Best Festivals Around The World In May

Are you ready for a good wacky festival? If so then you may be in luck. Many of these festivals are being held in the United States this May. Get ready for some outlandish costumes, odd events and a lot of fun.

May The Fourth Be With You, May 4, Worldwide

May The Fourth Be With You also known as Star Wars Day, originated when the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher came to office on May 4, 1979. London Evening News then ran an ad stating, “May The Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.” Many years later this unofficial didn’t take storm until 2011 thanks to the internet, when Toronto Underground Cinema in Canada organized a film festival and costume contest. Since then Disney World began the tradition of running Star Wars Weekends in May where you encounter Star Wars celebrities and characters for shows, presentations, and more.

Cinco De Mayo, May 5, Mexico

This festival may only be one day long, but there’s a lot packed into it. It’s officially considered to kick-off when the parade starts at 11 a.m. The parade in and of itself is massive with float after float going by for hours on end. Afterward, there are a variety of dance and theatrical performances as well as people dressed up in elaborate costumes. Year after year this event gets more massive. In fact, the days leading up to and following the event are often filled with a variety of celebrations of some kind. Keep an eye out for a future post that talks about Cinco de Mayo in depth.

Jacob’s Ladder, May 14-16, Israel

Jacob’s Ladder has everything from sing-alongs to juggling and tai chi. It’s a fairly friendly festival meant to attract as many people as possible who want to have a good time. It’s been described as being similar to Woodstock with classic 1960s music played throughout the festival. One of the best things about it is that it’s family-friendly and it’s not uncommon for grandparents who attended the event when they were younger to bring their children and grandchildren.

Cannes International Film Festival, May 16-27, Cannes France

Happen annually in Mid May and lasts for 12 days. It showcases films and documentaries from across the world. The red carpet event is heavily covered by the media to see a whos whos of actors and directors. Numerous celebrity parties also raise money for charities during this time.

Lightning In A Bottle, May 21-25, California

This festival is one that will stimulate all of your senses. It combines mediation and interactive art. While it is inspired by music, there’s so much more too it. Lightning In A Bottle is about spiritual growth and expanding the mind.

Mawazine, May 20-28, Morocco

This somewhat controversial event takes place in Rabat. It attracts more than 2 million people, about 3 times the city’s population. This festival was created in 2001 as a way to promote Morocco as being more liberal than some other countries in the Middle East. The event features over 100 concerts and past big-name artists have included Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones. There are also a lot of up-and-coming artists in attendance as well who are hoping to get their “big break”.

Hay Festival, May 25-June 4, Wales

The Hay Festival, held annually in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, is a celebration of literature and the arts. The festival features a variety of events, including author readings, panel discussions, and concerts. The Hay Festival has been called the “Woodstock of the mind” and attracts a wide range of attendees, from literary enthusiasts to families looking for a fun day out.

Sasquatch!, May 27-30, Washington

Head over to Quincy, Washington over Memorial Day weekend to enjoy good music at a beautiful, natural amphitheater. This festival started in 2002 as a way to promote the local music market. Each year dozens of artists perform for a crowd of about 20,000 people. This event is so popular that tickets often sell out within a few hours of going on sale.

Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling, May 25, England

Cheese isn’t just for eating, it’s for rolling too in Brockworth. As many as 40 individuals participate in the actual cheese rolling event. Participants have to chase an 8-pound wheel of cheese down a very steep hill. The first one down wins the cheese and bragging rights. The wheel of cheese has been known to reach speeds of 70 mph and injure a few people on the way down. This festival gets a lot of attention worldwide as videos posted on the internet have gotten over 3 million views. After all of the cheese racing is over, festival goers hang out and have a good time eating, drinking and celebrating.

Even if you aren’t nearby any of these festivals, why not check out a festival near your hometown? The weather in May is usually pretty good which makes for a great time outdoors.

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