‘Festivals’ Category

Belfast’s Festivals – From the Traditional to the Insane

March 28th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

If you are planning on visiting Belfast for a week or longer you should definitely try and visit the city during festival time.  Being the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is host to a number of festivals every year and everything from the traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations to the oddly bizarre International Oyster Festival can be experienced.  Let’s take a look at five of the best festivals that Belfast has to offer.

St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day is the most traditional festival celebrated in Belfast and if you are planning on visiting Belfast during March you should definitely try and make sure you are in the city for the 17th.  On the 17th March every year a carnival atmosphere sweeps through the city and it is one that adults and children alike are sure to love.  A carnival parade is followed by performances by street artists and concerts and as the sun goes down parties held in many of the local pubs get underway.  If you want to experience a true Irish festival you have to visit the city St Patrick’s Day – grab a Guinness and watch the entertainment begin.

The Belfast Film Festival

The Belfast Film Festival has been running ever since 1995 and it is now one of the largest festivals that the city hosts.  The 2012 festival will be held between the 31st May and the 10th June and is set to be even bigger than ever before.  This year is the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and the 2012 festival aims to recreate the experience through a variety of films and seminars.  The theme of the Belfast Film Festival changes each year with previous themes including Irish Women, Racism and Protestant Identity.

The Hilden Beer Festival

If there’s one thing that the Irish are known for it’s beer and the Hilden Beer Festival won’t disappoint.  Usually held at the end of August, the Hilden Beer Festival has been running for over 30 years and has consistently grown in size year after year.  If you have a penchant for trying out new local brews you certainly won’t want to miss it.  The 2011 festival boasted 27 original beers brewed by 19 different breweries located throughout the UK.  Ciders and ales can also be enjoyed and live music makes the weekend absolutely perfect.

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Festive Fun in London – London Festival Guide

November 8th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

If you’re booking an apartment in London for your getaway this winter, there is plenty to discover in the city that doesn’t shut down after the summer.  London is simply throbbing with activity all year round so read on for some of the best events you can find in London during the colder months.

London Jazz Festival: 11-20th November

Back in the 1970s, it was decided that a specific ‘jazz week’ should be added to the already prolific Camden Festival.  Over the next 15 years, that week turned into what is now the London Jazz Festival, the Camden Festival having wound down by the early nineties.  The festival was officially established in 1992 and has grown in size and popularity ever since.

Now a multi-faceted 10 day event, the Jazz Festival draws attendees from all over the world and this year’s concerts will take place in a variety of venues from the grand Barbican and Royal Festival Hall through to more intimate locations such as the famous Ronnie Scott’s and Vortex.  The Jazz Festival has rightly claimed a position as one of the leading celebrations of this incredible genre and will continue to thrive for many years to come.  Make sure you check it out if you’re in London this winter!

Winter Wonderland – Hyde Park 18th Nov – 3rd January

Now in its fifth year, the Winter Wonderland event in Hyde Park draws revellers from all over the place to rejoice in all things Christmassy.  And with free admission, it’s no surprise that there’s never a quiet day in the Park throughout the Christmas period.  Every year, a giant observation wheel is erected for epic rides and thrilling views.  This year, there’s the addition of an ice rink which will be lit up at night with more than 100,000 tiny lights, creating a really festive feel.  At more than 1,350 metres squared, the rink will be the biggest in the UK.

The Christmas Market offers something for everything and it’d take a real Scrooge not to start feeling the magic of Christmas when wandering amongst the stalls.  The stalls themselves are housed inside wooden chalets and will be rich with unusual handmade items.  If you’re on the hunt for souvenirs of your trip to London, you’ll be sure to find something perfect here.

Aladdin – 24th – 8th January at the Greenwich Theatre

If you’re really looking to get into the wintry spirit of the UK, you simply must take in a pantomime.  A festive staple for many years, the panto is a real treat for adults and children alike.

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5 of the Best Thanksgiving Day Parades in the USA

November 7th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

As the old song says, I love a parade, and apparently most people in the USA do, too. That’s one reason Thanksgiving Day parades have become as much an American tradition as turkey and pumpkin pie. There’s a multitude of parades celebrating the official beginning of the holiday season, but here is a list of five of the very best Thanksgiving Day parades in the USA. I hope that you’re somewhere close enough to visit one of them. If not, there’s always the magic of television.

6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA

With its inception in1920, Philadelphia claims the honor of hosting the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the USA. The parade starts at 8:30am in Center City and proceeds along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The finishing point is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where a spot on the steps is a wonderful place to view the parade.

The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago

Started during the Great Depression in 1936, this parade was created to stimulate the economy and cheer up the city’s residents. It worked, and now this holiday tradition is bigger and better than ever. The parade steps off at 8am at the corner of State and Congress and winds up about three hours later at the corner of State and Randolph. There will be more than 400,000 spectators there to view the marching bands, giant balloons, and colorful floats, and to get a chance to see Ronald McDonald and Santa Claus in person.

America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, MI

Started in 1924, Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day parade is only a few years younger than Philadelphia’s. Complete with all the usual parade festivities, Detroit’s parade is also famous for its ever-growing collection of Big Heads, giant papier-mâché heads that look like strolling costumed bobbleheads. Hundreds of thousands will line the streets as the parade begins at 9:20am at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Mack and marches to its conclusion downtown at Woodward Avenue and Congress.

Houston’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Each year the H-E-B Holiday Parade takes place in Houston, Texas on Thanksgiving Day. This Texas-sized event celebrates its 62nd birthday in 2011 and will attract around 400,000 people to the festivities. The fun starts at 9am at Hunter Park and travels a square route to its finale back at the park.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

Nearly all of us grew up watching Macy’s parade on television every Thanksgiving morning. The illustrious parade is attended by more than 3 million people and watched by an additional 44 million television viewers.

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Five top African festivals for 2012

June 9th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

African festivalsWhen planning your African getaway, why not schedule it so that you can take in a top festival at the same time? The celebrations, the variety of cultures and the friendly atmosphere will provide an experience that is unforgettable. Africa is a true melting pot of upcoming talent and cultural heritage, making for experiences that are both unique and entertaining. Festivals range from international musical events that feature a host of top acts from all over Africa and other continents, to historic and traditional celebrations that give you insight into local customs that have been around for centuries. Africa also boasts some of the most majestic scenery in the world, so settings for these events include deserts, cities and open plains, all of which will take your breath away.

If Africa is your destination of choice in 2012, here are five festivals that should top your list:

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (January):

South Africa is a culturally diverse country and the Minstrel Carnival is just one of the attractions you should enjoy here. Celebrating the New Year in style, locals dress up in extravagant costumes and parade in large groups of marching bands. Singing, dancing, celebration and vibrant colours make this festival stand out.

Festival-au-Desert (January):

Spend a few days in the desert oasis that is Essakane, this event attracts top internationals from Western Africa and Europe. A celebration of music, art and African dance combined with a unique camping experience in the desert makes this unlike anything you would have ever done before.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival (March):

The biggest jazz celebration in Southern African (and one of the biggest in the world), this event attracts thousands of music lovers from across South Africa and beyond. Taking place in March, one should definitely try to book their place early as tickets move fast.

Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (June):

Find out more about the Fes culture in the scenic and unique country of Morocco. Witness the mesmerising dervishes of Iran as well as mystics and chanters from all around the world. Find out more about the “Spirit of the Fes” while exploring the historic city and sampling the delicious Moroccan cuisine.

International Festival of the Sahara (December):

Scheduled for the December month, visitors to this annual event are entertained with traditional Sahara culture. The music, the dance – the camel racing, this event is four action-packed days celebrated by over 50 000 people.

Jason Acar is a Professional freelance SEO Copywriter and writes on various topics. He is a vastly experienced journalist with an interest in experiencing adventure all over Africa.

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