40 Best Festivals Around The World

40 Best Festivals Around The World

The end of summer is quickly approaching and many people have enjoyed numerous festivals around the world.

However, just because summer in the northern hemisphere is ending, doesn’t mean festival season is over.

There are still numerous fall festivals and winter festivals that you can attend. Alternatively, you can start planning for next years summer festivals.

A lot of people are still enjoying their summer holidays and traveling to various destinations around the world and it got me thinking about all the festivals around the world.


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These festivals include a small music festival, famous festival, summer festivals, country festival, and some of the biggest music festivals.

Table of Contents

Best Festivals Around The World

I have been to a few festivals in various countries, with the most recent being Fasnacht (Carnival) in Basel, Switzerland earlier this year.

I asked some other travel bloggers to share their favorite festival and the number of responses was incredible. This means, there are a lot of amazing festivals around the world to discover in this guide.

1. Isle of MTV in Malta

Malta has many local festivals and events, which makes life on the island very nice. It is indeed pleasant to have different activities every almost weekend, especially when the warm weather arrives.

Summer is definitely the best time of the year to experience Malta. Strawberries, fireworks, wine, and beer are only a few of the protagonists of these festivals, to which you can add a plethora of religious festivities.

However, there is one event that attracts all the young and many others on the island including those from abroad. It is the Isle of MTV.

The famous TV channel has been organizing this concert since 2002, and from its sixth edition moved the location to Malta, where it still takes place on the Tuesday of the last week of June or the first of July from 6 pm to midnight.

The concert is free of charge and attracts approximately 10,000 people. They squeeze in a very scenic square called the Granaries.

It is situated in front of the Church of Floriana, near the capital of Valletta.

The lineup is always world-class, and it is a good opportunity to see famous singers live for free.

In the last years, some of the artists that performed were Enrique Iglesias, Rita Ora, Jessie J, Snoop Dog, LMFAO, Martin Garrix, and many more.

If you are planning a trip to Malta, think of organizing it during that week. You can be part of one of the best events on the island. 

2. Houghton Festival in King’s Lynn, Norfolk England

Recommended by Hanna Thomas from Solarpoweredblonde.

Houghton-Festival-Norfolk-England

Houghton Festival takes place in South East England in King’s Lynn, in Norfolk. It is set on the grounds of Houghton Hall, which has huge amounts of land around it. It takes place in summer but make sure to bring plenty of warm clothes if you will be camping here.

During the day it was lovely and warm but at night it was freezing. There was also one day of rain when I was there, of course, to be expected in England! I would recommend some waterproof shoes too!

There is also a choice of yurts and airstreams for those who don’t want to camp. What makes this festival amazing is the setting. All the stages are in the woods and surrounding the lake.

There are lights weaved in and out of the trees which give it a magical feeling. It is a 24-hour festival so be prepared for minimal sleep!

There are loads of yummy food stalls and amazing music of course! There is a whole range of genres from house to electro to EDM and drum and bass.

When you are not dancing, there is also a small train that takes you on a tour of the grounds and up to Houghton hall itself.

You can’t go too close, but it’s lovely to see.

3. The Tihar Festival In Nepal

Recommended by Michelle Della Giovanna from Full Time Explorer.

Tihar-Festival-Decor

The Tihar Festival is a five-day-long Hindu festival that takes place every year in Nepal. Since Nepal follows a different calendar, it’s hard to pinpoint what days it will fall each year, but it typically starts at the end of October or the beginning of November.

What makes this festival so unique is what it celebrates. While Hindus have many festivals each year, this one focuses on the animals that humans are closest to.

On the first day of the festival, people celebrate crows. Crows represent messengers in Nepal, and they are offered rice and treats. The second day is the most popular among tourists because it celebrates dogs.

Dogs are seen as bodyguards and guardians in Nepal. Every dog will be given special treats on this day. You’ll also see them wearing beautiful flower garlands and red tikka dots on their forehead for good luck.

On the third day, the same is done for cows. Cows are gods in Nepal and are worshipped for providing milk like a mother. The fourth and fifth day is celebrated with family at home during the day.

At night, children come into the streets and dance in exchange for donations. Everyone in the cities will be walking down the streets celebrating, watching performances, or dancing.

In my opinion, it’s the perfect way to experience what Nepal is all about.

4. Thingyan Festival In Myanmar

Recommended by Trina and Tim from Team Hazard Rides Again.

Thingyan-in-Mandalay

Thingyan is Myanmar’s New Year Water Festival (also known as Songkran in Thailand). It takes place April 13-16 every year and we attended the big celebration in front of the Palace in Mandalay.

For four days, a giant water fight/rave party consumes the city. While centered around the Palace, various hotels and businesses set up spraying stations to ensure everyone participates.

Even walking down side streets can run you into kids with a hose or a bucket determined to splash you.

People intentionally drive by the watering stations, large groups of them in big, open trucks, or families on motorbikes, to get in on the fun. Sometimes you’re holding the hose, and the people in the trucks have buckets to splash you back.

There’s no escaping it. This is Thingyan, you’re going to get wet. All of this water is washing away your sins and bad luck from the last year so you can start the New Year clean and pure. 

The best part about this giant party is the goodwill. People are genuinely happy. It’s all good fun. There’s little to no drinking so you don’t have a bunch of rowdy drunks ruining it for everyone else. It’s a true celebration of the spirit.

As visitors, we were heartily welcomed. They were thrilled we were taking part in their party. I received three spontaneous kisses on the cheek (2 guys, 1 girl) throughout the festival, I think because they were just so happy it overflowed.

Things to Know

When: April 13-16 every year – However, arrive early or plan to stay longer to do any sightseeing. Most of the city shuts down during the festival (even the KFC was closed).

Where: Myanmar. We highly recommend attending in Mandalay.

What to Wear: Anything you don’t mind getting soaked, better if it dries quickly so you’ll have it for the next day. Myanmar is a little conservative, so keep shorts about knee length and no skimpy tank or bikini tops. Short sleeves are fine, as are flip-flops.

What to Bring to the Party: Whatever you bring, it all needs to be in a waterproof bag, like a Ziploc, or better.

  • Waterproof camera
  • Enough money to grab some street food or drinks, and a taxi back to the hotel.
  • Maybe your phone, for maps and such, but make sure it’s bagged.
  • Your sense of fun.

Really, don’t bother bringing any more than that.

Other Things to Know:

When booking your hotel, ask two things:

1) Do they have a water station on the street – and can you participate?

2) Do they have a puppet show in the evenings, or is there one nearby?

Puppet shows are traditional during Thingyan and you should see one. Thingyan is one of the best festivals on the planet! Make time for this one.

5. Zamboanga Hermosa Festival In The Philippines

Recommended by Katherine Cortes from Tara Lets Anywhere.

Zamboanga-Hermosa-Festival

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is not only one of the oldest festivals in the Philippines, but it’s also one of the grandest you can witness in Southeast Asia.

It’s a month-long celebration of Our Lady of the Pillar, filled with different activities and mini-competitions. It’s held in Zamboanga City in the southern part of the Philippines, every October.

Some of the must-see activities here include Regatta de Zamboanga, a sailboat competition using traditional vintas; Chavacano Music Festival, wherein locals submit original songs using Chavacano — a Spanish-based creole language that is still widely used in the city; mascota fashion competition, which showcases traditional Spanish gowns; and dance sports competition.

There’s also a lot of eating festivities, including the Asao Lechon Festival which features the most flavorful Lechon (roasted suckling pigs) in Zamboanga.

Finally, there’s a street dance where you can witness different groups wearing traditional attires of locals — including the various tribes in this area.

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is essentially a religious festival, but it’s also a celebration of the history, language, and culture of the people in Zamboanga.

Going here is not just fun, it’s also a great way to discover this hitherto off-beat part of the Philippines.

6. Bansko Jazz Festival In Bansko Bulgaria

Recommended by Sarah Carter from ASocialNomad.

Bansko-Jazz-Festival-In-Bansko-Bulgaria

Held in the first week of August every year for the past 22 years in Bulgaria’s mountain town of Bansko is the Bansko International Jazz Festival.

It is, and always has been free to attend and is responsible for growing summer tourism in Bansko. Bansko may be famous as Bulgaria’s biggest ski resort, but the Jazz festival is an international event that brings in performers from all over the world. Year after year.

The event is started with the big band from Blagoevgrad, a local city, and some international artists perform over the 5-7 days of the event. The event culminates on Saturday with the major headline act, which is always well known internationally. You’ll find an eclectic mix of Jazz –from big band to R&B to blues.

You can gain access to the VIP area, but more people bring a picnic and camping chairs and enjoy the evening for free. There are food and drink stalls, a great family atmosphere, and a great mix of nationalities attending as well as performing.

7. Pushkar Camel Fair In India

Recommended by Charlotte Hockin from Our Taste For Life.

Pushkar-Camel-Fair-India

The Pushkar Camel Fair is a fascinating annual event held in the exuberant state of Rajasthan in India. 

What originated as a business event for livestock traders, has now transformed into a vibrant and joyous festival. Today, thousands of locals and tourists alike, gather for the week-long celebrations in the mystical town of Pushkar.

Akin to other festivals in India, the camel fair is an accurate representation of Indian culture – colorful, intoxicating, and at times, downright bizarre!

While livestock trading still takes place, it is the whacky events of the carnival that are the real highlight. Fairground rides, folk dancing, fortune tellers, snake charmers, market stalls, and competitions are just a taster of the entertainment on offer.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a camel fair without any camels. It is said that approximately 20,000 of our hump-backed friends roam the grounds during the event. 

The tradition is for owners to groom their camels and dress them in colorful outfits to help attract buyers. Alternatively, they are entered into competitions such as camel races and beauty contests.

In conclusion, the Pushkar Camel Fair deserves a spot on everybody’s bucket list. Held annually during the Hindu month of Kartik, the fair usually falls in October or November. 

It is, however, recommended to make your travel arrangements months in advance. Although Pushkar is an interesting town with lots to see, it is also small, and accommodation options are limited.

8. Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Recommended by Ingrid Truemper from Second Half Travels.

Balloon-Fiesta-in-Albuquerque-New-Mexico

The spectacular International Balloon Fiesta takes place annually for nine days in early October in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city.

This bucket-list experience features more than 600 hot air balloons and attracts close to a million ballooning fans each year.

This signature event is the world’s largest and best-known hot air ballooning festival. With an estimated 25 million pictures taken each year, Balloon Fiesta also lays claim to being the most-photographed event on the planet.

The highlight of Balloon Fiesta is the magnificent daily mass ascension at dawn, a launch of all participating balloons that fill the sky with these colorful giants.

Balloon glows take place at twilight, when balloons stay on the ground and are illuminated like lanterns by propane burners, creating an enchanting night landscape.

The second weekend of the festival is dedicated to whimsical special shapes balloons.

Crowd-pleasers include a giant milk cow, a wagon coach, a hummingbird, and even a Wellington rain boot, as well as dozens of other unique and creative shapes.

Due to the festival’s popularity, it’s essential to make hotel and car reservations well in advance.

To avoid the hassle and expense of parking, use the shuttle service provided from several central locations in town where you can leave your vehicle.

9. Diwali- The festival of lights of India

Written by Shalini Garnaik from Eager 2 Travel.

Diwali-Festival-India

Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals in India.

It is a five-day festival in which friends and family members meet, decorate their houses with beautiful lamps, candles, and diyas, crackers are burst, colorful rangolis are made and sweets are eaten.

It falls mostly in October or November depending on the cycle of the moon.

Legends behind the celebration of Diwali

According to Ramayana, this festival marks the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Laxmana from their exile of 14 years. Some people believe Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi got married on this day.

 In Jainism, it is believed that the soul of Mahavira got liberation on this day. People also worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Kali for wealth and prosperity.

How is Diwali celebrated?

Each part of India celebrates Diwali in a different way, some start with worshipping Ganesha and some with giving homage to their ancestors. The houses are decorated with flowers, lights, and rangoli. Special aarti is done in the evening.

The special food of Diwali

Gulab jamun, samosa, rasogolla, and anarsa are some of the famous dishes served in Diwali.

Tips to celebrate Diwali safely

1. Always wear cotton clothes as synthetic is more prone to fire.

2. Maintain a safe distance from the burning crackers and children should always be under adult supervision.

3. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

10. Paredes De Coura Festival in Portugal

Recommended by Inma Gregorio from A World to Travel.

Paredes-de-Coura-Festival

I know there is more to life than music festivals, but for us, they are essential.

After enjoying many since my teenage years and after experiencing it for 8 years in a row, I have concluded that my favorite is Paredes de Coura Festival. It is always featured as one of the best music festivals in Portugal and Southern Europe.

Normally it takes place the second or third week of August on the river beach of the Taboao river, in the town of Paredes de Coura, in the north of the country. Great music stars such as Arcade Fire, Jungle, Motörhead, Bloc Party, Suede, Tame Impala, Coldplay, Sex Pistols, Korn, and many others have played there since its first edition in 1993.

This year we will soon enjoy it again. We love to discover new bands before they become famous (the choice of bands at this festival is usually exquisite).

We spend the evenings next to the Jazz and Relva box and go up to town to have a hearty meal.

Year after year we see the same happy faces of the attendees and, ultimately, return to our ‘Summer house’. Because that’s how Paredes makes you feel, like you are home.

11. Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival (군항제)

Recommended by Chelsey Schultz from The Ninja Gypsy travel safety blog.

Cherry-Blossom-Festival

At the beginning of spring is one of the most beautiful festivals in the world. South Korea is famous for its cherry trees, and each year they bloom vibrant pink colors.

Every year in the city of Jinhae, South Korea, two million people come together to marvel at the beauty of spring. Depending on how spring progresses, the festival can be held in late March or early April.

Initially, this festival was in honor of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, a Korean Hero. To this day, the naval academy and naval base are open to the public and are hosting demonstrations during the festival.

Many tourists take the time to walk up the One Year Stairs, 365 steps to reach Jinhae Tower.

They say that each step represented a day of the year and each step that you take brings you good luck in the upcoming year. Once you reach the peak, you get a magnificent view over the cherry blossoms that are turning the city pink!

The highlight of the festival is Yeojwacheon Stream (여좌천), a 1.5 km tiny stream, lined with cherry blossom trees and walkways.

The stream is decorated with lights, hearts, and other signs of love. It is a dreamy walk perfect for a romantic stroll with a loved one or fun pictures with friends.

12. Winter Lantern Festival In New York City, USA

Recommended by James Ian from Travel Collecting.

NYC-Winter-Lantern-festival

The NYC Winter Lantern Festival takes place from 20 November 2019 to 12 January 2020 at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island in New York City.

The festival features nightly performances by Chinese acrobats and dancers. There are also several stalls selling souvenirs and hot chocolate (a welcome respite for the chilly New York winter) and food trucks serving meals. The highlights, however, are the dozens of elaborate displays of lanterns.

There are over forty LED installations made from over 1,000 brightly colored fabric lanterns that form complex three-dimensional sculptures.

The entrance to the festival is through an enormous lantern Chinese gate. You then walk along a tunnel of lights and emerge out onto an eight-acre lawn that is strewn with these fantastical displays.

There are flocks of flamingos, African animals prowling the grasslands, giant pandas eating bamboo leaves and climbing trees, jellyfish floating in air alongside oversized kelp.

As well as beautiful birds, gigantic frogs and flowers, an enormous shark you can walk through, a life-sized T-Rex dinosaur, and even an elongated Chinese dragon swimming along the ground near the main stage area.

It is a photographer’s dream, a fantasy land that the children will love, and a welcome addition to the NYC winter holiday scene.

13. The Flower Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Recommended by Lindsay Lalonde from Chiang Mai Family Guide.

Flower-Festival-parade-float-Chiang-Mai-Thailand

The Flower Festival is a must-see 3-day long event! It typically occurs in February.

What makes the Flower Festival so unique?

You have never seen such ornate flora displayed in such a stunning way! The care, pride, and preparation that goes into this festival take months of planning.

You can expect to see ancient Thai culture, specific to northern Thailand, on display. The particular culture is that of Lanna, which remains strong to this day.

There will be parades, musical and dance performances, awards, and even a beauty contest where a Ms. Flower Festival will be chosen.

 Also, if you so wish, you may purchase some of the flowers unique to this tropical region to take home. Some vendors even sell seeds that you can easily travel with and try to grow in your home soil.

Where is the best place to experience the Flower Festival in Chiang Mai?

The festival will take place in various locations in the old city, or downtown. The most important locations to visit will be Nong Haad Buak Public Park where the opening ceremony and awards ceremony for best flower float typically take place.

You’ll want to head over in the evenings to Thapae Gate or Three King’s Monument for special performances, and during the day on Saturday and Sunday, you will enjoy seeing the special Flower Festival parade floats up close along the southwest side of Chiang Mai’s ancient moat.

The Flower Festival parade

You’ll want a front-row seat to see the procession of ornate, beautifully, and painstakingly hand-decorated floats. 

The parade route usually begins at Thapae Gate and ends at Nong Haad Buak Park. Get out on the route early as the procession begins early in the morning.

Is there a schedule for the Flower Festival events?

The schedule for the Flower Festival in Chiang Mai changes every year but can be found on display at Nong Haad Buak Park.

Unfortunately, information has only been available in Thai in the past, however, there are times listed and many locals will be around to inquire about a translation.

It’s a flower photographer’s dream!

Your friends will be envious of the gorgeous photos you will have! You’ll be surrounded by vivid colors not seen anywhere else. There truly is nothing quite like this anywhere in the world.

Hope to see you at the next Flower Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

14. Las Fallas, Valencia Spain

Recommended by Laura from Travelers Universe.

Las Fallas Festival

Las Fallas Festival takes place in Valencia, Spain every spring between the 1st and the 19th of March. This is a long festival, but in reality, the last five days are the most action-packed.

It’s when the huge and colorful paper mache puppets are constructed in almost every single square. Firecracker shows are organized in front of the Town Hall at noon.

Locals take on the streets dressed up in out-of-this-world beautiful silk costumes.

A 14 meters high statue of the Virgin Mary is covered in red, pink, and white carnations. And food stalls selling churros, hot chocolate, and buñuelos (a local doughnut-like pastry) take over the streets of Valencia.

The festival has great vibes and is considered the largest street party in Europe. You’ll see people dancing, eating, and drinking in the streets for almost a week straight. Everybody can join in the fun and this is fantastic because no matter where you come from, you will fit right in.

Now one thing is super important to know. Since most activities are free, Las Fallas can be enjoyed on a budget. The only caveat is the accommodation. This is considered peak season and hotels fill up quickly.

So you have to figure out where to stay in Valencia far in advance or otherwise finding a good hotel within your budget might prove an almost impossible task.

15. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan

Recommended by Chloe from Chloe’s Travelogue.

Pingxi-Sky-Lantern-Festival

Do you fancy that lantern scene from the Disney movie Tangled? What if you can experience the magical moment of thousands of lanterns floating in the sky in real life?

The lantern festival is an ancient Chinese custom that family and friends get together to ring in the new year and make a wish on the first full moon of the year. This tradition happens every year on the 15th day of the 1st month in the Lunar Calendar. (The date changes every year on the Gregorian Calendar.)

In Taiwan, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is the most popular festival of its kind. Thousands of people from all over the world come to Pingxi, a sleepy town tucked in the mountain, to see the glowing lanterns floating away in the dark sky.

The lucky participants even get to write down their wishes on the giant paper lanterns with a calligraphy brush, then release them together in the air. It is quite a fantastic sight to witness!

This Tangle-inspired moment is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, I have to admit that I was unprepared for this event. I faced many challenges from finding the event information in English to getting to the event site due to misleading information.

I am grateful that I got to join in the festivity and even win the ticket to participate in the official release of the sky lanterns by the kindness of a stranger.

I made all the mistakes, so you don’t have to experience mishaps.

16. Birgufest Malta

Recommended by Abigail King from Inside the Travel Lab

Birgu-Candle-Festival

Candles on the balconies, candles on the stairs, candles on the riverfront, and candles sending prayers.

The candle festival, or Birgufest, in Malta, combines a love for candlelight with one of the prettiest places in the world.

Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, dazzles on any normal day with its honeycomb streets, historic architecture, picturesque waterway, and view of the Grand Harbour. During Birgufest, that beauty increases a thousandfold as residents take to the streets, sharing soulful music, street food, and candlelight in a free-to-attend family-friendly atmosphere.

Held every autumn, Birgufest also includes open entry to Vittoriosa’s key sights, like Fort St Angelo and the former Inquisition. Knights roam around in costume, a throwback to Malta’s key position as a base for the Knights of St John.

Birgu has attracted quite an artistic expat crowd over the years, so expect shops stocking hand-printed artwork and hand-sewn gifts.

Transport in and out can be tremendously congested so try to stay within walking distance of the festival or arrange a reputable taxi as far in advance as possible.

It’s not the kind of festival where you need to camp in a field for days. Just an afternoon visit to stroll around and the evening to spend dancing should make the most of this unusually beautiful place.

17. The Qoyllority Festival in Peru 

Recommended by Ariana from World of Travels with Kids.

The-Qoyllority-Festival-Peru

The Qoyllority Festival takes people’s breath away – in more ways than one! It takes place at a whopping 4670m / 15321 ft altitude in the remote high Andes, about 3 hours’ drive from Cusco, Peru.

A fascinating mix of local Andean beliefs and the Catholic religion, the Festival of our Lord of Qoyllority takes place in the week immediately preceding the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi. As such, the date moves between May and June each year.

If the location, at the foot of the receding Sinakara Glacier, is not enough, this eclectic celebration draws over 10,000 pilgrims each year. The majority come from remote villages in the mountains. There they dance in a range of incredibly colorful costumes over 4 days in veneration of both the mountains and the Lord.

On the fourth day, the pilgrims head off on a night pilgrimage through the mountains so that they arrive at a particularly significant place in the middle of the mountains at dawn. 

The ceremony to greet the sun on this morning is one of the most incredible sights I have been privileged to witness in all my travels. Thousands of brightly colored dancers congregated on a freezing hillside to watch the sun come up.

The Pilgrimage of Qoylloriti begins at a high altitude of 4060m. It winds over 8.5 km passing the 12 Stations of the Cross before arriving at the Sanctuary proper, where the festival is carried out.

The amazing Qoyllority Festival will only appeal to hardy travelers – but those that make the trek will be blessed. As a bonus – most will return to Cusco Peru after the festival, and should most definitely stay for the feast day of Corpus Christi.

This is one of Cusco Peru’s biggest festivals as the streets and thoroughfares fill with the worship of the saints.

18. Pukkelpop Music Festival, Belgium

Recommended by Annie from Off Goes Annie. Follow her on Instagram here.

Pukkelpop-Music-Festival

Although not a huge festival, Pukkelpop is one of the best music festivals in Europe. Exceedingly well organized, it promises an amazing lineup of rock, pop, indie, hip hop, and dance acts, a multitude of awesome things to do, and great facilities for attendees.

Pukkelpop is held annually in August in Kiewit-Hasselt, just two hours from Brussels, Belgium.

Priding itself on its wide variety of performers, previous headliners have included Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Radiohead, Nirvana, Kendrick Lemar, Dua Lipa, and Eminem.

There are two main campsites, where your party will be allocated to a plot according to the number of people, with hot showers and very clean bathrooms. To make it even better, festival attendees get free train travel from anywhere in Belgium, to and from the festival.

What’s special about Pukkelpop is its sense of community and ability to bounce back after a disaster. In 2011,

Pukkelpop was hit by a freak storm, causing several stage tents to collapse and the whole infrastructure of the festival to be largely destroyed.

Five people were tragically killed in the incident, with many more injured. It hit world news and the festival was canceled immediately as the unforeseen storm wreaked havoc across Belgium.

Despite this, Pukkelpop came back even stronger the following year, with a sense of strength and community forever running through the amazing yearly weekend event.

19. Vivid Sydney

Recommended by Paula Morgan from Sydney Expert.

Vivid-Sydney-Opera-House-and-Cruise

Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music, and ideas. While all strands are fantastic, it’s the immersive outdoor light installations that steal the show. 

What began in 2009 as a festival to highlight energy efficiency has transformed into one of the most popular events on Sydney’s calendar and the largest festival of its kind in the world.

Each year images of the Opera House sails adorned in stunning designs beam across tv screens around the world. While she always steals the show, there is so much more to this festival than the Opera House centerpiece.

Smaller installations are hidden in the back lanes of the Rocks, Sydney’s Old quarter, and the dozen or so installations scattered around in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

They are every bit as impressive as the Harbour icons. Even Taronga Zoo joins the action.

Over 23 days in the middle of Sydney’s winter, 2.3 million people, both local and international visitors, spent a few hours braving the cold to experience the show. The lights go on at 6 pm as darkness blankets the city and are turned off at 11 pm.

The best way to experience it is over a couple of nights rather than trying to cover the who thing in one night. It’s also great to jump on a ferry and watch the show from the water.

  • Where: Sydney Harbour and various other city locations
  • When: Late May to mid-June every year

20. Burning Man Festival in the USA

Recommended by Sean Lau from Living Out Lau.

Burning-Man-Festival

The Burning Man Festival is a festival held annually in the western part of the United States. It takes place in the state of Nevada in a city called the Black Rock City, a temporary city built just for the Burning Man festival. The burning man community is all about artistic self-expression.

At the festival, you will see many different art installations.

Some might make sense, some might not even look like they are from Earth. That is what Burning Man is about, the freedom to create, the freedom to express yourself, and the freedom to be whoever you want without judgment for the duration of the festival.

There are 10 basic principles that the burning man community supports: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leave no trace, participation, and immediacy.

Burning man festival is not just a big party, there is meaning behind it. And sometimes we get so caught up in the modern world that we forget what is like to be part of a family, part of the world.

Burning Man festival helps remind us what it is like to be “us” again with art, music, fun, and freedom.

The Burning Man festival starts on the last Sunday of August and lasts a week.

21. Rifflandia Festival in Victoria, BC Canada

Rifflandia festival is a multi-weekend event held in the end of Summer, in Victoria British Columbia.

This year headliners include Iggy Pop, Diplo, Chromeo, Paris Hilton, Salt N Pepa, among others.

22. Adelaide Fringe Festival

Recommended by Erik Van Gilson from DIY Travel HQ.

Adelaide-Fringe-Festival
Photo from https://adelaidefringe.com.au

The Adelaide Fringe Festival has an astounding collection of variety shows spanning a month between February and March. 2020 marks the 60th anniversary of the festival, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. 

Although there are some big comedic performances spread throughout Adelaide, the smaller venues at the Garden of Unearthly Delights are the highlights. Besides comedy, you can find cabaret, dance, magic, circus performances, and more.

The variety of acts creates frequent visitors that combine a show with drinks and snacks among friends several times during the month.

A lot of performers have multiple shows so you can pick randomly, or try to score tickets to a cult favorite once reviews are out. Many of the performances at the Adelaide Fringe Festival are moderately priced so everyone can find a show to watch, or even participate in!

The venue tents have an intimate vibe so you will always take away that special memory.

Summertime is a great time to visit Adelaide to take in Fringe and one of many other festivals held around the same time. They don’t call South Australia the Festival State for no reason.

23. Speyside Gin Experience, Moray Speyside Scotland

Recommended by Amber Hoffman from Food And Drink Destinations.

Speyside-Gin-Experience

The Moray Speyside region of Northeastern Scotland is world-renowned for the production of Whisky and the Malt Whisky Trail. Several of the top Whisky brands in the world call Speyside home.

In the last five years, a newly distilled spirit – gin –  has begun to make its mark on the region.

With over a dozen producers of gin setting up shop in and around Speyside, gin has quickly become a new reason to visit the area.

As a result of the increase in gin distilleries in Speyside, a new festival, inaugurated in July 2019 was born. The Spirit of Speyside’s Speyside Gin Experience took place in the historic Walled Gardens of Gordon Castle, in the town of Fochabers.

Held over two days, the Speyside Gin Experience showcases internationally recognized gin brands like Caorunn as well as regional and artisan distillers. In total, 12 gins were available to be sampled “neat” or as gin and tonics.

Mini workshops about gin and gin cocktails were also available to attendees. Accompanying the gin were samples of locally sourced, Speyside culinary delights.

From its stunning location and diverse sampling of gin, the Speyside Gin Experience is a worthwhile event to attend.

The event is scheduled to take place again in July 2020. Rumors suggest that a new festival site is being considered to showcase another area of Speyside.

 

24. Cannstatter Volksfest

Recommended by Diana from The Elusive Family.

Cannstadter-Festival

Beer festivals are popular fall festivals in different places in the world. They are particularly well known in Germany, as many beer festivals occur throughout the country.

 Though Munich’s beer festival is widely known, the second largest festival is in Stuttgart, Germany’s Cannstatter Volksfest. 

It takes place in late September to early October for approximately three weeks. It is not only a great alternative to Munich’s Oktoberfest but a festival that attracts a wide variety of visitors from adults to young children and their families.

The festival itself has dozens of beer tents that cater to a variety of people. During the day, family-friendly tents are available for families who want to take part in a beer tent experience. 

Evenings are typically reserved for adults as the beer tents tend to get filled with people quickly, many of who have pre-purchased tickets.

Volksfest is very family-friendly as well. Apart from the beer tents, the entire stretch of the festival has numerous children’s rides, carnival and amusement park rides, and fun houses and mazes.

There are hundreds of booths as well.

They include food and beverage booths, shopping booths that sell everything from lederhosen and dirndls, to German souvenirs and trinkets. Volksfest is and continues to be one of the most popular festivals in Germany.

25. Piknic Electronik & Igloofest in Montreal, Canada

Recommended by Lindsey Messenger from Seven Day Weekender.

Piknic-Electronik-Festival

Montréal, Quebec is a creative city steeped in tradition. It’s the only island in Canada, really in North America, that is the perfect definition of a cultural juggernaut.

In Montréal it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, the Montréaler’s joy for life permeates throughout the city’s food and drink, and art and music scenes.

This can be seen in the various festivals that happen both in the summer and winter. Depending on the time of year, there are two places you want to be when in Montréal: Parc Jean-Drapeau and Vieux Port.

These are the locations of Piknic Electronik and Igloofest, the sister electronic music festivals perfectly encapsulating Montréal’s ‘joie de vivre’. It is one thing that must be on your list when you visit one of Canada’s most beloved cities.

These festivals may sound different but they are run by the same production company.

They make the perfect mirrors of each other, totaling 6 months’ worth of fun. From food to dancing and drinking and games, there are plenty of things to do.

However, the main draw is discovering some of the best local and international DJ’s and producers, including underground artists from around the world. These festivals know how to please.

It’s when you are dancing in your cute summertime outfit, or nutty layers in the middle of winter, when you realize these festivals are not about the headliners, they’re about discovering and celebrating the more unknown creatives who make this city what it is.

Deep down the thing about Montréal that will draw you back time and time again (and why I fell in love with it) are the people.

Piknic’s location is within an expansive space on an island park just a 5-minute metro ride from the main part of the city.

Igloofest is centrally located along the St. Lawrence River in the Old Port (or Vieux Port). A somewhat unknown fact is the festivals are family-friendly!

I know that festivals seem to be something that is more associated with the summer, but if there is one thing I can leave you with is don’t discount a winter visit to Canada.

Winter defines much of a Québécois life, but in Montréal rather than hide from it you feel an overwhelming sense to embrace it.

26. Water Festival – Southeast Asia

Recommended by Kenny from Knycx Journeying.

Water-Festival

The Water Festival (“Thingyan” in Myanmar, or “Songkran” in Thai) is getting commercially big in Southeast Asia.

International tourists are flooding into the area during the week to join one of the biggest festivals of the year.

The celebration takes places in many Southeast Asian countries, mainly Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. East Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong celebrate water festival where it has a significant Buddhist culture and heritage.

The water festival is the celebration of the new year in the Buddhist calendar and usually falls around mid-April.

During the festival, everything in the city is wet. Traditionally, people are supposed to subtly and gently sprinkle water on one another during the new year as a cleansing ritual.

Everything old must be washed or thrown away or it would bring bad luck to the owner. Additionally, everyone must be clean and fresh to welcome the new year with good luck and new opportunities.

For now, especially in big cities, the locals spare no subtleties to share the blessings all over town. Shop owners and restaurants set water barrels and tanks at their front doors, young people are dancing with loud music on pick-up trucks, and various locations are turned into a giant water-splashing carnival.

Remember to water-proof your electronic equipment and valuable items. It is recommended you dress “beachy” while you are out because nobody’s “safe”. After all, it is a great way to cool down from the immense heat!

27. Diwali in India

Recommended by Lora of Explore with Lora.

Diwali-Festival

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the biggest celebrations in India. Similar to Christmas in the West, it brings families and friends together to celebrate, relax, pray, and eat. Getting to celebrate Diwali in India with locals was an experience I’ll never forget.

The dates of Diwali change every year as it depends on the moon cycle.

The entire holiday takes place over five days with the main celebration on the third day (October 27th). The day of Diwali marks the New Year in the Hindu calendar.

Diwali celebrations take place all over the country, but in the south of India, they celebrate Diwali one day earlier.

All over the country, you will see families decorating their homes with lights, setting off fireworks, and dressing up for the occasion.

The best way to celebrate Diwali is to either do a homestay with a family or stay at an accommodation that puts on Diwali celebrations for guests. Jaipur is one of the most popular cities to celebrate Diwali as the entire market gets lit up. 

Visiting India during Diwali is a unique way to experience India. It’s so much fun to celebrate with the locals and a great way to learn more about Hindu culture.

28. Yestival In England

Recommended by Casey Perry from How 2 Sea the World.

Camp-Yestival

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you said YES more often?

Yes to following that dream you’ve always had? Yes to making new friends, laughing until you need to pee, and hugging strangers (who are just people waiting to become your friends)?

What about if you said yes to camping in a field with a couple hundred of that friends-to-be?!

It all started just like that with adventurer Dave Cornthwaite back in 2015 when he decided to turn his ‘followers into friends’, get on a train out of London, camp under the stars and connect. Really connect.

And so ‘The Yes Tribe’ was born.

I was lucky enough to be at the very first Yestival in 2015 and recently returned from this 5th annual inspiring positivity festival, this time taking my husband along.

What is Yestival?

It is a welcoming weekend where you can simply be. A weekend of inspiring positive change, of living life to its fullest and saying yes to those things that maybe scare you but make you feel good and saying no to those that don’t!

 In this day and age of living on our screens and in our social media accounts, it is an opportunity to power down your devices and power up your soul!

  • Where: In a field in West Sussex, England
  • When: Typically, in October but this year it was held on the last weekend of June
  • Why: To feel inspired, motivated, and like a total superhero badass that can do anything your big superhero heart desires?! Then if you answered Yes to any of these then that’s why.

The reason that this festival is so very special and wonderful is simply because of the people. The connections you can make, the inspiration you receive, and the positive vibes you feel for weeks after the last tent has been taken down.

Your day starts with yoga or Project Awesome (a free fitness initiative in London based on bright colors, unicorns, and rainbows…) and then is filled with inspiring, adventurous, change-making speakers.

People that have skied across Antarctica, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean and walked to Australia from England.

Others have camped for the first time or quit their corporate job for a more fulfilling lifestyle and everything you can imagine in between.

To add to this, Yestival was the first-ever single-use plastic-free festival, these people care about you, your happiness, and our planet’s happiness.

If this all sounds a bit ‘woo-woo’…just give it a chance! Maybe you would secretly like to try it out and see what it feels like to hear other people’s stories and maybe even tell your own at the Open Mic, then come along!

Join us in a field next to the converted double-decker YesBus with a glowing campfire and smiles to match.

I promise you, it will change your life.

29. Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Recommended by Emma Caldwell from Emma Jane Explores.

New-Orleans-Mardi-Gras

The New Orleans Mardi Gras needs little introduction as it is a world-famous celebration of parties, parades, and joy centered around the Louisiana capital city in the southern USA.

The festival officially takes place from late February and runs until Shrove Tuesday (or Fat Tuesday as they tend to call it in New Orleans).

For weeks after the official celebrations are over, giant Mardi Gras masks adorn the balconies of the houses in the French Quarter, colored beads thrown from floats remain stuck in tree branches and a general feeling of debauchery and excess remains.

The feature of the Mardi Gras celebrations is most definitely the parade schedule.

You will see enormous floats decorated vibrantly and carrying masked people throwing beads and trinkets winding their way through the city. New Orleans is fun at any time of year, but seeing these parades is a wonderful sensory overload and well worth braving the crowds to experience.

Obviously, a visit to New Orleans in Mardi Gras season can be quite expensive, with accommodation booking up months in advance, so a good second option is to visit just after Fat Tuesday – you won’t see the parades, but the party vibe and Mardi Gras masks and beads are still around town for all to enjoy.

30. The World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

Recommended by Erika Bisbocci from Erika’s Travels.

The-World-Nomad-Games

The World Nomad Games is a biennial celebration of Central Asian athletics. Sometimes dubbed the ‘Olympics of the Nomads,’ the free event is a stunning and authentic display of music, dance, theater, and sport.

Since its launch in 2014, the festival has taken place every other September, along Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan.

Though still a relatively new festival, the World Nomad Games, a celebration of nomadic life, has been hugely successful since its inception. During its first year, it attracted 600 athletes from nineteen different countries.

Four years later, the third edition of the event hosted 2,000 competitors from over seventy independent nations.

Competitions at the World Nomad Games take place over the course of a week. In addition to sporting events, spectators can enjoy watching yurt-building competitions, interacting with local artists, and meandering through stalls of locally-made handicrafts.

The World Nomad Games takes place at two locations along Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk Kul: the Hippodrome and the Kyrchyn Gorge Jailoo. 

The Kyrchyn Gorge Jailoo is a yurt-speckled mountain pasture outside of Cholpon Ata that hosts competitions of archery.

The area also houses the event’s cultural performances, fashion shows, and dance competitions.

Half an hour away, the Hippodrome is a large stadium near downtown Cholpon Ata that hosts the most high-profile competitions at the World Nomad Games. 

At the Hippodrome, spectators can watch horseback wrestling, horse racing or Kok Boru—the event’s most anticipated sport.

Kok Boru is a form of polo played on horseback, using a headless goat carcass instead of a ball.

The objective—like a form of basketball—is to launch the carcass into circular rings that are defended by the opposing team.

The World Nomad Games is an event unlike any other. The week-long celebration of nomadic life offers a window into an area of the world that is often ignored by travelers and misunderstood by the media. 

With its dazzling cultural displays, its centuries-old athletic traditions and its opportunities for authentic interactions with Kyrgyz locals, the world’s largest nomadic festival is an ultimate bucket list experience.

31. Durga Puja of West Bengal, India

Recommended by Anwesha Guha from Going Places With Anwesha.

Duga-Puja-West-Bengal-India

Every year, we look forward to the annual festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsav, a festival that marks the victory of Good over Evil. Durga Puja is one of the most awaited festivals for Bengalis across the globe, the preparation of which begins months in advance.

This festival is celebrated for ten days in the Indian state of West Bengal, as well as in many other states and countries. This year, the festival will be celebrated from the 4th of October to the 8th of October, followed by a grand immersion of the idols.

According to legend, the festival signifies the birth of Goddess Durga to fight the demon king Mahishasura. He was given a boon that no man-god can kill him, which is why a goddess had to accomplish the deed.

In the ten days of the celebration, we worship Goddess Durga and seek her blessings to fight the demons of our life.

The credit of the origin of the community puja goes to the twelve friends of Guptipara in Hoogly district of West Bengal, who collected donations from residents to arrange the first community puja in 1790.

The modern Durga Puja provides a medium where artists and designers come together to produce new urban art, providing a unique dimension to it through its pandals and idol making.

This festival is not only about the rituals, but also about its people.

According to Sangeet Natak Academy, Kolkata’s Durga Puja is India’s official nomination for UNESCO’s 2020 list of cultural institutions that requires preservation.

32. Salon Du Chocolat in Korea

Recommended by Max Gandy from Dame Cacao.

Salon-Du-Chocolat-Festival

Every winter for one long weekend, Korea’s largest chocolate festival takes over an entire convention center in the capital city of Seoul.

The Salon Du Chocolat is held in January, but the festival has iterations all around the world, including in Tokyo, Lima, and Paris, where it was first held in 1994.

As with the other versions, Seoul’s Salon features a daily chocolate fashion show.

Chocolatiers and craft chocolate makers from across the country, along with numerous food artisans attend the festival. If you sign up online ahead of time, entrance is free.

The 2019 edition included merengue cookie specialists, cacao wholesalers, and coffee roasters. A cake decorating competition took place, and many chocolate samples were available.

Over the last few years, the show has geared itself more towards education, so consumers can learn all about how chocolate is made and try some of the world’s newest chocolate innovations.

While some vendors do speak English, be aware that some might not, and you’ll have to use a translation app to ask any questions.

The Chocolate Festival is family-friendly. There’s an area with events for kids, bringing chocolate learning hands-on and starting the world’s future chocoholics outright.

33. Dev Diwali in Varanasi India

Recommended by Sapna Kapoor from My Simple Sojourn.

Dev-Deepawali-in-Varanasi

Dev Diwali is celebrated 15 days after the famous Indian festival of Diwali. Though Diwali is celebrated everywhere in India, Dev Diwali is celebrated only in Varanasi.

The Festival of Dev Diwali falls in November but the exact date is calculated according to the Hindu calendar. This festival comes 15 days after Diwali and falls on full moon night, which is known as Karthik Purnima according to the Hindu calendar.

According to popular belief, the Dev Diwali is the festival of light for God. According to mythological stories on this day Gods and goddesses visit the Ghats of Ganga to take the bath in the river. Dev Diwali is the biggest festival in Varanasi.

On this day all the 87 ghats of Ganga River are illuminated with thousands of earthen lamps.

The calm water of Ganga reflects the flickering lights of lamps and it is a beautiful spectacle. These days the illumination of Ghats is also done with electric string lights.

Other than lighting the ghats of Ganga, several cultural activities happen at the different Ghats across the river. There are music and dance performances by popular artists on the makeshift stages set up parallel to Ganga River.

The firework is also done on few ghats for the entertainment of people. The best way to experience this festival is by walking on ghats and enjoying the activities closely.

If you don’t like crowds or it makes you uncomfortable then take a boat ride in the river, this way you can see all the activity in peace. These boats sail close to the ghats to provide a good view.

34. Dia de Muertos in Mexico City

Recommended by Halef from The Round The World Guys.

Dia-de-Muertos-in-Mexico-City

San Andrés Mixquic is a small town outside Mexico City. This sleepy little town ironically comes alive once a year during Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations. 

Mixquic hosts one of the most authentic Dia de Muertos celebrations you’ll find in this part of Mexico.

Street vendors sell food to tourists, bands play on the main stage, and street performers do their thing in the neighborhoods.

The whole time, locals have busily been preparing for the return of their ancestors this night. Every flower imaginable is used to meticulously decorate each grave in town, but marigolds are the star of each canvas.

Their petals also line paths throughout the town, showing ancestors their way home.

At night, as the sun sets, the graveyard becomes a sea of candlelight as families sit with their loved ones, remembering those who passed before them. It is truly a sight to see.

Getting to Mixquic, while a long drive, isn’t too hard. Just take an Uber, a taxi, or the Metro. Getting back to Mexico City is another thing entirely.

Those tens of thousands of people place an almost unbearable strain on the local cellular network. If you’re looking for an Uber – or even directions on Google Maps – you might be out of luck.

Try to arrange transportation in advance.

35. Open’er Festival in Gdynia, Poland

Recommended by Dominika from Sunday In Wonderland.

rainbow-after-rain-in-Open'er-Festival

Gdynia is the lesser-known neighboring town of Gdańsk in Poland. It’s worth visiting not only because of its modern architecture, freshness, and interesting history but also because of regular events taking place there.

One of the most recognizable of them is the Open’er Festival. Its fame spreads around the whole of Europe enticing music fans of different nationalities to visit the Polish coast.

The festival is a colorful mix of art and music world. It warms up Gdynia each summer since 2003.

A few huge scenes offer various kinds of music and each year hosts the biggest stars such as Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Björk, Bruno Mars, Jack White, Radiohead, George Ezra, LP, and many, many others. Additionally, it offers chillout zones, silent discos, DJs’ parties, and delightful food from the best food trucks.

Open’er Festival takes place in distant Gdynia’s district – Kosakowo, surrounded by festive campings. Special bus

es from the city center are dedicated to festival-goers during every day of the festival which usually lasts 4 days. The whole event takes place in July and by regular fans is associated with… rainy weather.

So don’t be surprised by seeing people wearing gumboots in Kosakowo.

That’s the charm of Open’er Festival which doesn’t bother the music fans.

36. The Festival of Lights in Paris, France

Recommended by Elisa from World in Paris.

Lights-Festival-Paris-dinosaur

The Festival of Lights (Festival des Lumières in French) is one of the coolest events happening in Paris in the Winter.

This festival takes place every year in Jardin des Plantes, in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris, France.

For one month, usually starting around mid-December, the alleys and the pitches of Le Jardin des Plantes and the Ménagerie are invaded by monumental light structures, like Chinese lanterns.

It is a fantastic atmosphere and a poetic night stroll that we recommend to everybody visiting Paris in the winter.

Every year, the exhibition treats a different subject. For example, last year the Exhibition was about the endangered or disappeared species on our planet. Visitors could see sculptures like dinosaurs, polar bears, or mammoths during the show.

Also, there were vegetal decorations and some alleys were completely covered by light flowers and plants. We can’t wait to see what the topic of the exhibition this year is!

Needless to say, the Festival of Lights is perfect for families, the kind of event where kids and adults have fun.

Because the festival starts late in the afternoon when Paris gets dark, and the exhibition area is vast, we recommend wearing an additional layer of clothing. Carrying a thermos with hot tea is not a bad idea either.

37. Plano Balloon Festival

Recommended by Priya Vin from Outside Suburbia.

Plano-Balloon-Festival

Colorful hot air balloons float across the crisp autumn air for Texas’s biggest Balloon Festival every year in September.  

2019 mark’s 40-years of Ballooning in Plano, and we have been going every year since we moved to the area.

Thanks to the Plano Balloon Festival, it has made me fall in love with hot air balloons. We have been on hot air balloon rides in the Serengeti and the Sonoran desert!

The Balloon Festival usually opens with a Parachute team flying in to kick off the 3-day celebration.

Weather permitting on Saturday and Sunday mornings the colorful balloons are launched and there is a Balloon Fly-in Competition. In the evenings, a concert is usually playing at the center stage at Oak Point Park where the event is held.

You can find the best churros and delicious hotdogs or some fried guacamole at the many food stalls at the festival. When it gets dark enough it is time for a balloon glow and a spectacular firework show to wrap up the evening.

Over the last couple of years, they have also hosted a Half Marathon, Relay, 5K, and 1K Runs. Plano Balloon Festival is a fun and family-friendly festival to attend!

38. The Mid Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, China.

Recommended by Christine Wedberg from Christine Abroad.

Mid-autumn-festival

The Mid Autumn Festival in Hong Kong is one of the most celebrated festivals. You can expect various parades, fireworks, people gatherings, and plenty of decorations in the celebrating areas of the city.

It’s always on the 15th day of the 8th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The celebrations are usually a couple of days before and after this date. This year it was celebrated from September 13th until September 15th.

It’s the second-largest celebration in China after the Chinese New Year, and Hong Kong is one of the best places to celebrate it. The dragon parade is especially spectacular.

The celebrations in Victoria Park where thousands of people gather should not be missed.

The parade can be seen on the last day. The police will block the entry to main roads, and people will line up in the streets to see the spectacle show.

It’s recommended to get there early if you want a good spot! In Victoria Park, you will find sculptures, kid’s playgrounds, small shops, and vendors selling everything from fruit to handicrafts.

This is also the time of the year when you eat mooncakes, a real treat with wonderful flavors, but don’t eat too many because one mooncake can contain 1000 calories or more!

39. Ottawa Bluesfest

Recommended by Eric Wychopen from Ontario Away.

Ottawa-Bluesfest

If you’re looking for a festival that moves the soul, look no further than Ottawa Bluesfest. Occurring in Ottawa, Ontario – about 4.5 hours from Toronto – this annual event in July always turns Canada’s capital city into a party for 10 days.

The fact that it follows Canada Day celebrations on July 1st doesn’t help calm the city down, either!

Ottawa Bluesfest is located at the Lebreton Flats Festival Grounds – a great green space just a short walk from the heart of downtown Ottawa.

Besides the music, the best part about the grounds is that you get sweeping views of the Ottawa River and into Quebec.

What makes Bluesfest an amazing festival is the sheer size – and the way it has evolved over the years. While the name “Bluesfest” might lead one to believe it’s all about hearing Blues acts, one of the 2019 headliners was The Backstreet Boys!

Over its 25-year period, the festival has shifted to include other genres as well as both local and top international performers. This has allowed for a more diverse fan base to enjoy the festival year after year!

Another truly unique aspect of the festival is the fact that the festival grounds surround the Canadian War Museum and festival-goers get free entry with their festival passes.

With multiple stages, multicultural food stands, and entertainment for the kids, Ottawa Bluesfest is a great event that brings people together.

40. Maslenitsa in Russia

Recommended by Ellis from Backpack Adventures.

Maslenitsa-Festival-Russia

Many people think twice before visiting Russia in winter and I am not going to lie, Russian winters are cold and last well into March. This is when Russia celebrates the end of winter and the start of spring with Maslenitsa, or butter week.

When you are brave enough to face a lot of snow and dress warmly this is a wonderful time to visit Russia. People are in a festive mood and celebrate the milder temperatures, even though they still fall below zero occasionally.

Maslenitsa is also a Christian festival. People feast in the last week before Lent, the onset of the fasting period before Easter.

Originally people were already supposed to eat no meat in preparation for the full fasting, but they were able to eat butter, eggs, oil, and sugar. Therefore Maslenitsa is also known as pancake week in which people eat as many pancakes as they can.

During the week of Maslenitsa, many restaurants have a special Maslenitsa menu with a big variety of pancakes. Think of fillings with caviar, condensed milk, or jam.

The best places to see Maslenitsa festivities are in the parks of the city. Most will have a special program of activities taking place during the week. There will be traditional games such as sleigh rides, music, pancakes, and honey beer.

On the last day of the week, the celebrations will end with the burning of a big Maslenitsa doll made of straw.

The smoke is said to send the cold weather away and welcome spring. This is the most important day when almost everyone goes out to the parks to celebrate and this is the best time to join the festivities of Maslenitsa.

40 Best Festivals Around The World – Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading about some of the best festivals in the world.

I know there are many, many more. So, what is your favorite festival, or what do you think is the best festival in the world?

Let us know in the comments!


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