A festival is an event or series of events usually recurring annually and focused on a particular theme, tradition, or aspect of a community. Typically involving music, dance and other forms of entertainment, a festival may have religious or cultural significance as well as being a celebration of the community’s history and culture. Festivals are also often characterized by fairground attractions, and by food stalls and other vendors.
There are festivals to celebrate almost everything and anything from religious holidays like Christmas or Eid al-Fitr through cultural holidays such as Diwali or Krishnastami to events of historical importance like the Battle of Hastings, the founding of Jerusalem or the death of a great poet or artist. In recent times there have been festivals to celebrate the equinox, the summer solstice and even the death of a celebrity (as in the case of Michael Jackson’s 50th birthday party).
The festival definition has also expanded to include secular events that are simply based on having a good time such as Mardi Gras or a Burning Man gathering. A farmers market or a county fair can also be considered to be a festival although these have more in common with trade shows than with the more traditional idea of a festival.
At the heart of a festival is the music and a huge variety of bands are represented at each one. Unlike a concert where the audience is likely to be there for just one band a festival will have many different stages playing a wide range of styles of music so that everyone can find something to suit them.
Festivals have a very relaxed atmosphere and people will usually wear whatever they want. It’s not unusual for people to turn up in fancy dress or even their hippie clothing and this helps add to the magic of a festival.
In fact the word festival actually comes from the Latin festivus which means ‘festive’ so it’s no wonder that festivals are always full of fun and excitement!
If you are planning on attending your first festival it’s a good idea to make sure that you are fully prepared for the experience. Check out our festival survival guide for tips on everything from getting the perfect tent to practising good hygiene.
There is so much going on at a festival that it can be easy to forget about all of the other things you need to do before and during your festival trip. That’s why we have put together our festival checklist so that you can be sure to remember all of the essential items for your trip! We’ve also included some handy camping tips to help you get the most out of your festival experience.