Coopers Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake

The event take place every May in Gloucestershire, England. The tradition is at least two hundred years old and some claim may go back as far as roman times or beyond. The rules are simple - you arrive, someone throws a huge Double Gloucester cheese down the steepest hill you have ever seen and you then attempt to run down the hill after it (I say attempt because mostly people just fall or bounce after it), and the first one to the bottom the hill gets the cheese!

The Running of the Bull

The event takes place in Pamplona in Spain and is world famous and absolutely deadly. 15 people have been killed since 1910, most recently an American tourist in 1995. The event is simple; a herd of bulls are released into the narrow streets of the Pamplona while the competitors (given a head start) run for their lives. There is no winner as such, just those happy to still be alive.

Orange Throwing at the Ivrea Carnival

The event takes place in Ivrea in Turin, Italy. Dating to the middle of the 19th Century (before which people used to throw beans). Anybody can enter by joining one of the participating teams. Then it is simply a case of being pulled around in a large cart and being pummelled with oranges while you feebly attempt to throw some back.

Tar Barrel Carrying

Takes place in the village of Ottery St Mary in Devon, England. Always held on Guy Fawkes night (the 5th of November) and is believed to have first occurred in 1688. The event involves people carrying huge burning barrels of tar on their backs. They run with the burning barrel until the heat and weight become too much and then pass it on to someone else, this continues until the barrels break up.

Man Versus Horse

The event takes place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales every year. The event dates from only 1980 when a local pub landlord overheard a boastful conversation about how a man could beat a horse over a long distance. Now every year a race takes place between a man and horse over 22 miles. In 2004 a man called Huw Lobb became the first ever man to beat the horse.

Royal Shrovetide Football

Takes place in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England. An ancient ball game, which is the ancestor of soccer and its derivatives, where the inhabitants of the town split into two teams, and then by any means get a ball into the opposing teams goal (the goals are three miles apart). The rules are - get the ball into the opponent's goal and knock the hell out of people on your way.

La Tomatina

Takes place in Bunol in Valencia, Spain and is basically a big tomato fight where more than 100 metric tons of tomatoes are thrown and anyone can join in. Why? Well why not!

Oktoberfest Festival

Ok maybe not that bizarre, but still very quirky in its way and well worth a mention. The well-known German beer festival takes place every year in Munich, Germany in late September. Turn up eat drink and be very very merry. Not much more to say really.

Batalla Del Vino

A good old-fashioned wine fight! Occurs annually on St Pedros Day (29th of June) in the Spanish Town of Haro. The event consists of the town folk walking to the chapel for a religious service carrying all the wine they can, once the mass is over the wine throwing begins. The aim is to cover everybody with as much wine as possible using buckets, water guns and any other implement you can think of to fire liquid around the place.

The Farther Ted Festival

Yes that's right a festival to celebrate the Irish TV sitcom Father Ted. Held in Inish Mor an island off Galway in the west of Ireland, which is supposed to be the official Craggy Island from the show. The festival goes on for a few days and involves a number of events linked to the show such as - the priests and nuns five a side soccer tournament, the Lovely Girls beauty pageant, a song for Europe and lots more ridiculous events reminiscent of the show.

Celebration of Light, Vancouver, BC

The HSBC Celebration of Light fireworks competition has been called “One of the world's most prestigious events of its kind”. Since 1990 Vancouver has been the home of the celebration (Originally known as Symphony of Fire). It starts July 23rd and there are 4 days of shows. Each show is 25 minutes long and each show is a competitor (Country) showing off their newest creations and fireworks. So if you ever decided to visit or you are in Vancouver around the end of July, then it's highly recommended you go attend this fireworks festival because it's fun for the whole family.

Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta

This famous rodeo festival which is held I mid July is 10 days long and is consider by many people as “The Greatest Outdoor Show” on Earth. It is one of Canada's biggest annual events. The festival first got it start in 1886 but didn't become an official annual event until 1923. The rodeo park also contains amusement rides, concession stands, games, and races more then enough to keep a family busy for days.

Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Fest, Saskatchewan

If you like Jazz then this festival in Saskatchewan might be for you. People come from all over the world to participate in this 9 day festival. While at the festival you will probably encounter all different kinds of music from talented people all over Canada. In 2006, this Jazz festival was the second biggest in western Canada. It's now been 22 years the festival has been operating and its showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Icelandic Festival, Gimli, Manitoba

This festival which is held in Gimli, Manitoba is a 3 day event which starts August 3 rd and goes till the 6 th . The festival is considered to be the second oldest continuous ethnic festival in North America since it started in 1890. Events held at the festival include paintball tournaments, family fun run, Midway rides, parades, arts shows and much more. There is literally something for everyone at this festival and definitely is worth checking out if you're ever in the area.

Winterlude, Ottawa, Ontario

This is a world famous Canadian festival which I have been to many times through out my life. I use to live in downtown Ottawa and my mom would take me and my sister here every year. Winterlude is held on the Rideau Canal claimed to be the world's biggest skating rink. This festival features concerts, skating, games and food as well as amazing ice sculptures in which you can climb and so on. At night the ice sculptures and lit up making a beautiful site at night when skating. This is one of Canada's biggest tourist attractions which are held from Feb 6 th to Feb 22.

Quebec Winter Carnival, Quebec City

This is a picture of the Opening Ceremonies at the world's biggest winter carnival in Quebec. Quebec's Winter Carnival usually starts the last Friday of January or the first Friday of February and is 17 days long. The carnival origins date back to 1894 but it's been held every year since 1955. There is every possible attraction here or what's called “Something for everyone”. This is a great traditional carnival that one should visit if ever in the Quebec area.

Festival Acadian De Clare, Nova Scotia

This Canadian festival in Nova Scotia is a famous festival because it's known as the oldest Acadian Festival in Canada which started over 53 years ago. The festival has many attractions to offer and lots to do with outdoor concerts, parades, Deep-sea fishing tournaments there's enough here to keep the whole family busy for the day.

Shediac Lobster Fest, Shediac, New Brunswick

New Brunswick claims to be the home of the best lobster you can find on the planet and home of the biggest lobster but it's also the home of the famous Lobster Fest festival. The festival started in 1949 and is a 4 day long event held in July which is New Brunswick's top yearly festival. It has all the usual festival attractions like games, food, beer and eating contest. There are also outdoor concerts all over the town. This is a definite festival for any lobster lover.

Festival of Flight, Gander, Newfoundland

Newfoundland is a smaller province but that still doesn't stop them from holding a great festival. One of Newfoundland's more popular annual festivals is the “Festival of Flight” which has been a yearly thing for 22 years. There are many attractions at this event, from live music to air shows and crash up derby's as well as the usual food stands and games. Newfoundlander's are proud of this festival and another must see if you're ever visiting Newfoundland. This festival starts July 30 th and finishes on August 3 with a spectacular fireworks show.

International Shellfish Festival, Prince Edward Island

This festival started in 1996 and has grown into one of Canada's largest festivals. The festival attracts seafood chefs from all over Canada to cook off against each other and is known as the “Big Kitchen Party”. I'm not a fan of seafood but if you love it then this is the festival you must visit.

So there it is my list of 10 Famous Canadian Festivals across Canada.

1. Sinulog Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated every third Sunday of January in Cebu city (1 hour 15 minutes from Manila by air). The festival is characterized by a very long parade with many groups of people dressed in colorful costumes while dancing the Sinulog. The Sinulog dance is a traditional and ritual dance in honor of the local's patron saint, Sto. Niño (Child Jesus). It was said that while dancing Sinulog, people were shouting their petitions and thanksgiving to the Sto. Niño. The shouting (of Pit Siñor!) was necessary because the pilgrims have to be sure their petitions and thanksgiving is heard by the Sto. Niño.

2. Dinagyang Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated every fourth weekend of January in Iloilo City (1 hour 5 minutes from Manila by air.) The festival is characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing and chanting all day and night. The thundering of "Hala Bira!" by the celebrants makes the celebration a lively one. Dinagyang is the only festival in the world recognized by the United Nations to promote its advocacy campaign on the Millenium Development Goals (MGD).

3. Panabenga-Baguio Flower Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated during the whole month of February in Baguio City (50 minutes from Manila by air). The festival is characterized by showcasing Cordillera flowers on parade (flower floats), with garden shows, exhibits, lectures and competitions. Panagbenga is a Kankanaey term for "season of blooming". Since February 1995, the festival is held every year to help Baguio City forget the 1990 earthquake that distressed much o the city.

4. Kaamulan Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated every first weekend of March in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City by air; 1 hour 30 minutes from Cagayan de Oro City to Malaybalay City by land). I know it's quite a long way to go, but wait till you see what it's like. It is worth the travel. The festival is characterized by a showcase of tribal/ethnic songs, dances, games, crafts and rituals. Kaamulan is a Binukid term for "social gathering".

5. Moriones Festival

   
   This is an annual folk-religious festival celebrated during the Holy Week of April in Marinduque (45 minutes from Manila by air). It is week-long festival featuring finely-carved masks worn by colorful warriors depicting the fierce Roman soldiers of Christ's time - Longinus. Legend has it that Longinus pierced the side of the crucified Christ. The blood that spurted forth touched his blind eye and fully restored his sight. This miracle converted Longinus to Christianity and earned the ire of his fellow centurions. The term Moriones refers to the masked and costumed penitents who marched around the town for seven days in search for Longinus.

6. Bangus Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of April in Dagupan City, Pangasinan (6 hours from Manila by land). The festival is characterized by the ceremonial lighting of 1,000 barbeque grills which are used to cook thousands of Bangus (Milkfish). Did you know that the barbeque grills stretch for nearly two-kilometers and thus making it to the Guinness World Record for the longest barbecue grill? Isn't that simply amazing!?! It also highlights "101 Ways to Cook Bangus" brought to you by hundreds of chefs who compete to cook the tastiest and most creative Bangus dish. Yummy!

7. Pahiyas Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of May in Lucban, Quezon City ( 3 hours from Manila by land). The festival is characterized with a line of beautifully decorated homes with the town's best agricultural products. One of the festival's attractions is the "kiping," a wafer made of rice and shaped into a trea leaf which comes in different colors of pink, green and yellow. The festival is celebrated in honor of the locals' patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, as well as, a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. It was believed by the locals that the Pahiyas festival must be done in order to avoid bad luck, drought and famine.

8. Mudpack Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated every third weekend of June in Murcia, Negros Occidental (1 hour 10 minutes from Manila to Bacolod City by air; 20 minutes from Bacolod City to Murcia by land). The festival is characterized by a lively street dancing parade with participants wearing almost nothing but mudpacks. Isn't that a bit itchy!?! A symbolic celebration of man's return to primitive time when he was closer to nature. It seeks to instill in people the awareness and care of environment and the use of natural materials in arts and crafts.

9. Sandugo Festival

   
   This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of July in Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol (Two hours from Manila by air). The festival commemorates the blood compact (sandugo) peace treaty between Rajah Sikatuna and Capt. Gen. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi marking the beginning of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The term Sandugo is from the Visayan root word "dugo" which means "blood". In a Sandugo, participants each drink a small amount of the other's blood, thus making them brothers binded by blood. This was the traditional way of formalizing friendship treaties in the Philippines.

10. Kadayawan Festival

    
    This is an annual festival celebrated every third week of August in Davao City (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila by air). The festival is characterized by a week long celebration and thanksgiving for nature's bountiful harvest in a form of grand colorful parade of fruits and orchid-bedecked floats and tribal street dancing. Kadayawan is a Mandaya term which means anything that brings fortune, celebration and thanksgiving for the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.

11. Tuna Festival

    
    This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of September in General Santos City (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila by air). Heard of Manny Pacquiao? He is the first Asian (Filipino) boxer to win three world titles in three different weight divisions. Well, General Santos is his hometown. The festival is characterized by a floating parade representing giant replicas of tuna together with its fellow creatures from the sea. It commemorates the tuna industry which is the prime fishing product of the city, contributing 60% to its economy. General Santos is known as the country's Tuna Capital.

12. Lanzones Festival

    
    This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of October in Mambajao, Camiguin Island (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City by air; 2 hours 15 minutes from Cagayan de Oro City to Camiguin City by land then ferry). Another long ride, but will soon be rewarded by the delicious fruit specialty they are popular of -- the Lanzones. The festival is characterized by a street dancing extravaganza featuring the Lanzones -- Camiguin's favorite fruit. Lanzones is a tropical fruit that grows abundantly on the north-central coast of Mindanao. It is said that the sweetest lanzones comes from Camiguin.

13. Higantes Festival

    
    This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of November in Angono, Rizal (2 hours 30 minutes from Manila by land). Angono is known as the "Art Capital of the Philippines" -- the hometown of two national artists namely Carlos V. Francisco for painting and Lucio D. San Pedro for music. The festival is characterized by a fiesta of "gigantic" proportions highlighted by a grand procession of 10-feet high papier mache puppets surrounded by a crowd of drenched, water-fighting revelers, thus the term Higantes.

14. Shariff Kabunsuan Festival

    
    This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of December in Cotabato City, Maguindanao (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila by air). The festival is characterized by a colorful display of Muslim religion and culture. It commemorates the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab-Malay missionary from Johore, via Rio Grande de Mindanao who introduce Islam religion to the natives.

15. Binirayan Festival

    
    This is an annual festival celebrated during the month of December in San Jose, Antique (1 hour from Manila by air). The festival is characterized by the re-enactment of the landing and settlement of the ten Bornean datus in Antique (1240) who founded the first Malay settlement in the country. "Binirayan" literally means "where they sailed to".

Yangyang Festival

The Yangyang Festival, renowned for the Song-i mushroom pine festival, invites tourist to celebrate and learn about the Song-i mushroom, relish in its natural environment, and at the same time enjoy the picturesque autumn foliage of Mount Seorak and its surrounding seas.

Several events will be organized in conjunction with this festival. Among them are the memorial rite for the god of mountains, picking Song-i mushrooms, cooking contest with Song-i mushrooms, re-enacting of a traditional wedding ceremony, sampling of various Song-i mushroom dishes, and other events.

Andong International Maskdance Festival

One of the best tourist attractions in Korea is the Andong Maskdance Festival, which is famed for promoting its tradition and culture through various programmes and mask dance performances.

This 10-day festival will see myriad performances that will fascinate tourists of all backgrounds. The programmes consist of domestic and international mask dance performance as well as modern, mime, and marionette performances.
Among the highlights of this festival are the mask dance contest where single or group visitors wear face-painting and make-up to show their dance creations. Tourists are also able to taste a smorgasbord of delicious regional foods, particularly the famous Andong Chicken Jjim, a steamed chicken dish.

Inje Icefish Festival

Fishing enthusiasts desiring to fish in the icy cold weather can do so during the Inje Icefish Festival.
Have an unforgettable experience during the biggest winter festival of Korea and participate in various activities such as ice-fishing in crystal-clear water, winter sports, and savouring the authentic taste of Ganwon province while you enjoy its fresh air and scenic view.
Experience zest and thrill of nature when you play winter sports and activities such as ice soccer, sledding, ice "bumping car", ice mobile and more.

Fun Ski and Snow Festival

Experience some of the finest skiing and snowboarding in Asia while enjoying Korea's picturesque winter landscape at the Fun Ski and Snow Festival.

Deemed as Korea's most popular winter event, the Fun Ski and Snow Festival will be held from Dec 9 till March 8 at both Yongpyeong and Muju ski resorts, which have been hailed as one of the best resorts in Korea.

The events planned at the resorts and on the slopes will be more than enough to keep you and your family entertained whenever you visit.

Experience Korea like never before with its traditional music and dance, assortment of delicious international foods and beer, along with powerful modern performances during the festival. These art and cultural experiences will make your trip different from any other by allowing you to experience Korean culture firsthand.

Festivals aside, Edinburgh is a diverse, exciting place to visit. The museums and art galleries here can take up a day's visiting alone. The national gallery of Scotland Complex is free to enter and shows works by Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin and many others. The Queens' Gallery on the Royal Mile has changing exhibitions, including a wide range of art and treasures held in trust by The Queen. Then there's the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This is also free to enter and includes works by Dali, Warhol and Hirst.

If you're looking for more of an experience The Real Mary King's Close is a guided tour of Edinburgh's famous underground streets, showing what life was like in the city in the 17th century. Later in the evening the Edinburgh literary pub tour begins at the Beehive Inn.

Shopping can also be a bit of an experience in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Old Town Weaving company shows tartan being woven on the premises. Upstairs there's an information point where you can find the tartan for any clan, as well as other information on Scottish names and history. In the Scotch Whisky Experience by the castle not only can you buy your favourite single malt, but there's a tour which lasts about an hour revealing the mysteries of whisky and offering free tastings.

When it comes to eating out in Edinburgh there's a wide choice, ranging from lunch time cafes, Indian restaurants, Thai, Italian and many bistros. The Rhubarb restaurant on Prestonfield Road recently won Best Hotel Restaurant 2007 and is the latest restaurant from James Thomson whose other Restaurant, The Witchery By The Castle is already Scotland's most famous place to dine out.

Walk the streets of Edinburgh and you'll notice many pubs and bars. The Golf tavern overlooks Bruntsfield Links and is a unique place to enjoy a drink. The Bollinger Bar at Palm Court is Scotland's only Bollinger Champagne bar. The Prestoungrange Gothenburg on the High Street brew their own real ales on the premises. And The Jam House on Queen Street is Edinburgh's newest Live music venue, also offering fine dining in this old Georgian town house.

If you want something a little more lively The Stand Comedy Club has the best in Scottish and international stand-up comedy. There are many theatres and playhouses such as the Edinburgh Festival Theater on Nicolson Street and the Ross Open Air Theatre in Princes Street Gardens. But if you want something more authentic The Thistle on Leith Street boasts the best traditional Scottish entertainment the city has to offer.

The Carnival is bringing back the old times, a strange and fascinating atmosphere of odd elegant aristocrats that are dancing or singing and drinking from a cup, a rich expensive red wine - the kings luxurious atmosphere is all around and as a tourist, the first impression - if you didn't come prepared for this event - is that you are out of place, and it seems that you just stepped into a time capsule and went back in time - times of king and queens and young princes with red dresses and flowers in their blond hair - times of legends are all around you.

The main place for the event is "San Marco Piazza" the most vast area in Venice, where every year the Carnival is starting. The idea started from around 1162, when Venice being a small republic but a strong republic was victorious against Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia.

The event contains music, ballet, theater, circus and all the arts that are dear to people's hearts, but some events where lost in time as it was the "Bull Race" - that was probably a very dangerous event in the short streets, bridges and canals of Venice.

The Carnival is having a special " Venice Day" that is the most important part of Carnival. On this day the best performances will delight the participants and will culminate with the famous "Maries F?te" an event that is followed by a grand concert from the best 18th century music traditions, and will end traditionally with the Band of Venice to close a truly Venetian day.

The Mask is a symbol of the Carnival - symbol of the liberty spirit of Venice from old century's. Without an known Identity, everyone could seduce anyone, so social classes were abolished during the carnival, making the art of seduction more exciting, allowing infidelity and the mixing of the social classes. This Carnival was forbidden from 1930 by Mussolini and started again in 1979, today being a industry that is growing because if the Carnival.

The entire city of Venice, islands, peninsula, and mainland will be disguised and animated by masked faces, popular music, and dance and a unique experience that is revealing a world long vanished that is brought back in a celebration of color, music and fully colored festivities. Come and join the Carnival! It's time for you to party!