Festivals and Travel to Exotic Places in August

Check July | September

August weather should be good in:
Bolivia, Brazil, Madagascar, Mongolia, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru [not a great month but...] Swaziland, Tanzania

Exotic Heritage Festivals | Destination Finder

For good weather and festivals, early August:

Papua New Guinea [Trobriand Islands], Yam Harvest Festival, July/Aug, 1 day. PNG Pictures

Indonesia, Bali] Galungan. Probably 2-12th August but check it. This spectacular 10 day event takes place over the whole island, and involves endless music, dance, decoration and offerings to visiting gods. The last day is the most important. Bali Pictures | Indonesia Tours

Madagascar, Famadihana 'turning of the bones' [reburying the dead] ceremonies June -November.
Madagascar Pictures | Madagascar Tours

Tunisia, Carthage International Festival [music and dance], in Carthage's ancient sites, Tunis, July-Aug. Tunisia Pictures | Tunisia Tours

Vanuatu [Tanna Island], Nekowiar Festival [traditional Toka Dance], Aug/Sep/Oct, a few days

Bolivia [Copacabana], Fiesta of the Virgin of Copacabana [colorful procession], 5-7 Aug

For good weather and festivals, late August:

Papua New Guinea [Mt.Hagen], Hagen Show [gathering of the clans], mid Aug, 3 days. PNG Pictures.

Brazil [Fortaleza and coastal Ceará], Iemanjá [festival of the goddess of the sea], Aug 15, 1 day.
Brazil Pictures

Spain, Bunol, Valencia, La Tomatina - a huge and incredibly messy public fight with 25 tons of tomatoes; you can participate. 28 Aug, one day. Spain Pictures | Spain Tours

Ghana [Accra], Homowo [Hunger Hooting Festival for the Harvest celebration?!], end Aug-early Sep, 2 weeks

Swaziland [Lobamba], Umhalanga [traditional ceremony with Reed dance], late Aug- early Sep, 1 week

Or go for festivals only, not the weather! i.e. this is not the best season:

India [Nationwide, esp. Jodhpur], Naag Panchami [snakes & charmers] July/Aug, 2 weeks.
[Pahalgam], Amarnath Yatra [Pilgrimage to a sacred mountain cave, 4 day trek in July/Aug.
Tarnetar Mela [tribal fair], Aug/Sep, 3 days.
[Alappuzha & Kerala] Onam Harvest Festival [Nehru Cup Snakebort Race], Aug/Sep, 10 days. India Pictures | India Tours

Sri Lanka [Kandy], Kandy Esala Perahera [Buddhist festival, dancers, decorated elephants +] 15 days in July/Aug

China [Guizhou Province], Guizhou Tribal Festivals. China Photos | China Tours

Japan [Nationwide], O Bon [Buddhist Festival], 15-16 Aug, a few days.
[Aomori & Hirosaki], Nebuta Matsuri [traditional procession] 1-7 Aug,
[Sendai & Nationwide]Tanabata Matsuri [Star Festival] 6-8 Aug.
Japan Photos | Japan Tours

Taiwan [Nationwide], Hungry Ghost Festival, Aug/Sep, 1 month

Indonesia [Ruteng, Flores Island], Caci Whip Duels [spiritual fighting], 17th
[Tanatoraja Region, Sulawesi Island], Toraja Funerals, Aug/Sep, a few days each. Sulawesi Pictures | Indonesia Tours

Vietnam [Nationwide], Trung Nguyen [feast for hungry ghosts], full moon day in Aug/Sep. Vietnam Photos | Vietnam Tours

Mexico [Huamantla], Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug 15. Mexico Photos | Mexico Tours