Venice, Italy - LA BEFANA

LA BEFANA
When: January 6, 2016
Where: Venice, Italy
Italy's traditional celebration includes the tale of a witch known as La Befana who arrives on her broomstick during the night of January 5 and fills the stockings with toys and sweets for the good children and lumps of coal for the bad ones.According to the legend, the night before the three Wise Men arrived (the 12th day post Christmas) at the manger they stopped at the shack of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along but she replied that she was too busy . Then a shepherd asked her to join him but again she refused. Later that night, she saw a great light in the sky and decided to join the Wise Men and the shepherd bearing gifts that had belonged to her child who had died. 

NEW ZEALAND ARTS FESTIVAL
When: February 26March 20, 2016
Where: Wellington, New Zealand
The New Zealand International Arts Festival is a biennial multi-arts festival held in the nation's capital, Wellington. It is New Zealand's premier and largest cultural event and exists to celebrate the best arts entertainment from around the world and within New Zealand. The biennial arts festival presents local and international artistic events with theatre, opera, music, dance, literature and other performing and visual arts. As the organisers prepare to celebrate their 30th birthday, there are some exciting and interesting artists lineup and events. Wellington enjoys more cafés, bars and restaurants per capita than New York City, so you can fuel your festival experience with the tastiest local food, craft beers and wine. 


MUMMERS PARADE
When: January 1, 2016
Where: Philadelphia, USA
The Philadelphia Mummers Parade features unique costumes, music and pageantry .Crowds line Broad Street, from South Philadelphia straight through Centre City . The climax of the parade takes place at City Hall and the PA Convention Center where the official judging takes place. The parade itself is one of the longest running traditions in the country . The parade began in 1900s as an official event for the city; however the parade has been going on since the 1800s as a way to celebrate the New Year. Watch this annual Philadelphia tradition as the unique and charismatic Mummers strut along Broad Street celebrating the New Year. The colourful and extravagant costumes and performances are judged at the Fancy Brigade at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.