Do you love everything sequinned? Do you also love festivals? Then combine these two interests by attending an alternative dress-up event. There are plenty of festivities throughout the world that encourage, or even require, a costume. If you’re looking for a way to break free from the daily grind, pay a visit to one of these five festivals.
- Queen’s Day, Amsterdam
Famed for its art, culture, and nightlife, Amsterdam is already a vibrant city that you can don your fanciest dress for. The city really takes it to the next level during the annual Queen’s Day festival. This 24-hour celebration of the queen’s birthday invites revellers to dress up in the royal colour of orange, and stay out until the wee hours of the morning with street parties, parades, and flea markets. Locals play up the orange theme to the hilt, with fluorescent wigs and oversized sunglasses.
- Secret Garden Party, England
Many of the UK’s summer festivals encourage attendees to dress up in bohemian-inspired clothing, but Secret Garden Party is even more free-spirited. Held by a serene lake just outside of the tranquil village of Abbots Ripton, England, the festival draws thousands of party-goers wearing fantastic costumes straight out of a storybook. Whether you prefer to wear angel wings, outlandish fancy dress plus size costumes, or just body paint, anything goes here.
- Halloween Parade, New York City
If you’ve been drawn to this article, you probably enjoy Halloween. There’s perhaps no better place to celebrate on October 31st than the Big Apple, particularly during the Village Halloween Parade. It feels like the entire city turns up for a huge street party, along with a wide range of musical performers, oversized puppets, artists, and dance troupes. It’s the New York version of Mardi Gras, where you can let loose and dress in whatever type of costume you feel comfortable in. For this night, you can truly be yourself.
- Carnival, Rio de Janeiro
Speaking of Mardi Gras, Rio’s Carnival is legendary for its fanciful costumes and outrageous feathered outfits. The glamorous uniform here involves plenty of rhinestones, feathers, and sequins, along with high platform heels. Aside from the main parades, Rio’s nightclubs and side streets heave until dawn with dance parties and live music. You may find yourself changing your outfit several times in one day just to match the different vibes.
- Burning Man, Nevada
This roundup would be incomplete without a mention of Burning Man. The now infamous festival transforms the desert terrain of Black Rock City into a shimmering, modern city populated by tens of thousands of people. Although Burning Man has a reputation for nudity, many attendees spend weeks crafting their perfect dress-up outfits, becoming walking works of art. You’ll see everything from period costumes to avant-garde metallic structures here.
Whether you prefer the anything-goes atmosphere of Burning Man or the wicked sense of humour of Halloween in New York, there are plenty of opportunities to play dress-up throughout the year!
