Travel Secrets Nov-Dec 2015 | Page 76

FESTIVALS AROUND THE GLOBE Harbin Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival Date: Jan 5 - Feb 28, 2016 Place: Harbin, China At the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, you’ll get into a habit of dropping your jaw—that is until your teeth start chattering. Set in Harbin’s coldest months, this festival features breath-taking works of art, all fashioned with ice from the Songhua River. Between the four primary parks and amusement zones, there are more than a thousand sculptures, not to mention all the ice architecture created throughout the city. The two month festival is a must-see for families and gives a whole new meaning to the name Winter Wonderland. Source:www.onthegotours.com Banff SnowDays Date: Jan 2016 Place: Banff, Canada In a region of postcard-perfect mountain scenery surrounding Canada’s highest town (at 4,540 feet), winter is breathtakingly beautiful, so why not celebrate it? With the best of snowy fun, sports and food for an entire month in Banff National Park, this snowy party is open to all comers—adults and kids alike. After all the fun and food, make sure you to enjoy the majestic views of the park and spend some quiet time in the wide-open wonderland among the snow and ice. That’s the perfect finale for Banff SnowDays. Source: www.prweb.com World Buskers Festival 76  Travel Secrets November-December 2015 Date: Jan 14 - 24, 2016 Place: Christchurch, New Zealand You know all those freakishly talented people you’ve encountered in a comedy club, burlesque show, or as part of a circus act? Since 1993, dozens of them have been coming together to demonstrate their own unusual and entertaining skills at this festival in Christchurch, New Zealand. World Buskers Fest is the brainchild of Jodi Wright who runs it in conjunction with Christchurch City Council. Over the course of 11 days, it typically attracts about 300,000 people who come to see nearly 500 unpredictable performances. Source:www.aucklandbuskersfestival.co.nz