Seven Wonders; Festivals Worldwide

As the full moon rises each November, thousands of people trek to the serene banks of the Pushkar Lake in the Indian state of Rajasthan. They travel to the holy city to take part in the Pushkar Camel Fair, a true spectacle of colour, community and carnival. With the full moon shining above, participants construct a tent city on undulating sand dunes that houses people from all over the world who have come to experience the music, drama and dance of the festival.

Il Palio, also known as the Palio di Siena, is a famous Italian horse race that takes place in the city of Siena, Italy. A palio is a type of athletic competition that happens annually in Italy. Many palios commemorate historic events or re-enact medieval traditions, but some palios are staged solely for the purpose of tourists.

Every August, the normally drab town of Bunol, Spain, throws a tomato-tossing festival known as La Tomatina. Visitors from around the world come to throw and participate in the mad and messy scramble, increasing the town's usual population of just 9,000 to over 40,000.

Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is the world’s largest fair celebrating the very best in German beer. Dating back to 1810, the festival has been a tradition in Germany and similar festivals have spread throughout the world. Held at the 42 hectare Theresienwiese (Theresa’s field) near the centre of Munich, Oktoberfest lasts 16 days in late September and October every year. 14 large tents and 20 small tents offer traditional German beer and food to patrons.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, USA or anywhere, for that matter, is the last party fling before the onset of Lent, in the Roman Catholic calendar. And what a fling it is. Brought to Louisiana by the early French settlers, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is world famous for its fantastic costumes, live music and unabashed merrymaking. The city is full of comic masquerading, mischief and fun.

The country of Thailand in Southeast Asia welcomes visitors from around the world. The large diverse ethnicity provides ancient and colorful cultures and tradition. The most unique, diverse and popular tradition for Thailand involves visitors and locals alike being doused in white chalk and water. People arrive from every corner of the globe to participate in the excitement and endless fun of the Songkran Water Festival.

While there are many venues throughout Brazil during the carnival season, the biggest carnival is, and has always been, the one at Rio de Janeiro. It runs for four days each year, from the Saturday before Lent to Fat Tuesday.