Now that we’re in a new year, it’s time to start thinking about where your travels might take you in 2014. Start your year off right — with a trip to experience one of these January festivals around the world.
Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival, China, January – February 2014
The entire town of Harbin, China erupts in thousands of larger-than-life sculptures, colorful lanterns and replica cities — all made of snow or ice from the nearby Songhua River. Ride the slide down a whimsical ice castle, climb the steps of a scaled-down temple or wander through a makeshift ice town during this two-month festival. (Check out some photos from past fests here.)
Ati-Atihan, Philippines, Jan. 10-19, 2014
When January comes around, the Filipino city of Kalibo erupts into its grandest and wildest party of the year. The roots of Ati-Atihan honor the traditions of the native Ati people, the immigrant Malays from Borneo and the image of Santo Nino, or baby Jesus, which was inserted after the Spanish colonized the islands. Today, you’ll find the streets erupt in colorful parades, endless dancing, festive music and open-air mass.
Sundance Film Festival, Utah, Jan. 16-26, 2014
The new year marks the beginning of film festival season, and undoubtedly, the Sundance Film Festival in Utah is one of the industry’s heaviest hitters. Head to Park City to catch a screening of a new independent film (screenings are open to industry bigwigs and movie aficionados alike), rub elbows with Hollywood elite at a festival party and finish up the weekend with a trip down one of the notable ski slopes nearby.
Timkat, Ethiopia, Jan. 19, 2014
The baptism of Jesus is celebrated during Timkat (Epiphany), the most important Orthodox Christian festival in Ethiopia. While Timkat is celebrated around the country, you’ll find the top precessions in Gonder, once Ethiopia’s capital city. Churches in the area take their tabots, or Ark of the Covenant replicas, to the pool of Fasiladas’ Bath on Ketera, the eve of Timkat. In the morning, the tabots are cleansed with water, blessed and paraded back to the churches in grand fashion.
(Main image: gill_penney)
