The season of renewal is also a time of celebration. The world celebrates waking up from the winter slumber with spring festivals.
Spring might not be the same season at the same time of year all over the world, but it is celebrated in much the same way. Although spring in the southern hemisphere is all in the north, and vice versa, the season when plants and animals awaken to enjoy renewed life, and new beginnings is much the same for everyone. Let’s take a look at some festivals held to honor this awakening time of the year.
Las Fallas
This Spanish festival is celebrated in Valencia and is held from March 1-19 every year. If you want to attend this festival and witness the joyous occasion, the best time is during the final five days, from the 15th to the 19th, when the festival reaches its heights. This celebration is well-known for its giant, colorful sculptures that often depict political events or are satirical in nature. This is a wonderful festival with fireworks, parades, and the burning of the sculptures during “La Crema” on the final night of the celebration.
Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla is one of the most incredible spring festivals held every year. Its celebrated during March and was established in the late 17th century by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The festival offers a way to demonstrate martial arts skills in the Sikh community in India. During the festival, men and women gather in the state of Punjab to perform military exercises and mock battles. The festival also features processions, kirtans (which are devotional songs), and poetry recitals. This festival takes place for three days after the Hindu festival of Holi.
Spring Equinox Festival
What better way to welcome spring than to hold a festival on the very first day of spring? March 20th is when the Spring Equinox Festival is held in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, but it’s also celebrated around Mexico. Thousands of people enjoy the traditional ceremonies, rituals, and dances that take place during this festival. The Spring Equinox Festival is meant to honor the natural world, reconnect with the earth and the elements, and celebrate the cycle of life.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington, D.C., does spring festivals right with the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This festival is held every year to celebrate the blooming of the many cherry blossom trees that line the city streets. Millions of tourists from around the globe flock to the city during this spring celebration to enjoy the beautiful trees in bloom. These cherry blossom trees were a gift from Japan in 1912 and have been a symbol of the city since that time. The festivals offer cultural events, parades, fireworks, and traditional Japanese music to honor those who gave the trees.
Nowruz
The Persian New Year is Nowruz and is celebrated on March 21st, the first official day of spring. This celebration takes place in Iran and other countries that utilize the Persian calendar. The name Nowruz means “new day,” and this particular version of a New Year has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years. These celebrations can last for 13 days and include many rituals and traditions, including cleaning homes and setting a special table known as the haft-sin.
Passover
The Jewish festival of Passover symbolizes the liberation of Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. This holiday goes on for seven or eight days each spring and is one of the many religious spring festivals celebrated around the world. Traditionally, this festival includes a special meal called a Seder and a reading from the Haggadah, which tells the story of Exodus, which was the leaving of Egypt by the Israelites. Most Jewish communities celebrate Passover, regardless of the seasonal time of year in their part of the world.
Sechselauten
Switzerland has a special festival of celebration in the spring called Sechselauten. This festival typically occurs on the third Monday in April to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. This celebration includes a large effigy of a snowman which is filled with explosives and set on fire. This is one incredible way to get rid of winter and move on with spring while also looking forward to a warm summer season. This could be a fun spring festival to attend and enjoy.
Which of these spring festivals do you celebrate? Would you travel to attend any?
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