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The Feria de Abril in Sevilla, Spain. Photo by Ed Tarwinski.
It may be tempting to book a beach holiday for Spring Break. However, there are other options if you’re looking for a holiday that’s a little different. Some of the world’s biggest festivals, such as the Rio Carnival and New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, are obvious choices, but if you’re looking for something a little more unique, check out these awesome Spring festivals from around the world.
In April, there are two awesome festivals that I’d fully recommend checking out. The first, in Spain, is Seville’s Feria de Abril festival, which takes place two weeks after the Easter weekend. Every day there are horse parades through the festival grounds by costumed riders and adorned horse saddles, accompanied by lavishly dressed female flamenco dancers. Then you can embrace your inner child at the Feria’s amusement park rides. The grounds in which the main body of the festival takes place are situated about twenty minutes’ walk from the center of Seville, and can be also easily accessed by transfer, either a direct airport transfer or a private taxi from your accommodation. Along with the celebrations, which can be enjoyed in any of seven public Casetas (party tents), there is a wide selection of local drinks and tapas and other regional delicacies to be enjoyed. The drinking, dancing and festivities go on well into the night.
Thailand’s incredible Songkran festival. Photo by John Shedrick
For a completely different sort of festival, why not check out Thailand during April? The Songkran Water Festival usually takes places at a similar time to Seville’s Feria de Abril, depending on movements of the new moon during the month. Whilst the basis of Songkran is a somber Buddhist tradition of water-based rituals between young Thai Buddhists and their elders, the event has taken on a completely difference significance in recent years. As the festival takes place during the height of Thailand’s baking summer, the simple light pouring of water onto the head of the Buddha has rather understandably degenerated into all out water warfare on the streets of Thailand. Not only is the festival crazy, soaking fun, but it’s also a great chance to cool off in the blazing heat! The best places in Thailand to enjoy Songkran are Chiang Mai in the north, where water-gun-wielding Thais go wild for chucking water over suspecting and unsuspecting passers-by with little discretion, and Phuket, where the festivities are accompanied by the ritual release of birds and fish. You may end up completely soaking wet, but it will be an unforgettable experience!
India’s technicolor Holi Festival. Photo by rudresh_calls
At the end of March, there is the Holi festival in India, which is another once-in-a-lifetime festival. Celebrating the coming of spring, as well as being a religious rite for Hindus, and rejoicing in friendships and human interconnectivity Holi is one of the high points of the Hindu calendar. Dance, food, music and, most of all, the throwing of colored powders in the streets, are what make Holi such a special festival to be a part of. Imagine the water festival of Thailand, but replacing the water with a rainbow of powders filling the air. It’s crazy! Everybody becomes technicolor during Holi. It is quite a sight, and if you’re a photographer, not one to be missed!
These are just three unique festivals you can enjoy if you’re traveling this year for Spring Break. Many more are just a click away.
