JULY

SOUTH KOREA

Boryeong Mud Festival

 
Date: Jul 17-26
Location: Daecheon Beach, Boryeong, South Korea
This famous festival takes place on Daecheon Beach, on South Korea’s west coast, where the mud flats are popular for their skin benefits. At the festival, you will encounter mud-filled activities, like mud slides, mud boxing rings, mud wrestling, mud body painting and mud trampolines. There will also be concerts every night by both international and local artists.

Ansan Valley Rock Festival

 
Date: Jul 24-26
Location: Daebu Sea Breeze Theme Park, Ansan, South Korea
Not far from Seoul, on Daebu Island, one of the best live music festivals in South Korea is held annually. This year, Ansan Valley Rock Festival showcases big-name international artists such as ex-Oasis member Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Deadmau5, Ride, Alexandros, Benjamin Booker and Kiha & The Faces. Ticket prices start at W120,000 (around B3,620). Early bird tickets are sold out, so hurry!
 

JAPAN

Gion Matsuri

 
Date: Jul 1-29
Location: Yasaka Shrine (also known as Gion Shrine), Kyoto, Japan
Gion Matsuri is one of Japan’s most famous festivals, dating back to the ninth century. It was held initially to appease the gods whose dissatisfaction was believed to cause conflict within the local community. This is a great chance to see massive traditional floats, witness theater performances and take candid photos of real geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha). Wearing a yukata (a summer kimono) is highly recommended.

Fuji Rock Festival

Date: Jul 24-26
Location: Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-cho, Niigata, Japan
Featuring over 200 Japanese and international artists, Fuji Rock Festival is the largest outdoor music festival in Japan. This year’s lineup will be headlined by big names Foo Fighters (Fri, Jul 24), Muse (Sat, Jul 25) and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Sun, Jul 26). Also performing are Owl City, Deadmau5, Ride, Motorhead, The Vaccines and many more. Tickets to this event, which aims to be “the cleanest festival in the world,” start at Y16,800 (around B4,540).
 

AUSTRALIA

Splendour in the Grass

Date: Jul 24-26
Location: North Byron Parklands, New South Wales, Australia
Australia’s largest winter music festival has had a rapidly growing turnout since its debut in 2001 thanks to its consistent lineup of international acts. This July will see Mark Ronson, Florence and the Machine and Blur headline the three-day festival, supported by the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Tame Impala and Azealia Banks. Very limited single-day tickets available through Jul 20.
 

MALAYSIA

Bloodrunner

Date: Jul 31
Location: Putrajaya, Malaysia
Billed as Malaysia’s first werewolf-themed urban fun run, this marathon takes over the city streets of Putrajaya, to the south of Kuala Lumpur. The chip-timed race will cover a 10km urban obstacle course, where participants (aged 18 years and up) and will be challenged to overcome various hurdles. Gates open at 7pm. Starting ticket price is RM118 (around B1,065).
 

TAIWAN

Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Date: Through Aug 9
Location: Various spots in Taitung county, Taiwan
Founded in 2011, this festival gathers hot air balloons and pilots from around the world. The airborne activities are set against the spectacular landscape of Taitung county. At night, concerts and themed balloon shows will take place. Booking isn’t available as tickets can only be bought upon arrival at each location.
www.balloontaiwan.taitung.gov.tw

AUGUST

MYANMAR

Taung Pyone Nat Festival

 
Date: Aug 25-30
Location: Matara, Mandalay, Myanmar
One of the largest Nat (spirit) festivals in Myanmar, this event takes place over five days at the shrine known as the “Pagoda of Wishes,” in the north of Mandalay. There will be offerings and traditional Nat dancing, in which visitors are welcome to partake.
 

CAMBODIA

The 2nd Angkor Empire Full and Half Marathon

Date: Aug 9
Location: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
This race tracks a scenic route through the ancient Angkor Wat complex, complete with its numerous 12th-century temples. Proceeds will support disabled people and poor children in Cambodia. Volunteers for the event are also welcome.
 

SOUTH KOREA

Busan International Magic Festival

 
Date: Aug 2-5
Location: Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea
The largest magic festival on the continent brings together over 100 magicians from around the globe in events including “magician lectures,” “magic dramas” and “night magic gala shows.”
 

MALAYSIA

Rainforest World Music Festival

 
Date: Aug 7-9
Location: Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
This three-day festival in the heart of the Borneo jungle will gather artists from around the world such as Alaverdi (a Georgian folk ensemble) and Bargou 08 (a Tunisian band). Don’t forget to bring your own chairs and mats to enjoy the lush scenery.
Presale tickets start at RM110 (around B995) from www.gorillatix.asia
 

JAPAN

Summer Sonic

 
Date: Aug 15-16
Location: QVC Marine Field and Makuhari Messe, Tokyo, and Maishima Summer Sonic Osaka Site, Osaka, Japan
This yearly two-day music event takes place in both Tokyo and Osaka on alternate days. This year the festival celebrates its 15th birthday with a star-studded lineup featuring Pharrell Williams, Imagine Dragons, Kodaline and Ariana Grande, Zedd, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Marilyn Manson and The Chemical Brothers. Tickets are priced from Y15,500-30,000 (B4,215-8,150).
 

AUSTRALIA

Brisbane Festival

Date: Sept 5-26
Location: Around Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Each year, this three-week festival showcases a wide range of performances, from circus acts and operas to photography exhibitions and art installations. The music lineup this year features some of Australia’s top talents, plus a tribute to father and son musicians Tim and Jeff Buckley.

Art & About Sydney

Date: Sep 18-Oct 11
Location: Around Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
This city-wide festival transforms Sydney’s streets, buildings and parks into galleries and theaters exhibiting photos, art installations and interactive performances.
 

SINGAPORE

Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA)

Credit : www.sifa.sg
 
Date: Aug 6-Sep 19
Location: Various venues around Singapore
The 38th edition of this art fest offers seven weeks of inspiring artistic experiences, featuring diverse art pieces, contemporary dance performances through to live stand-up comedy and film screenings. Organized by Art House Limited, this year’s event comes under the theme of “Post-Empires.”
Tickets at www.sistic.com.sg. More info at www.sifa.sg

SEPTEMBER

SINGAPORE

2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix

 
Date: Sep 18-20
Location: Marina Bay Street Circuit
The only night race in Grand Prix history and the first street race in Asia, Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix will be held over the course of three days. Entertainment highlights include high-profile international artists such as Pharell Williams (Zone 4 Padang Stage), Maroon 5 (Zone 4 Padang Stage) and Spandau Ballet (Zone 1 Village Stage) on the nights of Sep 18, 19 and 20, respectively.
 

CHINA

Pingyao International Photography Festival

 
Date: Sep 19-25
Location: Pingyao, Shanxi, China
This festival transforms the ancient UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Pingyao into one large photo gallery, showcasing the works of renowned Chinese and international photographers. This year, the festival comes under the theme of “Home and Dream.”