Worldwide Festivals

January is the start of the new year for us. What would be more fitting than to start the year with the grandest festivals? Here are some of the grandest festivals that are held during the first month of the year.

Rose Parade in Los Angeles, California

The Rose Parade or the Tournament of the Roses Parade is one of the grandest parades in the world. It is America's celebration of new year. The Rose Parade is the parade of rose floats, marching bands, and equestrians. The first parade was held in 1890 and was staged by the Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club. The Rose Parade is aired in television. The 2010 event was aired in 127 countries throughout the world.

Sydney Festival in Sydney, Australia

The Sydney festival is Australia's largest and most attended yearly event. The festival is composed of fifty events. These include performances involving contemporary music, circus, dance, drama, visual arts, and public lectures. The Sydney Festival was conceived as an effort to boost Sydney's tourism in the month of January. The event lasts for three weeks. If you want to explore Australian contemporary culture, you have to attend this annual festival. Here, you will get a taste of the best things that Sydney can offer.

January would really be a much awaited month of the year because of these two grand festivals.

The mid-autumn festival is also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival. It is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese Calendar. The Mooncake Festival is actually the celebration of the end of the summer harvesting season. Read on to know more information about the Mooncake Festival.

History of Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore

According to legends, a Mooncake festival is a tribute to the Moon Goddess Chang'e. According to tradition, Change'e was an immortal who lived with her immortal husband around 2170 BC, in the reign of the legendary emperor Yao. It was said that Chang'e was lifted up to the moon by overdosing on an immortality pill. There's also an account saying that the Mooncake festival was actually a commemoration of the uprising in China against the Mongol rulers in the 14 the century. As an effect, the Mid-Autum Festival was celebrated on the national level.

Festival highlights and activities

During the Mooncake Festival, families gather together and admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat pomelos and mooncakes together. Carrying brightly lit lanterns is also part of the tradition. Performing Fire Dragon Dances, planting mid-autumn trees, and burning incense are part of the customs of the Mooncake Festival.

The Mooncake Festival showcases various traditional Chinese customs and traditions. And it is an event celebrated not just in mainland China and in Singapore, but also in the countries where there are Chinese communities. In some countries, even non-Chinese are celebrating the Mooncake Festival and performing all the traditions and customs that come with it.