SHIKARIBETSU LAKE KOTAN

Until March 22, Hokkaido, Japan

Tokachi’s Lake Shikaribetsu in Daisetsu National Park is frozen in winter making it the perfect time for the Igloo village to be built. At the village, you can dip into an open-air hot bath filled with hot spring water from Shikaribetsu Onsen, get some drinks from the Ice Bar and spend a night in an igloo built upon the frozen lake to enjoy winter to the extreme. Tons of activities are also available, including ice glass making, snowmobiling, and trekking in the snow-covered forest.

SINGJAZZ FESTIVAL

March 4 to 6, Singapore

After two years of success, the SingJazzFestival is back at Marina Bay Sands for the third consecutive year. The festival aspires to establish itself as a premier international jazz-inspired music festival and a permanent feature on Singapore’s cultural landscape. The event brings together world-class artists at an iconic venue to harness the creative energy that is the essence of jazz.

HOLI

March 23 to 24, India

Holi in India is what the Songkran Festival is to Thailand, though instead of throwing buckets of water over passers-by, the Indians have fun with coloured powders. The result is you end up looking like a rainbow, but it’s all in good fun. The joyful festival celebrates the harvest and Earth’s fertility with processions, singing, dancing, traditional songs and lots more.

INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR

March 10 to 13, Singapore

The International Furniture Fair Singapore, held in conjunction with The D้cor Show and furniPRO Asia, is regarded by industry experts as Asia’s premier sourcing platform and design-led exhibition. The annual event features a comprehensive range of furniture by a diverse portfolio of quality exhibitors, and attracts a healthy and well-represented attendance of trade buyers and visitors.

HONG KONG ARTS MONTH

Now until March 31, Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s flourishing arts scene comes to fruition each March with an inspirational spectrum of events. From opera to ballet, from art installations to seminars, there’s something to suit all tastes – whether you’re a connoisseur or simply a dabbler. Aside from enjoying exhibitions and performances, take a stroll around town to discover beauty and creativity out in the open like artwork and performance by local artists at Central Station and heritage sites and the architecture of “old” Hong Kong at Hollywood Road.

LAS FALLAS

March 15 to 19, Valencia, Spain

Las Fallas is Europe’s wildest spring party. It’s a time when the city is all taken over by the fallas, which are huge sculptures of papier-mache on wood, built by teams of local artists. The main events run from March 15 to March 19, but numerous events take place in the fortnight leading up to this week. There are fireworks every lunchtime from today, as well as parades, shows and other festivities.

February 19 to 20, Singapore

This national event is also the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. From the main parade site (F1 Pit Building next to the Singapore Flyer) to the heartlands, this street extravaganza epitomises the dynamism of Singapore’s vibrant and multicultural society. The word Chingay means “the art of costume and masquerade” in the Hokkien dialect. On the theme of “Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore”, this year’s Chingay Parade boasts a programme that includes dragon dances and aerial acts by local and international artists, fireworks and 11 spectacular floats.

BOGOR CAP GO MEH (CGM) STREET FESTIVAL 2016

Bogor Street Festival is held in conjunction with Cap Go Meh, marking the pinnacle and the closure of Chinese New Year celebrations. Visitors can expect 10,000 performers mostly of Chinese-Indonesian descent and an excited crowd lining Jalan Suryakencana, Bogor’s main road. The day starts with a religious ritual at the main Hok Tek Bio temple or the Dhanagun monastery in the heart of Bogor’s Chinatown, to honour the gods and ancestors. Then the parade starts, led by a drum band, flags and banners, to lion and dragon dances and other performances, passing the city’s main streets to return to the temple at midnight.

TASTE HONG KONG

March 10 to 13, Hong Kong

Globally renowned as the must-attend culinary event of the year, Taste, the world’s greatest restaurant festival, will make its debut in Asia starting with Hong Kong on the Central Harbourfront. Following the successful format of global Taste Festivals, 12 of Hong Kong’s finest Michelin-starred cuisine and top chefs will congregate in one location for the ultimate dining experience – serving a premium menu of more than 40 signature dishes on small plates and iconic one-off festival creations.

TAKAYAMA SPRING FESTIVAL: SANNO MATSURI

April 14 to 15, Takayama, Japan

Takayama in Gifu is home to an annual festival of the Hie Jinja Shrine, which was originally built in 1141. In the Takayama Spring Festival, dancers wearing spectacular hats and a shishimai (lion dance) are, among other entertainment, wonderful crowd pleasers. The apex of the festival is the procession of the festival floats, or yatai, all built by the local craftsmen, adorned with breathtakingly large marionettes and cleverly constructed with mobility in mind. When night falls, the magnificent floats turn into a magical vision, illuminated by traditional lanterns and creating an almost otherworldly effect.

HONG KONG SALSA FESTIVAL

March 11 to 13, Hong Kong

Experience the passion of salsa in Hong Kong Salsa Festival, in which the best of Asia and local talents are showcased alongside top artists from around the world. A week of Salsa festivities includes club nights, street parties, workshops, dance competition, performances and parties galore. Visit http://www.HKSalsaFestival.com.

HONOLULU FESTIVAL

March 11 to 13, Honolulu, Hawaii

The annual Honolulu Festival takes place in Hawaii at five locations in and around Waikiki. The Festival is Hawaii’s premier cultural event, promoting understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Asian-Pacific Rim region. The event includes art exhibitions, cultural events, a parade along Waikiki Beach and, a large fireworks display. Visit http://www.HonoluluFestival.com.

February 4 to 6, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Part of the run-up to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Hello PyeongChang Winter Festival takes place this week around Gangneung Dano Park. It features various programmes including an opening ceremony with performances by K-pop singers, cultural and arts groups, traditional performances themed on Gangwon-do traditional culture, a World DJ festival, cultural art performance by EATOF (East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum), and professional arts groups’ performances. Reservations for the festival are available through the official website. Visit http://www.HelloPyeongChang.com.

PENANGITES’ CNY CELEBRATION 2016

Penang’s government will hold a Chinese New Year celebration on the streets of George Town, partly to celebrate George Town’s recognition as a Unesco World Heritage city. More than 20 clan houses and temples within Penang’s historical district, which are normally closed to all except their members, will open their doors to visitors on February 13. Visitors will also enjoy wushu performances, fireworks displays, lion and dragon dances, Chingay parades and a wealth of red lanterns.

C3 IN HONG KONG 2016

February 19 to 21, Hong Kong

C3 in Hong Kong is an annual anime and manga event held at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre for fans of Japanese anime and manga culture. Major anime publishers, retailers and production houses bring the authentic Japanese manga culture to Hong Kong with their latest creations while popular Japanese singers entertain the fans.

SAIDAI-JI EYO HADAKA MATSURI

February 20, Okayama, Japan

Every third Saturday of February some 9,000 men wearing only loincloths push and pull to win shingi, a pair of lucky sacred sticks measuring 4 cm in diameter and 20 cm in length, which are thrown into the crowd by the priest from a window 4 metres up. The one who gets hold of the shingi and thrusts them upright in a wooden measuring box full of rice is considered a lucky man and blessed with a year of happiness. On the day of the festival primary school boys compete for rice cakes and cylindrical treasures prior to the main event.

PENANG CHINESE NEW YEAR LANTERN FESTIVAL 2016

February 8 to 22, Penang, Malaysia

The event is the first ever Chinese New Year Lantern Festival in Penang and is being held at the Esplanade. More than 40 lanterns will be grouped into 20 giant lanterns throughout the 15 days of the Chinese New Year and will be lit nightly from 7.30 to midnight.

PRINTEMPS DES ARTS DE MONTE-CARLO FESTIVAL

March 19 to April 10, Monaco

Monaco’s spring starts with music in Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo festival. The festival began in 1984, at the instigation of Princess Grace and Antoine Battaini, then Director of Cultural Affairs in the Principality. Decades later, the adventure continues with more exciting performances than ever. Visit http://www.PrintempsDesArts.mc.

February 12 to 21, Singapore

Launched in 2003 during the Chinese New Year, Huayi aims to showcase the works of Chinese performing artists through a diverse programme of theatre, music and dance, both traditional and cutting-edge. It’s a chance for audiences to taste some of the most dynamic forms of Chinese artistic expression in this rapidly transforming world.

HIROSAKI CASTLE SNOW LANTERN FESTIVAL

Hirosaki Castle Yuki-Doro Festival or the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival is one of five major snow festivals held in the Tohoku region since 1977. At night, Hirosaki Park is lit with snow lanterns, all hand-crafted by local citizens while around the Hasu Pond from the castle keep, more than 300 mini-kamakuras (igloos) twinkle in candlelight. At the main exhibit area around Yon-maru, large snow structures based on historical architecture and a large slide welcome all visitors.

HONG KONG CHINESE NEW YEAR

February 2 to 22, Hong Kong

Chinese New Year or the Chinese Spring Festival is Hong Kong’s biggest and most colourful festival! Visitors can squeeze into crowded temples to pray for good fortune and browse festive markets selling auspicious foods and blooms as well as experience a fabulous parade of floats, international and local performers, a stunning fireworks show over the harbour and heart-pounding action at the race track. Street markets and stalls usually close on the first and second day of the Chinese New Year (February 8 and 9) and resume business from the third day.

PENANG HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA 2016

February 9 and 10, Penang, Malaysia

Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (HAB Fiesta) returns for a second edition and invites residents and visitors to float above the Padang Polo (Polo Ground) in Penang in a hot air balloon. The faint of heart can sit back and watch balloons in various colours floating against the picturesque backdrop of George Town World Heritage Site. There’s loads of fun and excitement for all ages from 7am to 9.30pm on both days.

GALUNGAN FESTIVAL

February 9 to 11, Bali, Indonesia

The Balinese celebrate the day of Galungan to commemorate the triumph of Dharma over Adharma, or good against evil. Based on the tale of Indra shooting an arrow at the Balinese king, Mayadenawa, who refused to embrace Hinduism, the event takes place at the Tirta Empul Temple. During the festival, all Balinese households decorate curved bamboo poles, signifying the upholding of Hinduism and wisdom, with elements of harvests and natural items, such as rice, fruit, coconuts and leaves. On Galungan eve (February 9), pigs are spit-roasted pigs in Banjar communal halls, and traditional food prepared for the whole village to share.

SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS

February 19 to March 6, Sydney, Australia

Sydney Mardi Gras promises both gay and straight visitors theatre, performances, parties and colourful movement. Its highlight is the Mardi Gras Parade, where thousands of funky floats carry a cast of beautiful drag queens and dancers through the city centre. There’s no city in the world that comes out to cheer on its gay pride event quite like Sydney. On Mardi Gras night, hundreds of thousands line the streets of Sydney to watch the spectacle colour and outrageousness of the Parade. Visit http://www.MardiGras.org.au.

PYEONGCHANG TROUT FESTIVAL

Until January 31, Pyeongchang, South Korea

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place during winter in the town of Jinbu-myeon in Pyeongchang-gun district. Enjoy cutting a hole through the ice and ice fishing or jump into the big pool to catch a fish or two with your own two hands. In addition to ice fishing, the trout festival is also packed with activities like Korean folk games, sledding and kite flying. Any trout caught from ice fishing can be prepared right away at a nearby restaurant.

CHE KUNG’S BIRTHDAY

February 9, Hong Kong

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong celebrates the birthday of Che Kung, the god of gambling at the Che Kung temple. Che Kung was a Sung Dynasty general who became an immortal and was elevated to a Taoist deity after saving the inhabitants of the Sha Tin Valley from the plague. Villagers have worshipped him ever since. Many seeking Che Kung’s good fortune visit the temple to consult fortune-tellers, who turn a fan-bladed wheel of fortune three times to ensure good luck in the coming year.

DESERT FESTIVAL

February 20 to 22, Rajasthan, India

Jaisalmer brings life and colour to the heart of the Thar Desert, as the isolated town celebrates the Desert Festival. The event kicks off with incredible camel parades, with the Rajastanis dressing up the beasts in fine clothes. Tribal music, dance and more fuel the festive mood, as colour tilts beyond the rolling sand dunes.

BISKET FESTIVAL

April 13 to 20, Bhaktapur, Nepal

This chaotic but colourful festival welcomes the Nepalese new year in April and is based on a fairy tale. The star of the show is an ancient three-storey-high chariot carved with gods and goddesses, which presides over the ceremonious ground of Bhairab Temple Square. Infused by the love-and-hate Hindu drama of Mahabharata, the crowds have a tug of war over the rickety chariot to predict what the future holds in the coming year. Bhaktapur is east of the Kathmandu Valley.

ATI-ATIHAN

January 17 to 26, Kalibo, Philippines

Ati-Atihan is the Philippines’ wildest and best Mardi Gras, a week-long street party that rages from dawn to dusk. The elements of Ati-Atihan date back to the 13th century, when a group of light-skinned Malay immigrants from Borneo were granted settlement by the dark skinned Ati. Some time later, the Ati people were struggling with famine and descended from the mountain to seek the generosity of the immigrants who gave them food. In return, the Ati danced and sang for them. A genuine friendship was born and ever since the Malay immigrants have painted their bodies and faces black and joined the celebration.

VENICE CARNIVAL

January 23 to February 9, Venice, Italy

An enchanting series of masquerades, traditional ceremonies, music and all round festivities among the canals, squares and palaces of Venice takes place during carnival time, with musical, theatrical, acrobatic and dance performances, masked balls, brunches in period costume and gala dinners. Visitors are invited to put on their masks and enter the stage of the world’s most joyful theatre. Visit http://www.Carnevale.Venezia.it.