As one season ends, another begins. Even though some are sad that summer is over, there are a lot of things to look forward to in the fall season. In this blog, we will talk about a few fall festivals that are celebrated around the world. Every culture celebrates autumn in its unique way, and here are some fall festivals that you should try to attend if you have the opportunity.
Jinju Lantern Festival
We have already covered Chuseok and Hangeul Proclamation Day as Fall Holidays, but the Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival is another one of Korea's traditional festivals. It is an annual festival that takes place from late September to early October each year, and it's quite a sight! The celebration runs for two weeks, from October 1st to October 14th, and is organized to honor and remember the thousands of Koreans who died during the late-16th century Japanese invasion.
The lantern lighting custom was adopted during the Jinjuseong Fortress Battle of the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion, 1592) as a tactic to prevent Japanese troops from wading the Namgang River; this gave rise to the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival. The festival's highlights include the floating of lanterns with personal wishes of locals along the Namgang River, as well as a parade of lanterns made by students. The celebration also includes gaejesik (lanterns burning in honor of Jinjuseong Fortress Battle veterans), an exhibition of traditional lanterns from around the world, and a variety of other cultural activities.
Halloween
Every year, we celebrate Halloween on October 31st. People used to burn bonfires and dress up in costumes to scare off spirits at the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. In western folklore, it is said that this day marks the night when the veil between this world and the next becomes thinned and blurred, allowing creatures and beings from both sides to cross over. Masks, costumes, carved gourds, and the leaving of offerings all appeared within cultures as a way to either avoid or appease these spirits. Pope Gregory III later established November 1st as a day to celebrate all saints in the eighth century, which resulted in the night before being known as All Hallows Eve ― later Halloween. Trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, throwing parties, wearing costumes, and eating candy are just some of the traditions that have grown and evolved through the generations to become a part of what we know as modern Halloween.
Diwali
First up we have Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of India’s most well-known fall festivals that lasts for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. This year it lands on November 4th, 2021.
The festival is named after the lights that are lit to represent the spiritual emptiness and darkness that one may experience. For those who practice Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism around the world, this is a very important holiday.
This holiday is celebrated differently throughout India. In the north, they make a row of lights that symbolize the telling of helping guide King Rama home after winning a war. In the south of India, however, Diwali is believed to be the day the demon Narakasurawas was bested by Krishna.
Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes night is a historical fall festival celebrated in the United Kingdom that happens every year on November 5th to honor the unsuccessful planned attempt to kill the king. Found with an unusually large amount of gunpowder, Guy Fawkes had a detailed plan to kill the king. Today it is celebrated with parades in the streets, drinking mulled wine, eating way too much food, watching fireworks at night, and bringing everyone together.
Dia De Los Muertos
Dia De Los Muertos, also known as "Day Of The Dead" in English, takes place over two days starting November 1st. Many Mexicans use this occasion to honor and remember their departed loved ones. While many people think of it as a solemn occasion, it is a happy and joyous occasion to honor those who have passed on to the next world and to pray for loved ones in Purgatory.
Many Mexicans adorn graves to help their deceased relatives feel at ease. UNESCO has now designated it as a Cultural Heritage event. Many people travel from all around the world to attend the celebrations. Going to a Day Of The Dead celebration is well worth the journey to Mexico if you have the opportunity.
Iceland Airwaves
This music festival is held at the beginning of November. Iceland Airwaves, which began in 1999, has attracted music fans from all around the world. It is held to honor Iceland's distinctive musical tradition, but it also includes musical performances from around the world. Have we persuaded you to take a flight over?
Jasper Dark Sky Festival
The night sky in Jasper, Alberta is always breathtaking ― but in October, it shines brightly for 10 days. Spanning 11,000 square kilometers, Jasper National Park is the world's biggest accessible Dark Sky Preserve and the site of the annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival. Every October, amateur and professional astronomers alike can enjoy this stunning scenery by participating in guided stargazing, planetarium exhibitions, and photography workshops. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada certified Jasper as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011 due to its low light pollution, which produces a perfect environment for dark sky viewing.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest, an annual festival in Munich, Germany, is one of the most well-known fall events that takes place over two weeks in late September and early October. The festival started on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Over 6 million people attend the festival, which regularly involves the consumption of over 7.7 million gallons of beer. You can likely find an Oktoberfest in a city near you.
Paris Autumn Festival
The rich artistic culture of Paris is well-known, so what better season to enjoy it than autumn? From dance to theatre to music, there is something for everyone at this event. The event, which runs from September to early December, has only increased in recent years. This is one of those fall festivals you can't miss whether you enjoy the arts or just want to experience some of the best that Paris has to offer!
Harvest On The Harbor
Created in 2007, this festival lasts a full week to showcase some of Maine’s best food. (You know lobster is on the menu!) It has since expanded to also showcase the art of some of the local artists. Enjoy some of New England’s best food and some beautiful fall foliage.
Conclusion
In the end, there are so many harvest and fall festivals in communities across the United States and beyond that, I couldn’t list them all. What are some festivals you attend every fall? If you are looking for a fall festival to go to, check out the link below for an amazing list of potential fall experiences: https://www.funtober.com/festivals/.
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Written By: Miranda
Edit By: Aury
Checked By: Clare