Photo by jules:stonesoup — Some Rights Reserved

The amazing autumnal colors of Lake Wanaka give the Festival of Colour its name. In the heart of the Southern Alps, as you stand on the banks of the lake you might just be able to pretend you are one of the protagonists of the Lord of the Rings films. Whether you are a Hobbit or Elf, you can bask in the simple pleasures of Whole Roasted Rainbow Trout.

This recipe concedes that you will probably have to buy your trout at a fish market rather than fish for it from the lake, and that you can roast it in the oven rather than over an open fire. No matter, it tastes wonderful and goes nicely with one of the area’s award-winning pinot noirs.

- Ana Maria Harkins

Photo by Robb & Jessie Stankey — Some Rights Reserved

Like all great festivals, Coachella makes sure that an array of food and beverages are available for festival fans to enjoy, making for a complete and relaxing experience. At the campgrounds you’ll find everything from burritos to johnny cakes and “hangover hash”. Speaking of which, there are full bars in different areas of the festival ranging from mixologists concocting fancy cocktails to guys with beer in plastic cups.

As you know if you’ve reviewed the KadmusArts Essential Festival Packing List, Mick Jagger drinks two glasses of water for every one glass of alcohol. Please heed this advice as you prepare this amazingly refreshing Ginger Lemonade, which calls for eight ounces of vodka. You can also leave out the booze and opt for just club soda to augment the lemonade.

- Ana Maria Harkins

Photo by Krissy.Venosdale — Some Rights Reserved

Snowbombing Festival in the beautiful mountains of Austria is a destination festival if ever there was one. Our favorite performances are the acoustic sets that take place in an igloo on top of a mountain!

Here’s a recipe that uses local, natural ingredients: snow and chocolate. You’ll need a double boiler, but other than that, Chocolate Snow takes only fifteen minutes to make and about two minutes to eat!

- Ana Maria Harkins

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We agree that laughter is the best medicine, so the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the cure for what ails you, whatever it is. From earthy Aussie humor to some of the greats of the international comedy scene, there’s something for every sensibility.

Looking for a food angle, we came upon the act called Edible Pets. Was this some twisted humor encouraging you to roast your hamster? Thankfully no. Edible Pets are Matt Dyktynski and Bang Mango Cools, “two middle aged men with something to say and a rapidly diminishing amount of time to say it in”. They are one of the acts well worth checking out after you’ve polished off this recipe for Baked Meringue with Peaches. It’s a half-baked idea, but the best ones often are.

- Ana Maria Harkins

Photo by Lynn Gardner — Some Rights Reserved

Most people associate the potato with Idaho, and indeed, it is the state vegetable, thriving in the state’s rich volcanic soil and climate. But, in the spirit of Treefort Music Fest’s mission to forge new paths we turn to Idaho’s state fruit — the huckleberry.

This recipe for Fresh Huckleberry and Fig Tart is a great way to spend an afternoon, and to then start your festival evening by sharing this lovely dessert with friends and family.

- Ana Maria Harkins