Spicemas Festival, Grenada
Spicemas Festival is Grenada’s vibrant annual carnival, celebrated in early August. It blends African, French, and Caribbean traditions in a colorful display of culture, music, and community spirit.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Scotland's capital hosts the largest performing arts festival in the world. Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place annually in the month of August and is open to anyone, with any type of performance.
Kanto Matsuri, Japan
The Kanto Festival is an annual event held every year in Akita City, Japan. Eight-meter tall bamboo poles decorated with hanging lanterns are balanced by performers on their foreheads or lower backs. The lanterns are decorated to resemble bags of rice. This is a time for people to pray for a good harvest.
Baba Jie, Taiwan
Baba Jie is Father's Day in Taiwan. It is not an official holiday in Taiwan, but is observed and celebrated every August 8th. People honor their fathers by going out for dinner, giving gifts, and spending time together.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of the World's Indigenous People is observed on August 9 each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous peoples. It is also a day to acknowledge and recognize the many achievements made by indigenous people around the world.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a traditional Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana (usually in August), sisters tie a decorative thread called a rakhi around their brothers’ wrists as a symbol of love and protection. In return, brothers give gifts and promise…
National Women’s Day, South Africa
Women’s Day is celebrated in South Africa every year on August 9th. Learn more.
International Youth Day
The United Nations’ (UN) International Youth Day is celebrated on August 12 each year to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities. A theme is selected every year for this day…
World Elephant Day
World Elephant Day was launched to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants. The elephant is loved, revered, and respected by people and cultures around the world, yet we are balancing on the brink of seeing the last of this magnificent creature.
Obon Festival, Japan
Obon or Bon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist festival to honor the spirits of ancestors. It is believed that their spirits return to visit during this time, so families visit the graves and make food offerings at altars and temples. Chochin (paper lanterns) are hung to guide the spirits.