Festivals are a great reason to travel: as well as discovering a new place, you can also celebrate with locals and share traditions both old and new. Whether you celebrate Easter in a Catholic country, go no-holds-barred at Carnaval, head to Nevada for Burning Man, rock out at a music festival, or take part in one of the many crazy annual events around the world, you’re sure to have a fantastic time.
Summer festivals podcast
Thousands of festivals of all sizes are held around the world, so any list of “the best festivals” has to leave out some amazing events. In this case, we’ve chosen one (or maybe two) festivals from each continent, that we either love, or would love to attend. Listen to our Best summer festivals around the world podcast.
Festival travel resources
Book accommodation and travel insurance for festivals through us — we love it when you do that!
A few of our favourite festivals!
Burning Man Festival
What is Burning Man? Burning Man is a gathering of like-minded people in the middle of the Black Rock desert in Nevada … But it’s a bit more complicated than that. The Burning Man Festival The Burning Man festival brings together a temporary community of people from all walks of life in the Nevada Desert,…
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Travel Festivals around the world, month by month
January festivals
Wherever you happen to be in January, you’re likely to start the month by celebrating the New Year. There are hundreds of different events and traditions to take part in, and that’s just the first day of the year! Later in the month, there’s a bit of snow and ice, some fire, and heaps of…
February festivals
The northern hemisphere might still be shivering, but we’ve got a pile of things to do in February that’ll keep you happy no matter where you are — check out our pick of the best February festivals in the world. 1. The Venice Carnival Where: Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy When: 2019: February 16 —…
March festivals
March is a busy month, with Holi, Las Fallas, and St Patrick’s Day all being celebrated. If those aren’t of interest, there’s always the sheeps’ testicles. Wildfoods Festival Where: Hokitika, New Zealand When: 2019: March 9 If you’ve never tasted a sheep’s testicle, then this is the event for you. Or if those mountain oysters…
April festivals
You’d think that New Year was well and truly done by now, but amongst our things to do around this world in April are two more New Year celebrations. There are also demonic spirits hiding up ladies’ skirts, and — we can’t forget — the yams. 1. Trelawny Yam Festival Where: Albert Town, Jamaica When:…
May festivals
Spring is truly here in the northern hemisphere, while things are slowing down a bit in the south. Looking for somewhere amazing to go in May? Our picks for the top May festivals are quite magical, with a bit of whimsy thrown in for balance. Without further ado, here’s some of the best May festivals…
June festivals
Food, wine, music, parties — one of the best things about travelling is to experience how other countries eat, drink, and make merry. Taking part in a local festival is a fantastic way to get deeper into the local psyche, and generally have a great time! June is the height of summer in the northern…
July festivals
Festivals allow you to jump in and experience a place during its most emotional and exciting time. Join the locals as they celebrate whatever it is they see fit to celebrate — and there are certainly some interesting events out there! July is summer in the northern hemisphere, mid-winter in the south. The weather affects…
August festivals
August is an amazing month for festivals! From Spain’s crazy La Tomatina to the cultural experience that is the Edinburgh Fringe, to the madness of Burning Man in the Nevada desert — there really is something for everyone. It’s the last month of summer in the northern hemisphere; winter is almost over in the south…
September festivals
It’s starting to cool down in the Northern Hemisphere and heat up in the south — a perfect time for festivals! Whether you’re heading to Burning Man, watching the gondolas in Venice, drinking too much or eating moon cakes, you’re sure to have an awesome time at one of these amazing September festivals around the…
October festivals
October brings a huge variety of celebrations around the world, often full of colour and excitement. From MassKara in the Philippines, to Oktoberfest in Germany, to Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta in the United States — as well as hundreds, if not thousands of other events around the world — there’s something to get involved in near…
November festivals
It’s a time of big national events in most of the world… Just what is it about November that brings together so many parties? No matter what, there are plenty of things to do around the world, and plenty of November festivals to take part in — many of which involve fire! 1. Día de…
December festivals
Christmas might seem to fill most of the world — and you’re sure to find a Christmas celebration to suit you, if that’s what you’re after. But there are also plenty of Santa-free events around the world to fill your December. Beat up on Santa! Where: Küssnacht, Switzerland When: December 5 every year You heard…