There are many ways to celebrate your new home abroad: you can join in national holiday celebrations and traditions or you can knock it out of the park with something unique and different. In any case, local and national holidays are the perfect opportunity to get to know your community, meet other expats and locals, and learn a thing or two about their traditions. On the other hand, this is also your chance to celebrate your favorite holiday abroad and share your own traditions with your community.
The Fourth of July
The most “iconic” (and thanks to pop culture the best-known) national holiday is Independence Day or Fourth of July. On this day, people in the USA get together to celebrate with large barbecues, parades, and, of course, fireworks.
However, Fourth of July was also celebrated by our members in other countries. On Saturday, 2 July, our community in Goiania hosted an American Independence Day party on a ranch just outside the city. The typical American BBQ was just as much of a highlight as the great company.
The community in Houston, on the other hand, met on Monday, 11 July, for a post 4th of July party. At a local steakhouse, they mixed and mingled, and enjoyed great wine and delicious American food.
If you have missed this year’s Fourth of July party, don’t worry, the fun isn’t over yet. The community in Orange County has declared July “Independence Month.” On Friday, 29 July, the motto is “red, white, and blue” as our members and their friends put on their dancing shoes and get ready to hit the dance floor for a belated Independence Day party.
Bastille Day
The French, as you may already know, celebrate their own version of Independence Day. On 14 July, they commemorate the storming of the bastille during the French Revolution. The Fête Nationale (or Bastille Day as it is called in English-speaking countries) is celebrated all throughout France.
As many expats use that extra day off to leave town and travel, the community in Lille hosted a pre-holiday mingle on Wednesday, 13 July. Members got together for a few drinks and a relaxed evening before everyone went off to enjoy the extended weekend.
Our community in Bordeaux, on the other hand, met on Thursday, 14 July, at Palais de la Truffe. Expats and global minds enjoyed wine and tapas, taking the opportunity to chat before heading outside to enjoy the fireworks together.
We are very saddened by the recent events in Nice and would like to express our sincere condolences to everybody affected by the attack.
Christmas in July
While many expats in the northern hemisphere enjoy the long days, things look a little different down under. In an attempt to make the best of the winter months and to give a traditional December holiday a wintery feel, some of our Australian communities are celebrating Christmas in July.
On Wednesday, 13 July, our community in Sydney met at the Bear Bar for a kitschy, cozy winter night, complete with Christmas trees, Glühwein, and even snow. Our members were happy to get out of the cold and spend a nice evening in great company celebrating a very early Christmas.
For InterNations members in Brisbane, the Christmas in July celebrations have yet to take place. On Tuesday, 26 July, we will head to a classy, stylish lounge with a 19th century Eastern European ambiance. Aside from great company, there will be live jazz music throughout the evening. So throw on your favorite Christmas outfit and celebrate Christmas in July with us!
Celebrate Your Community… the Quirky Way
Of course, there are lots of great, fun, and quirky ways to celebrate national holidays, explore your community and get to know the place where you live.
The Vienna Burgers & More Group, for instance, met on Friday, 15 July, to watch the new Independence Day movie and enjoy American barbecue and burgers, for a perfect, belated Fourth of July celebration.
On Friday, 22 July, the community in Heidelberg is hosting “Rock am River”, a unique summer party right at the Neckar. This is the perfect opportunity to let your hair down and kick back with a cocktail in hand. Feel free to bring your colleagues and friends.
InterNations Miami is celebrating National Tequila Day on Saturday, 23 July, at an antiques-filled spot inspired by Incan culture. We will participate in a mezcal vs. tequila showdown to find out which of the beverages is the favorite. To add to the fun, you should come wearing your funniest hat!
Are you celebrating a national holiday with a traditional barbecue or are you setting up a Christmas tree in July? Tell us how you celebrate your community this month!
Image credit: 1) Pexels, 2 + 3) InterNations, 4) iStockphoto, 5) InterNations, 6) StockUp, 7 + 8) InterNations.
Hi ! I didn’t received any information about a July 4th here in Rio de Janeiro. Did you guys celebrate the date ?
Hi Helena,
Thanks for getting in touch! No, not every InterNations Community had a 4th of July event. As far as I know, there was none in Rio, though there was a networking event on 13 July and a beach party this weekend. Hope that information helps!
Best,
Margit