With summer vacation quickly approaching, many soon-to-be travellers are weighing their holiday options. While a sun and surf destination may be alluring, consider the following cultural festivals before booking that all-inclusive. Check out this list of cool, quirky festivals taking place around the world this summer.
1. Named best festival by Rolling Stone Magazine, Bonnaroo is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival hosted on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. The party gets under way June 11-14th, rain or shine, with dozens of bands, including Al Green, Beastie Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Phish, Public Enemy, Paul Oakenfold and Nine Inch Nails. It costs $224–$249 for a four-day pass that includes camping and parking. www.bonnaroo.com
2. Head to St. Petersburg for their White Nights Festival, a six-week event from May 15-June 18th. During this time, the sun never fully sets and the nights are bright … a perfect excuse to celebrate. White Nights Festival offers a variety of programs which include dance, jazz, opera and classical music performances. www.saint-petersburg.com
3. Trying to do NYC on the cheap? Check out Summer Stage, a free performing arts festival in Central Park. This 20 year-old festival has everything from spoken word to stand-up comedy, with free big name performances from the Indigo Girls and Ziggy Marley. Tickets are first come, first served and gates open an hour before show times. www.summerstage.org
4. For something a little unusual, check out the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival (in late June). One of the oldest festivals in the world, this wrestling fest takes place in Edirne, Turkey and involves shirtless macho men grappling while slathered in oil.
5. The last Wednesday of August, at the peak of tomato season, the small Spanish town of Bunol (just outside of Valencia) hosts La Tomatina, a giant tomato food fight. The tomatoes are specially-grown for this annual event and a reported 140 tons are trucked in from the countryside. Imagine thousands of tourists covered in salsa and the streets over-flowing with tomato juice.
6. Celebrate the Summer Solstice at the ruins of Stonehenge. On June 20, this free, one-night event draws druids, hippie types and peaceful pagan partiers eager to watch the 4:45 a.m. sunrise on the longest day of the year.
7. Summer Fest, the “world’s largest music festival” takes place in Milwaukee June 25 – July 5. Over the 11 days, there are some 700 artists across 11 stages, with a range of performances by: The Roots, Kid Rock and Leonard Skynard, Barenaked Ladies, Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Whitesnake. www.summerfest.com
– Julia Dimon is co-host of Word Travels, airing on OLN; www.juliadimon.com.
