Travel Newswire

The World’s 7 Biggest International Parties

1.    Brazilian Carnaval, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

It’s tough to top Rio De Janeiro’s annual Carnaval celebrations when it comes to sheer size and style. Featuring over 100 independent parades and street carnivals, Rio’s Carnaval is not only the biggest in Brazil, but the biggest in the world. While samba schools parade through Rio’s purpose-built Sambadrome parade grounds, city neighborhoods throw their own independent celebrations, attracting tens of thousands of celebrators each.

Carnaval parades go on for four days, celebrating the final four days before the somber Lent period. From 8pm all the way into the morning, samba schools and independent dancers strut their stuff and show off their impressive costumes. Tickets are dirt cheap for regular seats – $6 for standard seating – but if you’re after a free party, check out the thousands of city block parties and local bars that stay open 24 hours during the party period.

2.    Full Moon Party, Ko Pha Ngan Thailand

The ultimate stop on Thailand’s Banana Pancake trail, the Full Moon Party on Ko Pha Ngan is considered a right of passage for backpackers and globetrotters looking to experience south Thailand’s beach and party scene. The party itself reportedly started as a simple birthday party in the early 1980s, and has since transformed into a monthly event attracting well over 10,000 people in the peak tourism seasons.

Set on one of Thailand’s most beautiful southern islands, Hat Rin beach is the perfect spot for party on an island that also offers some of the best relaxation spots in the world. Spend a couple of days here soaking up the awesome beaches and coastal scenery, then rent a moped, drive to the island’s southern tip and enjoy one of the best parties in the world.

3.    La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain

Everyone’s seen photos of La Tomatina, and everyone else has had a daydream about how great a giant, city-wide food fight could be. If you like to play with your food, take a trip to Bunol, Spain and enjoy the world’s largest food fight – attracting some 40,000 visitors every year. From Spanish locals to worldwide tourists, La Tomatina is one of the biggest parties in Spain, a country that’s no stranger to city-wide fun.

While the giant tomato fight is the centerpiece of the festival, Tomatina goes on for an entire week and includes a fireworks display, musical acts from all around the world, and some impressive street parades. If you’re visiting, sort out accommodation well in advance; Bunol is a small town and local hotels are often short on rooms.

4.    Burning Man, Nevada, United States

Spawned after a one-off figure burning party on a San Francisco beach, Burning Man is one of the world’s biggest festivals, attracting almost 50,000 attendees in 2008. Set right in the middle of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, Burning Man is about as extreme as party settings can get, with a temporary city erected and prepared weeks before the event itself.

While Burning Man once allowed free vehicles and fireworks, the event has become slightly more strict and safety conscious over the last decade. Standard vehicles aren’t allowed, but ultra-modified vehicles (such as an 8 legged spider car) are definitely encouraged. The week-long event attracts a huge variety of people from all over the world, and culminates in a giant effigy burning on the final Saturday.

5.    Songkran, Thailand

Songkran is the Thai New Year festival, and while it doesn’t take the standard new year celebration form, it’s an incredibly important holiday for Thais and other Southeast Asian countries. Closer to a national water fight than an orderly holiday, Songkran is held from April 13-15th every year.

Known as the world’s biggest water fight, Songkran is all about getting out in the sun and throwing water at everyone you see. Groups of people pack into the back of pickup trucks, each with a water bucket and supersoaker ready to take out anyone who happens to pass by. Even in the more orderly parts of Bangkok, thousands of people line the streets with water pistols, water balloons, and garden hoses for a three day water battle.

6.    New Orleans Mardi Gras, United States

New Orleans is known as a party city, and the parties don’t get any bigger than the annual Mardi Gras festival. While the festival itself has many faces and is celebrated in hundreds of different ways, the action that international visitors know best tends to center around Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.

Despite the festival’s reputation as an ‘adult’ event, there are plenty of places to celebrate while avoiding the debauchery. From New Orleans’ suburban neighborhoods to inner-city backstreets, Mardi Gras travels everywhere in the city, and the party zones certainly aren’t limited to the course of the parade.

7.    Bay to Breakers, San Francisco, United States

The city of San Francisco is certainly no stranger to public events, from the legendary protests to the seemingly endless street parties of its colorful neighborhoods. Bay to Breakers is one of the biggest events on any San Franciscan’s calendar. An annual footrace from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, the race is known more for the endless drinking and partying than the actual race results.

Despite local government’s efforts to minimize alcohol and nudity in 2009, the race went on as usual with floats, fun racing, and of course, massive street parties. From ’salmon’ costumers to the ultra-competitive racers, Bay to Breakers is an awesome introduction to San Francisco and one of California’s best parties.