{"id":948,"date":"2015-01-31T01:00:24","date_gmt":"2015-01-31T01:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/7-fab-festivals-in-february\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T17:25:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T17:25:11","slug":"7-fab-festivals-in-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/world\/7-fab-festivals-in-february\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Fab Festivals in Feb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Itchy feet? Perhaps it\u2019s time for an impromptu vacation and February is the month with plenty of fun-filled festivals the world over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chinese New Year<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where: Various destinations<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: February 19<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"chinese-new-year-dragon-macau\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You can bring in the Year of the Sheep in spectacular style if you\u2019re heading to China\u2019s capital Beijing, however there are fabulous festivals in Chinatowns the world over including Singapore, Hong Kong, New York and San Francisco; this truly international event is celebrated by billions.<\/p>\n

While activities vary from city to city, some aspects are universal \u2013 high-energy street parades, dragons and dancing \u2013 all washed down with wonderful street food.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mardi Gras<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where: New Orleans, USA<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: February 17<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"mardi-gras-festival\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Mardi Gras is also an international festival, with regional variations. The French name literally means \u2018Fat Tuesday\u2019 in English and originated from eating rich and fatty foods before the more austere celebration of Christian Lent. The first European settlers to New Orleans were French, hence the European influence; voodoo associations can be explained by the later Creole and West African influences.<\/p>\n

Celebrations include flamboyant street parades, dancing, music and fabulous Creole food. \u00a0Other festivals in North and South America have their origins in Mardi Gras, including Rio\u2019s famous Carnivale.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tet Nguyen<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where: Vietnam<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: February 19<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Tet<\/a><\/p>\n

Tet, as it\u2019s known, celebrates the Vietnamese New Year and is the biggest holiday in Vietnam. It\u2019s a traditional family holiday where respects are paid to ancestors and people farewell an old year and welcome a new one \u2013 cleaning the house, buying new clothes and exchanging gifts. Homes are decorated with lights, lanterns and flowers.<\/p>\n

Tourists should be aware that some shops, attractions and restaurants may be closed during the first few days of Tet, but the upside is that it\u2019s an authentic glimpse into traditional Vietnamese culture and many places \u2013 such as beaches and big cities \u2013 will be quieter than usual.<\/p>\n

Maha Shivaratri<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where: Nepal<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: February 17<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Maha<\/a><\/p>\n

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival \u2013 in English \u2018The Great Night of Shiva\u2019 \u2013 honouring the great Hindu God Shiva, and celebrated extensively in India and Nepal. Devotees attend shrines throughout Nepal, but one of the main locations is around the temple at Pashupatinath, a few kilometres from Kathmandu.<\/p>\n

Pilgrims, children, tourists, street vendors and barely-clothed Sadhus all gather to celebrate the days and nights before and after the festival.\u00a0 For visitors, it\u2019s an intriguing glimpse into the religious life of a fascinating country.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Carnevale<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where: Venice, Italy<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: February 17<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Venetian<\/a><\/p>\n

This festival is related to the \u2018Carnivale\u2019 festivals throughout European history and the Mardi Gras festivals of North and South America have their origins in the same tradition. The Venice version is famed for its elaborate masks that are intriguing and even slightly creepy!<\/p>\n

This magical of Italian cities becomes a playground and party city for the days leading up to Carnevale and culminates in the final big party when the crowds are huge, especially around St Mark\u2019s Square. Hire a costume \u2013 at the very least a mask \u2013 and attend one of the many Carnevale balls.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sapporo Snow Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where: Sapporo, Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: February 5\u201311<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sapporo<\/a><\/p>\n

For some magical winter action, head to Hokkaido\u2019s capital for one of Japan\u2019s hugely popular winter celebrations; the Sapporo Snow Festival (\u2018Yuki-matsuri\u2019 in Japanese).<\/p>\n

For a whole week, this festival of snow features snow and ice sculptures, and a party atmosphere that attracts more than two million local and overseas tourists. There\u2019s a snow sculpture contest, snow and ice slides, and plenty of adventure on the slopes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thaipusam<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: February 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Thaipusam<\/a><\/p>\n

Thaipusam, a key festival in the Tamil Hindu calendar, is celebrated throughout south-east Asia, but most famously at Batu Caves where thousands of devotees and tourists gather each year. Thaipusam is a riot of colour with orange and yellow flowers and fruit, monkeys everywhere, tasty Indian street food, vendors and travelling holy men.<\/p>\n

Batu Caves, just 13 km from Kuala Lumpur, are one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India. The caves are well worth a visit, with interesting limestone formations, the 42-metre high gold statue of Lord Murugan \u2013 the Hindu god of war \u2013 and lots of monkeys.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Itchy feet? Perhaps it\u2019s time for an impromptu vacation and February is the month with plenty of fun-filled festivals the world over.   Chinese New Year Where: Various destinations When: February 19 You can bring in the Year of the Sheep in spectacular style if you\u2019re heading to China\u2019s capital Beijing, however there are fabulous… Continue reading 7 Fab Festivals in Feb<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,64,28],"tags":[151,128,167,220,156,221,222,223],"authors":[174],"class_list":["post-948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activities","category-festivals-events","category-world","tag-events","tag-kuala-lumpur","tag-nepal","tag-new-orleans","tag-sapporo","tag-usa","tag-venice","tag-vietnam","authors-liz-durnan","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n7 Fab Festivals in February | Expedia SG Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Fun things to do in February around the world. 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