Looking for a little travel inspiration as you start planning your June getaways? Here’s a look at the best fests to attend this June.
Dragon Boat Festival, Hunan Province, China, June 2
On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, China’s rivers flow with colorful boats meticulously decorated to look like fire-breathing dragons. The day is started with the ringing of gongs and burning of incense along the riversides, then the fearsome boats race down the river until parades, dragon dancers and fireworks cap off the night.
Queenstown Winter Festival, Queenstown, New Zealand, June 20-29
While it may be the start of summer for those of us stateside, June marks the beginning of winter down in New Zealand. In the city of Queenstown, locals will be celebrating at the annual Queenstown Winter Festival, dubbed New Zealand’s largest winter party. Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, Queenstown Winter Festival includes winter sports, comedy shows, concerts, fireworks and parties in streets throughout the city.
Summer Solstice, Stonehenge, England, June 21
While Stonehenge is a worthy destination any time of year, it’s especially notable on the Summer Solstice, when tens of thousands of people come to worship, party or simply revel in the atmosphere that is Stonehenge on June 21st. Pagans and druids hold ceremonies under the stones, and many come to enjoy the longest day of the year in this peace-loving environment.
Inti Raymi, Cuzco, Peru, June 24
The winter solstice is celebrated in Peru every June with a nod to its Incan past during Inti Raymi, a ceremony that traditionally offered mass sacrifices to the sun god. Today, actors in elaborate robes reenact the ancient rituals in a giant procession that leads to the stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where prayers, speeches and a staged animal sacrifice ask the sun god to bless them in the coming season.
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, June 25-29
Summer just isn’t summer without music festivals, and if you only make it to one this summer, why not go all out with a trip to the world’s biggest, quirkiest and arguably best music festival? This year, it’s bringing together an eclectic mix: Skrillex, Metallica, Dolly Parton, M.I.A., Fatboy Slim and Lana del Rey are just the tip of the headlining iceberg.
(Main image: pittaya)
