Full Moon Party – Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
This rager comes around every full moon, and as many as 30,000 flock to the beaches where massive sound systems, long bars (or really just bottles in buckets), and fire-skipping ropes are set up for revelers to party until the moon is no longer in sight. It is largely attended by tourists from around the world, but that’s no reason not to become one of them!
Bay to Breakers – San Francisco, USA
Though most wouldn’t consider running 12 kilometers to be any kind of fun, it is when it’s Bay to Breakers. The “race” draws some true runners, but more participants dress up in crazy costumes (or dress down in nothing more than body paint and sneakers – it is San Francisco, after all) and bump music as they stumble their way down the course. Live bands line the route and most fill their water bottles with something other than water to “hydrate.”
Carnaval – Sao Paolo, Brazil
Carnaval in Brazil (whether in Sao Paolo or Rio) has long been the gold standard for crazy international parties, as its week-long festivities draw thousands and thousands of party-goers every year. With crazy costumes, incredible dancing, and blood-pumping samba-reggae rhythms, this is definitely a bucket-list type event. You might not survive it twice. The liver can only take so much.
Australia Day – Australia (duh…)
Commemorating the first European settlement on the Australian continent, Australia day (Jan. 26) is celebrated in true Aussie style all across the country. Meaning beer, barbecue, and bumping music on the beaches. Just don’t try to order a Foster’s while you’re there – it is NOT “Australian for beer.”
Batalla del Vino – Haro, Spain
Spain is known for San Fermín, and even La Tomatina is gaining popularity. One of the lesser known festivals, however, is Batalla del Vino, but it should definitely be on your go-to list. Haro, Spain – the Rioja winemaking region of the country – hosts a wine festival like you’ve never seen before. More than 50,000 people take to the streets with gallons upon gallons of red wine to splash and soak one another with everything from buckets to pumps to super soakers. You are of course welcome to drink some along the way, but make sure you save enough to join in the fun.
Russefeiring – Oslo, Norway
Graduation parties are usually a fun time, but Norwegian high schoolers take it to a new level. For more than 300 years, grads flocked to Oslo’s Tryvann Park for a film-worthy celebration, including everything from excessive drinking and open drug use to public indecency. Police have long tried to reign in the festivities, but to no avail, and it remains a matter of tradition in the country.
Mardi Gras – New Orleans, U.S.A.
Mardi Gras of course has to make the list, and the New Orleans motto of “laissez les bon temps rouler,” or “let the good times roll,” truly embodies the spirit of the festivities. Whether you’re working for beads, taking part in the thumping music, or just drinking your way across the city, the debauchery of this event is a sight to behold.
Cannabis Cup – Amsterdam, Netherlands
This event might be a bit…mellower than the others, but no less crazy. Amsterdam, long known as the “greenest” city in the world, brings marijuana enthusiasts from all over the globe to determine the best bud there is. Along with lots of music and entertainment, visitors can elect to be judges in order to be a part of the voting, or just sample the goods.
Love Parade – Berlin, Germany
The name says it all – the Love Parade in Berlin was a prime example of an electronic music festival and parade founded in 1989 to celebrate love, peace, and togetherness following the fall of the Berlin Wall. With wild music and costumed partiers, it was a great time, until a crowd rush in 2010 killed 21 people and injured 500 more. Though the festival has since been cancelled, one can only hope it resurfaces soon, with more safety precautions in place.
Calgary Stampede – Calgary, Canada
Last but not least, the Calgary Stampede is a whole different type of party. A 10-day rodeo brings in more than 1 million visitors to Calgary, most of whom are there to suck down a few beers while others compete in the traditional rodeo events. You definitely don’t have to be a true cowboy to attend this event, but it might not hurt to pick up a hat or some boots on your way.
