Rio de Janeiro Int´l Film Festival Copacabana Beach, Brazil

The Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋節 A popular harvest festival celebrated differently by Asians dating back over 3,000 years to moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty. Also considered a harvest festival since Farmers celebrate the end of the Summer harvesting season on this date. Celebrated on the 15 th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar usually around mid or late September when the moon is at its brightest, i.e.) Sept. 14, 2008. The Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year are the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar. Also celebrated as: Moon Festival - China Ch’usok - Korea Lantern Festival / Mooncake Festival - Malaysia and Singapore

A popular harvest festival celebrated differently by Asians dating back over 3,000 years to moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty.

Also considered a harvest festival since Farmers celebrate the end of the Summer harvesting season on this date.

Celebrated on the 15 th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar usually around mid or late September when the moon is at its brightest, i.e.) Sept. 14, 2008.

The Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year are the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar.

Also celebrated as:

Moon Festival - China

Ch’usok - Korea

Lantern Festival / Mooncake Festival - Malaysia and Singapore

Family members and friends will gather to admire the bright Autumn moon and eat moon cakes and pomeloes (Chinese grapefruit) together. Accompanying the celebration, there are additional cultural or regional customs such as: Brightly lit lanterns are carried or displayed. Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang'e. Prior to the festival, shops will sell mooncakes with pictures of Chang'e floating to the moon. Moon cakes are often eaten outside under the bright moon. Collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them evenly among family members. Putting the large pomelo rinds on one's head for fun. How is the Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrated?

Family members and friends will gather to admire the bright Autumn moon and eat moon cakes and pomeloes (Chinese grapefruit) together.

Accompanying the celebration, there are additional cultural or regional customs such as:

Brightly lit lanterns are carried or displayed.

Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang'e.

Prior to the festival, shops will sell mooncakes with pictures of Chang'e floating to the moon.

Moon cakes are often eaten outside under the bright moon.

Collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them evenly among family members.

Putting the large pomelo rinds on one's head for fun.

Durbar Festival Celebrated in several cities of Nigeria at the culmination of the Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses, accompanied by music players, and ending at the Emir's palace Durbar festivals are organised in cities such as Kano, Katsina and Bida, and are considered tourist attractions.

Celebrated in several cities of Nigeria at the culmination of the Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha

Begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses, accompanied by music players, and ending at the Emir's palace

Durbar festivals are organised in cities such as Kano, Katsina and Bida, and are considered tourist attractions.

Eid al-Fitr or Hari Raya Pusa A Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. People visit bazaars and shopping malls, with their families and children for Eid shopping. Women, especially young girls, often paint each others' hands with traditional " henna " and wear colorful bangles. People dress in their finest clothes, enjoy good food, sweets, and spend time visiting family and friends. In Southeast Asia the festival is known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa

A Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

People visit bazaars and shopping malls, with their families and children for Eid shopping.

Women, especially young girls, often paint each others' hands with traditional " henna " and wear colorful bangles.

People dress in their finest clothes, enjoy good food, sweets, and spend time visiting family and friends.

In Southeast Asia the festival is known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa

The jack-o'-lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard-drinking old farmer who tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him by carving a cross into the tree trunk In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack, condemning him to forever wander the earth at night with the only light he had: a candle inside of a hollowed turnip Celebrated in several countries of the Western world including: Ireland (where it originated) United States Canada Puerto Rico United Kingdom Japan New Zealand Parts of Australia Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern from Pumpkin

The jack-o'-lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard-drinking old farmer who tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him by carving a cross into the tree trunk

In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack, condemning him to forever wander the earth at night with the only light he had: a candle inside of a hollowed turnip

Celebrated in several countries of the Western world including:

Ireland (where it originated)

United States

Canada

Puerto Rico

United Kingdom

Japan

New Zealand

Parts of Australia

Guy Fawkes Night Also known as Bonfire Night , Cracker Night , & Fireworks Night Annual celebration on the 5th of November celebrating the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of November 5, 1605 in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

Also known as Bonfire Night , Cracker Night , & Fireworks Night

Annual celebration on the 5th of November celebrating the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of November 5, 1605 in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

Onam Festival Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals at the Vallamkali boat races where. These long graceful Snake Boats called Chundans are named after their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra

Raksha Bandhan Raksha Bandhan (the bond of Protection) signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that’s evil Recognizes the chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister Celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana (July/August)

Raksha Bandhan (the bond of Protection) signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that’s evil

Recognizes the chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister

Celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana (July/August)

Melbourne Cup The Race That Stops a Nation

A sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September (and running to early October) Annual attendance: Six million! Oktoberfestbiers are the beers that have been served at the event in Munich since 1818 Big Six breweries – Spaten Löwenbräu, Augustiner, Hofbräu, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest

A sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September (and running to early October)

Annual attendance: Six million!

Oktoberfestbiers are the beers that have been served at the event in Munich since 1818

Big Six breweries – Spaten

Löwenbräu, Augustiner, Hofbräu,

Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr

Araw ng mga Patay In the Philippines the All Saints’ Day holiday on November 1 is a day of festivities called Araw ng mga Patay or Day of the Dead The celebration continues through the next day, All Souls Day Students come to school in costume and later go door-to-door in musical groups called pangangaluluwas Celebrated on November 1 for 2 days

In the Philippines the All Saints’ Day holiday on November 1 is a day of festivities called Araw ng mga Patay or Day of the Dead

The celebration continues through the next day, All Souls Day

Students come to school in costume and later go door-to-door in musical groups called pangangaluluwas

Morija Arts & Cultural Festival The first Thursday of October Four days that include about 40 events at 8 venues in Morija in the Kingdom of Lesotho Caters for all tastes in music, dance, drama and film Each day highlights Concerts, Jazz, Famo, Gospel & Kwaito in a friendly & festive environ

The first Thursday of October

Four days that include about 40 events at 8 venues in Morija in the Kingdom of Lesotho

Caters for all tastes in music, dance, drama and film

Each day highlights Concerts, Jazz, Famo, Gospel & Kwaito in a friendly & festive environ

Shichi Go San Shichi-Go-San ( 七五三 seven-five-three) is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven year-old girls and three and five year-old boys Celebrated annually on November 15 Children eat “thousand year candy” or Chitoseame ( 千歳飴 ?) Seven – Five – Three

Shichi-Go-San ( 七五三 seven-five-three) is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven year-old girls and three and five year-old boys

Celebrated annually on November 15

Children eat “thousand year candy” or Chitoseame ( 千歳飴 ?)

Día de la Raza (Columbus Arrival in America on Oct 12 th )

Loy Krathong "Loi" means “to float” and “Krathong” is a raft about a handspan in diameter made from banana tree trunk Idea is to put all your misfortunes in the Krathong boat and allow them to literally float away! Pays homage to the water goddess Mae Khongkha Celebrated on the full moon of the 12 th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar

"Loi" means “to float” and “Krathong” is a raft about a handspan in diameter made from banana tree trunk

Idea is to put all your misfortunes in the Krathong boat and allow them to literally float away!

Pays homage to the water goddess Mae Khongkha

Canadian Aboriginal Festival One of Toronto’s Most Successful Festivals

National Day (China) 國慶節 A public holiday in the People's Republic of China to celebrate the founding of the PRC on October 1, 1949 Ceremony at Tiananmen Square. Also celebrated in Macao and Hong Kong Marks the start of National Day Golden Week Celebrated on October 1 in mainland China, Macao, and Hong Kong

A public holiday in the People's Republic of China to celebrate the founding of the PRC on October 1, 1949

Ceremony at Tiananmen Square.

Also celebrated in Macao and Hong Kong

Marks the start of National Day Golden Week

Moloka'i Hoe Outrigger Canoe Championship Outrigger canoe racing is the State of Hawaii's official team sport Each team consists of nine paddlers with six in the canoe at one time Divisions include koa and non-koa (fiberglass) canoes in both open and masters’ competition The race starts at Hale O Lono Harbor, Molokai, and crosses the Kaiwi (Molokai) channel to a finish at Waikiki, Oahu Sunday October 12

Outrigger canoe racing is the State of Hawaii's official team sport

Each team consists of nine paddlers with six in the canoe at one time

Divisions include koa and non-koa (fiberglass) canoes in both open and masters’ competition

The race starts at Hale O Lono Harbor, Molokai, and crosses the Kaiwi (Molokai) channel to a finish at Waikiki, Oahu

Thanksgiving A traditional North American holiday to: Express gratitude for things one has at the end of the harvest season Share the fruits of the harvest with those who are less fortunate. “ Turkey Day” Thanksgiving is celebrated on: 2 nd Monday of October in Canada 4 th Thursday of November in the United States

A traditional North American holiday to:

Express gratitude for things one has at the end of the harvest season

Share the fruits of the harvest with those who are less fortunate.

“ Turkey Day” Thanksgiving is celebrated on:

2 nd Monday of October in Canada

4 th Thursday of November in the United States

The Zibelemärit (onion market) is a traditional folk festival in Berne, Switzerland which takes place on the fourth Monday every November Farmers from the surrounding area bring more than 50 tons of onions – in artistically woven plaits – and garlic to the federal capital Zibelemärit (Onion Market)

The Zibelemärit (onion market) is a traditional folk festival in Berne, Switzerland which takes place on the fourth Monday every November

Farmers from the surrounding area bring more than 50 tons of onions – in artistically woven plaits – and garlic to the federal capital

Día de la Independencia Celebrated throughout Mexico on September 15th and 16 th Commemorates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's call for independence of September 1810 Largest Independence Day celebration takes place in Mexico City's Zocalo The whole city is decorated with red, white and green lights and flags starting in September A favorite is pozole, a soup made of hominy and pork as well as other foods bearing flag colors

Celebrated throughout Mexico on September 15th and 16 th

Commemorates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's call for independence of September 1810

Largest Independence Day celebration takes place in Mexico City's Zocalo

The whole city is decorated with red, white and green lights and flags starting in September

All Saints’ Day Also called All Hallows or ( Hallowmas ) A feast celebrated on November 1 in Western Christianity and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity in honor of all saints, known and unknown Commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven, while the next day, All Souls' Day, commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet reached heaven.

Also called All Hallows or ( Hallowmas )

A feast celebrated on November 1 in Western Christianity and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity in honor of all saints, known and unknown

Commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven, while the next day, All Souls' Day, commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet reached heaven.

Festes de la Merce La Mercè is the most important festival of Barcelona Although the actual date of the holiday is September 24th, the festivities begin a few days before and continue after! Celebrations include: Parades of paper mache "giants" Sports events Musical performances Fantastic firework displays Drinking Cava – Catalonia's very own champagne Castellers compete for the highest human tower and are best seen in Placa de Sant Jaume. The human tower often reaches eight levels!

La Mercè is the most important festival of Barcelona

Although the actual date of the holiday is September 24th, the festivities begin a few days before and continue after!

Celebrations include:

Parades of paper mache "giants"

Sports events

Musical performances

Fantastic firework displays

Drinking Cava – Catalonia's very own champagne

Castellers compete for the highest human tower and are best seen in Placa de Sant Jaume. The human tower often reaches eight levels!

St. Martin’s Day (November 11) a.k.a Martinmas (or sometimes Martlemass)

Ramadan A Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from true dawn until sunset Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

A Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar

It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from true dawn until sunset

Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility

Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual

During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.