Now that it is officially autumn, for those of us here in New England that means cool, crisp weather, leaves turning beautiful colors, apple cider, pumpkins on porches, and lots of local fairs and fall festivals.
Around the world, fall festivals take place in many different countries. Here are a few:
Day of the Dead (Mexico)
In tandem with All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) observances take place on November 1 and 2. Families honor their deceased relatives with elaborate altars in their homes. Candlelit processions are common, as are picnics and traditional foods, as well as colorful skeletons.
Diwali (India)
During Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, Indians light rows of clay lamps outside their homes. Over the five-day holiday, people clean and decorate their homes, gather with family to pray and feast, and visit friends. This important celebration typically falls sometime between the middle of October and mid-November — in the Hindu months of Ashvin and Kartika.
Mid-Autumn “Moon Cake” Festival (China)
This festival occurs at the time of the full moon exactly half-way through the lunar Autumn season, usually mid-September – equivalent to a Western “harvest moon.” It celebrates both the farming season’s conclusion and a famous revolutionary uprising against the Mongols during the 14th Century. The traditional “moon cake” is made of a lotus and sesame seed paste surrounding an egg in a small pastry case.
Oktoberfest (Germany)
Perhaps Germany’s most famous secular festival, this has its roots in a celebration of a 19th century royal wedding. Today’s version incorporates elements of a harvest festival but is most widely known for enjoyment of food, beer, and wine. Oktoberfest is an exuberant festival that runs from the third Saturday of September to the first Sunday of October and features parades, carnival rides, and of course beer.
And not to forget our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, who are in their Spring season now:
Círio de Nazaré (Brazil)
This celebration honors the Virgin Mary in Belém’s enormous cultural event, recognized by UNESCO in 2013. Culminating in a public procession, a revered statue of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazarth) is pulled through the streets with ropes handled by thousands of participants.
Floriade (Australia)
In the country’s largest celebration of Spring, Australians enjoy more than a million flowers as well as entertainment, music, food, drink and activities from mid-September through mid-October. Canberra’s Commonwealth Park becomes a floral extravaganza with displays and sculptures made with flowers.
Do you have a favorite festival in your own or adopted country? One of my favorites is the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Mexico (U.S.). Dating back to 1972, it is held in early October and has become the world’s largest ballooning event. My fiesta memories evoke beautiful images of gently glowing balloons in the pre-dawn light as they inflate for the day, and then the amazing variety of color as they fill the sky.
Living Abroad’s destination reports discuss holidays and festivals, so you’ll be able to understand the local culture and prepare for business closings and events that may be taking place in your host community.
Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group
