NOMAD’S DAY

September 17 to 18, Gun Galuut Reserve, Mongolia

Nomad’s Day is, as the name suggests, the most important day in the lives of the Mongolian nomads. The major customs of nomadic life including horsemanship, wrestling and folkloric music and dance are demonstrated on these special days, groups then competing with visitors to load gers, the Mongolian tent, on yak carts, assemble the gers in the shortest time, make milk-tea, catch and tame horses and much more. The best of nomadic traditional cuisine is served on the evening of September 18.

DIVERSECITY

Until October 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DiverseCity is also known as the Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival. An ambitious programme of performing and visual arts, it showcases the rich and nuanced diversity of Malaysia and also explores the close ties and deep relationships with the other counries in the Asean bloc. Visit http://www.Diversecity.my.

FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD (BOUN KHAO SALAK)

September 16, Nationwide, Laos

During the festival of the dead, offerings are presented to Buddhist monks. On the last day, which is always the full moon, every family goes to the temple to make offerings to the deceased, especially to those who have passed away over the last year. It is believed that if the spirits do not receive offerings, the living will suffer from bad luck. In Luang Prabang during the festival, the Mekong is jammed with beautifully carved boats with snake-heads for prows. The serpent, or naga, appears in Buddhist literature as the protector of Lord Buddha and that’s the reason why the boats are sacred and kept inside the temple precincts. Every year, 40 men from each temple parish volunteer to race in their temple’s boats.

SEOUL PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL

September 30 to October 30, Seoul, South Korea

Contemporary drama, dance, musical theatre and interdisciplinary arts are at leading cultural spaces throughout Seoul next month. The festival features some 40 breathtaking performances from Korean and international companies, which highlight the fundamental elements of performing arts from the past as well as draw attention to the possibilities of the present and the future. Visit Spaf.or.kr.

CHINA OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT

September 25 to October 9, Beijing, China

The China Open was launched in 2004, and is held in Beijing over the National Day holidays. Hosted by the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Centre, this elite ATP tour event attracts many of the world’s best tennis players.

NATIONAL DAY RACE DAY

October 1, Hong Kong

The National Day Race on October 1 has long been one of the highlights of Hong Kong’s horse racing calendar. Every year, the Hong Kong Jockey Club presents various spectacular cultural performances at Sha Tin racecourse to commemorate the founding of the People’s Republic of China, attracting thousands of racing fans and visitors.

HOI AN FULL MOON LANTERN FESTIVAL

September, Hoi An, September 14

The ancient town of Hoi An in Central Vietnam will keep electricity use down to the minimum and let the full moon light up the night for its lantern festival. The folks in Hoi An welcome every full moon with a lantern festival but the upcoming lunar event coincides with Mid-Autumn Festival when, it’s said, the moon is at its brightest and most beautiful. The action is centred in the area between the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Cau An Hoi Bridge and spills onto the surrounding streets and river banks. You can’t miss the sea of colourful lanterns if you stay close to the river.

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

September 16 to 18, Singapore

Singapore held the first night-time Formula One Grand Prix in September 2008, with 5km of track snaking around Marina Bay under specially designed lights. The thrilling race – which has been dominated by Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso – is held every September and includes a fantastic line-up of events at various locations across Singapore. The terrific atmosphere and enthusiasm of the locals make it one of the best times to visit.

ULTRA BEACH BALI 2016

September 15 to 16, Bali, Indonesia

Ultra Beach, the Bali leg of the world-renowned electronic Ultra Music Festival, is slated to rock the Petitenget beachfront of Potato Head Beach Club Bali this September. International DJs including Martin Garrix, Anna and Afrojack, will take turns to entertain the festival goers. The two-day festival in Bali this follows on from Japan, and will continue with events in Ibiza, Chile and Brazil.

HYOSEOK CULTURAL FESTIVAL

September 2 to 11, Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea

The Hyoseok Cultural Festival is held to commemorate modern Korean writer Lee Hyo-seok and his popular novel “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom”, which demonstrates the connection between human life and beauty of nature through the dazzling scenery of the author’s hometown. The festival highlights different locations depicted in the novel as well as the area’s folklore and is held at the time when the buckwheat flowers blanket the entire Bongpyeong area. Don’t miss the wide range of foods made from buckwheat and other exciting activities.

AKAN MARIMO MATSURI

October 9 to 10, Hokkaido, Japan

Akan Marimo Matsuri Festival on the shores of Lake Akan brings thousands of visitors to Kushiro, a small town in Hokkaido. Marimo (unique spherical green algae) is the nation’s special natural heritage and a symbol of this festival. Concerned about the destruction of nature, the Ainu people started the festival in 1950. The event features traditional dances and religious rites handed down by the Ainu and sees the Ekashi, as the respected elders are known, go out on Lake Akan in a traditional dugout canoe and gently place the marimo one by one into the lake. At night, visitors can enjoy the Pine Torch Procession and the fireworks display.

The Yadana Gu Spirit Festival

September 7-11, Myanmar

Held in small town of Amarapura just south of Mandalay, Upper Myanmar, the festival draws thousands of people – and spirits – to the Yadana Gu Spirit Festival. The celebration is led by hundreds of spirit mediums who become possessed by the Nats during the ceremonies. The spirit mediums perform ritual dances and songs accompanied by a traditional Burmese orchestra as festival-goers make offerings of food, flowers, alcohol, and money to the Nats. Travellers and culture buffs will find the Yadana Gu Spirit Festival a fascinating opportunity to witness ancient animists traditions that predate the expansion of Buddhism into the region that is today called Myanmar.

Onam Festival

September, Kerala, India

Ten days before Onam, people start creating their floral mats in front of their houses. Believing that the spirit of King Mahabali is visiting Kerala at the time of Onam, people celebrate and dance to assure the king that his people are happy. The highlight is the strictly vegetarian banquet to honour King Mahabali called Ona Sadya, which is served on the main Onam day. The nine-course feast of 11 mandatory dishes used to be even more elaborate with 64 dishes and is prepared days beforehand. The food has to be served on a banana leaf, laid with the end to the left. There are strict orders of serving and clear directions as to what will be served in which part of the banana leaf. Cutlery is a big faux pas since people eat with hands.

Independence Day Celebration

August 31, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Witness the Merdeka Day Parade at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, in celebration of Malaysia’s Independence Day on August 31. Known locally as Hari Kemerdekaan, it is the time when Malaysians show their appreciation for yet another year of harmony among the people, and are reminded of their country’s struggle for independence. Among the events leading up to the day of the parade are a marathon, a carnival and a concert.

Dai-Chochin Matsuri

August 26 and 27, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Dai-Chochin Matsuri or the Giant Lantern Festival is one of the brightest and most delightful festivals in Japan. The festival is also called the Suwa Shrine Lantern Festival since the tradition of lighting up lanterns to drive away sea demons started at Suwa Shrine about 450 years ago. Since then it has become the custom to ignite a kagari-bi bonfire, as a Shinto ritual at the festival. Dai-Chochin Matsuri features enormous chochin or paper lanterns which measure more than five metres in diameter and 10 metres in length. The 12 sets of paper lanterns appearing at the festival are depicted with colourful motifs of famous Japanese myths.

Mid-Autumn Festival

September 19, Vietnam

According to legend, the celebration originates from an old folk tale about parents working so hard to get ready for harvest that they forgot about their children. Mid-Autumn Festival is a time when parents will make it up to them. There’s a festive atmosphere in many cities as lights and flowers adorn the streets, toy shops stock their shelves and people flock to buy moon cakes which are sold in shops in the hundreds. The night of September 19 is the best time of the year to watch the full moon (as well as to munch on a moon cake and wash it down with tea).

FESTIVAL RAMADHAN

Now until July 6, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Celebrated in honour of the Muslim fasting month, this festival, held around Merdeka Square, features a variety of religious programmes such as Terawih Perdana at Dataran Merdeka (Terawih prayers); festive shopping, Tilawah & Khatam Al-Quran (Quran Recital) in Kelantan; Islamic tourism (ITC), bazaar Ramadhan, Forum Perdana Ramadhan plus performances by embassies, international Imams and many more.

NAKAFURANO LAVENDER FESTIVAL

July 16, Hokkaido, Japan

Lavender has been cultivated in Hokkaido for more than half a century. Nakafurano town, about four hours on the train from Sapporo Station, will host one of the biggest lavender festivals of the flower season with the lavender and flowers at their most beautiful. The farms also come alive with stalls and children’s entertainment shows. This is the perfect time to come and stay in Furano and experience the festivals.

SINGAPORE FOOD FESTIVAL

July 15 to 31, Singapore

Introduced in 1994, the Singapore Food Festival is an annual event, organised by the Singapore Tourism Board. This eating celebration features a colourful plethora of local cuisines that pay tribute to the City State’s multi-cultural heritage. It serves up a unique opportunity for visitors to get acquainted with local food in both traditional and contemporary ways.

CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE

Today through September 23, New York City, USA

Enjoy a full schedule of live music, comedy and dance, plus films and recitals in the Big Apple’s Central Park. Approximately 30-35 free performing events are on show while the benefit concerts do the fund-raising. Expect everything from classic New York hip-hop artists in outer-borough NYC parks to big-name indie-rock bands on the Central Park mainstage.

GION MATSURI

July 1 to 29, Kyoto, Japan

The Gion Festival is perhaps Japan’s best known festival, running the entire month of July each year. The highlight is the splendid pageant of some 30 floats called yamaboko that parade along the main streets of Kyoto on July 17 and 24. Each float, two-storied and about six metres tall, is topped with a long pole shaped like a spear. During the parade, children, traditional dolls and musicians are seated on the second level of the floats. Adorned with exquisite craftwork such as woven fabric, dyed textiles and sculptures, these floats are so gorgeous that they are sometimes described as “mobile art museums”.

BORYEONG MUD FESTIVAL

July 15 to 24, Boryeong, South Korea

Get dirty at Boryeong’s Mud Festival on Daecheon Beach, 190 kilometres southwest of Seoul. Everybody is encouraged to make the most of mud and take advantage of its benefits for skin-care. The mud from Boryeong contains important minerals, which reduce wrinkles and remove excess oils from the skin surface. Medically, mud baths are also supposed to improve the blood circulation and stimulate new skin growth. Festival-goers apply mud packs to the entire body and join strings of events including mud wrestling, a mud king contest, mud fireworks fantasy and mud sliding. Get your mud pack ready, smear yourself all over and enjoy!

April 9 to 11, Udaipur, India

Udaipur’s Mewar Spring Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring and coincides with the Gangaur festival. The main attraction is the procession of colourfully attired women carrying images of the Goddess Gauri to Lake Pichola. The images are transferred to special boats amidst much singing and festivity. The festival culminates with an impressive fireworks display and a procession of boats on the lake.

UISEONG SANSUYU FESTIVAL

March 26 to April 3, Gyeongsang, South Korea

Uiseong Sansuyu Village is gilded with the bright yellow of thousands of sansuyu, or Japanese Cornelian cherry flowers. The streetlights are kept on throughout the night to allow visitors to enjoy the view of flowers in the dark. The festival also features various activities including the sansuyu flower photo contest as well as hands-on experiences like rice cake pounding and sansuyu tea tasting.

IRONMAN 70.3

April 3, Putrajaya, Malaysia

An Ironman 70.3, or Half Ironman, is one of a series of long distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). Each distance of the swim, bike, and run segments is half the distance of that segment in an Ironman triathlon. The Ironman 70.3 series culminates each year with a World Championship competition, for which competitors qualify for during the 70.3 series in the 12 months prior to the championship race. This year’s Time Ironman 70.3 will take place at Floria, Precinct 4, Putrajaya, the home of the Royal Floria Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival.

ART CENTRAL

March 23 to 26, Hong Kong

Art Central, Hong Kong’s contemporary art fair with a distinctly Asian edge returns to the iconic Central Harbourfront today. The fair builds upon the success of last year’s inaugural event that attracted 30,000 art collectors, VIPs and the art-loving public from Hong Kong and around the world. The event presents more than 100 hand-selected galleries from 20 countries, 70 per cent hailing from 23 cities across greater Asia. The programme includes interactive installations, engaging panel discussions, performance art, tours and Hong Kong’s hottest eateries. Art Central 2016 is the perfect place to discover and buy art.

FOOD&HOTEL ASIA 2016

April 12to 15, Singapore

One of the most anticipated international trade events for Asia’s food and hospitality industry, this annual celebration features a wide variety of food and hospitality products. You can also enjoy six specialised exhibitions namely Food Asia, Hotel Asia, Bakery & Pastry, Hospitality Style Asia, Hospitality Technology and Speciality Coffee & TeaPlus, all in one place.

SCOPPIO DEL CARRO – EXPLOSION OF THE CART

March 27, Florence, Italy

Florence takes residents and visitors back to the ancient Crusade of 1099 with the Easter festival of the Scoppi del Carro or the Explosion of the Cart. In the morning, the 10-metre-tall antique cart is hauled by a team of white oxen from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza del Duomo. The holy fire, started with the historical shards of the Holy Sepulchre, is lit in the Church of SS Apostoli and transported to the Duomo, where the archbishop of the city lights the sacred Colombina, a dove-shaped rocket, during the Easter Mass. The rocket travels out of the Duomo along a wire, sets fire to the huge array of fireworks attached to the carro and returns back into the church the way it came. If the Cart burns right down, then the Florentines’ lives will be enriched and their harvests plentiful.