Today at Across the Cafe Table we’re sharing our favorite festivals from around the world.

I grew up attending two festivals every year: Scandinavian and Scottish. They were highlights of my year, places where I met the same dear friends and ate traditional foods that we dreamed of all year long.

Now that I’m in Australia, I’ve started new festival traditions.

I’m very excited about the Jumpers and Jazz Festival coming up this month in nearby Warwick, Queensland. With chocolate workshops, wine-tasting, yarn-bombing and lots of great music, it looks like a jolly time indeed.

The best festival I’ve attended recently is the Abbey Medieval Festival on Bribie Island. The largest medieval festival in the Southern Hemisphere, this festival is a flamboyant celebration of all things medieval.

Yesterday I showed you pictures of a medieval gypsy caravan and wedding (click here to see pictures)

There were so many other sights to see!

Like these medieval Syrian dancers who twirled, dipped and shimmied to the beat of drums as they gracefully waved silk scarves.

medieval Syrian dancers

Adorable children dressed up as Vikings complete with their own little wooden swords and shields.

medieval children

 

You could take a ride on camels like this fellow who looks like he’s grinning for the camera. 🙂

medieval camel

 

Or cheer wildly for gallant knights showing their prowess and chivalry on the field of battle.

 

medieval combatants

When the battle was over you could wander from one medieval camp to another, learning how to make braided trim and amber jewelry from the Vikings or how to bind books from the French.

medieval handcrafts

And you couldn’t miss out on the wonderful array of shops where you could find everything from hand-made pottery and beautifully wrought iron to exquisitely soft furs and luscious felted wool.

medieval merchants

Do you like attending festivals? What is your favorite one?