The top
10 happiest countries in the world were announced last week and so we’ve
decided to take a look at some really great events that these countries have to
offer.
1. Norway
Midnight Sun Marathon
Every
year, the world's
northernmost marathon attracts runners from over 50
nations, who compete at night, but in broad daylight thanks to the midnight sun
(The sun does not set here from mid-May to mid-July). The marathon is the main
event, but there is also a half-marathon, a 10-kilometre race, a 4.2-kilometre
fun-run, and a children's race, so the whole family can take part.
Norway Cup
The
tournament, which dates back to 1972, takes place every summer. It’s the
largest football tournament for children and
young people and is hugely popular – in 2010 it attracted some 30,000
participants, with 1,380 teams from 54 nations.
2. Denmark
The Aarhus Festival
Aarhus
Festival which was first held in September 1965 is among the largest events in Scandinavia
and showcases local, national and international artists. It is highly esteemed
and recognised both in Denmark and abroad. This 10-day event is held in late August
and early September and has concerts, theatre, exhibitions and many fun
activities for visitors.
Copenhagen Fashion Week
Copenhagen Fashion Week is Northern Europe's biggest
fashion event. Copenhagen Fashion Week takes place twice yearly in Copenhagen,
Denmark and consists of a market week with 3 big fairs: CIFF at Bella Center, VISION at
Lokomotivværkstedet and Gallery at Forum, and a diverse range of fashion shows at City Hall and a myriad of different locations, as well as showrooms
and events all over town.
3. Sweden
The Nobel Prize Awards
Each year in December since 1901, the city of Stockholm celebrates the
Nobel Prize awards ceremony in which the Nobel Prizes are awarded to the Nobel
Prize Laureates. Awards
have been given for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine,
literature and for peace. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and
a cash award.
Malmo Festival
The Malmo Festival, which takes place in the second
half of August is Malmo's largest annual event. It attracts over 1.5 million
visitors with great performances, events, and local food and should not be
missed by any Sweden traveller.
4. Australia
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The
Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy
festivals in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere. For three
and a half weeks in March each year, Melbourne becomes the centre of the comedy
universe with an extensive program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street
performance, film, television, radio and visual arts. With attendances of more
than 600,000 people, it has grown to be one of Australia's largest cultural
events. There is something for every comedy lover with the best local and
international comedy acts performed in venues of all shapes and sizes across
the city.
Delectable Brisbane
For
14 days in July Brisbane’s ‘delectable’ festival showcases Queensland’s finest
produce, growers, chefs, gardeners, entertainers and musicians. Delectable is made
up of the Food Series, the Grow Series and the Sound Series. FOOD showcases
local and national chefs in a wide program of events, from cooking
demonstrations to talks on the latest food trends, GROW sees the South Bank
Cultural Forecourt transformed into an urban garden, with Brisbane's best
restaurants serving up unforgettable flavours and SOUND presents nine days of
musical and cultural performances. Many events make use of Brisbane’s green
outdoor spaces and botanic gardens.
5. New Zealand
Christchurch Arts
Festival
Christchurch Arts Festival is five
weekends of theatre, dance and music. The event focuses on up-and-coming local talent, as well
as international artists seldom seen in the South Island and aims to excite,
entertain, educate and inspire the people of Christchurch and its visitors.
Waitangi Day
Each Kiwi
community has its own unique local way of celebrating New Zealand’s national
day 'Waitangi Day' on 6 February. Gatherings planned for 2013 offer heaps of
summer happenings inspired by the great outdoors, food, music, sport, and Māori
culture - ranging from a giant beachside food festival, to outdoor concerts and
kite-flying contests in urban and country settings.
6. Canada
International Museum Day
Every May 18,
museums across Canada prepare activities to celebrate the role museums play in preserving
diverse heritage.
Winter Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls
From the beginning of November until the first week of
January, the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is a spectacular light show
that includes an illuminated 5-km route of lighted displays, fireworks over the
falls and more, including concerts and children's performances.
7. Finland
The Finland Ice Marathon
The Finland Ice Marathon
has been going since 1984. Every winter the world´s best marathon skaters
gather in Kuopio to compete against each other on the natural ice track on Lake
Kallavesi. It also attracts thousands of
recreational skaters as well as a large audience, who can enjoy a varied
program of entertainment on the lake Kallavesi.
Mobile Phone Throwing
Yes, you read that correctly, mobile
phone throwing!! We were surprised too. This international sport started in Finland in the year 2000. Participants throw mobile
phones and
are judged on distance or technique.
There are usually four categories in the sport:
- Original
(also called "Traditional"): an over-the-shoulder throw with the
farthest distance winning (best of three)
- Freestyle:
contestants get points for aesthetics and creative choreography
- Team
original: up to three competitors have one throw each with their scores added
together
- Junior:
for children aged twelve or younger
8. The Netherlands
Holland Festival
The Holland
festival is the Netherlands'
oldest and largest performing arts festival, and takes place every June in Amsterdam. This cultural buffet
brings together international performers in theatre, dance music and opera. Each edition is loosely themed, and
the program features both contemporary work and classical pieces presented with
a modern edge.
Woodstock 69
Woodstock 69 is
held on Bloemendaal beach along the North Sea coast. This festival features
live percussion, dance acts and local/international dj’s.
9. Switzerland
Festival
del film Locarno
Every August for the last 66 years, Locarno becomes the
world capital of auteur cinema. Thousands of film fans and industry
professionals meet here to share their passion for cinema in all its diversity.
White Turf St. Moritz
On three Sundays in February, more than 30,000 spectators gather
to witness the excitement of the races at the frozen expanse of the Lake of St.
Moritz. Thoroughbreds from all over Europe and international jockeys take part
in the races at White Turf St. Moritz.
10. Ireland
Taste of Dublin
Taste of Dublin is four days of summer
eating, drinking and entertainment. Some of the city’s latest, greatest and
hottest restaurants serve their finest dishes, while 100s of producers provide the
best food and beverages, ensuring that guests sample and shop for a range
of produce in the laid back atmosphere of a boutique food market.
Electric Picnic
Electric Picnic is an annual arts-and-music festival which
has been staged since 2004 in Stradbally, County Laois. The
Picnic has received widespread international acclaim, being described as
"Ireland's version of Glastonbury".
U.S. magazine Billboard described
it as "a magnificent rock n roll circus, a textbook example of everything
a festival should be" and Rolling
Stone describing it as
"one of the best festivals we've ever been to".
Electric
Picnic differs from other festivals in Ireland in that the music choice is more
eclectic than the other mainstream events and there is more emphasis on quality
festival services (such as food and sleeping arrangements) and a generally more
positive and relaxed atmosphere. There is also an emphasis on eco-friendly
initiatives.
Have you
been to any of these events or do you have them on your list of events you want
to attend? What about the top 10 list for the countries? Do you agree or do you
think another country should have made it in there?
Want to create your own event?
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