Festivals are a powerful manifestation of cultural heritage and creativity, a vibrant celebration of life itself. For travelers looking to immerse themselves in the heart of a destination’s traditions and communal spirit, attending a local festival can be a transformative experience. This guide curates the top 20 festivals around the world, each offering a unique glimpse into the soul of its people and a spectacular array of colors, sounds, and emotions. Whether you’re drawn to rhythmic beats, artistic displays, or culinary feasts, these festivals are sure to enrich your travel experiences in 2024.
1. Rio Carnival, Brazil
Witness the world’s largest carnival in Rio de Janeiro, where vibrant floats, samba dancers, and the pulsating music fill the city with life and joy in late February.
Duration: Typically lasts for about 5 days.
Time: Late February
Weather: Hot and humid, around 30°C (86°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $150 – $500 per night
2. Diwali, India
Experience the Festival of Lights in October or November, as millions of lamps illuminate homes across India, celebrating good over evil with fireworks, feasts, and family gatherings.
Duration: The main festivities take place on one day, but related celebrations can span 5 days.
Time: October or November (varies by lunar calendar)
Weather: Generally mild, around 20-30°C (68-86°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $50 – $200 per night
3. La Tomatina, Spain
Join the fun at this quirky tomato-throwing festival in Buñol. Held on the last Wednesday of August, it’s a thrilling and messy spectacle that’s all about laughter and camaraderie.
Duration: Officially a one-day event.
Time: Last Wednesday of August
Weather: Hot, around 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $60 – $150 per night
4. Burning Man, USA
Venture into Nevada’s Black Rock Desert in late August for a week of radical self-expression and self-reliance in the arts at this iconic gathering.
Duration: Approximately 9 days.
Time: Last week of August to the first week of September
Weather: Hot days and cold nights, around 32°C (90°F) daytime, 10°C (50°F) at night
Average Hotel Cost: Not applicable (participants camp in the desert; camping gear required)
5. Oktoberfest, Germany
Don your lederhosen or dirndl and enjoy Munich’s world-famous beer fest from late September to the first weekend in October, featuring giant beer tents, Bavarian music, and delicious cuisine.
Duration: 16 to 18 days, depending on the year.
Time: Late September to the first weekend in October
Weather: Mild, around 13-18°C (55-64°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $300 per night
6. Cherry Blossom Festival, Japan
Celebrate spring during late March to early April in Japan, where pink and white sakura blooms provide a stunning backdrop for picnics and parties under the trees.
Duration: While the cherry blossoms might last a couple of weeks, festival events typically occur over 1-2 days in various locations.
Time: Late March to early April
Weather: Mild, around 10-15°C (50-59°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $300 per night
7. Mardi Gras, USA
Immerse yourself in New Orleans culture through parades, masquerade balls, and jazz music in this famous pre-Lenten celebration, culminating on Fat Tuesday.
Duration: Festivities can last up to two weeks, with the most intense celebrations occurring in the final 5 days leading up to Fat Tuesday.
Time: Culminates on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday, usually in February or March)
Weather: Mild, around 15-20°C (59-68°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $150 – $500 per night
8. Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland
Explore the world’s largest arts festival in August, where performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows of all kinds and for all tastes.
Duration: 25 days
Time: August
Weather: Mild to cool, around 13-17°C (55-63°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $250 per night
9. Holi, India
Partake in the Festival of Colors in March, a vibrant and joyful event where people throw colored powders and celebrate with music, dance, and festive foods.
Duration: Main Holi day is celebrated with colors for one day, though festivities can start a day earlier with Holika Dahan (the burning of Holika).
Time: March
Weather: Warm, around 20-30°C (68-86°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $30 – $100 per night
10. Carnival of Venice, Italy
Get swept away by the mystery and history of Venice in February, where elaborate masks and costumes are the hallmarks of this glamorous and traditional celebration.
Duration: Around 2 weeks.
Time: February
Weather: Cool, around 3-8°C (37-46°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $400 per night
11. Harbin Ice Festival, China
Marvel at the spectacular sculptures and ice buildings in Harbin from January to February, displayed in one of the world’s most impressive winter wonderlands.
Duration: Typically lasts about one month, depending on the weather conditions.
Time: January to February
Weather: Extremely cold, below -10°C (14°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $50 – $150 per night
12. Gion Matsuri, Japan
Experience Kyoto’s month-long festival in July, featuring stunning processions of floats and traditional clothing, steeped in centuries of history.
Duration: The festival spans the entire month of July, with main events on specific days.
Time: July
Weather: Very hot and humid, around 28-35°C (82-95°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $300 per night
13. Songkran, Thailand
Engage in Thailand’s traditional New Year’s celebration in April, known for its iconic water fights, a symbol of washing away misfortunes.
Duration: 3 days, though in some places celebrations can extend up to a week..
Time: April
Weather: Very hot, around 30-35°C (86-95°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $50 – $200 per night
14. Day of the Dead, Mexico
Observe this profound celebration of life and death on November 1st and 2nd, as families honor their deceased loved ones with altars, marigolds, and skull-shaped sweets.
Duration: The main celebrations occur on November 1st and 2nd, but associated events can take place over a week.
Time: November 1st and 2nd
Weather: Mild, around 15-25°C (59-77°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $50 – $200 per night
15. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA
Look to the skies in October as hundreds of hot air balloons take flight in New Mexico’s clear fall weather, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of color.
Duration: 9 days.
Time: October
Weather: Cool mornings and mild days, around 4-22°C (39-72°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $300 per night
16. Kumbh Mela, India
Join the world’s largest religious gathering in a rotation of four sacred riverside cities, a profound spiritual celebration that draws millions of Hindu pilgrims.
Duration: The festival itself spans several weeks, with major bathing days attracting the largest crowds.
Time: Dates vary (held once every 12 years at each of four locations)
Weather: Varies by location and time of year; generally mild to warm
Average Hotel Cost: $20 – $100 per night (temporary accommodations often erected)
17. White Nights Festival, Russia
Experience St. Petersburg’s artistic extravaganza from May through July, with all-night ballets, operas, and music under the midnight sun.
Duration: About 2 months, with events throughout this period.
Time: May through July
Weather: Mild, around 10-21°C (50-70°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $50 – $250 per night
18. Pamplona Bull Run, Spain
Feel the adrenaline at this controversial yet famous event in July, where thrill-seekers run with bulls through the city’s streets.
Duration: 9 days, with the bull run happening each morning.
Time: July 6-14
Weather: Warm, around 20-30°C (68-86°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $300 per night
19. Calgary Stampede, Canada
Experience “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” in July, with ten days of rodeo, music, and the vibrant culture of the Canadian West.
Duration: 10 days.
Time: Early July
Weather: Warm, typically around 15-25°C (59-77°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $100 – $250 per night
20. Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
Enjoy world-class performances at one of the world’s most renowned jazz festivals in early July, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Geneva.
Duration: About 2 weeks.
Time: Early July
Weather: Warm and pleasant, around 18-28°C (64-82°F)
Average Hotel Cost: $150 – $400 per night
