Fun and festivities in Australia - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

Australians know how to enjoy life and celebrate like no one else. There are few holidays in the country, but they are always marked in an atmosphere of fun, and freedom of morals. A distinctive feature of festive celebrations is the custom of Australians to spend them in the fresh air with carnivals, parades, traditional barbecue, and fireworks. The main national holiday of the country is Australia Day, which is celebrated at the end of January. This occasion symbolizes a landmark event, when the first fleet arrived in Sydney Harbor, and independence was proclaimed. In large cities, concerts, festivals, sports competitions, charity events, and light shows are held. Residents of the country wear clothes with state symbols, and decorate their houses with flags and balloons.

Another patriotic feast is the ANZAC Day celebrated in late April. Its abbreviation stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, a symbol of national self-determination. The main event of the holiday is a parade in which veterans of past wars and modern soldiers participate. On this day, in Melbourne a traditional football match is held, which annually gathers tens of thousands of spectators. In the state of Western Australia on the 26th of January, is celebrated the Australia Day. It is associated with the landing on the west coast of the first settlers who later founded the largest city of the state – Perth. On the day of the holiday, the “Australian of the Year” honorary award takes place, and a state ball is held in the state government building. The holiday is not without concerts, cannon salutes, and exhibitions.

One of the favorite holidays of Australians is Christmas. Colorful November parade in Canberra marks the beginning of the celebration. The procession ends with the solemn departure of Santa Claus. In Australia, there is a local equivalent of Santa – Swag Man, or Man with a bag. He lives all year on the island of Urulu, and on the Eve of Christmas, he carries gifts to different homes with his dingo dog assistant. Before the holiday begins, there are carols performances which are Christmas songs and concerts. The next day is called Boxing Day. Christmas is celebrated in the family circle, while in the New Year everyone takes to the streets to celebrate the holiday in a big and noisy company with a picnic or barbecue. In honor of the arrival of the New Year, a grandiose display of fireworks is conducted. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Every year in February, is held the Royal Regatta, which has become popular among many Australians. It was organized in Tasmania for the first time in the early 19th century. Today this three-day event includes sailboat races, boating, water skiing competitions, the crowning of Miss Regatta, aviation show, refreshments, and firework displays. The religious holidays – Easter and Good Friday, are honored in Australia. They fall in April, when it is autumn in the continent. Despite the cool weather, fairs are held in the cities, and locals make barbecues outdoors. In Sydney, the “Royal Easter show” is held annually. Festive events during this time last for four days. Symbols of Australian Easter are eggs made of chocolate, and bilbies (Marsupial badger).

In Australia, there are many cheerful and unusual festivals every year. One of the most original events is the Watermelon Festival in Chinchilla, the watermelon center of the country. On the day of the holiday, competitions are held on eating, throwing, breaking, and rolling of watermelons. There is even a contest of spitting watermelon seeds from a distance. In January, there is another gastronomic event – the Ginger Festival, organized by the owners of ginger and heliconia plantations. At the feast, you can enjoy the spicy taste of ginger in a variety of dishes, and learn a lot about it. In April, Melbourne hosts the Tasting Australia festival, which is literally translated as “tasting Australia”. For a fee of twenty dollars, you can try typical Australian food, eat chocolate, taste local wines, and take part in the longest lunch.

For more than a decade in a row, the popular Soundwave music festival has been held in Australia. It usually features world-famous music bands and performers. Another striking event is the Vivid Sydney (festival of lights in Sydney). It embodies a whole palette of art events, art installations, and performances. The conclusion of the festival is an impressive light show at the Sydney Opera House. Noteworthy and significant for motorists is the Festival of the end of the year, or the car festival EOYF. It is held in January, annually gathering on its sites the best drifters of the country. Under the roar of engines at festival expositions, you can see chic cars, and more than 1,500 other interesting exhibits of the car industry.