No matter the country, thereโs bound to be a celebration or festival to enjoy. Festivals are one of the best ways to experience the unique culture, food, and music that a destination has to offer, and there are so many to choose from.
If youโre on a mission to attend the best festivals in the world, here are 18 you canโt miss.ย ย
Where to Find the Best Festivals in the World
Letโs take a look at the best festivals in the world, and where you can find them.
1.Holi
- Where: Cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur
- When: March (dates vary with the lunar calendar)
- Main Activities: Celebrate with water and colored powder fights, feast on gujiyas (sweet dumplings), and enjoy folk music and dancing.
- What to Expect: A joyous atmosphere, especially in cities like Mathura and Jaipur. Dress in white for the ultimate splash of color.
- Where to Stay: Look for central guesthouses or homestays near event hotspots like Jaipurโs City Palace. Book early.
Color and unity are what the Holi festival celebrations are all about. During this two-day festival, people throw colors and celebrate everything that unifies them. This is a sight unlike anything youโve ever seen and the joy is contagious. While the festivities are quite mild in the mornings, by the afternoon, everyone is involved and dancing to music. Once the street festivities are done, most people continue the celebrations at home.
2. Carnivale Di Venezia
- Where: Venice, Italy
- When: February
- What to Expect: Elaborate masks, opulent costumes, and grand masquerade balls take you back to a glamorous past. St. Markโs Square hosts open-air performances.
- Where to Stay: Boutique hotels near Piazza San Marco, or try quieter neighborhoods like Cannaregio for affordability.
Spend time wandering around the ancient streets of Venice, which is packed with people in 18th century costumes during this annual festival. Along with feeling like youโve stepped through a time portal, there are several areas that offer great parties during this time, including Cannaregio and Dorsoduro.
(Pro tip: Read our guide to healthcare in Italy to make sure you know how to get medical care if you need it!)
3. Swedish Midsummer
- Where: Rural towns and Stockholmโs archipelago
- When: Late June
- What to Expect: A celebration of summer with traditional dances around the maypole, flower crowns, and indulgent meals featuring pickled herring and schnapps.
- Where to Stay: Cozy countryside cottages or accommodations by Stockholmโs islands for authentic vibes.
Every year, the Swedes host a three-day Midsummer celebration that includes picking flowers, creating wreaths, dancing and eating, all the while enjoying the longest day of the year. Most celebrations start in the afternoon and run through to midnight. While Stockholm is the best place to experience this celebration, most of the other cities in Sweden celebrate it in parks too.
4. Mardi Gras
- Where: New Orleans, USA
- When: February or March
- What to Expect: Parades, jazz music, and beads galore. Watch colorful floats cruise through the city, and join lively street parties in the French Quarter.
- Where to Stay: French Quarter hotels sell out quicklyโreserve early. Nearby neighborhoods like Uptown are great alternatives.
Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is one of the best festivals in the world, if only for the fact that itโs one BIG party. While itโs celebrated by Christians globally, New Orleans has become almost synonymous with this festival โ dating back to 1857. Festivities include lively parades of floats and masked, costumed partygoers dressed in purple, green, and gold (symbolizing justice, faith, and power, respectively).
5. Snowbombing
- Where: Mayrhofen, Austria
- When: April
- What to Expect: A festival merging skiing and live music. Enjoy electronic and indie performances at mountain stages and igloos.
- Where to Stay: Mayrhofenโs ski lodges are perfect, with easy access to festival venues and ski slopes.
If youโre game for a good party, Snowbombing is one of the biggest celebrations that take place in Austria every year. While the festival is centered around snow sports, the music festival is one of the highlights. Enjoy the snowboarding competitions and tricks by the pros during the day and watch an array of music acts by night. You wonโt have a better experience on snow.
(Pro tip: Read our guide to healthcare in Austria to make sure youโre clued up if something happens!)
6. San Vino Wine Fight
- Where: Haro, Spain
- When: Late June
- What to Expect: Toss wine at strangers, drink with new friends, and explore Spainโs wine culture in this quirky battle near Haro.
- Where to Stay: Stay in Haro or rent a vineyard cottage. Book transport to the site in advance.
This is one of Europeโs most underrated festivals. Every year, thousands of people gather in Haro after sunrise to join a battle that only involves red wine and good times. Use a bucket, water gun or any other weapon that can hold red wine and youโre ready to go. Spend the day spraying others with wine well into the evening, which is when the party continues.
Recommended Read: Tips for Seeing Europe by Train
7. Notting Hill Carnival
- Where: Notting Hill, London
- When: August Bank Holiday Weekend
- What to Expect: Vibrant parades celebrating Caribbean culture, live music, and street food (like jerk chicken!).
- Where to Stay: Look for accommodations in West London or nearby Paddington for convenience.
This vibrant carnival takes place over the bank holiday weekend in August and fills the streets with floats, dancers and drums. Months of preparation go into this event and itโs something that people of all ages can enjoy. Whether you want to enjoy the floats or dance, this is one of the best ways to spend a day in London in August.
8. Carnival
- Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- When: February or March
- What to Expect: Crowded streets alive with energy. Parades in Rio, Salvador, and Sรฃo Paulo are must-sees.
- Where to Stay: Book accommodations six months early โ choose from hostels in Rioโs Santa Teresa or luxury hotels in Ipanema.
Arguably one of the most well-known of the best festivals in the world: Brazilโs Carnival is widely considered โthe greatest show on Earthโ.ย Attracting nearly 5 million people each year, the Carnival is historically a religious celebration, taking place over the 5 days preceding Lent โ and coincides with the end of the brutal Brazilian summertime. So, picture 5 million people whoโve been baking in the heat for months, preparing to give up the things they love for 40 days, set loose in a city filled with lively music and beautiful dancers grooving all over the city. Itโs colorful chaos!
(Pro tip: Read our guide to healthcare in Brazil to make sure youโre clued up if something happens!)
9. Day of the Dead
- Where:ย Mexico City, Mexico
- When:ย November
- What to Expect: A deeply cultural and spiritual experience with lively celebrations in Oaxaca and Mexico City.
- Where to Stay: Book charming boutique hotels near event hotspots in Oaxaca or Coyoacรกn in Mexico City.
Dia de los Meurtos has been around for centuries and while the people of Mexico like to celebrate it in different ways, visitors can enjoy an eye-catching parade that honors those who have passed on. Everyone is encouraged to dress up on the day and join the festivities with the locals. There is also plenty of food, drinks and music to enjoy โ it is a celebration after all.
10. La Tomatina
- Where: Buรฑol, Spain
- When: Last Wednesday of August
- What to Expect: A fun and messy morning in Buรฑol. Bring a sense of humor and goggles!
- Where to Stay: Valencia, about 40 km away, offers many lodging options and transport to the festival.
When it comes to the best festivals in the world, La Tomatina is the ultimate food fight festival. Held every August in the town of Buรฑol, this event is well attended with around 20,000 participants every year. The hour-long battle begins with the firing of water cannons, immediately after which chaos ensues with over 100 tons of over-ripe tomatoes being squashed and flung all over.
11. Oktoberfest
- Where: Munich, Germany
- When: September
- What to Expect: Massive beer tents, traditional clothing (dirndl and lederhosen), and fun competitions. Munich is the hub!
- Where to Stay: Munich fills quickly โ check for hotels or Airbnbs nearby or stay further out and use public transport.
During the month of September, Munich is filled with beer tents, pretzels and lederhosen. In fact, the city sees over 6 million visitors over this two-week period. It might be busy but the atmosphere is unmatched. Enjoy traditional food, dancing, music and, of course, some of the best beer in the world.
12. Hogmanay
- Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
- When: December
- What to Expect: The worldโs most famous New Yearโs celebration featuring firework shows, torchlight processions, and street parties.
- Where to Stay: Choose central accommodations near Princes Street. Book early, as demand is sky-high!
If you want to try something different for your next New Yearโs celebration, head to Scotland for Hogmanay. This is one of the best ways to ring in the new year, Viking style. From concerts and bonfires to music and a Viking procession, this is a two-day celebration everyone should experience at least once.
13. Songkran Water Festival
- Where: Thailand
- When: Mid-April
- What to Expect: A three-day water fight marking the Thai New Year. Visit temples in the morning before splashing your way through afternoon fun.
- Where to Stay: Riverside hotels or central lodgings for easy access to celebrations.
Celebrating the traditional New Year, Thailandโs Songkran Water Festival is held every April all over the country. But Chiang Maiโs Songkran is legendary and not to be missed โ it is the most anticipated holiday in Thailand. The word โSongkranโ comes from the Sanskrit word meaning โastrological passageโ, meaning transformation or change. Celebrations are famous for the public water fights framed as ritual cleansing. Sprinkling water signifies blessing, purging, and newness. Festivities include bubbles, performances from professional dancers, religious processions, and other fun ways to keep cool.
14. Hermanus Whale Festival
- Where: Hermanus, South Africa
- When: Between June and October/September
- What to Expect: A celebration of marine life during peak whale-watching season, featuring food stalls, live music, and southern right whales close to shore.
- Where to Stay: Book early for seafront guesthouses or boutique lodges near the cliff paths or town center.
Hermanus is South Africaโs whale-watching capital. The small seaside town of Hermanus sits just a couple of hours southeast of Cape Town. Here the water stays right up against the shoreline, so even if youโre not on a boat cruise, youโll often have close-up views of resident Brydeโs whales and, between June and October, migratory southern right and humpback whales. September is when the city hosts its whale-themed festival, where youโll find interactive exhibits, live music performances, and food trucks and craft stalls.
(Pro tip: Read our guide to healthcare in South Africa to make sure youโre clued up if something happens!)
15. Yi Peng Festival: Lantern Festival
- Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
- When: Full moon of 12th Lunar Month (Usually Mid-November)
- What to Expect: Thousands of lanterns float into the night sky, accompanied by prayers and wishes.
- Where to Stay: Boutique hotels near the Ping River offer great views and a peaceful vibe.
Held annually in the second lunar month of the year as part of the festival of lights in Northern Thailand. Yi Peng is celebrated all over Thailand, but Chiang Mai hosts the largest Yi Peng Festival and tops off their enviable displays with cultural shows and fireworks you wonโt want to miss.
During this time, homes and public places are decked out in colorful hanging lanterns and flag decorations. Festivities include a parade, live music, dance shows, and releasing of lanterns into the night sky. Itโs commonly believed that releasing lanterns symbolizes letting go of past misfortune and making a clean start.
16. Diwali
- Where: All over India (notably Delhi, Jaipur, and Varanasi)
- When: October or November (dates vary with the lunar calendar)
- What to Expect: Streets light up with oil lamps and lanterns, fireworks illuminate the skies, and prayers are offered for prosperity. Enjoy festive foods, cultural performances, and markets brimming with gifts and sweets.
- Where to Stay: Stay in centrally located hotels in major cities like Jaipur or Varanasi to enjoy festive activities nearby. Book well in advance.
Held in October or November, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Cities and towns glow with thousands of diyas (oil lamps) and string lights. Families exchange gifts, enjoy festive meals, and burst fireworks in celebration. Religious rituals vary by region but often include worshiping Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
17. Jember Fashion Carnival
- Where: Jember, East Java, Indonesia
- When: Annually in August
- What to Expect: Streets transform into a spectacular runway for intricate, artistic costumes inspired by Indonesian culture. Expect parades, music, and captivating designs celebrating heritage and creativity.
- Where to Stay: Stay near the city center for proximity to parades. Smaller boutique hotels provide a unique cultural touch.
Held annually in East Java, the Jember Fashion Carnival showcases avant-garde designs inspired by Indonesian heritage. Vibrant costumes parade through city streets in spectacular displays of artistry and culture, accompanied by music and street performances.
(Pro tip: Read our guide to healthcare in Indonesia to make sure youโre informed before your trip!)
18. Cherry Blossom Festival
- Where: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other locations across Japan
- When: MarchโApril (varies by bloom timing)
- What to Expect: Stroll through parks adorned with delicate cherry blossoms during hanami (flower-viewing parties). Seasonal food stalls, cultural performances, and craft markets enrich the festive atmosphere.
- Where to Stay: Choose accommodations near major parks like Ueno Park in Tokyo or Maruyama Park in Kyoto to easily enjoy the blossoms.
Held in spring, the Cherry Blossom Festival (hanami) is a time to admire blooming sakura trees, especially in iconic spots like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Locals and tourists alike picnic under the blossoms, enjoying seasonal treats, traditional performances, and festive markets.
(Pro tip: Check out our guide to healthcare in Japan โ just in case!)
No matter what time of the year youโre planning to travel, chances are you will be able to find an exciting event or festival that you can join and enjoy. If you want to do something a little different on your next trip, head to a local festival.
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