• Introduction
• Barbados Jazz Festival
• Buenos Aires Tango Festival
• Carnaval
• Carnevale
• Las Fallas
• Mardi Gras
• Polar Bear Jumpoff and Ugly Fish Toss
• Sundance Film Festival
• Winterlude
• Winter Music Conference

Calling all pyros: This Valencia, Spain fiesta is en fuego! Every year (and on March 15-19, 2008), Las Fallas sees several hundred ninots (massive cardboard, wood, and paper puppets) fashioned after local politicians and celebrities hung at 350 spots around town over the course of a week. On the last day, the streetlights are turned off and the effigies are stuffed with fireworks before being set afire – much to the awe of the gathered crowds. The event is thought to have evolved from Pagan rites that welcomed the onset of spring by burning the wooden posts that held the streetlights used in winter. Whatever its source, this awesome display is reminiscent of July 4th fireworks.

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