Source: Nomad / Getty
A new year means new adventures. If you’re looking to switch your travel style up in 2018, and do something more than visit temples and statues, try adding a few events to your wish list.
From fast cars to water fights, these international events are not to be missed.
1 Holi (March 1-2, 2018)
An ancient Hindu religious festival most notably celebrated in India, Holi (Also known as the “festival of colors” or the “festival of love”) signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring and the end of winter. Holi celebrations start the night before with Holika Dahan, where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire and pray that their internal evil is destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is a free-for-all festival where people cover each other with water and colored powder. Anyone and everyone is fair game, so make sure your beards and bundles are covered.
https://giphy.com/gifs/michael-jackson-gif-O8s7DHeFcZggE
2 Songkran (April 13-15, 2018)
Judging by all the temples dotting the country, one would think that when it comes to religion, Thailand is all business. Wrong! One of the most beloved spiritual celebrations in Thai culture is Songkran, a.k.a . Thai New Year, a.k.a. the water fight of your childhood dreams. The word “Songkran” is Sanskrit and means transformation. It’s during this three-day festival that Thai people prepare for a fresh start and spiritual cleansing in the New Year, taking the time to visit with family and pray at their local temples. But once that’s done, the real fun begins! Locals and foreigners alike grab their Super Soakers, water balloons and buckets, and take to the streets for water flinging debauchery like you have never experienced before. Every person in sight will be “cleansed” so unless you’re to bury your iPhone X in the Apple graveyard, make sure you invest in a waterproof case.
3 Splash Music Festival (July 6-8, 2018)
If attending a music festival in another country isn’t on your bucket list, it should be, especially if it’s Splash! Festival. Held annually at Ferropolis in Gräfenhainichen, Germany, Splash! is one of the biggest hip-hop festivals in Europe. In the past, music legends like Nas, A Tribe Called Quest and Kendrick Lamar have blessed music heads with their presence across the six stages and four party tents. In 2018, Tyler, the Creator is set to bring the heat. Something to note: Ferropolis is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so be prepared to camp out on the grounds and rough it for a few nights. Anything for the love of hip-hop, right?
4 Singapore Grand Prix (September 16, 2018)
If you want to feel the need for speed without the guns blazing and high speed, Toretto-style chases, then head to Asia for the Singapore Grand Prix. The annual event forms part of the FIA Formula One World Championship and takes place on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Watch as racers from across the globe, such as Lewis Hamilton, burn rubber in Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes whips that would make the flashiest rap star jealous. If you can, try to grab a room for a night at the famed Marina Bay Sands Hotel so you can check taking a dip in the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool off your list as well.
