Toronto Caribbean Carnival Canadians don’t have to travel to Barbados to experience the music, culture and costumes of Crop Over. In 2023, North America’s largest outdoor street festival celebrated its 56th year in Toronto. The month-long festival draws nearly two million people to the Grand Parade alone. Held on the first Saturday in August, it’s a breathtaking kaleidoscope of sparkling costumes and music. You can join one of several bands of parading merrymakers by buying a costume on its website. torontocarnival.ca Thimphu Tshechu Tshechus are multi-day Buddhist religious festivals held around dzongs (fortress monasteries). Thimphu Tshechu, the most famous, takes place in Bhutan’s capital every September or October (depending on the lunar calendar). Monk dancers wear fearsome masks to remind spectators of the need for vigilance against demons. Their dances depict gods that people may encounter between death and rebirth. Horns, drums, chanting and clashing cymbals accompany the masked dancers, as they twirl and leap in Tashichho Dzong’s courtyard, symbolically stomping out evil spirits with exorcism rituals. Equally enticing to watch are the monks and thousands of spectators – garbed in colourful national costumes – who travel here to observe the event, eat, drink and socialize. Visitors are welcome to join them. bhutan.travel Semana Santa Once you’ve experienced Semana Santa (Holy Week) prior to Easter in Seville, Spain, you’ll never forget it. Processions of penitents wearing medieval period robes and conical hoods parade through the streets, carrying crosses and immense candles. Drums beat incessantly as muscular men shoulder hefty, century-old floats bearing statues depicting the Passion of Christ. Crowds fill the streets during the day and night as nearly 60 processions travel to the cathedral. spain.info/en/calendar/easter-week-sevilla April Fair In vivid contrast to the solemn Semana Santa, Seville’s April Fair is pure joy. During the six-day festival, more than one million people gather in small tents and on the streets to eat, sing, dance and meet friends. Women, girls and babies wear frilly flamenco dresses and flowers in their hair. Men and boys wear traditional gaucho (Spanish cowboy) outfits with bolero hats. Both ride horses and festive, horse-drawn carriages. Spectacular fireworks end the celebrations. spain.info/en/calendar/april-fair/ CSANews | FALL 2023 | 17 Travel
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