Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
1805 results for "comedy festival"
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.
This June, six comedy venues across Mexico City will host a unique bilingual festival where laughter becomes a universal language. The CDMX Comedy Fest brings together Mexican and foreign comedians for five nights of connection through humor.
Marie McLaren stepped onto the stage at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival at age 88 and absolutely nailed her first stand-up comedy set. Her journey from factory worker to comedian proves it's never too late to chase a new dream.
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.
Every September, a remote valley in Arunachal Pradesh becomes India's most sustainable music festival, where 10,000 visitors gather on paddy fields surrounded by stages built entirely from bamboo. The Ziro Festival proves major events can leave zero trace while creating unforgettable experiences.
Scotland's premier arts festival is turning off the phones to turn up the magic. After interruptions disrupted every single concert last year, Edinburgh International Festival is creating distraction-free performances where audiences can lose themselves in the moment.
Humanoid robots performed martial arts and comedy alongside humans at China's most-watched TV event, the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. The technological showcase revealed how far robotics has advanced and where the industry is headed next.
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.
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.
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.
Akhilee Matta walked away from a senior position and generous salary in July 2025 to pursue stand-up comedy full-time. Ten months later, she's selling out solo shows across India after years of writing jokes in secret and practicing at open mics.
The Sundance Film Festival is recruiting 2,000 volunteers for its January event in Boulder, offering free screenings, exclusive events, and a chance to be part of one of film's biggest celebrations. Applications open August 31 for anyone interested, no film experience required.
A music festival in Massachusetts turned into a world record celebration when 5,000 people simultaneously yo-yoed together, more than doubling the previous record. Wilco, The Breeders, and yo-yo champion John Higby led the whimsical attempt at the Solid Sound Festival.
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.
Singapore's largest alternative music festival is jumping into the virtual world, bringing 25 years of indie music culture to millions of young gamers. Beatsverse on Roblox lets players worldwide discover local artists through rhythm games before the live festival kicks off in September.
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.
Showing 20 of 1805