Pack Your Bags: Top Events You Should Not Miss This Summer
Pack Your Bags: Top Events You Should Not Miss This Summer
Summer is the best time to see the world and take part in festivals and events. Around the world, people come together to celebrate cultural events, take part in seasonal festivities, and throw epic parties.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable trip this summer, pack your bags and head to one of these incredible events.
Mad Cool Festival, Spain
The Mad Cool Festival is a world-famous rock and indie music festival that takes place every summer in Madrid. Previous headliners include Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stoneage, Green Day, and the Foo Fighters. For avid travelers, this is the perfect way to start or finish a trip around Spain.
The Running of the Bulls also takes place around the same time in Pamplona, creating the opportunity for an epic, event-filled getaway. This centuries-old tradition is now a tourism phenomenon, but started out as a way to get bulls through the town from the breeding pen to the butchery. For locals, it became a feat of bravery and would often be paired with a traditional matador bullfight. Now, the Running of the Bulls has become a week-long event.
Between watching rock Gods play and the ancient Pamplona ritual, stay in one of the luxurious Barcelona villas and take in the incredible architecture around the city. From there, travel to Seville to watch traditional Flamenco dancers perform their cultural dance.
Burning Man, USA
Burning Man is a one-of-a-kind festival that takes place in Nevada. Head out to the desert for a week of radical artistry and inclusion. Share what makes you unique and create a community with a common purpose before watching the ritualistic burning of the large humanoid-shaped wooden pyre that gives the festival its name.
Burning Man takes place a few hours outside of Reno. With some careful planning, you could lengthen your trip and make the journey by car from Reno to Las Vegas for two weeks of unforgettable fun. Alternatively, hop a cheap flight from Reno to Las Vegas before heading home.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland
Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place every summer in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is advertised as the world’s largest arts festival and a platform for aspiring artists from around the world to share their creative passion and display their skills. What makes Edinburgh Festival Fringe so incredible is their inclusivity: there’s no eligibility or selection process, and anyone can partake.
The festival often spans over an entire month, with more than 3,500 shows to choose from. These performances include everything from spoken word poetry to opera. The aptly named “Fringe Society” offers a variety of planning tools, including a personalized planning calendar and an app. There are plenty of visitors who make a point to visit the festival every year. Comedians Rowan Atkinson of Mr. Bean fame and Stephen Fry launched their careers at The Fringe.
Festival Napa Valley, USA
What better way to celebrate the summer than with a wine festival in the heart of Napa Valley, California? At Festival Napa Valley, it’s not just about drinking the best vintage; it’s about appreciating the art and science of winemaking. This innovative festival often has a different theme from year-to-year. The 2019 theme pays homage to the lunar landing with space-themed performances, including a symphony orchestra performing music from Star Wars.
Of course, wine goes hand-in-hand with delicious food. Local restaurants often open their doors to festival attendees and delicious meals can be purchased on-site. On one of your off days, plan a picnic in the valley or take a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, U.K.
For travelers in search of a family-friendly event, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta fits the bill. This weekend-long event invites hot air balloon owners from around the world to inflate and launch their balloons, creating a spectacle of hundreds of balloons drifting over Bristol. This event attracts well over 100,000 visitors each day of the event.
In the evening, the Nightglow takes place. Balloons are illuminated and launched to music after an awe-inspiring fireworks show. Visitors can either watch the spectacle from the ground or see it from the sky with family balloon rides.
There are thousands of summer events around the world that happen every year, with new ones joining the roster all the time. Choose one that appeals to you and create the trip of a lifetime.