Festivals promise unforgettable moments filled with color, music, tradition, and joy. Here is a list of 18 bucket list festivals to attend from around the globe!
#1: Carnival – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-
- When: February or March (before Lent)
- What: The Rio Carnival is where 12 samba schools compete with elaborate performances, intricate costumes, and samba dancing to win the championship title. The dazzling visuals, floats, and passionate dancers make the event come to life. The street parties are iconic to attend in the city during the event! We booked the backstage tour to get a feel for the event since we had to fly to Brazil late and missed the show. This is also a great option to book if you are not in Rio during the Carnival! We got to try on the traditional costumes, learn how to samba with a professional, and see the floats up close! They even provided a refreshing drink at the end of the tour.
- Tickets: Book Your Tickets!
- Backstage Tickets During Off Season!
#2: Diwali- India
- When: October or November
- What: Known as the Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali illuminates India’s cultural landscape with fireworks, oil lamps, and rangoli designs. Celebrated to honor goddess Lakshmi, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
#3: Holi- India
- When: March
- What: The Festival of Colors, Holi, is a celebration of spring’s arrival, marked by throwing colorful powders at friends and strangers alike. Both Holi and Diwali celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
- Tickets: Book Tickets to the Holi Event and Taj Mahal All in One
#4: Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
- When: Late September to the first weekend in October
- What: Oktoberfest is a celebration renowned for its massive beer tents, hearty foods, traditional costumes, and lively folk music.
- Tickets: Reserve a Table
#5: Glastonbury Festival – Pilton, England
- When: Five-day event in Late June
- What: The event is at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, England every year. It is one of the world’s largest outdoor music festivals.
- Tickets: Learn more here!
#6: La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
- When: Aug 27, 2025
- What: La Tomatina is the world’s largest tomato fight. The chaotic yet exhilarating event is in the streets of Buñol. La Tomatina celebrates the joy of letting loose and the importance of lighthearted fun.
- Tickets: Learn More
#7: Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA
- When: February or March (before Lent)
- What: Mardi Gras is known for its elaborate floats, beads, and jazz music. The celebration in New Orleans features parades, masked balls, and street parties. It’s a time for people to let loose and enjoy themselves before the start of Lent.
- Tickets: Behind the Scenes Tour
#8: Songkran – Thailand
- When: Mon, Apr 13, 2026 – Wed, Apr 15, 2026
- What? The Thai New Year, Songkran, is famous for its water fights. The water battle symbolizes cleansing and renewal.
- Tickets: Learn More
#9: Gion Matsuri – Kyoto, Japan
- When? July
- What? Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri is a month-long celebration featuring majestic decorated floats called yamaboko. Participants wear kimono.
- Tickets: Book Tickets
#10: Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Edinburgh, Scotland
- When: August
- What? At the Fringe you can find musical theatre, dramatic plays, musicians, comics, magicians, acrobatic acts, and more, providing entertainment for every interest.
- Tickets: FREE
#11: Semana Santa – Guatemala
- When: Sun, Mar 29, 2026 – Sun, Apr 5, 2026
- What: Guatemala’s Semana Santa is a visually stunning religious festival marked by intricate alfombras—carpets woven from flowers laid out on city streets.
#12: Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) – Mexico
- When: November 1–2
- What: This vibrant Mexican tradition honors deceased loved ones through colorful altars, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, and traditional foods. Celebrated with music, dance, and storytelling, Día de los Muertos transforms grief into a joyful remembrance.
#13: Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival – Harbin, China
- When: January to February
- What: In the depths of winter, Harbin hosts a festival featuring massive ice sculptures, snow art, and illuminated ice castles. Artists from around the world carve intricate designs into blocks of ice, transforming the city into a frozen wonderland.
#14: Gentse Feesten – Ghent, Belgium
- When: Mid-July
- What: Known as Ghent’s city-wide carnival, the Gentse Feesten spans ten days of music, theater, street performances, and fireworks.
#15: Tsechu – Bhutan
- When: Various dates throughout the year
- What: Bhutan’s sacred Tsechu festivals are religious events featuring mesmerizing mask dances, religious rituals, and prayers held in monasteries and dzongs. These colorful festivals celebrate Guru Rinpoche’s teachings.
#16: Coachella – Indio, California, USA
- When: April
- What: Coachella is one of the world’s premier music and arts festivals, attracting top-tier performers across genres like rock, pop, electronic, and indie.
#17: Lantern Festival – Pingxi, Taiwan
- When: February or March (15th day of Lunar New Year)
- What: Lantern Festival marks the end of Lunar New Year celebrations, with thousands of lanterns released into the sky. Participants write wishes on the lanterns before releasing them. The event symbolizes letting go of past troubles and embracing new beginnings.
#18: Up Helly Aa – Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
- When: Last Tuesday in January
- What: Up Helly Aa is a Viking fire festival. Thousands of people, dressed as Vikings, march through the streets of Lerwick, carrying torches. The purpose is to celebrate Shetland’s Norse heritage and the return of the light after the winter solstice.
#Bonus: Saint Patrick’s Day – Ireland and Worldwide
- When: March 17
- What: Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated with parades, green attire, and lively pub scenes. Communities come together to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
Have you ever experienced any of these festivals? Whether you’ve danced in Rio’s streets nor joined a water fight in Thailand, these celebrations leave lasting impressions. Share your experiences below and inspire others!