Waterfront festivals
The natural beauty and diversity of the world’s coastal regions provide a breathtaking setting for some of the most iconic cultural celebrations. From harnessing the power of the ocean and its natural bounty to simply using that littoral backdrop to frame festivities, this collection of annual events along the world’s coastlines are worth penciling in your diary. Words: Josephine Price
FESTA DE YEMANJÁ, BRAZIL FEBRUARY Saluting the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea is an annual national party in the country’s oldest city of Salvador. Honouring the Afro-Brazilian Yoruban heritage, religion and the history of the Bahia state capital, this cultural explosion sees street parades and performances as crowds dressed in white descend into the hallowed waters. The food stands that scatter the city dole out fresh bolinhos de bacalhau (codfish cakes) and acarajé (bean fritters) to accompany the occasion.
NOOSA FESTIVAL OF SURFING, AUSTRALIA MARCH One of the world’s best surfing destinations, Noosa is an iconic surf mecca on Queensland’s sunshine coast. Big waves crash onto the sunny and expansive beaches, backed by bars, cafes and the Noosa National Park. Attracting talent from some of the world’s greatest surf spots — Hawaii, California, Japan, New Zealand and beyond — the annual festival is a homage to global surf culture and talent. Exhibitions, art shows and live music punctuate the moments between the action on the water, while lighthearted activities such as dog surfing competitions accompany the more serious contests.
noosafestivalofsurfing.com
CARTAGENA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, COLOMBIA MARCH The oldest film festival in Latin America will enter its 63rd year in 2024. The colourful streets of the Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena come to life with screenings, discussions, workshops and premieres. Celebrating creative freedom and expression, the film festival is the ultimate venue for diving into Hispanic filmmaking culture.
ficcifestival.com
30
nationalgeographic.com/travel
PRINTEMPS DE LA SARDINE, FRANCE APRIL TO MAY The quaint French town of Saint Gilles-Croix- de-Vie on the Atlantic coast is deemed the sardine capital of the country. Here, the arrival of gleaming little fish kickstarts the party that takes over the town each spring. From tastings and walking trails to sardine-focused menus at local restaurants and discussions about their role in literature, the two-week celebration lets the delicious local speciality take centre stage.
vendee-tourisme.com
HANGOUT FESTIVAL, ALABAMA, USA MAY For a celebration of some of the finest chart- topping creators in the music industry, head to the coast of Alabama for the start of the summer festival season. The annual music festival on the white-sand beaches of the city of Gulf Shores in the southeastern US state is an all-out musical blowout drawing some huge names in the music world. The 2023 line up included Lil Nas X, Paramore, Red Hot Chili Peppers and SZA.
hangoutmusicfest.com
DAK’ART, DAKAR BIENNALE, SENEGAL MAY TO JUNE Art takes centre stage in the Senegalese capital each summer season for the Dak’Art Biennale. Filling both traditional galleries and spaces and spilling out onto the streets, the city becomes a living canvas in this annual celebration of contemporary African art in all its forms. Founded in 1990, the event is the biggest and most exciting in the African art calendar. The energetic capital city makes an evocative backdrop for introducing African artists to a global audience and inviting international artists onto the streets of the city.
biennaledakar.org
FROM TOP: Cartagena skyline; surfing in Noosa National Park, Australia; Camel Estuary in Cornwall
IMAGES: ALAMY; GETTY
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
