Culture news Giant rave party on 'dangerous' military land While authorities fear shell explosions at the site, the organisers are denouncing the 'criminalisation' of party venues. Illegal rave parties could soon be punished more severely in France, with penalties of up to six months in prison. 02/05/2026
No Comment Kites fill the sky as Berck-sur-Mer launches 39th international festival The 39th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer fills the sky with giant creations and hosts the World Kite Cup, drawing huge international crowds. 20/04/2026
Silk Road Adventures How Nowruz is celebrated across regions and communities In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan From Surkhandarya to Andijan and Tashkent, Nowruz brings people together through food, tradition and shared celebrations, marking the arrival of spring across Uzbekistan. 14/04/2026
No Comment Thailand marks Songkran New Year with water fights and travel surge Thailand marked the start of the Songkran New Year on Monday, 13 April 2026, with large crowds gathering in Bangkok for its traditional water festival. 13/04/2026
No Comment Revellers parade giant phalluses at Japan’s fertility festival Crowds pack Kawasaki for Kanamara Matsuri, Japan’s colourful fertility festival using phallic shrines to celebrate life and challenge sex taboos. 06/04/2026
No Comment Dublin St Patrick’s festival draws 500,000 as Irish roots take centre stage Thousands of revellers filled the streets of Dublin on 17 March for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade, the highlight of a four day festival celebrating Irish culture. 18/03/2026
Destinations Macao awaits with dynamic events and a buzzing new area Despite its small size, Macao delivers with festivals, parades and attractions suited to all kinds of visitors. 06/03/2026
Destinations Stargazing, culture, beer: Why Bavaria should be on your visit list Germany’s biggest state has an even bigger tourism offering with a new International Dark Sky Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus 365 days of festivals. 06/03/2026
Culture news 'Eurofans' of Eurovision find solace in songs in times of controversy They're devoted fans who regard Eurovision not as a religion but as a family. For Eurofans, the big final event in May is a place for sharing, connecting and belonging, especially with this year's competition beset by boycott's and fights over Israel's participation. 27/02/2026
No Comment Georgia village revives Berikaoba, an ancient pagan spring festival Each spring, Georgia’s village of Didi Chailuri revives Berikaoba, a pagan rite with masked berikas, music and wrestling, hoping for fertility and good harvest. 23/02/2026
No Comment France crowns seagull cry champion at quirky Dunkirk carnival Dunkirk’s World Seagull Cry Championship sees feathered contestants screech on stage. 16/02/2026
No Comment Streets of Ivrea explode with flying oranges in a three-day carnival revolt In Ivrea, Italy’s Battle of the Oranges turns streets into a citrus battlefield, in three‑day carnival ritual. 16/02/2026
Cuba Cuba postponed its annual cigar fair due to fuel shortages Habanos S.A. cited a need to maintain quality standards. No new date has been set for the event's 26th edition. 15/02/2026
No Comment Japan: Akiba Festival draws crowds despite winter cold Japan’s Akiba Festival in Niyodogawa features samurai parades and fire rituals, preserving a 200-year-old prayer for protection from disasters. 13/02/2026
No Comment Snow and ice sculptures draw visitors to winter festival in Japan Visitors gathered in Sapporo as the annual snow festival concluded after eight days of large-scale snow and ice sculptures across the city. 13/02/2026
Travel News China’s Lunar New Year travel rush begins Hundreds of millions are expected to travel to their hometowns as part of the world's largest movement of humanity. 10/02/2026