Gadling

Festivals come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re heading out for a ride on the carousel at your town’s local spring gathering or booking flights to partake in parties around the world, there’s something exciting about the festival. This month, we found two of the most diverse and entertaining festivals to highlight:

Songkran Festival, Thailand: Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand, the Songkran Festival is the most expansive because it’s widely observed in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and the Lao State. Songkran is a Sanskrit word which means the “entry of the sun” into any sign of the Zodiac – in this particular instance, the sun enters the sign of Aries or the Ram. This celebration of the vernal equinox coincides with the Thai New Year. The Songkran Festival begins on April 13 and ends April 15, 2010.

Coachella Valley Music Festival, California: The three-day annual music and arts festival takes place in Indio, California, and features music from alternative rock, hip hop, and electronic music legends. This year’s lineup includes everyone from De La Soul to Jay-Z. Festival passes are currently available for $269 for all three days (April 16-18).