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Best cultural festivals in 2018

Is it just us, or is it time for a new kind of festival? Glastonbury’s having a year off in 2018, and we’ve all had our fair share of rainy days in definitely-not-waterproof cagoules at V Fest. Sunnier climates are on the cards, and new festivals are popping up here, there and everywhere across the world. They’re not all about music either. We’ve found a mix of cultural festivals that offer ‘I’ll never forget this’ moments. And they'll provide plenty of stories to share throughout summer – including everything from tomato throwing in Spain to sandboarding in Morocco. Here are our top picks…

Carnivale Di Venezia, Venice

When: 27th January - 13th February 2018

The prettiest festival of them all, Carnivale Di Venezia is Italy’s annual pantomime of colour that’ll brighten up your Instagram feed in seconds. Travel back in time to St Mark’s Square and watch the parade of theatrical masks and costumes wind through Venice’s cobbled streets and canals. Want to get involved? Pick a mask from Venice’s boutiques or arrive a few days early and get one specially commissioned to fit to the shape of your face. Compete in daily costume contests, be entertained by live music and theatre in Teatro Goldoni, or schmooze with the locals for a chance of bagging a ticket to an exclusive private party. And, if you can time your trip for Shrove Tuesday, go canal-side to watch elaborate gondolas and rowing boats that are specially decorated in candles and twinkling fairy lights sail though the rivers.

Holi, Goa

When: 2nd March 2018

Pink. Yellow. Blue. Green. Purple. We could go forever. Holi is India’s festival that involves throwing a rainbow of coloured powder at anyone in range. There’s simply no other way to describe it. Pull on an old top, and hit the streets of the Goa's capital, Panjim, to experience a day of compete madness. Everyone’s welcome – in fact, the whole point of Holi is to celebrate how the colour unites people and washes away any differences for the day. While the morning starts out pretty sedate and chilled, by the afternoon you’ll find yourself at the centre of a full blown party. After you’ve had your fair share of colour, explore Panjim’s Portuguese churches, old cobbled streets and coconut palms.

Beyond Sahara, Morocco

When: 2nd March - 5th March 2018

Probably the coolest one of the bunch, Beyond Sahara is one of the quirkiest festivals in Africa. This Moroccan number’s got all the hallmarks of an amazing event, including street food chefs being flown in from London and four-poster beds that are perfect after long days of partying. But, what really sets Beyond Sahara apart is the activities on offer – things you’d only find in Morocco. Get your adrenaline pumping with a spot of sandboarding, take on a 5k desert run, or sit back and enjoy a camel convoy. But best of all? You’re way, way out in the Saharan desert , so if you’re looking to get away from it all, you couldn’t really get much further. End your trip with a stay in Marrakech and detox with mint tea, or hit the souks to stock up on souvenirs that’ll help you remember the festival of a lifetime.

La Tomantina, Spain

When: 29th August 2018

There’s nothing quite like getting involved with Spanish culture, then getting pelted with juicy tomatoes by the locals at La Tomantina, Valencia’s annual festival. Line up the streets at 10am, and look out for trucks dropping off kilo after kilo of ripe tomatoes. On the sound of the siren, take aim and start flinging – and be prepared to be covered from head to toe. Later, once you’ve had a shower or three, make the most of your trip and explore the rest of Valencia. It offers up some of Spain’s best beaches, and loads of impressive Baroque architecture.

Ready to get involved?

Take a look at our best deals today and start your festival countdown today. Or, if you think you’re addicted to travel, find out if there’s a gene linked to wanderlust.

Author: Lucy Perrin

Published: 22.12.2017.

Tags: latest, culture

Countries: India , Morocco , Spain , Italy

Holiday Type:

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