Traditions are a thread…
That weave humanity…
Together…to honor and…
Celebrate…the past…present
And the future.
Victoria
There are many traditional festivals and celebrations the world over…during the Summer season…all of them high energy…and focusing on light in some form or another.
Herb Festivals are also held during the Summer season…and are well attended and popular.
Listed below are some Summer traditions and festivals that I find fun…unique and interesting…and you could duplicate them…to experience other cultures…and try something new and unique.
TEAFEST…JUNE 27TH
In Portland. Oregon …all about tea…for your enjoyment and education on tea.
WILD HERB WEEKEND…JULY 24st-26TH
A gathering to celebrate and educate all things herbal…in Valle Crucis, NC. Lectures and plant walks are part of this herbal weekend.
SUMMER SOLSTICE …JUNE 21ST
The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year…and is officially the first day of the Summer season. Folks the world over celebrate the Solstice in many diverse festivities …ranging from sunrise gatherings to huge bon-fires.
SUMMER SOLSTICE AT STONEHENGE…ENGLAND
Folks gather at this sacred site…to witness the ascending light of the Summer Solstice at this incredible Neolithic structure.
SUMMER SOLSTICE…AUSTRIA
High up in the mountains of the Tyrolean region of Austria…the long hours of sunlight on the Solstice are celebrated with bonfires inspired by ancient tribal customs.
SUMMER SOLSTICE SIMMER DIM…SCOTLAND
In Scotland’s Shetland Islands…the Summer Solstice is a wonderful place to observe almost 19 hours of daylight on the solstice. Hundreds of motorcyclists gather at the solstice celebration that includes music…games…food and local spirits.
AOMORI NEBUTA MATSURI FESTIVAL…JAPAN AUGUST 2-7
This Summer tradition is held in Japan between August 2-7th. Vibrant lantern floats resembling gods and mythical characters are paraded through the streets. The floats are made of handmade paper…and can take up to one year to make.
As the floats make their way down streets…drummers and dancers join in the procession.
INDEPENDENCE DAY… UNITED STATES…4TH OF JULY
Fireworks…bonfires…and gathering together for barbecues…picnics…are all part of celebrating Independence Day in the United States.
BASTILLE DAY FRANCE…JULY 14TH
A French National Holiday that marks the turning point in the French Revolution on July 14th 1789…which united French people after fighting the monarchy. French people fill the streets of France as fireworks illuminate the Eiffel Tower at night.
SUMIDAGAWA FIREWORKS FESTIVAL…TOKYO
This festival is held on the last Saturday of July. This fireworks traditionally began in 1732 to honor lives lost during the crisis during that year. In 1978 it became an annual event…and is a wonderful display of shimmering colors.
KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI…INDIA September 4th
This Hindu holiday tradition celebrates the birth of the 8th avatar of Vishnu…Krishna Janmashtami. It is one of India’s biggest and oldest holidays…due to Hindu tradition and teachings.
This Summer tradition includes 2 parts…in which the people of India build swings in their homes and place idols of the gods inside them…to bathe them in milk…honey…and jewelry.
It is common that during the celebration to dress up in their absolute best clothes during this holiday and hold a day-long fast.
YI TORCH FESTIVAL…CHINA AUGUST 6-7
This festival is one of China’s largest and grandest festivals…held in the Yunnan province. The festival includes wrestling…contests…horse racing and more…but the main event is the lighting of the torch.
Each family lights a torch and uses it to illuminate the corners of their homes and then their fields. Tradition says that the torch light drives away bad luck and brings a successful harvest. Large torches are also made for the city centers to ward off bad luck for the whole community…truly a festival of fire and light.