Introduction
Festivals and events are an integral part of culture – from music and art to parades and food. They allow us to connect with our communities, appreciate the diversity of people’s experiences and beliefs, and have a bit of fun!
Whether you’re an intrepid traveler, an occasional festival-goer, or just looking for ideas on how to make the most of your vacation time, there’s something for you out there. From remote mountain towns to busy city centers, take a look at some of the world’s most unique, colorful and exciting festivals and events!
Mardi Gras: The World's Most Notorious Party
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is one of the world’s most celebrated festivals. Taking place in New Orleans in February each year, this iconic event sees the French Quarter come alive like nowhere else on earth.
Inflatable balloons and vibrant beads adorn the streets, as costumed revellers dance their way through the myriad of colourful processions. Live music blares out of State Street as an array of bars and restaurants host concerts and parties throughout the day.
Mardi Gras revelers must follow the code of the 'Krewe of Mardi Gras' in order to be granted access to the more exclusive celebrations. Participation in the festivities can involve anything from face-painting, filmmaking and costume designing, to performing and improvising.
Whether you’re making your own float or just looking to enjoy the spectacle, Mardi Gras promises a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience.
Oktoberfest, Germany
Oktoberfest, held in Munich each year in September and October, is one of the world’s oldest, most venerable festivals.
This celebration of Bavarian culture, beer and traditional music is one of the largest in the world. Visitors from all corners of Europe and beyond flock to vast beer tents, or beer halls, to indulge in German delicacies, from pretzels and bratwurst to dumplings and knödel topped with gravy.
Live music, dance and games are the order of the day, and costumed participants commemorate the region’s history with the annual Parade of Tracht, where men donned in lederhosen and dirndl (traditional Bavarian dress) march and celebrate through the streets.
It’s customary to dress up in traditional Bavarian outfits (or buy props from the vendors peppered throughout the city), and join the merriment in cheers or hug a stranger or two!
La Tomatina, Spain
No list of spectacular festivals and events would be complete without La Tomatina, the world’s biggest tomato fight.
Held in the small town of Bunol, fifty kilometers outside Valencia in Spain, every August locals and tourists alike gather to pelt each other with ripe tomatoes. The rule is simple: don’t throw stones or any dangerous objects – and have as much fun as possible!
The carnage is usually kick-started with the launch of a ham into the crowd, which signals the start of the tomato throwing. The event ends with live music and dancing, followed by a communal paella feast.
It all began in 1945, when a group of locals thenaged to recreate the ‘bouquet’, a type of good-natured battle of flowers, fruits, and vegetables seen in other Spanish towns.
Holi, India
Holi is India’s most celebrated festival, held every spring to mark the start of a new season.
The festivities officially begin in India with a huge bonfire, signifying the departure of winter, then it’s a free-for-all! People of every religion, color and creed come out in force, armed with vibrant powders and buckets of water, to cover each other in a festival of joy and color.
For those looking to join in, there are numerous Holi festivals around the country, from New Delhi and Mumbai to Goa and Kolkata.
Holi has become increasingly commercialized in many parts of the country, with attractions such as DJ parties, nightly concerts, and endless food stalls. But its traditional side remains very much intact.
In some areas of the country, particularly in rural villages, Holi is still a strictly religious festival, and is steeped in customs and rituals related to Hinduism.
Songkran, Thailand
Songkran, also known as Thailand’s Water Festival, is held in April each year. Many consider this to be the biggest event in the country, with close to one million visitors descending upon Bangkok each year.
What was originally a water blessing ritual to welcome the New Year has evolved into an extravagant water fight and celebration. Paint, foam and water balloons fill the streets of Bangkok and other large cities, and locals and visitors alike wander around with giant water guns, buckets and spray bottles.
The festival also has an important spiritual side. Participants use water as an offering of blessing and respect at temples, and participants can be seen carrying buckets of water from the temple to splash strangers and onlookers in an act of good luck and goodwill.
International Kite Festival, India
Kite flying has a long standing tradition in India, and each Makar Sankranti in January, the skies of Ahmedabad come alive with kites of all shapes, sizes and colors.
One of the world’s most vibrant and spectacular festivals, the International Kite Festival sees locals, tourists and some of the world’s very best kite flyers heading to Gujarat to display their talents and compete in kite-making and aerial acrobatics.
The festival offers something for everyone, from kite-making classes and live music to nighttime firework displays. It’s even home to some of the world’s biggest kites!
This is an event not to be missed – the sight of thousands of bright, sky-high kites cutting through the night sky is an unforgettable experience and a fantastic way to kick off the New Year.
La Diablada, Bolivia
An extraordinary parade marching down the streets of Oruro, La Diablada marks the beginning of Carnaval, a massive party happening all over South America each February.
With its origins in the traditional Carnival parade, La Diablada has become a unique cultural expression of the Bolivian region, bringing with it vibrant colors and costumes, as well as musicians and dancers portraying devils, angels, and other mythical beings.
Huge devils, with their scowling faces, smoke-filled eyes, and wild costumes, take center stage. This frenzied procession is accompanied by the incessant noise of hundreds of drums and local brass bands, filling the air with infectious rhythms and a celebration of carnal joy.
The celebration has come to represent an outpouring of Bolivian pride and culture, and each participant’s commitment to the festivities, regardless of age or background, is truly humbling.
Burning Man, USA
Burning Man is a completely unique event, occurring for one week each year in Nevada’s Black Rock City.
This is an experimental and interactive community dedicated to the exploration of life, art and culture. This is quite literally the opposite of a regular festival – the streets are free from currency and the 10 guiding principles ensure a radical inclusion of attendees.
The week culminates in the burning of the man – a 40-foot tall wooden sculpture – representing an ancient tradition of human self-expression and facilitating an atmosphere of creativity, collaboration and reflection.
The experience of Burning Man is truly transformative – those attending are invited to look deep within themselves and to explore their own psyche, all while connecting with some of the world’s most inspirational and daring art pieces and experiences.
Conclusion
From the shores of the Mediterranean to the rolling plains of Nevada, the world is filled with unique and vibrant festivals and events that showcase the diversity of culture and tradition. Whether you’re looking to join in a modern celebration of style or a centuries-old ritual, this guide should have given you some ideas for your next adventure.
The world is waiting for you – so get out there and experience something new!