The arrival of spring brings us warmer weather and more sunshine—certainly a reason to celebrate! Here in the United States, we usually do so with some long-awaited spring cleaning and gardening and by gathering with friends and family for seasonal events.

Of course, we aren’t the only country to mark this occasion. In other parts of the world, spring is welcomed even more fervently, with events that include blasts of color, fireworks, and even fire. Here’s just a sampling of how other countries revel in the season’s return.

• Las Fallas Festival (Spain)—This multiday event in Valencia—which welcomes three million people annually—includes fireworks, parades, flowers, and hundreds of huge cardboard statues called ninots, which are displayed and then burned in a massive pyrotechnic production.

• Marzanna (Poland)—Many in Poland continue to carry on this centuries-old tradition, where straw-filled, doll-like effigies of the winter goddess Marzanna are paraded through town and then thrown into a river or stream to “drown” her—symbolizing the overcoming of winter.



• Cimburijada (Bosnia)—Also known as the Festival of Scrambled Eggs, this annual event takes place in the town of Zenica, which celebrates spring by making massive quantities of eggs for breakfast to be shared with all as a sign of rebirth.

• Nowruz (Middle East)—Millions of people in countries such as Iran, Nepal, and Turkey celebrate the ancient tradition of Persian New Year in March with feasts, festivals, gifts, and house cleaning—all symbolizing the start of a new day (which Nowruz literally means).



• Hanami (Japan)—For centuries, the annual blooming of cherry blossom trees has been a cause for celebration in Japan (which later shared the joy with America). People flock to parks to witness the event, which usually starts in late March or early April, and Japanese people even hold feasts and parties under the blossoming trees.

• Holi (India)—This popular Hindu spring festival, celebrated in India and other parts of the world, sees millions of people gather together for love and joy. The highlight, literally and figuratively, is throwing brightly colored powder and water at each another—which not only marks new beginnings but also is a lot of fun!

Share this list of global spring celebrations with friends and family to help them enjoy the season’s return even more!

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