- Feria de Las Flores, Medellín, Colombia
In the beginning of August, head over to Medellín to celebrate the rich culture and beauty of Antioquia at the Feria de las Flores. The main event is a parade which displays the flowers that are grown in the mountain villages surrounding the city. The flowers are arranged beautifully on “silletas” which are carried on the backs of the villagers throughout the parade. The festival goes strong for 10 days with plenty of events and artisanal markets, and most impressively, free concerts every day and night throughout the city. Dance the night away until the early hours of the morning with Colombian artists playing a variety of different genres live like reggaeton, salsa, cumbia, and traditional Colombian folklore music.
- El Petronio Alvarez, Cali de Santiago, Colombia
It’s no surprise that two Colombian festivals have made the list. Colombia ranks third in the world with the most public holidays, needless to say, Colombians know how to party. If planned properly, after the Feria de las Flores in Medellín, you can head straight over to Cali for El Petronio. Every August people from all over Colombia travel to Cali to celebrate the music of the Pacific Coast of Colombia. Commonly knowns as “El Petronio,” it is a festival that celebrates the traditional music from all over the Pacific coast. Not only does it celebrate the music of the Pacific coast but the food, culture and traditional drinks of the coast as well. Eat incredible seafood dishes and grab a bottle of “viche,” a traditional liquor, to share with those surrounding you at the concert. Did I mention that the event is gratis? Attendees in 2017 had the opportunity to see Choquibtown, one of the most popular Colombian bands in the country, perform live, free of charge.
- Fiestas Patronales de Menorca, España
Each summer, starting in June, marks the beginning of nonstop outdoor parties on the island of Menorca. While the island is more famously known for its impressive beaches, “las fiestas del pueblo” are not to be missed. Each week a different town holds their festival for about 3 days. The festival celebrates the horses of the island. These majestic horses enter the square full of people, and charge through the crowd of people as the locals provoke the horses to stand on their hind legs as long as possible as the crowd applauses. The horses dance to the music of an orchestra as the horse riders attempt to ensure the horses don’t accidentally dance on anyone’s toes. After, the streets are full of people drinking pomada the official drink of the festival and dancing outside in the streets to the music playing from the bars and clubs. Before you know it, it’s 6am and time to head to the beach to sleep and relax. Be sure to do as the locals do and make your pomada at home, throw it into bottles and bring it with you the festival, simple enough to prepare, pomada is Gin Xoriguer made in Menorca and lemon soda mixed together.
- Fête de la Musique, Francia
Every year at the end of June, France celebrates live music, countrywide with the Fête de la Musique. Every city sets up live stages outdoors in all of its squares and parks and has one full day of non-stop music all over the city. Each year a different city is chosen to be filled and streamed live on television. The streets are filled with a sea of people dancing and enjoying the live music. The event is free of charge and if you find a band you like, ask if you can buy a CD, normally the bands are selling their albums right there at the concert. Party until 4am or 5am dancing to music and making new friends. The hard part is choosing which city to visit during the festival. Paris and Bordeaux come highly recommended!
