10. Surin Elephant Festival – Thailand

Held in the city of Surin, the Surin Elephant Festival is an annual event held to honor the Asian elephant. These incredible grey beauties are just slightly larger than the African elephant and Thai people generally believe that the shape of Thailand in general is modeled after the shape of the elephant’s head. The festival includes folk dancing, elephant shows, silk-weaving, and plenty of delicious Thai food.

9. Day of the Dead – Mexico

Typically celebrated in Oaxaca, the Day of the Dead is celebrated on both the first and second days of November. The first day is dedicated to honoring the lives of children and infants who have passed on while the second day is dedicated to adults and elders who have departed. The living will leave offerings for the dead including their favorite foods, beverages, and candies, either at gravesites or in their homes.

8. D. B. Cooper Party – United States

The D. B. Cooper Party, held in the United States is more of a fan convention than it is a festival – and it’s a bizarre one at that. The festival is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving to honor the life of D. B. Cooper, a man famous for having hijacked a jet in 1971. He, with $200,000 in collected ransom money strapped to his body, jumped with a parachute into Washington and then simply disappeared. Fans gather in Ariel, Washington, the town that led the search, to tell stories of what they think might’ve happened to the missing Cooper.

7. The 10^th Annual High Times Cannabis Cup – Amsterdam

Yup, you read that correctly. In Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, there is an annual party celebrating all that is [believed to be] good about marijuana. Experts gather to taste different varieties of pot but it isn’t really all about smoking. In a place where marijuana is legal, the festival is about gathering together to demonstrate that participants believe smoking shouldn’t be viewed as a criminal act.

6. Macaroni Festival – United States

Contrary to popular belief, the Macaroni Festival, held in Victoria, Texas each year, is not about the celebration of elbow noodles or spaghetti. It is instead held to honor the construction of the Macaroni Railroad, built in the 1800’s. The festival does include entertainment, demonstrations and – you guessed it – a Macaroni Cook-Off.

5. Taxaco: Mexico’s Silver Fair – Mexico

The Taxaco Festival is held in Taxaco, Mexico each year. During this time, dozens of incredible silver and jewelry dealers gather to show their wares and honor the tradition of silver working that runs in several Mexican families. Artisans from around the world will participate, showing their most unique works and participating in competitions to see who can design the most incredible piece for the festival.

4. The Vertical Marathon – Singapore

The Vertical Marathon is more of a competition than a festival but it’s held every year in Singapore City and if you’re brave and in excellent physical condition you might even consider participating. The marathon involves running up 73 flights of stairs as fast as you can. The first to the top will win. There are categories for men, women, veterans, and those participating for charity. Where’s the elevator? We’ll leave this one to the stair-climbing pros.

3. Great Canadian Beer Festival – Canada

Alright, so you missed out on Oktoberfest. Not a problem. You can simply head to Canada to make up for lost time at the Great Canadian Beer Festival. The festival is designed to celebrate the somewhat accidental invention of beer, discovered after a vat of stored grain accidentally got wet and started to germinate. Thankfully, hops were discovered soon after and what you drink today tastes 1,000 times better.

2. Giant Omelette Celebration – United States

Held in Abbeville, Louisiana each year, the Giant Omelette Celebration is yet another bizarre festival you may or may not be jumping for joy over. The festival has been a tradition since 1985, when the city joined others around the world to celebrate the beauty of the egg. Each year participants cook a 5,000 egg omelet, dubbed the Omelette of Friendship, and serve it to festival attendees.

1. Festival of Light: St Martin’s Day – Holland

The Festival of Light takes on several different forms in countries around the globe but in Holland this festival, also know as St. Martin’s Day, is held on November 11th each year. Legend says that Martin was a good man who gave his coat to a homeless man during a snowstorm and has since been celebrated because of the kind way he treated strangers. Children traditionally celebrate by caroling in local neighborhoods.

Some are a little strange, others sound fun, and some we’d simply prefer to avoid. Whatever you choose, have fun exploring some of the world’s most interesting November festivals. And don’t be discouraged if you don’t see one you’re interested in – there will be plenty more in December!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, an annual event at the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida, was designed with children and families in mind, but the fun and excitement doesn’t stop there!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Mickey and the gang start celebrating Halloween pretty early. On specific dates through September and early November, guests are encouraged to wear their most creative Halloween costumes. They’ll have the opportunity to trick-or-treat throughout the park, watch the “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, watch the incredible Happy HallowWishes fireworks show, and explore special areas of the park that have been transformed specifically for the occasion.

Keep your eyes peeled for your favorite Disney characters – if you can recognize them, that is. Even Mickey Mouse and the gang will be dressed up for Halloween. Sadly, admission to the Halloween party itself isn’t included in your regular Magic Kingdom admission price. You’ll have to purchase Not-So-Scary party tickets in advance (ranging between $43 and $64 depending on the dates you visit) but we guarantee the happily-not-terrified look on your child’s face will be well worth the price.

Haunted Pirates Cruise

The Haunted Pirates Cruise is one of the newest additions to Disney’s Halloween itinerary. The cruise is held on specific dates throughout the second half of October and is specifically designed for guests ages 5-12.

Watch as your children are transformed into little pirates. Every guest son the “cruise” will get a set of Pirate Mickey Mouse ears, a pirate name tag complete with a new pirate name, and a photograph of his adventures. The cruise, which embarks at 8:15pm and returns at 10pm, will give your kids the opportunity to hear scary ghost stories and see the Happy HalloWishes fireworks.

This particular adventure isn’t really scary but is better suited to children who don’t spook easily. Make sure you get your tickets well in advance. The cruise, which leaves from the Polynesian Resort and sails around its marinas, can sell out rather quickly.

Halloween at the Animal Kingdom

Head on over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom anytime between October 28^th and 31^st. All of the characters at Camp Mickey will be dressed in their hottest Halloween garb and everyone who visits will receive special treats.

If you visit on October 31^st, Halloween Day, you’ll be in for a few extra special surprises as well. On Halloween the folks at Rafiki’s Planet Watch will be hosting an extra special celebration complete with a bag of treats, pumpkin decorating, special removable tattoos, and some special guest appearances. Admission to this celebration is included with your regular Animal Kingdom admission.

Trick or Treating in Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney will come to life on October 30^th and 31^st for a special, free trick-or-treating event (not part of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party). Between the hours of 5pm and 9pm, visitors will be allowed to dress in their Halloween costumes and trick or treat at specific locations throughout the downtown area.

There will, of course, be more than trick-or-treating to enjoy, though. There will be several storytelling hours, magicians, and comedians throughout the downtown area and if you listen carefully you might even find a DJ spinning some wicked dance tunes near the Fountain Stage.

Halloween in Disney’s Resorts

Disney Halloween celebrations aren’t limited to the parks alone. If you look carefully you may find special events happening at some of the most popular Disney resorts as well. In the past we’ve found special events at the Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Sarasota Springs, Animal Kingdom Lodge, All Stars, and Port Orleans resorts. Keep your eyes peeled for special pumpkin carvings, contests, dance-offs, candy apple treats, face painting, and lots of other family-friendly fun.

Halloween can be spooky and fun without being scary. Let your friends in Disney show you how to make the most out of what can, for some young ones, be a potentially frightening evening. Book your favorite Orlando hotels, pack your Halloween costume, and prepare to party with Mickey and the gang!

Held on November 1^st and 2^nd, the Day of the Dead, also referred to as El Dia de los Muertos, is an annual celebration encompassing both All Saints’ Day (on November 1^st) and All Soul’s Day (on November 2^nd). Mexicans, as well as those in other countries with Latin American roots, use these days to honor those who have passed on before them.

The History of the Day of the Dead

Believe it or not, the Day of the Dead was not always celebrated in early November. The festival, which dates back as far as 3,000 years, used to be held during August (or during the 9^th month of the old Aztec calendar). The festivities used to go on for not two days but for an entire month at a time.

Over time, especially after Christianity began to take hold around the world, the festival was moved to coincide with the two aforementioned Catholic holidays. Throughout most of Mexico the festival is split into two days because the first honors deceased children while the second honors deceased adults.

Honoring the Dead

In Latin American culture it is believed that honoring those who have passed on makes it easier for their souls to come back to earth and visit those they left behind. Those celebrating the Day of the Dead spend the majority of the festival within local cemeteries, creating altars to honor those they have lost.

Preparation for the Day of the Dead is not a simple process. Most families spend the entire year planning what they will take to the cemeteries and how they will create their altars. Serious preparations begin about a week before the festival takes place. The families of those who have moved on will begin to harvest cempasuchitl (orange marigolds) and will begin making plans for the cleaning of the graves they plan to visit.

The families of the dead usually buy special offerings to leave on the graves. They’ll often buy toys for children, bottles of alcohol for adults, and special candies for either. Special foods, like candied pumpkin, sugar skulls, and the bread of the dead will be prepared for the homes. These special foods are believed to attract the attention of the dead, inviting them to enter the houses they have left behind.

The food left in the houses doesn’t go to waste. Celebrators believe they are sharing these foods with the dead. The dead eat the “essence” and the living will eat the food after the celebrations are over.

In some areas of the country, celebrators will leave blankets and pillows so that their deceased relatives can lie down and rest before traveling back to the afterlife. In places like Janitzio and Mixquic, and in other areas of Mexico, celebrators like to camp out at the gravesites of their loved ones for the entirety of the festival, even going as far as picnicking at the sites.

The Day of the Dead around the World

Day of the Dead celebrations are held in cities and communities around the world. In the United States, for example, the Day of the Dead is especially celebrated in Texas, Arizona, and Los Angeles. Latin Americans in these communities don colorful masks, burn prayers for the dead in special urns, and leave food at specially decorated altars. In some places, like Hollywood, there are special events designed to honor Latino lives lost in the Iraq war.

In European countries, the Day of the Dead is celebrated with parades, masks, sugar skull candies, and even candle lightings. Some countries create altars which are then covered with fragrant flowers and lavish gifts.

Day of the Dead celebrations vary in Latin American countries as well. Celebrators in Guatemala fly giant kites while those in Ecuador usually prepare guagua de pan, a special bread filled with sweet of savory fillings that is created just for the celebration. In Brazil, celebrators go to church to say prayers and then leave flowers on the graves of their loved ones – the celebrations are always positive.

No matter where you go in the world you’ll find communities celebrating the lives of those who have passed in different ways. Be respectful if you should happen to visit Mexico during the Day of the Dead. The celebrations have nothing to do with Halloween and should be quietly observed and respected.

This year you’ll find not one, not two, but three separate crawls designed to keep you busy for the entirety of Halloween weekend.

NYC Halloween Pub Crawl

This year’s NYC Halloween Pub Crawl will take place over three days. There will be the Halloweve Happy Hour Midtown Pub Crawl on Friday, October 30^th, the Halloween Pub Crawl itself on Saturday, October 31^st, and the Halloween Hangover Pub Crawl on Sunday November 1^st.

Participants may choose to buy tickets for all three days or for any one specific day. Everyone who participates will be given a wristband, granting them access to participating pubs, a spooky Halloween beer cup, and a map of all of the bars and pubs offering specials during the crawl.

Buying Halloweekend Pub Crawl Tickets

You can purchase tickets to the Halloween 2009 Pub Crawl in NYC online at PubCrawls.com. Tickets are $15 per person for a single day or $30 per person for a 3 day pass. The best way to get your tickets is to print them at home after you get your confirmation email. Your ticket will have a barcode that can be scanned at the registration location you chose at the time of ordering.

Participating in the Halloween Pub Crawl

You must, of course, be at least 21 years of age of age to participate in this or any other pub crawl that takes place in NYC. When you bring your ticket to your registration location you’ll receive your official Halloween Pub Crawl wrist band, an official beer cup, and a map of participating locations.

Your wrist band entitles you to free entry to any bar on the list – all day long. While you are allowed to visit any venue at any time during the day, free of cover charge, their drink specials will only be valid during the times listed.

Drink specials will include, amongst other things, $2 Bud Light, 2-for-1 Pumpkin Ales, and 2-for-1 Halloween cocktails. The drink specials and prices will vary from venue to venue.

Dress to impress with your best Halloween costume, grab a few friends, and explore some of the best bars and pubs in all of New York City this Halloween weekend!

Important Halloween Pub Crawl Facts

There are a few important things you should remember before heading out to the Halloween Pub Crawl.

First is that you can only sign in at the registration location you chose or were assigned when you purchased your ticket. If you and your friends purchased tickets for different registration locations you’ll simply have to split up and get together again after you’ve signed in and received your Halloween Pub Crawl materials.

You must have your eticket in order to sign in. Your confirmation email doesn’t count. The confirmation email will give you access to a link where you can print your ticket which will include a bar code to be scanned at registration. Make sure you print your ticket before the pub crawl. The friendly folks at the registration locations will have no sympathy for those who can’t follow directions.

Do not, under any circumstances, remove your pub crawl bracelet. If you lose it you’ll find yourself out of luck. It will not be replaced. You’ll have to purchase another ticket in order to get a new wristband.

Remember that even if you have a three day pass you must sign in at your registration location each day of the crawl. You’ll get a new map for the day as well as a new cup and wristband.

Where to Stay in NYC during the Pub Crawl

Remember to plan ahead, especially if you plan to have some fun partying during this year’s Halloween 2009 Pub Crawl event. If you’re traveling from a distance you may want to consider renting a hotel room in New York City for the occasion.

Some popular and affordable NYC hotels include:

• Sohotel New York (in SoHo/Tribeca)
• Edison Hotel New York (in Midtown/Times Square)
• Chocolat Hostel New York City (in the Upper West Side)

Each of these hotels are clean and affordable and booking a room will ensure you have a safe place to crash after spending three nights in a row participating in ghoulish mayhem.

New York City pub crawls are held a few times per year but none is as fun and exciting as the Halloween bash. Get out your best costume, put on your most horrifying makeup, and hit the streets for a night (or three) of fun and adventure you’ll never forget!

Held two days before the Running of the Bulls, groups of animal activists from around the world team up with PETA to show the world, in their own special way, that bulls do not deserve to be tortured in the name of tourism.

The Running of the Bulls

The Running of the Bulls itself is a tradition that dates back as far as the 14^th century. The men who wished to take their cattle to market usually had a long road to travel and were constantly trying to speed the bulls up so that they could shorten their journeys.  The men would use cruel scare tactics to make the bulls run faster and as the practice continued the younger men began making a race out of the journey.

Soon enough, young men were racing their bulls to the market and for a bit of added excitement they began running in front of their bulls, attempting to make it into the bull pens before the bulls themselves arrived. The popularity of this silly game quickly spread and as large cities began to take notice the practice was turned into the annual tradition we see celebrated today.

Saving the Bulls

The Running of the Nudes was originally invented in 2002. Each year, PETA activists from more than 30 countries gather in Spain to run the streets, usually following the path the bulls will run. Their goal is to show the world that bull fighting and the annual Running of the Bulls is cruel. Bulls are still subjected to fearful abuse in order to make them run and the path they follow, usually standard cobblestone or concrete surfaces, is incredibly damaging to their hooves.

Activists are usually either scantily clad or completely nude and most wear plastic bull horns during the run. Almost every runner will carry some sort of sign announcing their disgust with current bull fighting and running practices in Spain.

Demonstrating Outside of Pamplona

The folks who currently organize the Running of the Nudes campaign have plans to begin holding anti-bullfighting demonstrations in cities surrounding Pamplona. They fear that the popularity of the running of the nudes only contributes to the boost in tourism Pamplona receives due to the Running of the Bulls each year.

The goal of PETA and supporters of the Running of the Nudes campaign is to hold rallies and informational events in capital cities around the globe. They hope that by making their presence known in major cities, tourists who embark from those areas will become acutely aware of how gruesome bullfighting and running really is and consider changing their travel plans, visiting other areas of Spain or a different country altogether. In the future, Running of the Nudes participants and its international partners have plans to launch campaigns in the United States, France, Germany, Australia, and in several other countries.

Adding Political Pressure against Bullfighting

Running of the Nudes and international PETA demonstrators have also launched a political campaign against bullfighting and running. They’re attempting to partner with animal welfare organizations around the world, especially those who wish to outlaw bullfighting, and are helping them with their efforts to exert political pressure on bullfight organizers. Their goals are to shine a public spotlight on those who support this unusual form of animal cruelty.

Still Think the Running of the Bulls is Cool?

Just in case you thought the Running of the Bulls is a fun and harmless race here are a few facts about how the event works:

• Before the race the bulls are kept in dark, cramped enclosures
• The bulls are blinded by the sunlight when they are eventually released to run
• The bulls are zapped with electric shocks to force them to run even though they can’t see
• Participants and spectators usually hit the bulls while they are running
• The bulls usually fall, due to poor footing and sharp turns, and are severely injured, suffering from broken bones. Some are trampled by other bulls
• All of the bulls who participate in the Running of the Bulls usually die during bullfights
• Bullfights aren’t fair, either. The matador has a sword and the bull is confused by the loud noises in his surroundings. The bull never has an advantage over the matador.

The Running of the Nudes may draw attention as a silly event with naked runners but the people exposing themselves to the elements and the public are trying to make a serious point about the way bulls are treated during the Running of the Bulls and their eventual fates during bullfights. Visit the Running of the Nudes website for more information about this organization and their involvement with animal rights activism.

If you want to put a memorable twist on your travel plans this summer, head to one of these superb music festivals.

Isle of Wight Festival – June 12-14

One of the most influential annual music festivals, Isle of Wight has been around since 1968. The 1970 edition of the festival is the stuff of legend. Over 600,000 people were in attendance to see acts such as Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, The Who, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Leonard Cohen. The 2009 festival will feature Basement Jaxx, The Prodigy, Oasis and U2.

Montreux Jazz Festival – July 3-18

The most important cultural event in Switzerland, Montreux is much more than a mere jazz festival. Eclectic acts from past years include the likes of Marvin Gaye, Lou Reed, Johnny Cash, Ella Fitzgerald, New Order and Ice-T. Not exactly a line-up for jazz purists. Nonetheless, the festival in the town of 23,000 on Lake Geneva has been a staple since 1967 and is never, ever dull.

Lollapalooza – August 7-9

The brainchild of Peretz Bernstein, a.k.a. Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, Lollapalooza now has a permanent home in Chicago’s Grant Park. Though a far cry from humble roots as a non-commercial alternative music festival, the brand-name recognition alone draws some of the best bands in the biz. Radiohead, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine were just some of the big names to appear on stage in 2008.

Eurockeennes de Belfort – July 3-5

Held in a beautiful nature reserve near the Swiss border, Eurockeennes de Belfort is one of the premier music festivals in France, if not Europe. The line-up of acts at the annual event is consistently diverse and hipsterish. In 2008, Santogold, Girl Talk, Massive Attack, Gnarls Barkley and MGMT were just some of the performers in attendance.

Festival International de Jazz de Montreal – July 1-12

The top jazz festival in the world – and there are countless of them – in terms of attendance, is in Montreal, Canada. The annual two-week event takes place all over the city and kicks off every Canada Day. The pinnacle concert is a free outdoor affair in downtown Montreal that often draws as many as 250,000 people. Recent festivals have incorporated more diverse genres on the fringes of jazz, although legends such as Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard are regulars.

Warped Tour – June 26 to August 23

The 2009 edition of the edgy (yet incessantly criticized for being too commercial) Warped Tour will kick off a 46-date schedule in Pomona, California and travel all over the United States and Canada. Bands include Alexisonfire, The Devil Wears Prada, Less Than Jake and Silverstein.

Festival Internacional de Benicassim – July 16-19

The port town of Benicassim in the province of Castello and Valencian Community of Spain, hosts a major music festival every July that will feature headline acts like Kings of Leon, Paul Weller, The Killers, Oasis and Franz Ferdinand in 2009. Although prominent politicians decry the fact that the festival caters mainly to British tourists and is devoid of native acts, the four-day event is nonetheless incredibly popular.

Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts – June 24-28

The dean of summer music festivals sold out in February, believe it or not, though cancelled tickets are available as of today – April 5. With 137,500 people expected to attend, the festival promises to be another phenomenal success for the towns of Pilton and Glastonbury in Somerset, England. The 2009 version of Glastonbury should raise the bar again, as last year’s festival did when such acts as Jay-Z, Vampire Weekend, The Verve, Panic at the Disco and Brian Jonestown Massacre hit the stage.

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Here are some of the best festivals in April around the world.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

A fixture on the annual New Orleans calendar since 1970, the Jazz & Heritage festival is one of the best celebrations of music and culture in the United States. Spread over two weekends in late April and early May on the Fair Grounds Race Course, the festival features a great line-up of music legends, jazz icons and new acts on the rise, in addition to crafts and superb food and beverage tents.

San Francisco International Beer Festival

Held in late April at historic Fort Mason, in the Marina District of San Francisco Bay, the International Beer Festival features a slew of craft and artisan beers, great food and special events. Best of all, admission fees go to charity and include unlimited suds and grub.

Tribeca Film Festival

The event that put Robert De Niro’s beloved neighborhood back on the map in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks is now a staple on the annual film festival circuit. The TriBeCa Film Festival, co-founded by the Raging Bull and Goodfellas star and producer Jane Rosenthal, is dedicated to the recovery of lower Manhattan and the independent film community, though some critics see it as just another vehicle for Hollywood.

Seville Spring Fair

Seville’s Spring Fair is one of the most popular in all of Europe and is held every year, two weeks after Easter Holy Week. From traditional parades, concerts and events at the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballer?a, to non-stop tapas and Jerez sherry, the week-long celebration is authentically Andalusian.

Feria Nacional de San Marcos

Believe it or not, of Mexico’s myriad annual festivals, no other comes close to the Feria Nacional de San Marcos. With some visitor estimates to the central host state of Aguascalientes as high as 7 million people, the feria is massive by any scale. Typical events include bull and cock fights, livestock fairs, rodeos, concerts, casinos, traditional music and citizen awards. All in all, San Marcos is the premier celebration of Mexican culture.

Songkran, Thailand

The traditional Thai New Year, Songkran is the most important national holiday in Thailand and is held from April 13 to 15. The hottest time of the year, water fights and purification rituals often break out in the streets, from Bangkok to Phuket. Visits to wats, feasts and pageants also feature prominently.

Istanbul International Film Festival

The Istanbul International Film Festival was the first in Turkey and is by far the most important in the country. The non-profit annual event screens films at theatres all over Istanbul throughout April and promotes the development of Turkish cinema at home and abroad.

Edinburgh International Science Festival

A quirky annual event, the International Science Festival is quite at home in Edinburgh, where festivals of all stripes abound throughout the year. The eclectic festival features a host of fun and educational events and exhibits for the entire family.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

The three-day arts and music festival held every year since 2001 at Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California is relatively new on the scene but has already made a major impact. In the confines of the Colorado Desert in southeast California, the festival has impressively drawn the likes of Portishead, Madonna, Rage Against the Machine, Massive Attack, Nine Inch Nails and Kraftwerk.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Though April in Australia signals autumn and not spring, with a line-up of over 1,700 performers and a schedule of almost 300 shows, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is a big deal. Second only in scale, scope and attendance to the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, the event kicks off every April 1 with a massive gala at Melbourne Town Hall.

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From punk to grime, jungle to hip hop, garage to drum and bass, the city’s (and country’s for that matter) beat heads slice and dice and re-engineer musical genres like mad teppanyaki chefs. Head to Heathrow, get on the Tube and pick your poison. London is a rich, eclectic stew with some of the best concert halls and arenas in the world. Sorry New York but London’s ability to lure the best acts, bands and entertainers in the world is without peer.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of some of the best concerts on the schedule so far for London in ‘09.

February 26: Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig

The New Musical Express Awards Big Gig takes O2 arena by storm with performances by The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Crystal Castles and White Lies. The superb indoor arena on the Greenwich peninsula should host a capcity crowd for the massive event.

March 2, 28: Metallica

Thrash metal band Metallica was made for arena gigs. The icon group will no doubt sell out the O2 when the Death Magnetic tour hits London twice in March.

March 3, 4, 7, 8, 11: Tina Turner

Legend Tina Turner plays five shows at O2 arena in early March, her first live concerts in the United Kingdom in nine years. What more can you ask for?

April 16, 17: The Prodigy and Dizzee Rascal

Electronic music giants The Prodigy take their sonic spectacle to Wembley Arena for two shows in April. Rapper/producer genius Dizzee Rascal, a prodigy in his own right, will round out the bill quite nicely.

April 14, 16: AC/DC

Ageless Aussie band AC/DC will thrill O2 audiences in trademark style when the Black Ice World Tour hits London in April. They return to play Wembley Stadium on June 26.

April 25: Bob Dylan

O2 arena’s steady stream of world class concerts rolls on in late April when folk legend and singer-songwriter Bob Dylan takes the stage.

May 11: Morrissey

Historic Royal Albert Hall will host influential singer Morrissey for what promises to be a special concert on May 11.

May 16, 17, 26, 28, 29, 30: Eric Clapton

Another major act to play grand Royal Albert Hall in May, for six dates no less, is legendary guitarist and singer Eric Clapton.

May 25, 26: Beyonc?

Pop diva par excellence Beyonc? makes her debut at the O2 in one of the most anticipated tours to visit London in 2009.

June 15, 16, 30: Kings of Leon

Perennially adored by music critics and European audiences alike, Kings of Leon finally made headway with fans in the U.S. in 2008. They return to the city that first embraced their infectious brand of southern alt rock with three gigs in June at O2 arena.

July 2, 3: Blur

The first of two iconic Britpop bands to play London in July, Blur will kick off the month with two shows in Hyde Park. A quintessential London concert experience if ever there was one.

July 9, 11, 12: Oasis

One of the most successful British bands of all-time, Manchester’s Oasis will entertain over 200,000 people at Wembley Stadium in what is sure to be three consecutive sold-out shows in July. If you had to select one unforgettable concert in London for 2009, with a native British supergroup as the headline act no less, this could be it.

September 18, 19: Coldplay

Maybe the one homegrown band that can rival Oasis in 2009, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida Tour will wrap up after 15 long months with two massive shows in front of capacity crowds at Wembley Stadium. The encore on September 19 is sure to last into the wee hours.

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Below is a list of ten sex festivals from around the globe, most of which are celebrated annually. Starting at number 10:

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10. The London Festival Of Tantra

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New in the sex festival scene, the LFoT was established on September 27, 2008 as the first in an ongoing series of festivals to focus on, and celebrate the spiritual aspect of Tantric sexuality. If learning about how to achieve multiple orgasms in a marathon sex session that extends to hours on end with a bunch of embracing and open-minded people isn’t incentive enough to attend, I don’t know what is. Activities include ritual footwashing, massage therapy, color therapy, psychic and spiritual healing and you can also get free hugs with love from a “Squeezy Fairy”. Now isn’t that nice?

For more information, visit their official website.

9. Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival

_{You know you want that “Natural Born Hooker” t-shirt. Don’t lie.}

Established in 1999, the San Francisco SWF&AF was formed to recognise the accomplishments of sex worker artists and filmmakers and to show work about sex workers and sex industries from around the world. The Sex Worker Festival also provides an opportunity to recognize and honour prostitutes, dancers, adult film actors and other sex workers who have historically been a dynamic part of arts communities. Performance events, parties, art exhibitions, film screenings and educational discussions and seminars all make up this festival’s activities. My favourite porn star in a dramatic puff piece she made herself? This I have to see!

For more information, visit their official website.

8. Kinky Copenhagen

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Sounding like a sweetened sex ale that rolls off the tongue, kinky definitely is the word that comes to mind when describing this Danish festival. Held every October, you will find dildos, whips, leather and latex galore as well as many strippers and pornstars abound.

7. Kutemajrvi Sex Festival

_{Animated depiction of a dream professor}

Considered the more intellectual sex festival due to professional lectures being given on all aspects of sexuality during its run, this erotic Finnish event will stimulate both your mind and body. Don’t think the sexiest thing you’ll only see here is the word, “intercourse” written on a blackboard, the festival also features your usual, run of the mill sex merchandise stalls and erotic strip shows. Unless the professor was a scantily clad Angelina Jolie lookalike “talking dirty” to a class, now THAT would be another sexy highlight.

6. Extasia

_{3D porn. Mmmmmm, trippy.}

Spawned from the lusty minds of the lovely Swiss folk, Extasia is a massive sex festival that plays host to the world’s most internationally renowned porn stars, where smut revellers can then engage in a meet and greet with their favourite actors/actresses. You can also hang out with the infamous Playboy bunnies and playmates in the Playboy Club Tour and for the ladies, there’s a “Women’s Only Menstrippers Zone”, where every gyration will bring a cheeky smile to your face. The festival also boasts a 3D Sex Cinema, a Fetish Village and offers Tantric sex courses and sex toy shopping outlets for the sexually inclined.

For more information, visit their official website.

5. Erots

_{Despair over their failed comeback tour forced The Backstreet Boys to turn to a new creative outlet.}

For many, the city of Riga in Latvia is a place unheard or barely spoken of. But in reality, this modest city is transforming into a sexual mecca, much like Montreal or Amsterdam which, every year for the past decade, has played host to a huge sex festival, simply known as “Erots”. Like most festivals, Erots features strip shows, sex toy shops and the like. Be prepared to wait in line though, as apparently queues can reach up to 100 metres or more, all the while suffering Riga’s harsh, cold weather!

For more information, visit their official website.

4. Eroticon

_{Lech Kaczynski: Party pooper}

The annual four day Eroticon festival held in Warsaw, Poland took a different route unlike its sister festivals by staging “World Sex Championships” from within its venue confines, a controversial highlight of their program. In 2004, Pink Press, the festival’s organisers, were threatened to be prosecuted by Warsaw Mayor (now Polish President), Lech Kaczynski, under the charge of “procuring women”. Kaczynski’s intrusion caused quite a stir and gave the event excellent publicity however, the organisers were then forced to keep this “championship” under wraps and subsequently, removed from the program altogether. Eager attendees of the festival are usually treated to pornographic book & film stalls, lingerie & erotic shows as well as a chance to witness history in the making – the trumping of the current world sex record. I’d hate to be the one cleaning up after this erm, competition.

For more information, visit their official website.

3. Sex Culture Festival

_{“Does my butt look big in this?” The only time men in the audience responded with an affirming, “NO”.}

Who said the Chinese were a conservative bunch? The Sex Culture Festival was conceived in 2003, where admission was free of charge until it reached its third year – the charge rising up to 10 yuan, the reason being to keep visitor numbers down and to keep sexually intrigued children out. Activities range from talks on birth control to pleasure toys, a photo show on sexual health and eugenics, forums on sexology, quizzes and lingerie shows. Bad news for the citizens of Guangzhou though as admission has apparently gone up to 30 yuan recently, triple its usual fee. Boo.

2. Madrid Erotica Festival

_{The heavens parted and Natalia’s ethereal glow stunned onlookers.}

The famous Madrid Erotica Festival, formerly known as the Barcelona Erotica festival, is a yearly event held in the month of June. Raunchier than its rival festivals, the MEF summons to its grand stage over 150 porn stars from all over the world to do, well, what pornstars do. Festival goers are able to watch live orgies and steamy sex shows ranging from gay, straight or mixed and check out lingerie, BDSM and other fetish related expos. If you’re looking to get more involved in all the sexy fun, you can enter your own porn movie into their annual competition and share your “masterpiece” with the world. Only 30 minutes is allowable though, don’t get too carried away. Showoff.

For more information, visit their official website.

1. Sextival

_{Catwoman finally got the upper hand. Bruce Wayne happily complied.}

Israel held their very first sex festival, aptly named Sextival, at Hanger 11 in the northern Tel Aviv port on February of 2008. Started by former Israeli model, Nitzan Kirshenboim, a 32 year old mother of two, her goal was to raise a healthy awareness of sex amongst the masses instead of keeping the issue out in the dark. A bold move, considering the conservatism of Israeli society and only speak of sex in hushed tones. The festival showcased sex toys for both men and women, erotic lingerie, strip shows and even some Playboy bunnies who were bombarded by autograph requests. More sex and awareness of sex in the Middle East may spell more peace. One can only hope.

For more information, visit their official website.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Held in Seeboden, Austria, the World Bodypainting Festival is one of the largest themed art festivals in the world. Participants decorate their bodies, from head to toe, with incredible painted designs for the world to see.

Participants in the World Bodypainting Festival

The World Bodypainting Festival is about more than a competition alone. It’s about giving artists from this unique genre a place to come together and share their love for the art. Traditionally open to artists throughout Europe, recent years have seen more entrants from the USA, Asia, and South America as well.

The artistic quality of the bodypainting work has increased over the years as well. Whereas there used to be clear distinctions between the photographs with high versus low points, there are now more and more images earning high point values, making it even more difficult for the judges to find winners. Dozens of new artists from around the world are winning bodypainting awards each year, including those from Brazil, Spain, Poland, the USA, and Italy.

World Bodypainting Festival Workshops

The festival isn’t just about viewing photographs, either. Visitors to the festival have the opportunity to take a number of workshops during the main days. Interested parties learned all about facepainting, make-up and color theory, bodypainting, and airbrushing.

Sponsors and teachers from around the world make these incredible classes possible each year. Few people realize the incredible impact that bodypainting has on the world. In the movie “300″ for example, body painting was used to create a number of effects that would not have been possible with cinematography alone.

Bodypainting Categories and Awards

The World Bodypainting Awards are given annually to competitors in a number of different categories. This year the themes were “Science World of Wonders” and “Asia: Empires growing, empires going.” Over 22,000 visitors had the opportunity to watch the incredible skill of the world’s most talented bodypainting artists. The models deserve a healthy dose of credit as well. They dedicate hours of time to preparing their bodies for paint, patiently standing while being decorated, and then posing for competition photographs.

There are 3 main categories within which competitors vie for awards. The World Awards include classic facepainting, bodypainting fluoro, special effects bodypainting, airbrush bodypainting, and Pinsel/Schwamm bodypainting. The Special Awards category includes Special Effects Make up for the head and face, while the Semi Professional category includes awards for both brush/sponge bodypainting and Airbrush bodypainting.

The World Bodypainting International Photo Competition

Entrants don’t necessarily have to show up in person to show off their skills. Each year the World Bodypainting Festival receives hundreds of entries in the International Photo Competition. Five judges from Slovenia and Austria spend days reviewing the three photograph images and three digital images submitted by each entrant. Photos are given points ranging from 3-10 and the photographs with the highest points are named winners!

Visiting the Festival Grounds

Visitors from all over the world are welcome to the grounds during the World Bodypainting Festival. You don’t have to participate in a class or in a competition in order to browse the halls, watch the artists in progress, or explore the exhibit hall. You’ll also find tons of live music, Festival TV, concerts, parties, and even fireworks throughout the week of the festival.

Vendors in the exhibit hall will have a number of booths for you to explore as well. Learn about the art of bodypainting or purchase some of the incredible paints and supplies you’ve seen used throughout the competition. We guarantee there’s something for everyone in the exhibit hall.

Believe it or not, some artists arrive at the festival without a model, so festival organizers are always looking for volunteers. The sooner you know you are available to act as a model the better. Simply contact the event coordinators and let them know you’re free so that they can pair you up with an artist should your services be needed. What a fun an unique way of participating!

The 2009 World Bodypainting Festival will be held from July 13^th through July 19^th in Seeboden and will feature a number of original and new features. Amongst them include:

• Five world championship categories,
• A night contest to judge special UV effects,
• Over 20 different workshop classes,
• Audience contests,
• And dozens of spectacular side events.

Artists from around the world appreciate the talent and skill it takes to work with such a unique medium – the human body. Make sure you stop by the World Bodypainting Festival if you’re in Austria next July. It’ll be an experience you never forget!

Image credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15