Festival Travel Fever

August 20, 2024 - Truly unique and always astounding, this fabulous foursome of upcoming festivals will keep your spirits lifted and arms raised in the air, from Bhutan to the Caribbean and Ibiza to Japan.

Beyond the music, culture, food, or wellness, festivals take you beyond life’s norms into the discovery of new experiences while bonding with a like-minded collective.

Colorful Caribbean 

August marks some of the biggest festivals in Grenada, including Spicemas, known for its J’ouvert carnival and Traditional Mas, a compelling expression of Caribbean culture and street theatre through calypso music, dance, entertainment, and cuisine. Not only is it of significant importance to the community, but it also brings together locals and visitors to celebrate the island’s vibrant spirit and unique traditions.

After all that partying and parading through the streets – and there is plenty of both – Six Senses Spa La Sagesse invites you to rest and recuperate with a relaxing Caribbean Cleansing Ritual. This 180-minute journey of pure bliss embraces the elements of water, air, fire, and earth to bring balance. It starts with a ritual to set your intentions, followed by an interactive Alchemy Bar session to create your own purifying body scrub and mask, which will be used in preparation for a warm coconut oil massage. Afterwards, the bush tea and organic chocolate revive you from the inside out – ready for the festivities to begin once more.

Bhutanese blessings

Autumn in the Kingdom offers picturesque landscapes and beautiful scenery as leaves blaze red and rice fields turn gold in the lead-up to the harvest. From mid-November, the Himalayan peaks come into view, the yaks descend, and the rare black-necked cranes make their annual pilgrimage to Phobjikha in early November, a treat for guests staying at Six Senses Gangtey.

No visit to the Land of the Thunder Dragon is complete without taking part in one of its vibrant festivals, or “tshechus”, which span several days and are celebrated with much enthusiasm as they represent a significant part of the country’s cultural heritage. Join Six Senses Bhutan on one of their carefully curated khamsa journeys to discover any of the following colorful celebrations taking place this season.

• Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu

  • From September 30 to October 2, Wangdue Phodrang offers a feast for the senses as you immerse in the time-honored traditions of this tshechu dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Featuring a range of traditional dances and rituals, it is particularly loved for its Raksha Mangcham or the dance of the ox, which depicts the judgment day after death. Stay at Six Senses Punakha.

• Thimphu Tshechu

  • Celebrated this year between October 2 and 4, Thimpu Tshechu is one of the largest and most popular festivals in Bhutan. Dedicated to Bhutan’s most revered saint, it draws people together to celebrate, pray, and receive blessings. It offers visitors a rich cultural experience to enjoy a variety of masked dances performed by monks and laymen. Stay at Six Senses Thimphu.

• Gangtey Tshechu and The Crane Festival

  • Held in the expansive courtyard of the Gangtey Goemba, a sixteenth-century hilltop monastery in remote Phobjikha Valley, the Gangtey Tshechu takes place from September 16 to 18. Scheduled for November 10, the Crane Festival is a secular celebration to welcome the valley’s famous feathered friends, the black-necked cranes, as they arrive to nest each winter. Don’t miss the delightful scenes of children dressed in crane costumes performing a series of dances, among other treats. Stay at Six Senses Gangtey.

• Jambay Lhakhang Drup

  • Bumthang will come alive between November 5 and 8 with unique rituals, including the fire blessing ceremony (Mewang), and mystical naked dances performed at midnight. The festival celebrates the establishment of Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, believed to have been built in the seventh century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue a powerful ogress. Stay at Six Senses Bumthang.

Joyful Japan

October is the month when Kyoto hosts one of its most famous festivals, Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages). It commemorates the founding of Kyoto in 794 AD and the city’s rich history as the capital of Japan for over a thousand years. The highlight is a grand procession that winds its way from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. Guests at Six Senses Kyoto will be guided to the heart of the action to watch 2,000 dancers dressed in authentic costumes representing various periods of Japanese history, from the Meiji Restoration in the late nineteenth century back to the Heian Period in the eighth century.

You may spot Heian influences within the hotel’s design touches, which include the literary masterpiece Tale of Genji as well as the "Chōjū-giga" (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals) depicting animals enjoying archery contests, bathing rituals, and festive gatherings. Replenish your energy during afternoon tea in Café Sekki, where seasonal teas are poured alongside freshly baked cakes and pastries.

Inspirational Ibiza

Ibiza beyond the summer months brings a shift in energy and focus and makes way for community, spirituality, and celebration.  Embracing this seasonal transition, Six Senses Ibiza brings together like-minded guests, local changemakers, and international thought-leaders for its third Alma Festival from November 6 to 9, 2024.

This year’s sessions, based on the theme “Rewild Your Spirit”, include a keynote speech by Ben Greenfield, best-selling author and leading expert in biohacking and fitness; insights into hormone optimization and sexual well-being with Dr. Jessica Shepard; and the opportunity to explore bioharmony and functional health with Dr. Tamsin Lewis, RoseBar Medical Advisor. Christian Drapeau will also join to discuss his two-decade journey into researching the healing power of stem cells. 

• Reconnection and soul highlights include Shamanic fire ceremonies and heart-opening cacao rituals; an ANÍMA x Sonic Live Breathwork session with Rosey Chan; Soma Breath and Ecstatic Dance with Niraj Naik; and a meditative sound healing journey led by JJ Martin and Alexis.
• Nutrition and gut health highlights include insights into gut health optimization with Dr. Ingrid Yang, a pioneering wellness expert, and learning to eat intuitively with Nicole Berri.
• Movement highlights include dynamic workouts from renowned celebrity trainer Kim Strother, full-body sculpting workshops with Lindsay Lang, and cathartic mindful movement sessions with energetic Dutch duo Sanctum.
• Unleash your potential with Technogym’s cutting-edge studio equipment and expert-led classes designed to maximize your performance and recovery. Join Technogym Talent Trainer, Harry Sellers, for a special session to hone your strength and core mastery.

Sessions are interspersed with community dinners, sunset ceremonies, and live music performances that nourish your body, celebrate your soul, and dance to your own heartbeat until you’re ready to flop into your cloud-comfy bed.

If you would like to explore our invitation further, visit our dedicated Alma Festival page to learn more about our featured speakers, wellness practitioners, and immersive programming.