5 Amazing Holiday Celebrations

 

5 Amazing Events to See.

 

The holiday season is fast approaching and for many of us who are under-employed, earning less or out of work and looking for jobs, the celebrations will probably be more subdued than they were several years ago.

 

I don't know about you, but for me, the past couple of years have been financially tough but have also given me a different appreciation of the spirit of the holidays. Rather than focusing on giving and getting gifts, they have become a time of celebrating love, life and joy with my friends and family.

 

The winter holidays aren't the only times for celebrating. In fact, there are some amazing festivals all over the world that bring people together to enjoy and share goodwill with others.

 

Here are five celebrations I want to attend at some point in my life:

 

Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany

 

This festival happens toward the end of September. It lasts for 16 days and ends in early October. Beer lovers from around the world attend the all the beer you can drink party. You can also sample German cuisine and celebrate good drink and food with the Germans.

 

 

Mardi Gras – New Orleans, LA

 

Mardi Gras is a New Orleans tradition that celebrates the beginning of the Lenten season. The party ends on “Fat Tuesday”, the last night for partying and feasting before the fasting of Lent. There are parades, floats and people in costumes throwing colorful plastic beads into the crowd. Event goers also have the opportunity to sample some of New Orleans' famous gumbo and King cakes.

 

Chinese New Year – Hong Kong, China

 

This festival marks the last day of the Chinese New Year and although there are other Chinese New Year celebrations across the globe, this one is the most famous. It features fireworks and dancing fire dragons. Traditionally, Chinese families blow whistles and horns for good luck. It is definitely a time for sharing good wishes for the upcoming year and sharing joy with others.

 

Burning Man – Black Rock Desert, Nevada

 

I'm not sure if I will ever be able to go to this, because I am not really the outdoorsy type, but I think it is an amazing celebration. Burning Man celebrates the end of summer and is held the week before Labor Day. During the celebration, the desert comes alive with art and self-expression. There are sculptures, live action art and a huge bonfire.

 

Carnival of Venice– Venice, Italy

 

This colorful celebration of spring turns the city into a magical dress up party. People wear masks and costumes, traditionally to hide their identity and any separation between the classes. The celebration began as a party where the separation between nobles and commoners was non-existent. There is a competition for the best mask and many famous fashion designers compete for the prize.

 

Have you attended any of these celebrations? Are there other ones you want to attend? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

 

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for Administrativejobsblog and Nexxt. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.