Whether you’re a passionate foodie, a nature lover or an adrenaline-junkie, get your summer season off to a sizzling start with these festive events. From lobster festivals to dragon boat racing to hitting the slopes, here are the best places to travel in June.
Belize
Calling all lobster lovers: celebrate the opening harvest season of the crustacean at Lobster Fest. Bring your appetite for this 10-day all-you-can-eat event held in San Pedro, Placencia, and Caye Caulker, as the price of lobster is at its lowest. Take a break between meals and chat with local fishermen, participate in lobster-themed water sports and dance the night (and calories) away at the beach parties.
Hong Kong
Celebrated for more than 2,000 years, the three-day Duanwu Festival (dragon boat festival) commemorates the death of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan who drowned himself in the Miluo River when the Chu capital fell to the Qin army. Chinese communities honor him every year with traditional customs including dragon boat racing, where locals paddle out in colorful boats and beat drums to keep the fish and evil spirits away from his body. Other customs include drinking realgar wine (known in ancient times to drive away evil spirits) and eating sticky rice dumplings or zongzi.
England
Head to the Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival to observe the sun reaching its highest point in the sky on June 21. Gather around Stonehenge and camp out at this four-day festival to celebrate the longest day of the year. Craft beer, food vendors and live music are also on deck.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Brother and sister team Jill and Jonathan Burkhart founded the Nantucket Film Festival in 1996, and now the event is one of the biggest in the film industry. Screen indie movies and Hollywood’s next blockbusters, watch round-table discussions, and attend events with special guests like Ben Stiller, Adam Driver, Mike Birbiglia and Whitney Cummings.
New Zealand
Want to escape the summer heat? Head to the Queenstown Winter Festival celebrating the official start of ski season. The four-day extravaganza includes competitions for mountain biking, dodgeball, disc golf and raft racing. Grab your luggage to compete in the suitcase race down the mountain, which kicks off the opening night of night skiing.
St. Kitts
The annual St. Kitts Music Festival kicks off with a three-night event featuring local artists alongside mainstream musicians. Top performers this year include Lauryn Hill, Fetty Wap and Patti Labelle.
Thailand
Starting in June and running through August, the Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival celebrates the peak time to see the fully bloomed bright-pink Siam Tulip, or Dok Krachiao. The best spots to observe these flowers is the Sai Thong National Park: walk through the Bua Sawan flower field or perch atop the Pha Ham Hot spot to get clifftop views of the Phang Hoei mountain range and blooming tulips below.
Bahamas
It’s a non-stop pineapple party with the annual Pineapple Festival. The yearly event honors the hardworking pineapple farmers in Gregory Town, Eleuthera. Partake in pineapple-themed activities from cooking and eating contests to a pineathalon, comprised of a 400-meter swim, 10K bike ride and a 5K run.
