festival
What is the Carnival of Venice? Masks, history and how to go
From the masks mentioned in 1268 to the revival in 1979: the history, mask types, programme and practical ways to experience the Carnival of Venice.
festival
What is the Istanbul Fringe Festival? The 2023 Kadıköy opening and the fringe idea
How the fringe idea travelled from Edinburgh in 1947 to Istanbul, seen through the festival's 16 September 2023 opening at Alan Kadıköy, plus how the festival works and how to experience it.
festival
What is Oktoberfest? Munich's Wiesn: history, beer and how to go
Born from a royal wedding in 1810, Oktoberfest now draws millions to Munich. A complete guide to its history, rules, tents and practical tips.
festival
What is San Fermín? Pamplona's bull run, history and a visitor's guide
A plain guide to San Fermín, held in Pamplona every 6 to 14 July: where it comes from, how the encierro works, its risks and how to enjoy it without running.
festival
What is Holi? India's festival of colours, Holika Dahan and gulal
Holi is the Hindu spring festival that starts with a full-moon bonfire and turns into a day of coloured powder and water. Here is its origin, dates, food and how people celebrate it.
festival
The Uşak Short Film Festival explained: the story of the Winged Seahorse Awards
Started in 2014 by a university group, the festival takes its Winged Seahorse Awards from Uşak's Karun Treasure and brings film fans together in Kadıköy each December.
festival
Directed By Women Turkey: Istanbul's short film festival for women directors
Directed By Women Turkey brings women's short films together in Kadıköy every September. Its global roots, editions, programme and how to attend.
istanbul
FeminİSTANBUL International Women's Poetry Festival: what it is
Founded in 2016, FeminİSTANBUL is an Istanbul festival that speaks about women and women's issues through poetry. Who started it, its themes and venues, and how to follow it.
festival
Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling: the Brockworth hill race explained
Every spring bank holiday, runners chase a wheel of Double Gloucester down a steep hill at Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire. Here is its history, rules and unofficial status today.
istanbul
What is the Canlandıranlar Festival? Istanbul's home for independent animation
The history, competition and programme of the festival run by the Canlandıranlar Association in Istanbul, plus the prize-winning short film selection screened in Kadıköy in 2023.
burning man
What is Burning Man? Black Rock City, the 10 principles and the burning Man
The story of the temporary city built each year in the Nevada desert: from a 1986 bonfire on Baker Beach to the ten principles, the Man and the Temple burns.
festival
What is Mardi Gras? New Orleans carnival season, krewes and beads explained
Where Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) comes from, what krewes are, why the colours are purple, green and gold, and how to experience New Orleans carnival season.
festival
Rio Carnival explained: samba schools, street blocos and the 2025 change
Where Rio Carnival comes from, how the samba school parade and the free street blocos work, and why the Special Group now parades over three nights.
festival
What is La Tomatina? The Buñol tomato fight: history, rules and how to go
Every last Wednesday of August, the Spanish town of Buñol holds a tomato fight of about one hour. Here is where it came from, how it works and how to take part.
What’s on in the city this week?
Discover upcoming concerts, exhibitions and workshops in the calendar.
See eventsWhat’s on in the city this week?
Discover upcoming concerts, exhibitions and workshops in the calendar.
See eventsWhat’s on in the city this week?
Discover upcoming concerts, exhibitions and workshops in the calendar.
See events