The costumes and festivals our photography community will never forget

There was even a dog dressed as Wonder Woman.

Some of you told me that you had planned months for the event and designed a particular costume, while others had just sort of stumbled into a celebration by accident or tagged along on a friend’s trip. Personally, those are some of the best photographic moments.

Below is a selection of community photos submitted in no particular order. Read on to see what wild and diverse events our community has attended in the past, along with the stories behind them.

Renaissance Faire fun

ajr images: Here are a few photos from the Renaissance Faire held each year in Irwindale, CA. Given the proximity to Hollywood, the makeup and costumes are at another level, and the participants are eager to pose for the camera.

Jousting at the carnival

KPM2: Well, having once lived in Cologne, I’d have to say Carnival is the most interesting event, though the most unusual thing was a jousting/medieval tournament event – the kids absolutely loved it!

Splanekor 2011 river trolling

GinoSVK: Splanekor 2011 was perhaps the most memorable for me. Think of it as the Festival of the Unexceptional that actually delivered.

Wonder Woman meets the Giants

blindmike: Dressed up dog as Wonder Woman and brought her to her first Giants game. Tried finding the biggest costume, but she was absolutely hulking out of it. Paraded around the field before the game, had a tri-tip sandwich and some of my bratwurst for lunch, howled whenever the Giants scored, and ended up on the Jumbotron. Then we hit a brewery on the way home and she passed out. It was a good day.

Provincetown, MA carnival parade

dmanthree: Several years ago, on a family outing to Provincetown, MA, we happened on the carnival parade. It was a hoot, to say the least.

Edinburgh Fire Festival

mfinley: We had fun attending the Fire Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2018; it is a pagan-like celebration of the return of summer that they run every year. It was quite a production to see, and I got a couple of pics.

Running of the Bulls

Myles Baker: The most memorable festival that I have been to is San Fermín in Pamplona, Spain, otherwise known as the “Running of the Bulls”. When I left New Zealand on my OE, I’d never heard of it. A few months later, a flatmate and some friends in London were planning to take a bus tour there. It sounded like fun, so I joined them. What ensued was an unforgettable experience (although, admittedly, many of the memories come through a beer, cheap wine and sangria-fueled haze).

So much did I enjoy myself that the next year, while I was kicking back on the island of Ios in Greece, when some South Africans I had met mentioned that they were heading that way, I thought, sounds like a good idea, why not? A year on, another group of friends in London who had not been to the running of the bulls were planning to drive down. I quit my job, jumped in their van and went off again. 1 festival, 3 different years, 3 vastly different experiences, all seared into my memory in their own unique way, even after all of these years.

Ah, to be young, dumb and invincible.

Day of the Dead celebration

FujiRon: Two events that stand out for me are Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico, and the Solstice Parade in Santa Barbara, CA.

Vancouver Pride Parade

Gordon Montgomery: The Vancouver Pride Parade was a great event for photographing people in outlandish costumes. The great thing about events like this is that people are happy to have their photos taken, so you don’t have to be shy about going right up to people with your camera.

Free Comic Book Day

Trike: Both the Fourth of July parade and Free Comic Book Day celebrations here in New Hampshire, WV offer plenty of opportunities for fun pics.

There are more spectacular, spontaneous, and spooky event photos and stories in the discussion thread. Join in on the discussion and share yours as this year’s Halloween and fall festival season begins!