MAY

Pulilan Carabao

May 14-15. Pulilan, Philippines
This Filipino town gives its water buffalos a full service during Pulilian Carabao, with a mud bath, shave and skin cleanse, all in order to honor patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. The animals end up being paraded through the streets donning fruit and colorful garlands alongside symbolic floats, giving thanks for the year’s bountiful harvest in this riotous explosion of color and humanity.

Kanda Matsuri

May 15. Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Shinto monks mounted on horseback, various cultural floats, and energetic crowds flood the many districts of Tokyo, with the main item on display being the portable Kanda Myojin shrines. This spectacle, also referred to as Tenka Matsuri, with Tenka meaning Shogun, is an extravagant ceremony that was performed in the famous Edo castle half a century ago. Visit the Kanda Matsuri museum to learn more (2-16-2 Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku).

Hong Kong International Art Fair

May 17-20. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center. www.hongkongartfair.com
The 5th installment of ART HK welcomes 266 galleries from all four corners of the globe. Alongside the established galleries, the Asia One section showcases solo exhibitions by galleries in the East, from Turkey to New Zealand. Finally, the Art Futures section is reserved for galleries opened after 2004 and showcases 1-2 artists who are 35 or younger. Tickets priced at S$250 for general admission.

Utopia Music Festival 2012

May 5-6. Sydney, Australia. www.utopiamusicfestival.com.au
If your soul yearns for the heavy rumble of deep bass and shrieking treble, then head down under for Sydney’s electronic music romp. Featuring 16 local DJ’s spinning everything from hard dance to happy hardcore, this festival will be heavy enough for even the most seasoned dub step fan. The lineup includes Brennan Heart, with her hit “Life We Dream of,” Coone and Art of Fighters. Tickets are sold nationwide at Moshtix and cost $79 for general entry.

Audi Fashion Festival Singapore

May 16-20. Singapore. www.audifashionfestival.com/2012
The Audi Fashion Festival pushes the envelope with a much-anticipated collection featuring superstar stylist Nicola Formichetti’s recent designs for Thierry Mugler, the couture dresses of Roland Mouret, plus a slew of local solo and group shows by the likes of RAOUL, alldressedup, Mae Pang, Max.Tan and PARCO next NEXT. Expect catwalk fashion shows, over-the-top after parties and certainly enough bubbles and vino to keep the models happy. Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, make sure to be seen in the Tent@Orchard if you’re interested in rubbing shoulders with Singapore’s elite. Ticketing information TBA.

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition

Apr 25-May 2. China International Exhibition Center, Beijing. www.china-autoshow.com
With major auto companies putting China at the top of their lists this year, Beijing is the new Geneva when it comes to showing off cutting-edge technology and innovative concept cars. This mammoth auto show will see the China International Exhibition Center crammed with products from some 2,100 companies, with 990 vehicles on display, 89 of which will be making their world debuts.

June

Dragon Boat Festival

Jun 23. Beijing, China
Falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the dragon boat races are a widely celebrated event, which combines cultural celebrations, fit guys and a keen competitive spirit. Commemorating poet and patron, Qu Yuan, the story goes that after he fell into the Miluo River, the people of Chin launched their boats towards Qu Yuan and threw rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo in the water to deter the carnivorous fish of the river from eating him. During the festival, expect to try zongzi, a glutinous, pyramid-shaped rice treat, filled with a variety of tasty items and stuffed in a bamboo shoot. The festival is popular all over Asia, and will be celebrated in multiple cities.

Shanghai International Film Festival

Jun 16-24. 29 Weihai road, Shanghai. www.siff.com
Now in it’s 15th year, SIFF is one of the biggest festivals in Asia, well known for its Golden Goblet and International Student Shorts Awards. This year’s lineup includes six classics from Polish auteur Krzystof Kieslowski (The Decalogue and Three Colours), who died 15 years ago in Warsaw, when the festival first started.

Cooly Rocks

Jun 1-11. Gold Coast, Australia. www.coolyrockson.com
Over 80,000 people will gather for a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s featuring greasers, hot rods, pinups and rockabilly cool on a massive scale. The event culminates in a final weekend where all the streets are closed and 200 stalls are erected throughout the city. Think of it as the vintage Ratchada night market on steroids.

July

South Korean Boryeong Mud Festival 2012

Jul 14-24. Boryeong, South Korea
Held in the town of Boryeong, South Korea, this festival was originally formed to highlight the cosmetic benefits of the local mud on the skin, due to the minerals contained in the earth. Recently, the festival has exploded with tourists, as it’s an opportunity to get down and dirty and play in the mud. The 4-day festival is held at Daecheon beach and it’s suggested you go during the week to avoid the crowds. It’s a bit like Songkran, only a whole lot messier.

Fuji Rock Festival

July 27-29. Niigata Prefecture, Japan. www.fujirockfestival.com
Taking place at the Naeba Ski Resort, this three-day event features over 200 Japanese and international artists and is the largest outdoor musical event in Japan (and Asia). On for its 16th year, the Fuji Rock festival will feature major international acts such as The Stone Roses, Radiohead and The Shines. Make sure to bring a tent and some ca-mping supplies, because you’ll want to be in a Woodstock mood for this event set among the dramatic hills of Niigata. Ticket set at ¥16,800 (B6,310).