The Tenjin Matsuri (24-25 July, Japan) is Osaka's biggest summer festival. It also claims to be the world's biggest boat festival with a land procession formed of a parade of over 3,000 people dressed in the imperial-court style of the 8th-12th Centuries.
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival (29 July, Japan) dates back to 1733. On top of traditional fireworks displays, a contest is held between new creative fireworks that always draw a large crowd.
Phi Ta Khon (Date TBA, Thailand), also known as the Ghost Mask Festival, celebrates the return of the Buddha-to-be, Prince Vessandorn. It is said that the people in the village celebrated so loud that it awoke the dead who then joined the celebration.
The Singapore Garden Festival (Date TBA, Singapore) creates a magical world of exciting garden designs and exquisite floral creations as Singapore goes into full bloom. Whether you are a serious gardener, hobbyist or just looking for a wonderful day out with the family, you are in for delightful treats.
The Yadnya Kasada Festival (Date TBA, Indonesia) is extremely important for tenggerese tribes. Also known as the Javanese Volcano Festival, this event is held as it is believed the celebrations help promote good health and appease Mother Nature.
The International Kite Festival (Date TBA, Indonesia) is held along Sanur Beach, Bali. Traditional giant kites (4 metres in width and almost 10 metres in length) are made and flown competitively by teams from the villages (banjar) of Denpasar. The event is a seasonal religious festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests.
Buon Khao Pansa (5 July, Laos) marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist Lent, which commences at the full moon in July and continues until the full moon in October, this is considered a particularly auspicious time for Lao men to enter the monkhood and is marked by numerous ordination ceremonies.
The Grand Sumo Tournament (9-23 July, Japan) provides the chance to catch the heavyweights in action at one of Japan's most prestigious sumo events.
