Playing dress-up: Eccentric costume festivals for grown-ups

By Daisy Carrington, for CNN

Updated 1428 GMT (2228 HKT) October 3, 2013

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Many of those attending the Wave-Gotik-Treffen music festival in Leipzig, Germany wear elaborate outfits and makeup. The range of style is surprisingly diverse.

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Wave-Gotik-Treffen music festival – Many of those attending the Wave-Gotik-Treffen music festival in Leipzig, Germany wear elaborate outfits and makeup. The range of style is surprisingly diverse.

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The Up Helly Aa festival celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian vikings in the Shetland Islands. The event culminates with up to 1000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into a Viking longship.

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Up Helly Aa – The Up Helly Aa festival celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian vikings in the Shetland Islands. The event culminates with up to 1000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into a Viking longship.

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The Venice Carnival is famous for the elaborate masks worn by the city's revelers. The festival, which supposedly has its origins in the 12th century, attracts nearly 3 million visitors each year.

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Venice Carnival – The Venice Carnival is famous for the elaborate masks worn by the city's revelers. The festival, which supposedly has its origins in the 12th century, attracts nearly 3 million visitors each year.

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The Burning Man festival takes place yearly in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Many participants opt to wear costumes (or body paint). This year, the festival attracted 61,000 attendees.

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Burning Man – The Burning Man festival takes place yearly in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Many participants opt to wear costumes (or body paint). This year, the festival attracted 61,000 attendees.

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Celebrants in Key West, Florida turn Halloween into a 10-day celebration during the annual Fantasy Fest, an epic street party that marks the city's busiest time of year.

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Fantasy Fest – Celebrants in Key West, Florida turn Halloween into a 10-day celebration during the annual Fantasy Fest, an epic street party that marks the city's busiest time of year.

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Every year, Halloween transforms the New York cityscape. Many residents design elaborate costumes for the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

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Greenwich Village Halloween Parade – Every year, Halloween transforms the New York cityscape. Many residents design elaborate costumes for the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

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Panagbenga – At the Panagbenga (flower) Festival in the Philippines, dancers dress up as the regional flora.

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The city of Cologne, Germany is transformed during the Cologne Carnival, when participants are eager to dress in fanciful costumes. Rose Monday is the highpoint of the Carnival season, which traditionally runs from Epiphany until Ash Wednesday.

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Cologne Carnival – The city of Cologne, Germany is transformed during the Cologne Carnival, when participants are eager to dress in fanciful costumes. Rose Monday is the highpoint of the Carnival season, which traditionally runs from Epiphany until Ash Wednesday.

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Mardi Gras is the biggest event on the New Orleans calendar. Costumes and masks are as integral to the festivities as multi-colored beads

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Mardi Gras – Mardi Gras is the biggest event on the New Orleans calendar. Costumes and masks are as integral to the festivities as multi-colored beads

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