Popular festivals around the world to see in the next month

(December 5, 2017) – Location: Klagenfurt, Austria 
Klagenfurt Krampusnacht Festival

Krampus is Saint Nicholas’s horned mythical companion of Alpine folklore who punishes naughty children during the Christmas season. Krampusnacht Festival is celebrated on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day and sees people dressed as devils and demons capering through the streets in celebration of the holiday season. This raucous party also has a number of Christma s markets and no shortage of ging erbread or mulled wine to keep you warm as you enjoy all the festivities. Nothing says welcome to the holiday season like Krampusnacht, an alcohol-fueled race where the contestants consist of a thousand alpine joggers dressed as child-kidnapping furry devils.

(December 7-10, 2017) – Location: Miami, Florida, United States 
Art Basel Miami

In this show, leading galleries from Nor th America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa show significant work from the maste rs of Modern and contemporary ar t, as well the new generation of emerging stars. Sculptures, paintings, installations, photographs, films, and editioned works of the highest quality are on display in the main exhibition hall. Ambitious large-scale artwo rks, films and performanc es become par t o f the city’ s outdoor landscape at nearby Collins Park and SoundScape Park. The original fair was first christened in Switzerland in 1970, has created such an art ecosystem full of diversity that there’s something for just about everyone at this four-day spectacle that takes over Miami. It attracts a sophisticated international crowd of gallerists, artists, collectors, and glitterati to the sands of South Beach and beyond.

(December 26, 2017 – January 1, 2018) – Location: Nassau, Bahamas 
Junkanoo Parade

Junkanoo is the greatest cultural event of the Bahamas. It is a kind of street car nival which occurs on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1). The main event happens in Nassau. This street parade feature s music, dance , and costumes of Igbo origin in many towns across the Bahamas. The largest Junkanoo parade happens in the capital New Providence. There are also Junkanoo parades in Miami in June and Key West in October, where local black American populations have their roots in The Bahamas. Dances are choreographed to the beat of goatskin drums and cowbells. The original Junkanoo is the strongest remaining African tradition in the Bahamas. In the times of slavery, Christmas time was the only free time the slaves had, so they used this time for celebration.

(December 10 – 17, 2017) – Location:Konya, Turkey 
Mevlana Whirling Dervishes

Since Rumi’s death in 1273, the Mevlevi Order has been commemorating him with this festival that brings even observers closer to a sense of the divine. Men dressed in whites robes and tall hats spinning in circles doesn’t sound as exciting as running with the bulls or dancing at Rio’s Carnival, but the chance to watch the Whirling Dervishes will change you in a way you’d never expect. You might come here to marvel at the whirling, but this festival will teach you more about modern Islam than you ever imagined. In 2008, UNESCO confirmed the “The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony” of Turkey as amongst the Masterpieces of th e Oral and Intangible Heritage o f Humanity. The Mawlaw’īyya are also known as the Whirling Dervishes due to their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God).

(December 28 – 31, 2017) – Location: Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Maharashtra, India 
Sunburn Festival / Sunburn Hills

Sunburn Festival have been moved from Goa’s Vagator Beach in 2016, the festival now takes place in the hills of Kesnand, to the north east of Pune. This electronic dance music (EDM) attracts over 3, 50,000 people and hundreds of artists every year. After years of being held on Vagator Beach in Goa, it has shifted its venue to the hills of Pune and rebranded itself to Sunburn Hills. The event celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2016, and in 2017, is set to captivate the masses with their electric vibe and specta cular per formance s by some of the great est names in this genre like Martin Garrix, Hardwell, David Guetta and Armin van Buuren. Pune is all set to usher in the New Year with some great music, dance and food.

(December 30, 2017 – January 1, 2018) – Location: Edinburgh, Scotland 
Hogmanay Celebration

From December 30th through January 1st, tradition sends many Scots to clean their houses and settle debts, all in the name of getting a fresh start. When night falls, however, the Hogmanay celebration is in full swing with fireworks, parades and performan ces, all wit h a Scott ish twist. Three days of spectacular events, incredible bands and amazing crowds from every corner of the globe. You can see Shetland Vikings bearing fir elit to rch es, hear beautif ul cho ral singing in St Giles ‘ Cathedral, enjoy birling to traditional Scottish music in the Old Town, and watch top stars and in credible fireworks from Princes Street Gardens. Secular celebration has a happy, friendly note , which attendees take to heart; friends and strangers share hugs. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay shows the world how to party!