Summer is obviously our favourite season of the year and there’s always an excuse to escape to the seaside or travel to warm sunny destinations even though it’s warm enough where we are! There’s always a celebration or a festival everywhere in the world to rejoice in summer. Here are our top three picks for the best of summer festivals around the world where you can create yet another excuse to travel and experience new cultures, music and food. 

AOMORI NEBUTA MATSURI FESTIVAL, JAPAN

From August 2 – 7, 2017, feast your eyes on a colourful display of massively illuminated nebutas (floats) in Aomori City, Tohoku. Millions of visitors from near and far visit this week-long summer festival to celebrate and watch the floats procession.

However, these area just your standard parade of floats! Nebutas have been designed around traditional Japanese kabuki plays and are accompanied by the thumping sounds of taiko drums, dancers and musicians. Visitors are encouraged to partake as Haneto dancers. Participation is easy: Just purchase or rent  a Haneto costume from local shops and dance the night away!  

You won’t want to miss the grand finale on the last evening which is a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the sky. 

Place & Address: Central Area of Aomori-shi
Festival Period: August 2 – 7, 2016
Admission Fees: Free (sidewalk seating), 2600 Yen (Reserved seating), 6600 Yen (reserved seating for both the parade and the fireworks on the last day)
Official website: www.nebuta.jp

DARWIN LIONS BEER CAN REGATTA, AUSTRALIA 

Mindel Beach in Darwin, Western Australia, takes centrestage on July 9, 2017. Similar to a typical regatta, contestants race amongst each other to the finish line. However, these “sailboats” are completely designed and made out of recycled beer cans and milk cartons! 

Join in the laughters as you will find some uncanny designs and some sea-worthy boat canstructions. Of course, there will be plenty of drinking out of cans involved and everyone always has a great time on the beach! There is also an on-site market serving food and beverages and activities lined up for the entire family. 

Place & Address: Mindel Beach, NT
Festival Period: July 9, 2017
Admission Fees: A Gold Coin Donation 
Official website: www.beercanregatta.org.au

MONTE-CARLO SUMMER SPORTING FESTIVAL

Backed by more than 150 years of Monte-Carlo magic, the festival and its exceptional programming continue to put Monaco, the Salle des Etoiles, and for the first time, the Opéra Garnier Monte-Carlo, at the top of the summer calendar.

You can expect nothing short of the best in luxury and entertainment at the Monte-Carlo Summer Sporting Festival 2017. From private events, charity dinners, concerts and performances, here is your chance to be part of an exclusive crowd and rub shoulders with the rich and famous.

Throughout this festival, let your hair down with a concert from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, get serenaded by the exquisite voice of Andrea Bocelli or laugh out loud at the Broadway production of Legally Blonde amongst other acts. 

Place & Address: Monte-Carlo, Monaco 
Festival Period: June 28 to August 20, 2017 
Admission Fees: Varies by performance and events 
Official website: www.montecarlolive.com

Go on, pack your bags and start celebrating summertime vibes!