With only about 3 months left of 2017, it’s time to see what free festivals 2018 has in store for us. Because you know how it is with booking a place to stay during such events. By the time you’re browsing for rooms all the cheaper ones are gone!
For today’s piece, we’ve decided to explore some lesser known (but equally entertaining) fairs. Sure, you can go the conventional route and visit the Rio Carnival, Oktoberfest or festivals across India or Melbourne; but why not do something different for a change? No admission fees are charged for these festivals so you are (quite literally) free to experience the magic yourself!
#1 Busójárás, Hungary
The first of the free festivals for today can be a bit spooky. Every February, in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, townspeople from Mohács dress up in various monsters from local folklore. They then parade the town while playing folk music as a celebration of life (i.e. the end of winter). Besides attending the traditional music and dancing, you have the opportunity to sip spiced wines and Hungarian pálinka.
And, of course, participate in the merriment of the people vying for control over who can make the most noise. At the end of the festival, the townspeople gather around in the center for the main event: lighting a straw-made man in a bonfire and dancing the kolo in a circle around the spectacle.