Reading about national costume festivals and looking at photos made there is good. But if you're interested in traditional clothing and culture of different countries, you should visit their national holidays and festivals. Only at such events you are able to see and understand the national heritage of the country. It's much more interesting and exciting to watch celebration by your own eyes. That's why we offer you the list of best traditional clothing festivals around the world. It's far not the full list, but the main events are included.
Chinese New Year
Where: China
When: between January 21 and February 20
It is a very bright and interesting holiday celebrated in China. Its main features are: dragons, fireworks, lanterns, shows and performances, national clothing. Today only some people wear Chinese traditional attire on this day, most citizens use clothes of Western style, but brand new. Chinese national garments for the New Year celebration are qi pao (cheongsam) for women and chang pao (changsan) for men.
Carnival of Venice
Where: Italy, Venice
When: from January 31 to February 17, 2015
This event is dedicated to Venetian Carnival masks. This piece of clothing is widely known around the world as a part of Italian heritage. During this festival a lot of extraordinary events are held: balls, parties, performances, musical concerts, musicals and carnivals. Usually people wear costumes of Renaissance era that were used all around Europe. On this festival guests can get acquainted with traditions of Italy.
Muscat Festival
Where: Oman, Muscat
When: January, 29 – February, 27, 2015
It is a great festival of traditional Omani arts, crafts and games. Guests can watch traditional performances, try national food, buy traditional Omani clothes, mats and sacks, accessories, snacks etc. Also there are a lot of folk art performances like Al Razfah, Al Aazi, Al Tagroodah, Al Dan Al Weeliah, Al Munanah, Al Rababah, Al Yoolah, Al Habban, Al Liwah and Al Qurbah. Many people wear national attire.
Desert Festival of Jaisalmer
Where: India, Jaisalmer
When: February
A lot of different outstanding events are held on these days. Guests can see camel races, turban tying competitions, folk musicians, singers and dancers, moustache competition and etc. Most of local people wear traditional costumes during this festival. Here guests can also buy national Indian attire and accessories. There are lots of tourists on Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
Laos New Year (Boun Pi Mai)
Where: Laos
When: April, 13-16
This is one of the brightest holidays in Laos. There are Lao costume parades in the streets, ethnic music, processions of the sacred Prabang Buddha image, different contests and competitions (like Miss New Yeah and etc.), handicraft fairs and other interesting events. Ordinary people and the participants of parades wear national Lao attire.
Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival
Where: Albuquerque, US
When: May, 16-17, 2015
This festival brings Celtic traditions to the US. The Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival and Highland Games is a place where you can learn the culture, traditional clothing, folk dances and music, food, history and art of Celtic nations. People wear national attire (men are usually in Scottish kilts), play bagpipes, and have fun.
Festival of the Sun
Where: Peru
When: June, 24
This festival is also called Inti Raymi. It is a religious holiday of the Inca Empire. But it is celebrated even today by Peruvian people. They wear colorful national costumes, share food; musicians play on traditional instruments and sing. The most bright and well-know part of Peruvian traditional attire worn on this day is the woven aya huma mask. The Festival of the Sun is a very colorful and unusual event.
Trypilske kolo
Where: Ukraine, Rzhyshchiv, Kyiv region
When: the end of June
This is an eco-cultural and world music festival in Ukraine. During this event guests are able to learn Ukrainian ethnic traditions, folk music, songs and dances. Local people wear national costumes and have fun. In the festival program there are: dancing tutorial, concerts of Ukrainian musicians and bands from many other countries, fairs (where guests can buy traditional clothing, accessories, dinnerware, souvenirs etc.), traditional old time sports, different performances (modern and classical theatre), film screenings, fire show and many other interesting events.
Guelaguetza Festival ("Los Lunes del Cerro")
Where: Mexico, Oaxaca
When: July, 7-28, 2015
The traditions of this event date back to pre-Columbian origins. The participants of Guelaguetza festival come from 7 regions of the state of Oaxaca. They all are dressed in traditional clothing, people sing songs, dance, play and listen to folk music. Also guests can watch national dress parades, eat native food and buy national ornamentals and souvenirs.
National Costume Festival on Männlichen
Where: Switzerland, mountain Männlichen in the Swiss Alps
When: July, 26, 2015
This is an authentic clothing festival in Switzerland. On this day guests can see typical national dress from the various cantons, listen to folk music, and watch folk dancing and performances. Also there are several other interesting events like flag throwing and the whip cracking. It is a great family event.
Festival of the national costume Zheravna
Where: Bulgaria, Zheravna
When: August 21-23, 2015
It is a festival of traditional Bulgarian clothing. Guests can see people in national costumes, listen to folk music, taste national food, learn to dance traditional Bulgarian dances and buy some handmade souvenirs.
The National Costumes and Clothing Heritage Festival
Where: Slovenia, Kamnik
When: the 2nd weekend of September
It is a great, very colorful festival for people of all ages. Participants from every region of Slovenia wear national costumes and come to show themselves. Folk clothing, music and dances are presented here. Guests can see traditional attire of Slovenia and other countries on this holiday. Also they are able to buy national clothes and accessories.
Oktoberfest
Where: Germany, Munich
When: late September-first weekend in October (September, 19 to October, 4, 2015)
This festival is the most important in Bavaria. The main events of Oktoberfest are: beer-festival, national costume parade, Riflemen's parade, salute, agricultural festival and so on. German traditional costumes can be seen everywhere during the Oktoberfest – on waitress, guests, participants of different events.
Hmong New Year
Where: Laos, Vientiane, Oudomxay, Xieng Khouang, Luang Prabang
When: December
The Hmong are an ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. They celebrate New Year in December, and the celebration is very colorful. People wear traditional Hmong costumes – silk garments with ornate silver jewelry. There are many different ethnic events in the program of the holiday. National music, dances, sports events, ox fighting, spinning-top races and crossbow demonstrations. It is a great family festival.
