close
2008-02-01 - Navam PeraheraThe annual event of the Navam Perahera transforms the streets of Colombo into a lively showcase of over 100 colourful elephants, 1000 performers, musical bands, flags, and other exuberant acts during the full moon. Beginning in 1979, this festivity attracts more than a million visitors to the Gangaramaya temple at the Hunupitiya.
show event page 2008-02-01 - Setsubun FestivalThe Setsubun is one of Japan's biggest and most exciting festivals. It celebrates the end of winter and based around the superstition of throwing soybeans to ward off evil spirits. People yell out "Fortune in! Devils out!" (in Japanese:"Fuku-wa-uchi, Oni-wa-soto!") and you'll find locals dressed up as demons and wearing colourful masks. As fire represents the purification of the past, the event also has people carrying massive burning torches, bonfires, and a fantastic fireworks display.
show event page 2008-02-01 - Big Day Out!Begin the month of February with Australasia's biggest event, "Big Day Out." Beginning in Auckland, New Zealand, the tour blazes through the rest of Australia for the following three weeks in February. Some of the performers include: Rage Against the Machine, Björk, Arcade Fire, Dizzee Rascal, Hilltop Hoods, Billy Bragg, and many more.
The festival began in 1992 and has grown to be Australia's largest and most popular music event and features the best and brightest bands in the international music scene.
show event page 2008-02-01 - Hari Raya Eid ul-AdhiaAs stated in the Koran as one of the Five Pillars of Islam is every Muslim's duty to make the pilgrimage at least once in their life to the Hajj, the House of Allah in Mecca. The festival of the Hari Raya Eid ul-Adhia represents the conclusion of this annual pilgrimage. This event takes place on the tenth day of the 12th month (Dhul Hijja) and involves the ritual sacrifice of a fully grown and healthy goat, sheep or cow.
In Malaysia, Muslims celebrate by visiting the mosque, performing the sacrifice and distributing meat to the needy.
show event page 2008-02-01 - Jazz at the MuseumExperience the full glitzy glamour of New York beneath the Hayden Sphere at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Enjoy the smooth tunes of live jazz and great drinks in this gorgeous space centre located just off Central Park. Some of the regular acts include: Hilton Ruiz Quartet, the Vinicius Cantuaria Quintet, Randy Weston's African Rhythm's Quintet, the Steve Wilson Quartet and the Cecil Payne Quintet.
show event page 2008-02-01 - Takahata Fudoson Temple ShoppingJoin the crowd of superstitious shoppers at the Takahata Fudoson Temple in Tokyo. With hundreds of open-air stalls selling the "self-righting" Dharma doll, you'll begin your (shopping spree) year with some good fortune. There is also a parade of adorable children who dress up in their best and showcase their most disarming smiles.
show event page 2008-02-02 - Candlemas festivalThe Candlemas festival in Mexico symbolizes the end of the winter and holiday season and the beginning of the Carnival events. It is celebrated all over Mexico with a plethora of colourful parades, lively music and street decorations.
Families convene for a huge dinner and the cutting of the "rosca" cake wherein the one who find the hidden jesus figurine in the dessert gets to be the host of the Candlemas party.
show event page 2008-02-03 - Ocean Film FestivalNamed after San Francisco's Ocean Beach, the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival at the Cowell Theater in the Fort Mason Center showcases films inspired by and about the ocean. It aspires to encourage viewers to become more aware of the this vital ecosystem.
show event page 2008-02-12 - Viareggio Carnival Make the most of your visit to Italy by experiencing the Viareggio Carnival which dates back to to 1873. One of the its most popular symbols is the harlequin clown, which has been featured on the festival's advertising posters since the 1930's. The official mask is called the Burlamacco and is based on this red and white clown, Other intersting sights in this carnival are the colourful floats, papier-mache puppets and fabulous selection of food. There are two methods of creating the floats, which are called the verists and the romantics. The verists decorate their floats with political commentary and satire, whilst the romantics showcase a glamourized version of legendary Italian figures.
show event page 2008-02-14 - St. Trifon FestivalOne of Bulgaria's most historic and traditonal events is in honor of the patron saint of wine, St. Trifon. On this day, people pay tribute to the saint of wine with the ritualistic pruning of vines and the preparation for a post-pruning feast. It is also celebrated as an alternative to St. Valentines day. The grape farmer with the greatest harvest has the opportunity to be crowned as the King of St. Trifon day and orders his "subjects" to get drunk in order to bring in a plentiful harvest for the following year.
show event page 2008-02-14 - Operatic Serenades for Valentine's DayExperience the height of romance with the London Philharmonic Orchestra who will serenade the crowd on Valentine's day. The selected pieces come from some of the most romantic operas ever creative and make you feel as though you've stepped into a cheesy hollywood film. This showcase will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall close to Embankment and Waterloo station.
show event page 2008-02-14 - Festival of St ValentineWhat better place to celebrate the month of romance than in Paris, one of the most romantic cities in the world. A quirky way that Parisians celebrate their love (or is it lust?) is by declaring their passion on roadside advisory boards. You'll also find many streetside seranades and spontaneous declarations all over the city.
show event page 2008-02-17 - Naked Man FestivalWatch the men of Inazawa, Japan go full frontal (although with a loin cloth) run through the streets in the hopes of chasing away bad luck. People from the town pick the (un) lucky male to be fully disrobed and exposed, who has the dubious honor of representing the festival. Definitely an event to break out the saki!
show event page 2008-02-18 - Chinese New YearOne of the biggest global events for Feburary is the Chinese New Year. It is a vibrant, loud and colourful event held all over the world in a grand scale. The Chinese New Year of 2008 represents the Year of the Dog and the celebration of such is steeped in tradition and superstition. People wear red and/or polka-dots as it is believed to bring in a new year full of luck and prosperity. People also clean their houses and streets in order to sweep away the bad luck and bring in new fortunes for the year. There is also a grand feast and as the clock hits midnight, the sky is filled with an eruption of fireworks and cheers from the crowd. The celebration is concluded with a Festival of Lanterns.
show event page