Here at BAÍAH, we are proud to be a group of like-minded luxury adventure seekers in the constant pursuit of uncovering a slice of untapped paradise. Whilst for many this means relaxing on the beach with a gripping novel, or perhaps sipping cocktails poolside, we aim to learn more about the wondrous people and cultures surrounding us. So many regions are top holiday destinations purely for their amazing natural landscapes and constant sun, but the true adventure is speaking with locals, learning their customs and respectfully contributing to their unique culture. So, if you are like us and are keen to experience and appreciate foreign societies, take a look at our most anticipated global events for 2024 that you will not want to miss.
4TH - 12TH FEBRUARY 2024: SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL (JAPAN)
Held in Hokkaido’s capital Sapporo, this romantic escape celebrates all things frozen and is one of the largest events in the Japanese winter calendar, showcasing ice sculptures, snow sports and mouth-watering local delicacies. Almost 2 million people gather from across the globe for the festival which lasts for one week in February, marvelling at the 400 intricately carved ice and snow sculptures which can reach 15 metres in height and 25 metres in width. Inspiration for the carvings varies from year to year, often referencing a significant event, person or even true-to-scale buildings, with professionals and amateurs both gaining the opportunity to enter the competition. There are also entire stages created from snow and ice that are charmingly lit up as the winter sun fades, with local singers, dancers and entertainers flaunting their talents.
The festival is also commended for being one of the most sustainable within the country with environmentally friendly initiatives such as collecting snow used for the celebrations and structures gathered from snow pile ups that block roads and pathways. Also many of the stages are easily dismantled with no lasting effects on the surrounding habitat. Other arctic adventures at the Sapporo Snow festival include winding ice mazes, gigantic ice rinks and winter sports showcases such as snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating at the Odori Park stage, where athletes achieve dizzying heights and execute superhuman tricks to amaze crowds.
For families, there is also the child-friendly Tsu Dome site, with three different types of snow slides, snow rafting, a snowman building area and snow sculptures sculpted into recognizable cartoon characters. This arena also has live performances on icy stages which are more aimed at children. The hundreds of snow sculptures are illuminated with twinkling lights till 10 pm every night and performances usually take place from midday to 9 pm. Sadly, the festival was cancelled in 2022 due to Covid-19 restrictions and reduced in 2023 so be sure to head to Sapporo for the full 2024 event which we are sure will not disappoint.
3RD - 13TH FEBRUARY 2024: VENICE CARNIVAL (ITALY)
Attracting roughly 3 million tourists every year, this annual event is held in the romantic and historic city of Venice, Italy with the end of the festival coinciding with the start of the Christian celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter Sunday. This festival is instantly recognizable for its display of intricate and ornate masks, many of which are hand-crafted by local artisans within the city. Leading up to and on the days of the festival you can commission your very own unique mask for the festival, working with the professionals to create a one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia. You may even win the most prestigious prize available at the carnival, the contest for la Maschera più Bella (‘the most beautiful mask’) held on the last weekend of the event and judged by a panel of international costume and fashion designers.
The festival is a whirlwind celebration of mystery, magic, love and lust and epitomises what 12th-century renaissance Italians deemed vital for a fulfilled life, as well as an escape from modern stresse. The history of the festival reflects the contrast between religion and decadence as the carnival began as a way for people to party, eat rich foods and be generally debauchery as the start of Lent signified 40 days of penance, hence the masks to shield all party revellers’ identities.
During the festival, expect to attend extravagant masked balls, eat copious amounts of local Italian dishes and tag along to masquerade pub crawls, however, many events are by invitation only and very exclusive, so part of this celebration's mystery is discovering these luxury secrets for yourself. The city is also taking measures to make the carnival more sustainable, by banning all plastic confetti and promoting the social media hashtag #EnjoyRespectVenezia to help raise awareness around sustainable tourism.
24TH MARCH 2024: HOLI FESTIVAL (INDIA & NEPAL)
Also known as the Festival of Colours, Holi is a Hindu holiday that is celebrated across the world and is famous for its kaleidoscope of colours displayed throughout. Traditionally, the ancient festival celebrates the victory of good over evil but in more contemporary times, many secular folk honour it as the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The multitude of colours represents new life, hope and prosperity to look forward to in the coming year.
To make the most of your Holi festival, we recommend heading to India or Nepal, where the two-day party seeps out onto the streets and revellers of all backgrounds and ages come together to paint each other's faces, throw water, dance, play music and get merry. Be prepared to get wet and wear your swimsuit, as water guns, water balloons and sprinklers are commonplace and part of the festive fun. As night falls, many celebrators will create large bonfires to signify the cleansing of the world of evil and the ever-enduring light of life. Enjoy listening to local stories and traditions fire-side, sampling Holi delicacies such as fruit-filled dumplings known as gujiya, smooth and creamy spiced milk drink called thandai or kachoris, a lightly spiced lentil-stuffed puffed pastry.
26TH DECEMBER & 1ST JANUARY 2024: JUNKANOO, NASSAU, (THE BAHAMAS)
A winter celebration like no other on earth, Junkanoo is an enormous bi-annual celebration that fuses traditional carnivals with masquerade balls. Held on December 26th and January 1st in the Bahamian capital city of Nassau, the celebrations start at 2 in the morning with dancers in beautifully embellished colourful costumes taking to the streets to party in between splendid floats hand-crafted by locals for months before. Percussionists on goombay (goatskin) drums set the rhythm on the streets and are joined by the sounds of cowbells, whistles, and horns and will continue to play for the entire day and night.
The festival organisers are making efforts to conserve the 300-year-old carnival, with the winners of costume competitions earning the honour of having their handmade garments displayed in the Junkanoo Expo Museum. Whilst the origins of the festival are not 100% clear, it is believed that it has its roots in West Africa where an African tribal chief demanded the right the celebrate Christmas and the start of the new year with his people after being brought to the West Indies during the Atlantic slave trade.
Due to its cultural significance for the people of the Bahamas, tourists are encouraged to take part in the celebrations as much or as little as they are comfortable with but they must respect the history of the carnival and adhere to the rules of the National Junkanoo Association. If you need a moment of retreat from the festivities, we recommend escaping to one of the many white sand beaches the island has to offer, taking a swim in the refreshing blue waters.
If you plan on attending one or more of these fascinating events, use the hashtag #BAIAHDESTINATIONS when posting your festive holiday photos online, we’d love to see and hear from party revellers!
@baiah.official
