Carnival - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you've never heard of Carnival then you must be living under a rock because this is the party of all parties. Renowned around the world for the beautiful bodies, beaches and music. This 5 day event is held annually in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. Most people think of the elaborate floats, head dresses and costumes and although this is a huge and probably one of the best parts of Carnival, it's also all about the free street parties or bloco's as they call them, which are scattered all over the city and beaches at all times of the day. You can bring your own booze or buy cheap drinks from sellers wandering the streets and mingle with the crowds of Brazilians and foreigners there to dance and soak up the sounds of the different Samba schools!
You'll find world class DJ's performing at various venues, Carnival balls for those with a bit more cash to splash and of course the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome which is hours on end of stunning floats, showcasing the best music and the most beautiful samba dancers from Samba schools around the country. The vibe here will blow you away with the sound of drums going straight through you. You'll find it hard to stop moving even when you see the sun starting to come up the next morning. Best of all, to cure those inevitable hangovers you can head down to the world famous Ipanema or Copacabana beaches. One dip in the ocean and a look at the gorgeous sun drenched bodies, and you'll be craving your next Caprinha in no time!
Rugby 7's - Wellington, New Zealand
This could be the worlds biggest fancy dress party with thousands of people from around the world descending upon Wellington, the small capital of New Zealand for 2 days of dress up, rugby, boozing and partying. The more outrageous and original the costume the better. There are even money prizes up for the best dressed!
The CBD waterfront is where it all kicks off nice and early with crowds pre-partying from the sun drenched balconies of the bars and restaurants overlooking all the crazy get ups walking to the stadium. You'll find most people at the actual event are there more for the piss up and the party then the actual rugby. But if you are a true rugby fan and want to watch your team in a more tame atmosphere, there is specific seating that can be purchased where the drunken revellers are unable to reach you, but keep in mind there is no avoiding the drunken big birds, and batman's through the rest of the stadium and city. But eh, the atmosphere is what it's really all about!
Full Moon Party - Ko Phanang, Thailand
Anyone doing the Asia circuit has almost definitely hit up famous Ko Phanang, known for it's monthly full moon parties and now even it's half moon parties, pool parties and no reason at all parties. Basically this Island off the east coast of Thailand has turned into the party island, of all party islands, but you'll defiantly see an influx of tourist and backpackers at Full Moons which attracts crowds well into the 20 or 30 thousands.
This all night dance party is renowned for body paint and cheap booze buckets filled with various alcohol and energy drink mixes that keep the young bodies moving until the sun comes up. Dj stages litter the length of Haad Rin beach and at one end you'll find Mushroom Mountain which looks down over the length of the beach set up with a bar, music and all sorts of other things that the name eludes too. Book accommodation in advance if you're there in the high season and don't even bother bringing your camera, passport or anything else you don't want pinched off you by a lady boy once your passed out face down in the sand.
Melbourne Cup - Melbourne Australia
Not just your average horse race, this is the race that stops a nation and even has it’s own public holiday to go along with it! The Melbourne cup held in November every year is where Australia's elite go to be seen joined by famous faces from around the world, as well as 100,000 other spectators.
Ladies as well as the gents get dolled to the nines, some with extravagant and pricey facinators to be in the running for Fashion in the Fields. You can experience a day at the races hanging with the boozy crowds on the lawn, or pay the hefty price tag to get into the marqui’s where the A listers and money bags hang and can guarantee no mater what the weather does the hair will stay perfect and the outfits will stay clean.
What are your favourite party destinations? Tommorrowland Belgium and Mardi Gras in New Orleans are already on the bucket list.
