Festivals can be thought of as spiritual food for nations and peoples. Each festival highlights a distinct cultural feature of each region or ethnic group. As a result, festivals are celebrated all year in a multicultural country like the United States. It is one among the many attractions that draw visitors to this country.
Photo: Hawaiimagazine
As previously noted, festivals bring joy, enriching and diversifying American spiritual life. Cultural and musical events are important in this country because they assist visitors from all around the world understand more about American society. If you enjoy attending festivals, America is an excellent place to travel and learn about various cultures.
1. EDC Las Vegas
EDC Las Vegas is essentially a light-illuminated metropolis where people may come together under an electric sky. The Electric Daisy Carnival is North America’s largest yearly electronic dance music festival. People travel to Las Vegas to hear their favorite DJs and producers of electronic dance music. Along with music, there are huge 3D figures, glowing surroundings, and LED-infused flora and fauna.
Photo: Weraveyou
At Camp EDC and inside the arena at EDC Las Vegas, there are numerous attractions, rides, food trucks, art exhibits, and other activities. Visitors to this event can participate in interesting activities in addition to listening to music. If you want to make the most of your festival, look into any extracurricular activities that interest you. People who want to prolong the party have a few options. The festival was hosted at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from May 19 to May 21, 2023. The week of the event was alive and well in Las Vegas.
2. Rise Festival
The Rise Festival, held in the Mojave Desert 25 miles south of Las Vegas every October, is the world’s largest lantern release. Since its beginning in 2014, the festival has drawn thousands of people to launch tens of thousands of biodegradable lanterns into the desert sky at night. The event begins in the mid-afternoon and includes live music, entertainment, and food and beverages for socializing.
Photo: Brittanyxavier
As the sun sets, people arrange their lanterns and release them, producing a magnificent scene of thousands of lanterns ascending at once. Keep in mind that if you release your lantern too soon, it may struggle to take off. Instead, gently release it. This event benefits three charities in collaboration: the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, and Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada.
3. Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest balloon event, with over 500 hot-air balloons flying each year. The nocturnal shows and mass ascents attract people and balloonists from all over the world. The Dawn Patrol event, which is part of the festival, allows balloonists to observe the balloons and acquire an early insight of wind patterns and speeds.
Photo: Balloonfiesta
Local artists frequently employ balloons as the subject of their works, and balloons frequently land in Albuquerque neighborhoods. Special-shaped rodeos highlight the variety of balloon forms and sizes. Furthermore, balloon glows are ignited at night by propane burners, which are frequently accompanied by fireworks displays. The Fiesta Challenge, America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension, piloting, skill, and speed competitions, Music Fiesta, and Rainbow Ryders are among the special events and competitions.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will be held in New Mexico from October 7 to October 15, 2023. This event is best attended during the first weekend, which is the busiest.
4. The Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii
The Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony is held on Memorial Day in Hawaii. Around 50,000 people gather in Hawaii to remember and commemorate loved ones. The tradition arose from the story of Southern women visiting Confederate soldiers’ graves after the Civil War and leaving flowers on their untended graves. Her Holiness Shinso Ito, the creator of Shinnyo-en, was inspired by the experiences of Southern women and chose to conduct a lantern floating event on Memorial Day in 1999.
In 2020, the event was commemorated with a taped TV and online presentation that presented inspirational stories of friendship, tenacity, hope, and remembering. In 2021 and 2022, the Shinnyo-en Hawaii temple in Honolulu conducted a small-scale in-person celebration of the event. The 25th annual commemoration of the occasion will take place on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, for the first time since 2019.
5. Mardi Gras
Other European countries, such as France, Germany, Spain, and England, have adopted Mardi Gras. Although Louisiana is the only state with an official holiday, extravagant carnival celebrations bring audiences from all around the country, including Alabama and Mississippi. In 2024, Mardi Gras is celebrated on one day, February 13, but there are celebrations throughout the month. The prolonged weekend before Mardi Gras is the most popular time to visit New Orleans to see the parades and activities.
Photo: Southernliving
Other European countries, such as France, Germany, Spain, and England, have adopted Mardi Gras. Despite the fact that extravagant carnival events draw enormous audiences in Alabama and Mississippi, Louisiana is the only state in the US having this official holiday. Mardi Gras will only be held on February 13 in 2024. However, there are events planned throughout the month. The most popular time to visit New Orleans is the long weekend before Mardi Gras, when you can watch the parades and festivities.