After all the excitement and partying of holidays and New Year’s, January does seem to get a little dull. But it needn’t be as there is a lot happening in January around the world.

Visit some of these hot events to keep you warm and exciting all through the month of January.

#1 BLACK AND WHITE’S CARNIVAL

PASTO, COLOMBIA

2 – 7 JANUARY 2018

A tradition dating back to the 12^th century, the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos marks the slave culture. One of South America’s oldest and most vivid celebration, people paint themselves black and the other day white and mark the celebration with a Grand Parade.

#2 HARBIN ICE FESTIVAL

24 DECEMBER 2017 – 25 FEBRUARY 2018

HARBIN, CHINA

Experience the wonderland of ice and snow with international snow sculpture art expo, ice lantern art fair, ice hotels, dog sledging and more. Just beware of the extreme cold as the temperature averages -16C to -38C!

#3 BIKANER CAMEL FESTIVAL

13 – 14 JANUARY 2018

RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Not as touristy as the Desert Festival but equally enticing with a lot of fun activities including camel beauty competition, fireworks, dance, music in the colourful desert town of Bikaner.

#4 ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL

15 – 21 JANUARY 2018

PANAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

Held annually since the 13^th century in honour of Santo Nino (Baby Jesus), the 2-week long religious carnival ends on the third Sunday of January.

#5 VOODOO FESTIVAL

JANUARY 10

OUIDAH, BENIN

The seaside town of Ouidah witnesses a huge spiritual gathering on the beach every year on January 10 to honour slave ancestors dresses in colourful costumes chanting, dancing, drinking and performing religious ceremonies.

#6 MAKAR SAKRANT, KITE FESTIVAL

JANUARY 14

GUJARAT; RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Enjoy the spectacular view of zillion colourful kites flying high up in the sky and even take part in the kite festival.

#7 CAMEL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

3^rd SUNDAY OF JANUARY

TURKEY

The town of Selcuk, near the ancient city of Ephesus, plays home to this medieval tradition where thousands of people come to see 1,200 camels wrestle.

#8 TIMKAT FESTIVAL

JANUARY 19

ETHIOPIA

Strange rituals and psychedelic processions mark this Epiphany, an Orthodox Christian festival that celebrates the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. It is celebrated all over the country but the celebration is greatest in the former capital, Fasilidas’ Bath in Gonder.

#9 YAMAYAKI

4^th SATURDAY IN JANUARY

NARA, JAPAN

The grass burning on Mt. Wakakusayama is an annual New Year tradition with the spectacular burning of an entire hill and attendant fireworks.

#10 UP HELLY AA

LAST TUESDAY IN JANUARY

SHETLAND ISLANDS, SCOTLAND

Europe’s largest fire festival is annually held in Lerwick, Shetland which is the spectacular community tradition celebrated to mark the rich Viking heritage.

                                                                                                                                                 Written By:- Pallavi Jaisinghani