Five festivals from around the world this weekend

Once again, this weekend will be marked with celebrations around the world, including the Hindu festival Thaipusam, the Aviemore Sled Dog Rally in Scotland, the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise and more.

Tourists take in the one-of-a-kind ice sculptures, carved from 300lb blocks of solid ice, that are on display as part of the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise, Alta., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016. Image by Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP

Tourists will have the chance to take in the one-of-a-kind ice sculptures, carved from 300lb blocks of solid ice, that are on display as part of the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. The festival runs 15 to 24 January and features ice artists from around the world competing for the top honours. This year’s theme for the sculptures is Earth, Wind, Fire and Water, Elements of Life.

Traditional “Parachicos” dancers wearing wooden masks perform on the street during a Catholic celebration in Chiapas De Corzo, Mexico. Image by AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo

Traditional “Parachicos” dancers wearing wooden masks perform on the street during a Catholic celebration in Chiapas De Corzo, Mexico. The festivity, which has been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, takes place from 4 to 23 January every year in honor of the Christ of Esquipulas, Saint Anthony Abbot and Martyr Saint Sebastian.

A Husky puppy during a practice session in the forest at Feshiebridge ahead of the 33rd Aviemore Sled Dog Rally. Image by Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Huskies and their owners are preparing in the forest at Feshiebridge for the 33rd Aviemore Sled Dog Rally being held in the shadow of the Cairngorm mountains, Scotland this weekend. Over 1,000 sled dogs and 250 mushers are expected to take part in the race, according to event organisers The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain.

A bagpiper plays. Image by Ian Stannard / CC BY-SA 2.0

Robbie Burns Day, celebrated often with a Burns supper, is a celebration of Scottish poet Robert Burns. The events are held around the world and the suppers are usually held on the poet’s birthday – 25 January. The event is generally opened with a greeting from a piper, haggis and a the singing of Burns’ famous poem Auld Lang Syne.

The Thaipusam festival. Image by Leocadio Sebastian / CC BY 2.0

Some 150,000 worshippers will take part in a procession which officially launches the Hindu Thaipusam festival in Malaysia, accompanied by a 7.3m silver chariot. The procession will begin at Kuala Lumpur’s Sri Mahamariamman temple Friday and is expected to reach the Batu Caves holy site on Saturday, returning to the KL temple by midnight on Monday. Thaipusam is a Hindu celebration that is dedicated to thanksgiving to Murugan, for answered prayers, and is a day of penance.