Christina Muchow

From July 31 to August 4, over one million people will attend Hachinohe Sansha Taisai in Hachinohe, Japan.

From July 31 to August 4, over one million people will attend Hachinohe Sansha Taisai in Hachinohe, Japan. Also called the Three Shrines Festival, Hachinohe Sansha Taisai is a Shinto celebration and UNESCO-recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival includes parades, musical and dance performances, float exhibitions, and a Kagami-ryu Kiba Dakyu tournament. Heightened security and extensive crowd control measures are implemented during the festival.

From July 22-26, over one million people will attend the Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil; expect travel disruptions.

Over 1 million people will attend the Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil, from July 22 to July 26. The Halleluya Festival is one of the largest annual Catholic music, arts, and cultural events in the region, with up to 300,000 attendees each day. Heightened security, including access and crowd control measures, are implemented during the event. Large crowds lead to increased strain on public transportation systems and congestion on surrounding roads and sidewalks.

Approximately 1.5 million people will attend Gentse Feesten in Ghent, Belgium, from July 17 to July 26.

Gentse Feesten, an annual art festival, will be held in Ghent, Belgium, from July 17 to July 26. Approximately 1.5 million people attend the festival, including 150,000 to 200,000 visitors each day. The festival takes place across the city and includes live music, street performances, parades, and cultural exhibitions. Heightened security and high congestion are present near festival venues.

Exercise caution and expect heightened security in France and Monaco following a bombing at 9:00 PM on June 29.

An unidentified individual placed a parcel bomb at the entrance to an apartment building in Monaco, injuring three people when it detonated at approximately 9:00 PM on June 29. The suspect then fled across the border to France. An investigation is underway, and French and Monegasques authorities have mobilized across the region. Whether the bombing constitutes a terrorist attack or targeted murder attempt is unknown at this time.

Gion Matsuri will attract over one million visitors to Kyoto, Japan, from July 1 to 31.

Gion Matsuri, a Shinto festival and one of Japan’s largest cultural celebrations, is held in Kyoto, Japan, from July 1 to 31.  Over one million people attend each year, with the largest crowds on July 17 and July 24, when the two Yamaboko Junko float parades occur. From July 14-16 and July 21-23, downtown Kyoto’s streets are closed for Yoiyama, evening street festivals. Heightened security measures and extensive road closures are implemented throughout the festival.

Millions will attend the Dragon Boat Festival across China from June 19-21; expect transportation delays and heightened security.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday, celebrated annually across the country by millions of domestic and international tourists. The largest celebrations are held in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Foshan, Yueyang, and Hangzhou. Roads, public transit, and border crossings all experience significant congestion during the festival. Heightened security and crowd controls measures are also implemented.

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