The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Around the World for Festivals

May 27, 2024
Experience a festival when you travel

My biggest dream is to travel the World for Festivals.  And exploring the country they are in.  Why wouldn’t you want to celebrate and learn new cultures and enjoy traditions you don’t know about?  Imagine the learning, photographs, and finally the experience.  Priceless, right?

Experience a festival when you travel

If you’re a cultural enthusiast or just love vibrant celebrations. Traveling the world to experience festivals can be one of the most enriching and exhilarating ways to see the globe. From dancing under the midnight sun in Scandinavia.  Including the throwing colours in India.  Uqnielly, festivals offer a unique insight into the traditions, history, and spirit of a place.

Why I highly recommend traveling the world for Festivals :

Cultural Immersion:

Festivals offer a deep dive into local customs, traditions, and histories.

Unforgettable Experiences:

Festivals’ energy, colours, and joy create memories that last a lifetime.

Connecting with Locals:

Festivals are a great way to meet locals and fellow travelers, fostering connections and friendships.

Diverse Activities:

From music and dance to food and parades, festivals offer various activities to enjoy.

Top Festivals to Experience Around the World

  1. Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • When: February/March
    • Highlights: Samba parades, vibrant costumes, street parties.
    • Why Go: Experience the world’s largest carnival with non-stop music, dance, and spectacular floats.
  2. Diwali, India
    • When: October/November
    • Highlights: Fireworks, lighting oil lamps, sweets, and family gatherings.
    • Why Go: Witness the Festival of Lights as cities and homes are illuminated, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
  3. Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
    • When: Late September to early October
    • Highlights: Beer tents, traditional Bavarian music, food, and attire.
    • Why Go: Enjoy the world’s largest beer festival with delicious German brews and traditional cuisine.
  4. Chinese New Year, China
    • When: January/February
    • Highlights: Dragon dances, fireworks, family feasts, and lanterns.
    • Why Go: Celebrate the lunar new year with colorful parades and cultural performances.
  5. Holi, India
    • When: March
    • Highlights: Throwing colored powders, singing, dancing, festive foods.
    • Why Go: Join in the joyous and colorful celebration marking the arrival of spring.

Holi India Festival

  1. La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain
    • When: Last Wednesday of August
    • Highlights: Massive tomato fight.
    • Why Go: Engage in a fun and messy battle with thousands of participants.
  2. Day of the Dead, Mexico
    • When: November 1-2
    • Highlights: Colorful altars, sugar skulls, marigolds, parades.
    • Why Go: Experience this unique celebration of life and death with vibrant and heartfelt tributes to deceased loved ones.

Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico

  1. Glastonbury Festival, England
    • When: Last weekend of June
    • Highlights: Diverse music acts, theater, circus performances, art installations.
    • Why Go: Attend one of the world’s largest music and performing arts festivals with a diverse lineup.
  2. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, China
    • When: January to February
    • Highlights: Ice sculptures, ice castles, winter activities.
    • Why Go: Marvel at the incredible ice and snow sculptures illuminated with colorful lights.
  3. Cape Town International Jazz Festival, South Africa
    • When: Late March or early April
    • Highlights: Performances by international and local jazz artists.
    • Why Go: Enjoy world-class jazz performances in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Jazz Festival in Cape Town

Tips for Festival Travel

  1. Plan Ahead: Popular festivals attract large crowds, so book your accommodation and tickets well in advance.
  2. Respect Local Customs: Learn about the local customs and etiquette to fully appreciate and respect the festival’s cultural significance.
  3. Stay Safe: Be mindful of your surroundings and secure your belongings, especially in crowded areas.
  4. Pack Accordingly: Depending on the festival, you might need specific items like comfortable shoes, sunscreen, or even waterproof gear.
  5. Stay Hydrated: Many festivals involve a lot of physical activity and outdoor time, so keep hydrated and take care of your health.

Traveling around the world for festivals is more than just attending events.  It’s about experiencing the heart and soul of different cultures. Whether you’re dancing in the streets of Rio, or lighting lamps in India. Equally enjoying music under the African sky.  It’s important to note, these festivals offer a unique lens through which to see the world.

So pack your bags, grab your camera and your tripod, and get ready for a whirlwind tour of the globe’s most spectacular celebrations.

So do you agree?  Is it time to Travel the world for Festivals? Happy festival hopping!

Photographs used from Unsplash.com

The Ultimate Guide to Festivals in the world to see.

    8 Comments

  • KEVIN FOODIE
    May 28, 2024
    Reply

    Festivals are a fun way to learn about the culture of a country and get to know the people more. The Cape Town Jazz Festival sounds like a good vibe. Thanks for the inspiration.

    • WildFlower
      May 31, 2024
      Reply

      And there is also travelling for food!!

  • Jaishree
    June 3, 2024
    Reply

    This guide is fantastic! I love how it covers such a diverse range of festivals. Definitely adding some of these to my bucket list!

  • Carolyn | The Organic Gypsy
    June 3, 2024
    Reply

    Oh my! What a fun post! Travelling for festivals sounds like chasing the sun. 🙂 I can imagine it would be super amazingly fun. Great post!

  • Cindy Orley
    June 3, 2024
    Reply

    This would be a great way of creating a bucket list to travel the world through experiencing festivals.

  • Hari
    June 5, 2024
    Reply

    Travelling to see a festival will always provide us wonderful memories to take home with. Awesome festival selection!

  • Marina
    June 11, 2024
    Reply

    Traveling for a festival is an incredible experience. The past two years I’ve flown to Valencia, Spain for Las Fallas festival and it was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve ever had – something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. I am on the lookout for other festivals, so I’ll use your list to get started.

  • Michael Taylor
    June 11, 2024
    Reply

    After arriving in Bali, I discovered I scheduled to depart two days before its biggest holiday, Silent Day. So I decided to postpone my departure so I could experience it, and it was pure magic.

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