There are enough cultural festivals around the world to keep us happy all year long, no matter where you go around the world. Everyone loves to celebrate coming together with your loved ones with fun; best festivals in the world offer something exciting for every person.
Festivals around the world are a great way to experience a destination and it’s cultural in a unique and different way. Music festivals, Cultural festival or maybe a new year celebration, our world is full of diversity. So why not to join the happiness of the world by participating in these fun festivals.
Several hundred cool and unique festivals held every year all over the world every month – there are plenty to choose from!
Best Festivals Around The World
- 1. Holi Festival, India
- 2. Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea
- 3. San Fermin Festival, Spain
- 4. Oktoberfest, Germany
- 5. Ganesh Chaturthi, Mumbai
- 6. La Tomatina, Spain
- 7. Burning Man, Nevada
- 8. Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil
- 9. New York Fashion Week, USA
- 10. St. Patrick’s Day, New York
- 11. Diwali Festival, India
- 12. Songkran Water Festival, Thailand
- 13. Tomorrowland Festival, Belgium
- 14. Exit Festival, Serbia
- 15. Earth Garden, Malta
1. Holi Festival, India
Holi is ancient, religious, and biggest festivals that take place around March in India, it is a festival of colors, it’s a Hindu spring festival, it celebrates the win of good over evil.
The best part about the celebration of the Holi festival is that people gather on the streets, Parks everywhere, throwing dry colors or water balloons. This vibrant festival is a sign of spreading love.
If you are planning a trip to India around March, it is an amazing opportunity to join this colorful celebration. Mostly every corner of India celebrates Holi and each place has its unique take on to this festivities.
Every people feel delighted in this ancient playful practice with colors and will sing and dance in classic Bollywood music. After all the fun, enjoyment and excitement on the streets, the people will make some tasty Holi dishes and most famous sweet of Holi is “Gujjia”.
- When: Holi is celebrated between early February to late March, according to the Hindu calendar. This year, dates vary from 29 March 2021 to 30 March 2021
- Where: All over India
2. Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea
The Mud Festival is an annual and biggest festival which takes place during the summer in Boryeong, the festival attract about 2.2 million visitors to Boryeong.
The festival is originally conceived as a marketing vehicle for Boryeong mud cosmetics, the festival takes place over a period of around 2 weeks. This fantastic festival has gathered so much attention that in the last few years thousands of people gather every summer in Boryeong to participate in the Mud Festival.
The major attraction of this festival is mud pools, mudslides, and many mud competition which are held every year at the seafront area. A large stage is erected on the seaside beach, for live music, competitions, and various other visual attractions, And the festival is closed with the biggest fireworks display.
- When: Every July for 10 days festival is been held. Estimated dates Friday, July 17, 2024– Sunday, July 21, 2024
- Where: South Korea
3. San Fermin Festival, Spain
This festival is the most popular and biggest festival in the world for its famous “running of the bulls” through the streets of the old quarter by runners. This is the biggest festival of July in Pamplona and it is a celebration devoted to San Fermin, the patron saint of Navarra.
This is the cultural highlight centering on the atmosphere created by the mass gathering of people from all over the world. Every year, the Festival including “Running of the Bulls”, attracts thousands of visitors to Pamplona, Spain, a festival is week-long with very massive crowds in that city.
They enjoy this festival with various fireworks, the running of the bulls, and many bullfights, drinks as well as foods. It is so dangerous and controversial festival even in this festival many people were injured.
- When: Every year from 6 July to 15 July this festival is been celebrated.
- Where: Pamplona, Spain
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4. Oktoberfest, Germany
It is one of the biggest festivals of German, widely recognized by the world. Oktoberfest occurs in the month of September in Munich and is essentially famous and popular of the celebration of food and beer.
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest and biggest festivals with various activities and food vendors also selling snacks all around. In fact, this is one of those best festivals in the world. It is about 16 to 18 days festival running from mid or late September to the first weekend in the month of October, with more than seven million people all around the world attending this event every year.
It is an important part of Bavarian culture, and you may also enjoy many attractions, such as side stalls, amusement rides, and various games. Munich’s original fair is the beer biggest festivals around the globe. In 2013, more than $96,178,668 worth of beer was served every day during the festival and events.
- When: Munich Oktoberfest will begin at second last Saturday od September to first Sunday of October.on This year begins on 18 September and ends on 3 October 2024
- Where: Munich, Germany
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In Germany: Attractions That will Amaze You
5. Ganesh Chaturthi, Mumbai
It is one of the famous, important and biggest festivals in Maharashtra. Before Lokmanya Tilak, Ganesh Chaturthi which is used to be a small celebration in every household by worshipping Lord Ganesh.
In the year 1893, Lokmanya Tilak transformed it into a large, well we all organized domestic celebration. Since then it has become a big festival in Maharashtra and central India and has rapidly spread across south India and parts of east and north India.
The 10-day event festival sees several cultural programs, dance, art craft sells and a grand procession at the end of the festivals.
- When: Sep 10, 2021
- Where: Mumbai, India
6. La Tomatina, Spain
La Tomatina is one of the oldest and biggest festivals, it’s also easily the messiest, coming off like the world’s biggest food (Tomatoes) fight. This festival takes place in the Valencian town of Buñol (Spain), where 40 metric tons of tomatoes are thrown in a massive food-fight, giving 20,000 revelers their daily dose of vegetables.
These biggest festivals are held on the last Wednesday of August, during the week of the festivities of Buñol. In these festivals, people throw tomatoes to each other and get involved in tomato fights for enjoying and entertainment purposes only.
There is some rule instruction of this festival is that do not throw any hard object, do not tear shirts or clothes, squash tomatoes before throwing them, keep some distance from the trucks.
- When: Every year last Wednesday of Agust is celebrated as La Tomatina. this year August 25, 2024
- Where: Bunol, Spain
7. Burning Man, Nevada
Burning Man is an annual event held in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada, USA. The festival starts on Monday before and ends on the day of the American Labor Day holiday.
It is described by many participants as an experiment in community, radical self-expression, artwork, and radical self-reliance. These biggest festivals are organized by Black Rock City, LLC.
Festival started in 1986 when Larry Harvey and his buddy Jerry James assembled an 8-foot tall large wooden figure and dragged it to San Francisco’s Baker Beach. They lit it on fire, a curious crowd of around 20 people watched it burn, and thus one of the world’s weirdest, wildest parties was born.
- When: Begins at last Monday of August ends up in the first Monday of September this festival has celebrated. This year from 31st August to 7 September 2024.
- Where: Nevada, USA
Also read: Day trips from Nevada
8. Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil
Another best festival in the world is the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the largest carnival in the world, that takes place yearly before Lent. Around 2 million people swell the streets of Rio daily during the festival, drinking and sambaing their way through the city.
If you want to enjoy something different and fun and be a part of a massive celebration, then I recommend you to add the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
This is one of the unique and very entertaining and biggest festivals all over the world, it also attracts the media outlets including The Guardian and The New York Times.
It is one of the biggest festivals in the world, Brazil Carnival is widely considered “the greatest show on Planet”.
- When: Carnival in Rio de Janeiro will begin on Friday before Ash Wednesday and ends on Ash Wednesday noon.
- Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Lisbon, Portugal; Madrid, Spain; Las Vegas, Nevada
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9. New York Fashion Week, USA
This week is fonded in 1943, New York Fashion Week was the first fashion week. NYFW gets many biggest festivals and more impressive festivals every year and this year the Manhattan event is combining both the men’s and women’s shows.
Couture Fashion Week presents multiple days of couture and luxury fashion events twice a year in NYC. Each show and event time presents different designs and designers. It’s a world-class entertainment show that includes Parties with dinner and drinks and many more.
- When: NY Fashion Week generally runs the whole of February in the city.
- Where: New York, USA
Suggested Read: 9 Must-See Tourist Attractions in the USA
10. St. Patrick’s Day, New York
The Festival of Saint Patrick is a cultural and religious holiday which is celebrated on 17 March, it has taken place in New York City. S.Patrick the most commonly recognized and biggest festivals of the patron saints of Ireland is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church.
On this day, the city turns into green, many people paint green on their faces. The Irish pubs are packed and many other nationalities who celebrate this fun holiday festival. Many Irish bake this traditional soda bread at this festival. And indeed it is the best festivals in the world with all yummy foods.
It is a bread made of raisins, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, flour, and salt. It is one of the most fun days in New York City, USA every year when the whole city turns into a big green party and many people get drunk at this spacious festival.
- When: March 17 Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year
- Where: Dublin, Ireland & New York – USA
Suggested Read: Best Places to Visit in New York | NYC Epic Guide
11. Diwali Festival, India
Biggest Festival of India, the festival of lights is called Diwali and it is one of the famous, popular, important and biggest festivals in Hindu culture. in the Hindu calendar, as it is a celebration of light overcoming darkness and also sees in the Hindu New Year calendar.
During the new moon, businesses, homes and even rivers are covered with full of lights, candles and lanterns and many varieties of a small light. Before the final family feasts, colorful fireworks fill the night skies.
Today Diwali is not an ancient Hindu Festivals that is celebrated to mark a victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair but has also religious significance in Jainism and Sikhism also.
- When: On the new moon of every October. (dates may vary according to Hindu calendar)
- Where: All over India
12. Songkran Water Festival, Thailand
A festival of the Thai New Year, Songkran Festival is commonly three days in length and is viewed as the nation’s most essential open occasion.
The occasion likewise indicates the finish of the area’s dry season, Natives snatch anything they can get their hands on water firearms, hoses, even pails to ready to soak their friends and take part in a full-scale water war.
While most likely one of the coolest things to be a piece of while travelling in Thailand, know that sightseers particularly are focused on super cold water and should head into the fight with their diversion face on.
- When: Songkran in Thailand will begin on April 13 and ends on April 15, every year.
- Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Suggested Read: Day Trips From Chiang Mai
13. Tomorrowland Festival, Belgium
Tomorrowland Festival is an electronic dance music festival and its the biggest festival which is held in the boom, Belgium. This festival is first held in 2005 and now it becomes one of the world’s largest and most notable music festivals all over the world.
It currently extends more than 2 ends of the week and for the most part, moves out in minutes. Each year around 100,000 visitors flocks to Belgium to dance and enjoy the day and night.
More than hundreds of electronic music DJ’s take the various artfully built stages at Tomorrowland. The 2016 lineup is still in progress, but in 2015, Tomorrowland brought in names like Alesso, David Guetta, Avicii, Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix, Dillon Francis, Tiesto, etc.
- When: 22nd to 24th July & 29th to 31st July 2022
- Where: Boom, Belgium
Read also: Best places to visit in Belgium To Cherish your life.
14. Exit Festival, Serbia
Serbia Festival | Biggest Festivals
Leave Festival has quite an amazing history; it was established in 2000 as an understudy development to dissent and battle for the majority rules system in Serbia.
It’s been visited by more than two million people from in excess of 60 nations. Just as the music, There’s a games zone, chill zones, a zip line, and a 3D move field, it is another world-famous music festival and one of the most recognized biggest festivals.
It has many electronic, rock, metal, hip hop/rap, reggae, and punk music. Festival has been held every year since 2000 and takes place at the Petrovaradin Fortress. In 2016, Exit will be bringing in big artists like Wiz Khalifa, Ellie Goulding, David Guetta, Bastille, Nicky Romero, etc.
- When: EXIT will begin on the month of July every year.
- Where: Novi Sad, Serbia
15. Earth Garden, Malta
Earth Garden Festival which is held in Malta, its the largest alternative music festival held annually at the National park in Ta’ Qali, Malta.
This biggest festivals features 5 music stages and over more than 100 acts playing various genres including Funk, World Music, Ska, Reggae, Dub, Hip-Hop, Psy-Trance, Techno, House, Electro, Drum ‘n’ bass and many more.
The Festival offers naturally shaded campsites, a healing and workshop area, an international food court, an Ethnic Market and a Kid’s area also. This Festival held for 4 days with 4 different stages, over 70 international live acts, DJ’s, and second-largest camping sites.
- When: In between late June and early July every year
- Where: Malta, Europe
16. Day Of The Dead, Mexico
It is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico. This festival is celebrated to remember and honor the deceased. It is not a sad or sick occasion, but a celebration and colorful holiday of the lives of those who have passed away.
In this festival, Mexicans visit cemeteries and decorate tombs. They spend their time with deceased friends and family members. They also build elaborately decorated altars in their homes to welcome the spirits. Spirits are welcomed with special foods and offerings of the things they ate while alive. Overall it is a unique festival in the world and one of the best festivals in the world.
- When: November 1 and 2 of every year
- Where: Mexico
Conclusion
And there you have it..! All about the best festivals in the world. Hope so this filtered and handpicked list of festivals will help you to decide which are the festivals you are going to celebrate this year to have some quality time with friends, family and our world’s cultural.
If there is still a doubt, Don’t worry Treknova is always there to help you. Comment below all your queries and it will be our pleasure to hear your views. Hope you like it. Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up and share it with your loved ones. Till then celebrate life, celebrate the festival…..