April is here, and the warmer weather means it’s time to celebrate. Whether you love music, film, beer or water fights, here are eight April festivals you won’t want to miss.
Songkran Festival
April 13-15,Thailand
Thailand erupts into a giant water fight during Songkran, the country’s annual Lunar New Year celebration. At temples, monks and Buddha statues receive gentle cleansing for the new year. But in the rest of the country? Water guns, buckets and even elephant trunks are weapons of choice as water battles rage among locals and tourists alike.
Coachella Music and Arts Festival
April 12-14, 19-21, Indio, Calif.
More than 80,000 music lovers from around the world come to the Empire Polo Grounds each day during the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. This year’s headliners include Modest Mouse, Social Distortion and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Feria de Abril
April 16-21, Seville, Spain
Endless rows of colorful tents – known as casetas – come to the fairgrounds in the Andalusian capital during Feria de Abril, an annual celebration. During the six-day party, expect to dance the traditional sevillanas, drink manzanilla wine and eat lots of tapas.
Tribeca Film Festival
April 17-28, Tribeca, New York
Since 2002, the Tribeca Film Festival has screened more than 1,300 films from around the world. This year’s festival includes talks by Ben Stiller, Whoopi Goldberg and Clint Eastwood, as well as outdoor screenings of classic films like “The Birds” and “Beetlejuice.”
Feria de San Marcos
April 19 – May 12, Aguascalientes, Mexico
This month-long festival showcases the local culture through events like concerts, bullfights and art exhibits. Livestock fairs and charreadas (competitive equestrian events similar to rodeos) are part of this event’s harvest festival roots.
London Coffee Festival
April 25-28, London
More than 120 gourmet coffee and food stalls come to Old Truman Brewery – once the largest brewery in London – for this caffeinated celebration.
San Francisco International Beer Fest
April 27, San Francisco
Festival-goers are treated to a bottomless mug of local and international craft beer and bites from San Francisco restaurants during this one-day beer festival.
Queen’s Day
April 30, Amsterdam
Amsterdam transforms into a large-scale, open festival as the city celebrates Queen’s Day, a holiday that pays tribute to Queen Beatrix. Orange is the color du jour as free markets, concerts and parties roll throughout the city.
(Main image: passer-by)
