People love festivals as they are an opportunity to celebrate life in its many shades. I, for one, have been fortunate to attend some of the most intriguing and popular festivals around the world. And if you may ask which festival I would attend once again, I’d still be spoiled for choices. But now when I think of it, I have always preferred going to a night festival to a daytime festival. So here’s a list of some of the most amazing nocturnal festivals I have been to.
Vivid Sydney, Sydney
This is one of my favourites, to start with. Vivid Sydney is a spectacular arts festival that takes place annually in the city of Sydney, Australia. When the winter season sets in on the city, this splendid 3-week arts festival arrives as a great reason for joy and transformation. The last time I visited the festival was in 2018 and was quite impressed by its unique splendour. I got aboard a Sydney Vivid cruise that allowed me to enjoy the best views from the world-famous harbour waters. The illuminated Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the city skyline were indeed a breathtaking spectacle. This year, the festival has returned after three long years and I genuinely wish to visit again. And yes, of course, I’d choose a Vivid harbour cruise over any other venue in the city. Enjoy lights, music and thought-provoking ideas with Vivid Sydney 2022.
Noche de Brujas, Veracruz, Mexico
Also known as the ‘Night of the Witches’, this unique festival is annually held on the First Friday of March in the town of Catemaco. This was one of the festivals that changed my views of indigenous people and beliefs—with witchery, healing, fortune-telling and all things magical. The festival takes place on the shore of Laguna Catemaco, which is also the centre of Mexico’s witchcraft and witch-doctor industry. The festival is a combination of ancient indigenous beliefs, Spanish medieval traditions and voodoo practices from West Africa. Some interesting things you can do at this intriguing night festival are getting a limipia(cleansing), a tarot reading or a black-magic ceremony.
New Year’s Eve, Rio de Janeiro
The New Year’s Eve celebrations in Rio have been one of the most amusing experiences in my life. Over two million people flock to Copacabana Beach in large numbers to be a part of the massive NYE celebration. And the most exciting part of all? The fireworks! The NYE fireworks in Rio are considered one of the biggest in the world, and there's no doubt its magnificence will spellbind you! The locals will be dressed in white as they gather on the beach to cast out their offerings to the Goddess of the Sea. Paper boats set adrift with perfume and flowers and thousands of floating lanterns lighting the night sky are some of the interesting sights that can’t be missed.
Jāņi, Latvia
This annual festival in Latvia takes place as a part of the summer solstice on June 24. On this day, every citizen embraces their pagan side to celebrate the ancient fertility festival just before gathering the harvest. People eat, drink and make merry during Jāņi and engage in lighting bonfires, making bouquets and wreaths out of herbs, preparing traditional food etc.
Summer Solstice, Glastonbury, England
The Summer Solstice is a legendary festival that takes place on the longest day of the year, when one of the Earth’s poles is tilted maximum towards the sun. People of Glastonbury, England celebrate it on the Glastonbury Tor(or hill), an Arthurian hill-fort that once hosted Druid initiation ceremonies. The mountain is filled with tourists on this day, waiting to see the sunrise on the longest day of the year.
