Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
3159 results for "australian festivals"
After nearly dying out five years ago, country music is experiencing an unexpected surge in Australia with streaming up 115% and festivals selling out nationwide. Young city dwellers are leading the revival, turning cowboy boots into mainstream fashion and making country cool again.
A farming town of 335 people in rural Australia has brought back its beloved ABBA Festival after nearly disappearing. Trundle's community refused to let the glittery celebration die, taking over the event when funding dried up.
The Australian Youth Orchestra is premiering a saxophone concerto inspired by Einstein tiles and string theory at Brisbane's World Science Festival. Young performers are discovering how mathematical patterns and musical harmonies speak the same universal language.
Presidential support is transforming a historic Nigerian fishing festival into an economic powerhouse. The Argungu International Fishing Festival is attracting global investors and boosting tourism across West Africa.
A beloved Australian festival canceled two years ago due to burnout is back and thriving, with 20,000 visitors flocking to watch competitors hurl rubber tuna across a beach. The community saved their 60-year tradition through public outcry and teamwork.
One of Australia's most beloved rock bands is getting back together after four decades apart. Australian Crawl's original members will perform 10 concerts this fall alongside Men At Work and other Aussie music legends.
Every spring, millions across India celebrate Holi by covering their streets in clouds of vibrant colored powder. This ancient Hindu festival transforms entire cities into living rainbows as people dance, drum, and drench each other in color to welcome the new season.
From Kerala's thunderous drums to Himalayan monastery dances, communities across India gather each summer to celebrate festivals that have survived for centuries. These vibrant celebrations prove that ancient traditions can thrive in the modern world.
A romantic comedy shot entirely in Yirrkala, a remote Northern Territory community, is making its debut at Sydney Film Festival. The film showcases local talent and brings Yolŋu love stories to the big screen.
When Australia's largest literary festival collapsed amid controversy, the writing community didn't wait for permission. Five weeks later, they built their own grassroots celebration of stories and free speech.
Across Uzbekistan, the ancient Nowruz festival is bringing entire communities together through shared meals, traditional games, and joyful celebrations that mark spring's arrival. From horseback competitions in the south to street festivals in the capital, this cultural tradition is creating moments of connection that cross generations and backgrounds.
A filmmaker fed up with doom-scrolling culture just launched a festival that only screens stories about people making things better. The Lone Peak Film Festival in Big Sky, Montana proves good news can still pack a theater.
What started as 15 musicians playing in bars has grown into an eight-day international festival that brings joy to thousands while teaching music to kids in Mexico. The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival proves what a small group of music lovers can build together.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Fa3%2F41%2Fa3414b09-64c5-4267-9365-a0b8230b8eb5%2Fsongkran_buddha.jpg)
Thailand's centuries-old water festival Songkran has evolved into a joyful celebration that welcomes visitors worldwide while honoring Buddhist traditions of renewal. Now recognized by UNESCO, the festival blends ancient spiritual practices with modern fun that's spreading beyond Asia.
Glastonbury's taking a year off and most major European festivals are sold out, but music lovers still have options. From ancient Roman arenas in France to bamboo labyrinths in Italy, these eight festivals prove summer isn't over yet.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who became Australia's first qualified astronaut in 2024, has been named Australian of the Year for inspiring a nation to reach for the stars. The space engineer is now encouraging young Australians to embrace science with the same "give it a go" spirit they bring to sports fields.
Electronic music festival Cercle partnered with the European Space Agency to create a three-day celebration where 20,000 daily attendees experienced DJ sets among rockets and learned about Mars exploration. An astronaut opened the festival live from the International Space Station.
One of Europe's largest inclusive arts festivals will bring performers from around the world to Wales this summer. The Unity Festival champions neurodivergent artists through week-long celebrations in Cardiff, Llanelli, and Mold.
What started with 69 scrappy shows and beer bottle mishaps has grown into the world's largest standalone comedy festival. Melbourne's International Comedy Festival celebrates four decades of launching comedians from four-person audiences to household names.
A historic cultural festival in Ghana's Central Region is rallying young people to unite around heritage and community development. The 2026 Breman Odwira Festival launch brought together traditional leaders, politicians, and youth groups with one powerful message: the future depends on young people embracing their roots while building progress.
Showing 20 of 3159