Happy Hump Day, Gadling'ers! It's time to look at the festivals and events happening around the world, and this week has a particularly international selection of happenings. If you're close and have time, then you have no excuse to get out and go!

• Islamabad - The Hot Air Ballooning Competition in Pakistan begins this Thursday, October 15 and ends on the 18th.
  
• Malawi - Lake of Stars: This special music festival takes place on the shores of Lake Malawi. The festival begins on Thursday, October 15 and lasts through the 18th.
  
• New Zealand - Wanakafest 2009: The Wanakafest, a fun festival that includes urban downhill biking, bike back flips, snowboard rail jam, music, waterfront events, a fashion show, a food and wine fair and a street parade among other things begins this Thursday, October 15 and ends on the 18th.
• Pittsburgh - International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival: Pittsburgh's an annual celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered writers, directors, actors and their work begins this Friday, October 16, and continues until October 25th.
• Delhi - Diwalli, the Festival of Lights, will be held this Saturday, October 17. It is a colorful celebration of the victory of the good within people over evil. Traditionally people give gifts to family, friends and employees, making Delhi a bustling marketplace.
• Shanghai - The 10th Annual China Shanghai International Arts Festival begins this Sunday, October 18 and runs until the 23rd. The performing arts fair, a major sector of the festival, is the largest and most effective performing arts market of its kind in China.
  
• Sao Paolo - Grande Premio do Brasil: Brazil's featured Formula 1 car race will be held this Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m.
  

If you make it to one of these events, let us know how it was, or if you know of an even that's coming up, please let us here at Gadling know and we'll be sure to include it in the next "Get out and go" round-up.

'Til next week, have a great weekend -- the first of October!

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Asia, North America, Oceania, South America, Malawi, China, India, Pakistan, United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Nightlife, News, Middle East