006… but nonetheless heres hoping for another Flames cup run. GO FLAMES GO!
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Perfect list. If you make a Top 12 list make sure you include Mardi Gras and Carnaval.
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Pennsic War? New Year’s Even in Times Square, NYC? St. Pat’s in NYC or Boston?
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Seems like all the big GLBTQ & fetish community parties were left out: Sydney Mardi Gras, Folsom Street Fair in SF, ILM in Chicago, NY & SF Pride parades. These events are all huge, superfun & attended by many of the same people year after year.
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Great post, only one problem: Burning Man is not run on a barter system, the whole idea is to have a gift economy. If you have excess, gift it to someone else who may need it. The great thing is, almost everyone welcomes you with open arms, literally. Even if your a ‘virgin’ they give you a big hug and say Welcome Home!
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You forgot Queens Day in the Netherlands…..millions and millions celebrate it in the streets !
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Been to Songkran and the Full Moon, Definitely loved Songkran. Full Moon, not so much. The list can go on and on, but I gotta put a shout out to the Calgary Stampede (I was born in Alberta) and Gay Pride in Toronto, my hometown!
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How about Tenerife Carnival – in the Guinnes Book of Records for hosting the world’s largest outdoor dance with over 200,000 people shaking their thang to the salsa beat?
http://www.mytenerifeinfo.com/events/Tenerife-Carnival-February-2009.cfm↵ -
oktoberfest in munich
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Glad to see Bay to Breakers on this list, it’s my favorite event out of the whole year and I never miss it, even when I’m travelling.
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one word – BOOMBAMELA
Every year, in the passover holiday boombamela happens. 3 days, 40′000 – 50′000 people…. incredible!
here’s the website :
http://www.boombamela.co.il/site/article.php?article=43
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Calle Ocho in Miami, the culmination of Carnival Miami is a one day 24block long street party that attracts 1+ Million visitors from all over the world.
“The festival closes off 24 blocks of SW 8th Street to host dancing, food, drink and 30 stages of live entertainment. This is one heck of a party! In 1988, the festival was the scene of a Guinness World Record, as 119,986 people joined in the world’s longest conga line!”
http://miami.about.com/od/artsandentertainment/a/carnaval.htm
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La fete de la musique? Every June the entire country of France throws a 24 hour street music festival. That’s pretty big, non?
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What about S. João (St. John) in Oporto, Portugal?
Every June 23rd night… Everyone on the street!
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You have got to be kidding me… The biggest party in Portugal that everyone can come to is the Queima das Fitas. On any city that has a University in either April or May of every year. São João…. That’s bull my fellow portuguese.
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Cochella???!?!?!
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Emm .. Tomatina is great and all but the Valencian Las Fallas festival is missing. Which is the 2. biggest street festival in the world right after the Carnival in Rio.
We covered Fallas pretty heavily this year on our lbog and I can’t wait for the next Fallas.
It all starts with La Despertà: http://www.holavalencia.net/2009/02/23/desperta-2009-welcome-to-hell-kid/
And goes then up to 20 days. It’s the most insane and intense days I experienced.
FALLAS!
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How about Roskilde festival?????
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Two million people or so celebrate New year’s eve at Copacabana in Rio De Janeiro and trust me it is a very special event!
It is the second largest celebration only next to the Carnival. The mixture of Brazilian and African culture gives a special essence to New Year’s Eve celebration at Copacabana.
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Carneval Salvador (Bahia) Brazil.
2 million people in the streets every day for six days….. And very god music all over the city. There are at least 50 – 60 big trucks with band who is playing in the city every day(for six days). And you are dancing in the streets with the local people all night long if you want too….
Nobody come close!!↵ -
Don’t forget Fantasy Fest in Key West, Florida – http://www.fantasyfest.net/ – one of the most outrageous festivals anywhere.
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the sinulog festival in cebu, philippines!! millions of people dance and revel in the celebration of the holy child…
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Mummer’s Parade in Philadelphia.
January 1st of each year.
From 7:00 AM till 5:00 AM the next day.↵ -
San Fermin(Running of the Bulls) is a 7 day long 24 hours party. That so needs to be listed. Its utter insanity
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You forgot Kalibo Ati-atihan in the Philippines = the Mardi Gras of Asia.
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Kumba Mela in Alahabad, India attracts 30-40 MILLION Hindus of all stripes. Basically a convention of spiritual heavies from all over the world. It equates loosely to a Haj to Mecca. Held toward the end of the calendar year, the exact date depends on the alignment of the stars and planets with the major event every 12 years and smaller gatherings yearly.
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“Przystanek Woodstock”, Kostrzyn, Poland – First weekend of august. Biggest music festival in Europe. Over 400 000 people this (2009) year.
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ANd what about Rio’s carnival???
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woodstock 4million pepole for 3 days striat
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not quite right, only 400.000 people
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What about Sasquatch? it’s the american may long weekend at the Gorge in Washington and it’s four days of camping in tents on a field beside the Gorge Amphitheater and watching amazing bands, Plus people go year after year. My sisters and I have gone three years in a row and I don’t think I’ll ever have a chance to see the Beastie boys, The Flaming Lips, the Cure, Bjork ect, ever again in concert! It’s always a good time but there really isn’t much in the way of showering so be prepared to be dirty.
and thanks for throwing a shout to the Stampede, I`m a born-and-raised Calgary girl!↵ -
Everyone knows about Carnival in Rio. Undoubtedly one of the greatest parties on earth. But, what about Boi Bumba? It is a mid-summer Carnival that makes Rio’s looks tame in comparison… and it is on a tiny island in the middle of the Amazon river. Think I’m joking? Look at the video on http://www.flashnomad.com!
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#11 – My Grandma’s 80th birthday this December!!!!
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Thank you !! thank you !!!!!!!!THANK YOU!!!!!! becouse of this I learned I about Burning Man and a few months later I went , from saying it 3 times and hitting that bell loud as heck “I AM NOT A VIRGIN!!!” to packing it up after Temple Burn ….Best time of my life thank you thank you , or just the few people I was able to interact with , best party hands down !
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It may not quite be on the scale of some of these, but Montreal’s Black and Blue gets tons of people partying all weekend. What they lack in numbers, they make up for in going for it…
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very biased, only thai and english speaking festivals. Carneval in Rio and Oktoberfest in Munich are totally missing. Useless information instead.
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What about Celtic Colours in Cape Breton. How was it anyway?
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What about Yi Peng in Thailand!
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Every summer festival in Portugal is amazing, specialy the boom festival were people around the world come to listen good music.Great country, great people and so much fun.
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EXIT!!!one of the best,and how can you mention gay parades in choise for best festival!?
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From the latino world!!
Feria de San Marcos en Aguascalientes, México!!
Around the 25th of April.One month of purely mexican traditions!! bull fights, cock fights, concerts, mariachi music at the streets and rivers of $2 USD 1 lt beers!!!
Viiiiiiiiiiiva Aguascalientesn!!
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