WHEN TO GO - August

The spectacular eleven day Ganesh Chaturthi festival honors the birth of the beloved Hindu elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha. The start of the festival sees huge, elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha installed in homes and podiums, which have been especially constructed and beautifully decorated. At the end of the festival, the statutes are paraded through the streets, accompanied by much singing and dancing, and then submerged in the ocean.

This day is a chance for the Lion City to celebrate everything Singapore. Held on the 9th of August each year (to commemorate independence from Malaysia in 1965), the city comes alive with parades, dances and an altogether feel-good atmosphere. The day is capped off with a spectacular fireworks show over Marina Bay in the evening.

Every year in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, a three-day event is held to celebrate everything crocodile. The stars of the show - the fresh and saltwater river crocodiles - are an important part of local heritage. This festival highlights their importance within the ecosystem and also promotes conservation.