A festival is a time of celebration and entertainment that centers on a particular theme. Some festivals focus on a religion or culture while others are based around a specific event, such as a flower or ice festival. Festivals can be educational and help increase knowledge of a subject, as well as bring together communities with similar interests.
The most obvious benefit of attending a festival is that it is fun. Whether you are dancing in the rain to an amazing artist or laughing at a joke your friend told you, there is always something going on at a festival. You will leave with a smile on your face and memories you will treasure for the rest of your life.
Experiencing an event like this with thousands of people who share the same passion for what you do is exhilarating. It creates a sense of community that is unique to the festival environment and allows you to connect with other people in a way you normally wouldn’t. You may even make new friends with people from all walks of life who you wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Many festivals are held in a natural setting which means you get to spend your nights outside enjoying the weather. The fresh air and green spaces can reduce cortisol levels and increase oxytocin which has positive impacts on physical and mental health. For families, spending the weekend at a family-friendly festival can encourage them to spend more time outdoors afterwards too which is beneficial for their overall health.
Music is a huge part of most festivals and the line-ups are usually diverse enough to cater to every taste. The variety also provides an opportunity to discover a new genre of music that you might not have had the chance to listen to before. There is no better way to test out new music than at a festival. It’s also a great way to see how you will react to it in real life.
Another big aspect of festival culture is the sense of belonging they create. From practices such as PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity & Respect) and Radical Inclusion to giving back to the community through charity events, festival goers are known for their sense of generosity. It’s not uncommon to see people taking care of one another or strangers in need at a festival, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. There have been a few times where I have “adopted” someone at a festival because they needed help or were a little lost. It is so nice to see that kind of compassion and community in the world today.
There was a time when festivals were underfunded, intimate gatherings in dilapidated buildings but they are slowly becoming more mainstream. There is a festival somewhere on the planet almost every weekend and there are always more being added. If you haven’t already experienced one, do it! Then find another that speaks to you and give it a try. You may surprise yourself and fall in love with it.