Is there anything more beautiful than a flower? They’re a naturally blossoming sight to behold and will surely brighten up your day when you spot them. That’s why people say they want to “stop and smell the flowers” if they want to take it slow for a moment.
Flowers are delightful and exquisite to witness, which explains why so many events and occasions around the world are dedicated to this curious specimen. If you’ve ever wanted flowery and sweet-smelling travels on your itinerary, then make sure to visit these five flower-related events around the world for a gorgeously sweet time.
Pasadena Rose Parade
Instead of fireworks greeting you into the New Year, how about flowers? This January 1 event in the US state of California will amaze you with all the beautiful (and real) greenery from its regal procession that starts the day. These stunning floats are accompanied by some of the finest marching bands in the world, lending credence to the name “Tournament of Roses.”
Once the floats have been parked and the spectators have had a good look at them, attention then turns to the similarly named Rose Bowl Game, a college football game of comparable grandeur. However you spend the day, you won’t go wrong ringing in the New Year in Pasadena.
Flower Festival, Chiang Mai
You could call it ‘right place, right time,’ but Thailand’s historic capital of the north supports both tropical and cool climates, allowing for a dynamic collection of flowers from orchids to carnations. It is only appropriate that the three-day Flower Festival is held here sometime in February, where the city streets are adorned with the abundant colors of beautiful plants.
Of course, the parade is the highlight of the event, featuring massive floats dedicated to telling a diverse collection of stories, from historical events to modern or abstract themes.
With such a grand and worthwhile spectacle happening over three days, it’s no wonder that the city has earned the title “The Rose of the North.”
Aalsmeer Flower Parade
The Netherlands takes great pride in their flowers. Over a quarter of their agricultural exports come from flowers alone, and about nine billion bulbs are grown annually. It’s no surprise then, that flowers are everywhere in its streets and buildings, and that the first Saturday of September each year is dedicated to a gorgeous flower parade that you won’t want to miss.
If your time and budget allow, you might want to arrive a few days early to see the feverish preparations of the Dutch for the parade. Once the parade is over, don’t worry—a free music festival and the world’s largest flower auction will quickly chase away any boredom.
Flower Festival and St.Stephen’s Day in Debrecen
A city close to three other countries and which bounced back from destruction during World War II, Hungary’s second-largest city offers a spectacular flower event worth visiting. By the numbers, its week-long flower celebration is impressive: 500,000 visitors come to the area at its peak, and up to 1,000,000 flowers are often used for a single flower float.
These flower floats make up the beautiful parade that marks the end of a series of concerts and performances by various local and non-local musicians. It feels like a carnival at its best, one that you simply should not miss.
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
You might not expect that the simple blossoming of a flower could be so significant, but for the Japanese, the arrival of cherry blossoms in the country holds considerable meaning. Reflecting the transience of the flowers as they bloom and scatter in the wind, the significance of the country’s national flower is evident in their poetry and art.
Though the entire country experiences the blossoming of the Sakura (cherry tree), most people travel to Okinawa to see it in late January. The festival, known as Sakura Matsuri, is filled with all kinds of rides, music, dancing, and food, while you watch the beautiful pink petals scatter in the wind as a new beginning arrives.
