Events & Festivals
Crowd at the Dominica Jazz Festival photo by Tonya Fitzpatrick
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
– Susan Sontag
From villages to big cities, festivals and events bring people together to celebrate culture, heritage, cuisine or just about anything. From religion to music, from agriculture to sports, from food to just plain fun, festivals and events sustain communities and encourage travel all over the world.
A trip or a small drive to an event with friends or with family needs no reason except just fun. And most importantly we can take a break from our daily routines and experience some celebration without going away too far. Festivals reminds us of our cultures, traditions, and above all is a time to celebrate with family.
Surviving the gray skies of winter is easier when you look ahead to the coming colors of spring—and all of those gorgeous tulips. While Keukenhof in the Netherlands remains the motherland of all tulips with its 25-mile flower-filled road trip, tulip bicycle tours, and tulip cruises, it’s not the only place to see these happy flowers. These five tulip festivals around the world also celebrate the multichromatic splendor of spring’s happiest flower.
Few events capture the vibrancy of Indigenous artistry and heritage, like the Annual Indian Market at S'edav Va'aki Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. As a professional photographer and seasoned travel writer, I'm always looking for authentic cultural experiences that tell a story—through people, places, and tradition.
March is Women’s History Month. Celebrated in the UK, the USA, and Australia to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8th, this month highlights the contributions women have made to events in history and contemporary society.
Attention DMV! You're invited to join World Footprints on March 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. as Steve Smith and the Nakeds—a dynamic R&B powerhouse celebrated for their rich, soulful innovation—ignite the DMV with an unforgettable benefit concert in support of The Children's Inn at NIH. This isn’t just any concert—it’s a vibrant celebration of R&B’s enduring legacy and a heartfelt call to community. Plus, World Footprints is offering a 65% discount on General Admission tickets, all of which include an OPEN BAR!
As New Orleans gears up to host Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, the excitement is not just about the big game. One of the week’s most inspirational events, the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, will take center stage on Wednesday, February 5, at the historic Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts.
Every year in the autumn, the ground at Custer State Park shakes and the air is filled with clouds of dust. You can hear cheering from crowds of people as they watch almost 2,000 bison being herded into a corral by nearly 60 cowboys and cowgirls on horseback.
Across the USA, residents look forward to the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve. As the countdown ensues, a Waterford crystal ball drops from its perch in New York's Times Square to the delights of millions of onlookers in the street and millions more watching on television. The spectacular ball is a geodesic sphere covered with 2,688 crystal triangles and measuring 12 feet in diameter. It weighs 11,875 pounds and has more than 32,000 LED lights. Known worldwide, this beloved tradition dates back to 1907. Around the world, New Year's Eve traditions vary, and some provide interesting entertainment.
From 1854 onward, a yearly market shall be held in Røros, commencing the second to last Tuesday in the month of February and lasting until the following Friday,” declared the King of Norway. When the king speaks, Norwegians listen, and in February 1854, Rørosmartnan was born.
With the holidays approaching, I’m sure all of us already have our holiday dinner menu planned. Today, let’s go on a virtual journey to learn about traditional holiday dishes from around the world.
The surprising southern town of Aiken, South Carolina’s intriguing history includes Native American culture, defining Civil War battles, and a railroad, once considered the world’s longest, that arrived here from coastal Charleston in 1833. After the Civil War, Aiken became a magnet for wealthy northerners. Among them were the Whitneys and Vanderbilts—who were keen on equestrian sports. They called Aiken the “Original Winter Colony.” Southerners flocked here, too, as monied folks from the coast fled malarial areas seeking a wellness retreat. In the name of charm, they all left their mark here.
Viewing the Northern Lights is a magical experience that tops bucket lists everywhere. It beckons travelers worldwide to frosty destinations. From now until 2026, the aurora borealis activity is expected to reach its highest levels in 11 years. This uptick in solar activity makes the current era a particularly good time for aurora-viewing vacations. This winter, why not combine the experience of searching for this natural phenomenon with a cultural experience in your choice of winter wonderlands?
There are thousands of smartphone apps that can help people find restaurants, stores and other things around town or on vacation. And, just like adults have their favorites, kids have favorites for themselves. Use their apps to help you keep your sanity and them occupied while you’re busy traveling during this holiday season. What are some worthwhile apps to consider for your next road or airline trip for both you and your kids?
