Travel Inspiration

   

Most exciting national day celebrations around the world

The best time to visit a country is during their national day celebration – you will feel the country’s colour, love and pride.

The French Alpha Jets of the patrouille de France fly over Paris on Bastille Day

The US Troop led the French military parade for the first time on Bastille Day 2017

The Eiffel Tower is illuminated on the Bastille Day

Bastille Day

The Bastille Day is the French national day which is celebrated on every 14th July. This is celebrated to remember when the revolted Parisians stormed the medieval prison known as “Bastille”. The French really know how to celebrate this day which is also a big countrywide holiday to show national pride.

During this special day, at Carcassonne, fire will flow off the medieval ramparts and fireworks light up the cliffs of Etretat – these are so beautiful for the eyes. On the eve of Bastille Day, you can enjoy a free dance floor at a local fire station, where the firefighters organize a party. At the Champs Elysees, in the early hours of the national day, the French military will parade – you are free and specially welcome to watch. The 2017 Bastille Day parade was led by the US military troop for the first time and US president Donald Trump was the special guest – the last time a US president was present at the event was in 1989.

Grab your bottle of champagne! Because the celebration doesn’t end there – at night, the Eiffel tower will be lighted up in great firework and a concert on champs de mars right in front of the tower. Go, enjoy yourself and forget about the pains of this world!

Ghananian military on parade during the national day celebration

Ghana’s Independence Day celebration

If you love Africa, then don’t fail to visit Ghana on their independence day. You will surely be glade you did. This is their national day, celebrated on 6th march with military parade, music and dancing. The people of Ghana gather at the independence square in Accra, the capital city to celebrate the end of British colonial rule since 1957. This is the best day to be in Ghana – the colours of Ghana’s flag, red, yellow and green, shows on garments of marching bands, military, police, students, civil servants, etc. The black star Gate, a symbol of Ghana’s struggle for independence is near the flame that burns without stopping since the country’s first president Kwame Nkrumah lit it in 1957 – surely a scene you can’t ignore. The kokrobite beach, where drum music and games are played is a place you can visit after the celebration – you will forget yourself here.

Indonesians contest in a competition called panjat pinang to win prizes

Indonesian National Day celebration

Indonesia’s national day is celebrated on 17th August – the day they gained their independence. If you get to Indonesia on this day, you will see strange tree bearing prizes. The locals participate in a competition called “panjat pinang” –  a tradition to demonstrate how the communities learned to work together and resist against the Dutch government in 1945. Around the country, tall palm tree trunks are planted in villages – these are adorned with hoops and then bicycles, toys, baskets, etc, are hung as prizes. Participants will climb the greased poles to get the prizes. The challenge each climber face is that the poles are slippery. These poles are intentionally greased, so that they become slippery and difficult to climb. Apart from the “panjat pinang”, there are shrimp chip eating contest called the “krupuk” , bike decorating games and races. Then you can go to the national palace and watch the assembly of government officials. Jakarta is painted red and white on 17th August and you will not forget in a hurry that you were in this place.

Australia Day

Australia’s national day is celebrated on 26th January. This is to remember the day the first British fleet arrived in new south wales, Australia in 1788. In Sydney, Darling Harbour is the place to be – hundreds of boat and historic vessels in Australia Day Regatta conducted every year since 1837. The Havaians flip-flop challenge in Adelaide is a challenge you would not want to miss watching. They are huge fun in Australia’s beaches on 26th January.

South Africans take to the dance floor on Freedom Day

South Africa National Day Celebration

This day is celebrated as Freedom Day on 27th April to commemorate the day the first post-apartheid, non-racial and democratic elections were held. Freedom Day has been celebrated with various events such the President’s speech at the union building in Pretoria or awarding of national awards. The Afrikaburn art festival in Tankwa Town is arranged to coincide with this day so that it remains a memorable day.

Norway National Day Celebration

Norway National Day Celebration

This day known as Norway’s constitution day – celebrated on 17th May in Oslo with red, white and blue colour. Thousands of children dressed in traditional clothes known as “Bunad” – line the streets and march pass the royal family. Graduating high students also known as the Russ students celebrate their Russ parties on the national day to make it a really special day. On this day, people also participate in a potluck breakfast. The tradition is for you to eat what you like – cured meats, hot dogs, smoked salmon, ice cream, to mention but a few. What would you want? Norway has it on this day.