Five Lesser-Known Festivals for Students

Holi in India. The Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea. Tomorrowland in Belgium.The San Fermin Festival in Spain. Queen’s Day in Amsterdam. Glastonbury in England. Carnaval in Rio. Coachella and Burning Man in the US. Oktoberfest in Germany. While students all over the world flock to these well-known festivals every year, they’re far from the only occasions to gather and celebrate. In fact, many lesser-known festivals offer plenty of opportunities for revelry.

Read on for a roundup of five festivals -- from music to movies and more -- just waiting to be discovered by adventure-seeking students like you.

1. The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival, China

Many festivals are all about warm weather fun. However, this one celebrates all things winter wonderland. Thanks to a January 5th start date, Northeast China location, and winter winds blowing in from Siberia, this month-long festival takes over the entire city. Boasting the world’s largest illuminated ice sculptures, ice lantern exhibitions, and even some frigid swimming in the Songhua River, this festival is truly unforgettable.

If your breath doesn’t freeze, prepare to have it taken away. Exodus Travel hails the Harbin Ice Festival as, “truly one of the most awe inspiring spectacles on the planet.”

Just be sure to wear your long underwear: Average winter temps in Harbin are 1.8ºF during the day and dip to-31ºF at night.

2. Isle of Wight Festival, UK

Writes Festicket in including Isle of Wight Festival in its roundup of the Top 10 Student Music Festivals in Europe, “Isle of Wight Festival never ceases to amaze. Year after year the stages are filled with a star-studded lineups of rock, pop, indie and electronic music. Add in some of the best glamping options around, plus discounted student price tickets, and IOW is an easy choice.”

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this June 21-24, the event features a mind-blowing lineup, including Kasabian, Depeche Mode, Liam Gallagher, The Killers, The Script, Rita Ora, James Bay, Camila Cabello, Van Morrison, and many more.

3. Sleepwalkers International Short Film Festival, Estonia

Looking for one of the world’s top student film festivals in an unlikely place? Look no further than Sleepwalkers.

Enthuses FilmFestivalLife of this annual event -- taking place this November 12-15 in Tallinn, “the only dedicated international short film festival in Estonia, Student and Short Film Festival Sleepwalkers brings some of the very best short films from across the world to an enthusiastic audience of local film fans, international cineastes and industry professionals. The festival also aims to be a showcase of some of the very best work coming out of film schools from all corners of the globe whilst providing a networking opportunity for both students and teachers….The festival also promises special retrospectives and masterclasses alongside many other surprises.”

Even better? You can view films without paying any fees.

4. International Student Festival in Trondheim, Norway

What’s better than an international festival celebrating international students themselves? The planet’s largest international student festival, the International Student Festival in Trondheim (ISFiT), brings together more than 450 student representatives from over 100 countries -- all with the vision of creating a better future. Students attend workshops, concerts, art exhibits and ceremonies all surrounding theme with international social and political relevance. Next year’s event, to be held during February of 2019, will take on the theme of “Migration: The Global Puzzle.”

Bill Clinton said of the impact of ISFiT, “Having the opportunity to meet with young people from all over the world from diverse backgrounds and cultures to discuss the great questions facing our world today and tomorrow is very important. The world is growing increasingly more interdependent, and the extent to which we understand our differences, celebrate our diversity, and reaffirm our common humanity, will determine how peaceful and prosperous, how secure and free, the 21st century will be.”

5. Kanda Used Book Festival, Japan

Love books? If so, then the Kanda Used Book Festival is the festival for you.

Says TimeOut of this book bonanza, “In addition to offering a vast array of used books, the Kanda Used Book Festival – an annual festival that takes place in and around Kanda Jimbocho Furu-Shotengai and began back in 1960 – also encompasses a number of other book-related offers and events, including an outdoor book market, the sale of a number of specially selected rare books, and a charity used-book auction.”

Held in late October/early November annually, the Kanda Used Book Festival is an institution in Tokyo.

Do you have a favorite student-friendly festival to share with us here at Bachelorstudies.com? If so, please spread the word in the comments section below.