This month’s festivals feature body paint, glow in the dark hula hoops, electrified forests and pink hair. Check some of the festivals happening around the world in the month of June.
Pinkpop Festival, June 17-19, Landgraaf, Netherlands
If you don’t like the color pink, then you probably shouldn’t attend this festival. During Pentecost weekend each year more than 60,000 people visit Landgraaf to listen to music and get decked out in pink. The Pinkpop Festival features a variety of rock and roll bands from around the world. This is considered to be the oldest annual rock and roll festival in Europe asv it started 46 years ago. As far as the color pink goes, festival goers generally get decked out in all pink including pink glass and wigs. The crowds do tend to go back and forth from one stage to the other frequently in order to try not to miss all of the performers.
La Fête de la Musique, June 21, Paris, France
The Fête de la Musique, also known in English as Music Day, Make Music Day or World Music Day, is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June. For the last 38 years in France, the 21st June is not just the longest day of the year but also the day of the fête de la musique. This “festival of music” is no ordinary festival. Created in France in 1982, neighboring countries have since adopted it. It is now a tradition in Paris and the surrounding towns. Music takes over the city’s streets, live bands, singers, amateur musicians, drummers, DJs and so on are located throughout the city. The biggest and best-known are generally in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Petit Palais, the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Louvre, Jardin du Luxembourg, on Place Denfert Rochereau and along the banks of the Seine.
Inti Raymi, June 22, Cusco, Peru
The Inti Raymi was established by the Inca Pachacútec in the 1430 A. C., and was celebrated every year during the winter solstice of the southern hemisphere – the day when the Sun was farthest from the Earth. The Inti Raymi is a traditional religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti, the most venerated deity in Inca religion. It was the most important ancestral festival in Tahuantinsuyo to which people from the four suyos used to go. Inti Raymi, Peru’s Festival of the Sun, takes place every year in Cusco on June 24 (the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere). People come from all over the world to witness a spectacular tribute to the sun.
Glastonbury Music Festival, June 22-26, Somerset, England
Glastonbury Festival is one of the world’s most famous music and performing arts festivals. It is a five-day festival in June with contemporary performing arts that takes place in Pilton, Somerset, in England. In addition to contemporary music, the festival hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts.
Electric Forest Festival, June 23-26, Rothbury, Michigan
This festival is like no other with its woodland vibe and massive dance party. The surroundings are decorated to look somewhat like Alice in Wonderland and it’s not uncommon to see vibrant colored light displays and interesting artwork adorning the woods. Many festival goers claim that the best way to experience this event is to camp out. This electric dance party is filled with days of fun, massive dance parties, mechanical blooming flowers and a variety of music acts that just might make the forest floor feel like it’s vibrating.
Bordeaux Wine Festival, June 23-26, Bordeaux, France
Join the biggest ever Bordeaux Wine Festival. During four days of tastings, discover the vineyards and enjoy the performances as 10 major cities are invited to join in the celebrations. You’ll be able to visit the ships, meet winemakers, discover the region’s wine and produce and enjoy a wide range of entertainment along the banks of the Garonne.
San Vino Wine Fight Festival, June 28-30, Haro, Spain
The Haro Wine Festival is held each year from June 28th-30th with the major focus being the Haro wine battle itself. San Vino Wine Fight Festival started in the 13th century when a land dispute erupted between Haro and the neighbouring town of Miranda de Ebro in northern Spain. Legend has it Haro’s town officials started unfurling purple banners on St Peter’s day to reassert their territory; the ritual descended into wine hurling and a tradition was born. This summer festival in June features a battle of wine and youth bullfights. The festival includes a mass at the Chapel of San Felices de Bilibio then lunch; the participants throw wine on each other until everyone is completely soaked and colored purple. The wine can be thrown using boots, bottles, water pistols, or anything that can contain liquid. The small town of Faro is located about 6 hours from Barcelona, in the Spanish Basque country set amongst many vineyards. The main focus of this festival is wine. Festival goers have a huge shirt soaking bash where participants are doused with wine. The area wineries, as well as the locals and tourists, come together to celebrate wine. The festival starts at 7 a.m. and shortly after, the wine throwing and drinking begins. Participants use everything from balloons filled with wine to squirt guns. Afterwards there are bullfights and huge celebrations.
