January – Volunteer in the Philippines and choose from one of these two festivals:
Ati Atihan Festival, held January 15th through the 21st, is a Mardi Gras-like celebration that lasts from morning to night for a week long. You will experience singing, parades, street parties, dancing, face painting and masquerade.
Dinagyang festival, held on January 28th, is a version of the Ati-Atihan festival celebrated not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. You will be able to enjoy impressive dance choreography and masquerade costumes as well as their craftsmanship.
February – Start your internship in Vietnam or China and experience the Chinese New Year celebrations!
Southeast Asia will be celebrating the Chinese New Year on February 16th, 2018. In Vietnam, the celebration is referred as Tết, shortened form of Tết Nguyên Đán, which is the “Feast of the First Morning of the First Day”. It is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar, and it may last up to 7 days. During the celebrations, red clothes and decor are used to chase away the bad luck, as red symbolizes fire. You might even get the chance to catch a dragon dance parade!
March – Volunteer in India, Nepal or Sri Lanka and celebrate Holi!
On March 2nd, 2018, Hindus will be celebrating Holi around the world, also known as the festival of colours, celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Or you may choose to travel to Bolivia and participate in the Pujllay Festival and dance the day away which commemorates the deceased from the Battle of Jumbate against the Spaniards.
April – Go to Thailand or Cambodia to volunteer or intern for a few weeks and experience the Songkran Water Festival.
The festival marks the beginning of the Thai New Year and lasts from April 13th to 16th, 2018. To celebrate, people engage in water fights in the streets as a symbol of washing away negativities and sins before the new year.
May – Volunteer or intern in Swaziland and attend Bushfire scheduled May 25-27, 2018.
Bushfire is Africa’s largest world music festival held every year and bringing people from all over the world.
June and July – Plan to earn credit and spend your summer in Peru, and while you’re at it coincide your date to attend the Festival of the Sun and Peru Independence Day!
Each year, Cusco celebrates the Festival of the Sun on June 24th. The Inca used to praise the venerated Sun God – Inti. This tradition remains observed in Cusco, and you will experience music, parades, and ceremonies in the ruins of Sacsayhuaman.
Peru Independence day is celebrated on July 28 with folk music played in public places throughout Peru, dancers, and parades.
August – Combine a turtle project volunteering in Sri Lanka with the 10-day celebration of Esala Perahera between August 17th and August 26th, 2018!
Sri Lanka’s ten days festival, Esala Perahera, also referred to the Festival of the tooth, is celebrated to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, housed in Kandi. The city fills up with dancers, acrobats, drummers, decorated elephants, all parading through the streets for a procession to the Sri Dalada maligawa.
September – Intern or volunteer in Belize during the September celebrations!
Belizeans celebrate their independence with patriotic parades, costumes, and carnivals. Each town has their own celebration throughout the month.
October – Volunteer in Zambia and celebrate their independence day with the local community!
Every year, on October 24th, Zambians celebrate their independence from the British empire by wearing beautiful coloured chitenge outfits and dancing and parading in the streets.
November – volunteer in India and celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali!
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus over a period of 5 days to welcome the Hindu New Year! It celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. People decorate their houses with lights, dress in new clothes and get together to celebrate.
December – volunteer on a conservation project and celebrate New Year’s Eve in style in Sydney!
Have an exceptional vantage point looking at fireworks over Sydney Harbour!
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