#17 Fire Dragon Dance, Mid-Autumn Festival

Rooted back to the 1880s, locals believed that having a fire dragon with Chinese incense sticks could stop a run of bad luck afflicting the village, which has now evolved into an annual tradition.

Tai Hang, Hong Kong

September

 

#16 Batu Pahat Arts Festival

Local craft market, Arts and Theatre

Batu Pahat, Malaysia

August

 

 

#15 Afrika Burn

Regional event of 'The Burning Man'

Tankwa Town, South Africa

April

 

#14 Nadaam Festival

Celebrating the independence day of Mongolia with national sports: Archery, wrestling and horse-racing.

July

 

#13 Midsummer Celebrations

Locals make flower clowns and dance around the bonfire on the longest day of the year to celebrate the summer solstice.

Baltic region: Latvia, Estonia and Finland

June

 

#12 Brighton Fringe Festival

Theatre and performing arts.

Brighton, UK

May

 

#11 Carnevale di Viareggio

Paper-mache parades and floats.

Viareggio, Italy

Fat Tuesday weekend - February or March

 

#10 Clockenflap

Biggest international music & arts festivals in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, China

Late November

 

#9 Edinburgh Fringe 

Origin of all fringe festivals in the world. Performing arts and theatre,

Edinburgh, Scotland

August

 

#8 Bon Fire Night

Commemorating the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. 

Bonfire and fireworks.

All over England, UK

5 November

 

#7 Carnevale di Venezia

Masquerade parades with gorgeous costume and masks, for people in the 11th century to attend public events with hidden identity.

Venice, Italy

Two weeks up to Shrove Tuesday

 

#6 New York International Fringe Festival

Performing arts and theatre.

New York City, US

August

 

#5 Chicago Fringe Festival

Performing arts and theatre.

Chicago, US

September

 

#4 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens

The biggest rugby party and celebration among the Rugby Sevens World Series.

Hong Kong, China

March or April

 

#3 Cheung Chau Bun Festival

Legendary festivals where islanders used to prayed for deliverance from pirates.

Parades, ceremonial dances, and bun-snatching spectacle.

Hong Kong, China

May

 

#2 Dragon Boat Festival

Cultural celebrations, dragon boat rowing competition along rivers/canals/at the sea

Hong Kong, China

May or June

 

#1 Chinese New Year

Cultural celebrations, parades, and fireworks

Hong Kong, China

First day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar (January or February)