Just like Diwali: Did you know of these festivals of lights from across the world?

​Diwali is perhaps one of the most widely celebrated in India, and one of the most loved as well. Famous as the Festival of Lights, this beautiful festival kickstarts the festive season in the country and is a delight to partake in. You would be surprised to know that a number of places across the world have their own festival of lights, celebrated as per their own rituals and practices.

Here, take a look at the other festivals of light, all harbinger of good times, just like Diwali.

This festival is celebrated in Japan's Aomori, and attracts a lot of tourists as well. It is held in August every year and is one of the most prominent summers festivals in Japan. It is spread over four days and sees parades of gigantic floating lanterns, musicians, dancers and a lot of drum playing. These lanterns or floats take almost an year to design and build and are an unforgettable spectacle.
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Another visual delight and a festival of lights, Loi Krathing is celebrated all over Thailand. It is set to take place on November 28 this year. It sees people gathering near rivers, lakes and canals with beautiful floating lanterns that are released in the air, hundreds at one time!

Read more: From UK to Mauritius - Countries that celebrate Diwali

France's Lyon also has its own festival of lights and a beautiful treat nonetheless. It is usually celebrated around December 8 every year and is held over four days. Every family in Leon celebrates the festival by placing lit candles outside their homes; this is also the time when the beautiful Basilica of Fourvière and gets lit up in colours.

Head to Berlin to partake in its very own festival of lights. While Diwali has a more spiritual significance, Berlin's festival is a visual delight as well. It is held annually in October and sees Berlin's famous monuments, squares, streets and landmarks bathed in brilliant beautiful lights and unforgettable video projections. Definitely, it is a spectacle to watch for.

China also has its own festival of lights, popularly known as the Lantern Festival. It is held on a full moon on the 15th day of the first month of lunisolar Chinese calendar. It is also famous as the Shangyuan Festival and marks the final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Most parts of Japan see a surprising pop of lights and colours, famously known as Winter Illuminations Festival. You can gape at these beautiful light displays from October onwards at various places, especially around Christmas. Some of the most famous places for these illuminations are Tokyo Midtown, Marunouchi, Sagamiko, Ashikaga, Nagoya and more.