Kosmos

Why mourn the end of summer when you can look forward to fall – and these three festivals in China, Mexico and Korea.

Korea first

In the U.S., Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated until November, but in South Korea, the Chuseok harvest festival, which includes 5000-year-old competitions and dancing, takes place ­September 23 to 25.

Light play

Astronomically speaking, fall begins September 23, when day and night are the same length. In Mexico, people flock to Chichen Itza to see the giant shadow play created by Kukulcán pyramid.

Family giving

Ahead of the game: In China, September 24 marks not fall’s arrival, but the Mid-Autumn Festival with lots of lanterns and the traditional mooncakes that people present to their loved ones as a gift.

The world’s biggest pyjama party, the longest zombie fest … The Guinness Book of World Records is full of crazy things. One of the most recent entries is the world’s largest gathering of people wearing party hats. In January, 2018, 621 school students came together in Wakefield, England, to promote the Young Minds charity.

guinnessworldrecords.com

Miami, Bali, Barcelona? That’s where most people celebrate beach parties. Here are some ideas for a different experience somewhat off the beaten track.

The Denver Art Museum, one of the most important art museums west of Chicago, turns 125 this year. Rembrandt: From Painter to Printmaker will be showing through Jan. 6.

denverartmuseum.org

The words Happy Birthday are always welcome, aren’t they? Yes and no. Birthday traditions vary considerably around the world.

belated is bad

In China, it’s bad luck to wish someone a belated happy birthday. You celebrate on or before the big day, but never afterwards. On your birthday, you’re allowed to eat as many long noodles as you like, as they are a symbol of longevity.

sweet spoils

In Mexico, you celebrate your birthday with a piñata, a papier-mâché figure or decorated container filled with candy and hung on a rope. Birthday guests beat it with a stick until it breaks and releases its sugary contents.

everyone gets older

In Vietnam, no one congratulates you on your birthday or gives you a gift. Birthdays just aren’t celebrated, and your age isn’t important. Everyone turns one year older together at Tet, the Vietnamese new year’s festival.