The top 10 festivals tourists don't know about

Calgary Stampede - Canada (July)

Grab your hat and get ready for some serious boot-scooting at this world famous Stampede. One of Canada's largest annual events, the Calgary Stampede is the world's biggest outdoor rodeo.

It features an internationally recognised rodeo competition, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon races and pancake breakfasts around the city. During Stampede Week, the city is filled with tourists who join locals in celebrating all that is good about rhinestone, country music and the wide open spaces.
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Pushkar Camel Festival - India (November)

Thousands of people from rural India flock to Pushkar during this annual fair to partake in everything from livestock trading to religious festivities. A true sight to see is the first half of the festival during the camel and cattle trading fair, when the Indians spruce up their camels with fur and colourful adornments, hoping to get the best sale.

Throughout the fair around 50,000 camels are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. The religious activities dominate the latter half of the festival, culminating in thousands of devotees taking a dip in the holy lake on the full moon, signalling the end of the event.
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Inti Raymi - Peru (June)

While Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun, celebration in Cuzco Peru runs for roughly one week, it is for the ceremony and party on June 24 that it is gaining increasing attention throughout Latin America. June 24 marks the actual day of Inti Raymi. On this day blessings are called from the sun from an individual representing the Sapa Inca (the emperor) and ceremonial processions take place through flower-draped streets to a heady mix of music, prayers and dancing.

Huge crowds await the arrival of the procession and women sweep the streets to clear them of evil spirits following the event. In the evenings, live music from local Peruvian musicians and bands draw the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts.
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