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Life’s too short for uneventful holidays – travel for the plot and plan your next trip around an internationally-renowned celebration to make once-in-a-lifetime memories while you’re away.
From bright lights to tomato fights, these bucket list events will have you zipping up your suitcase faster than you can say “passport, please!” Grab your calendar and start plotting – here are ten world-famous events worth the annual leave.
Sapporo Snow Festival, Sapporo
If you’d trade Aussie summer for a winter wonderland any day, just wait until you hear about Sapporo Snow Festival! Sapporo transforms into an ice-cold masterpiece every February, featuring intricate snow sculptures, illuminated ice castles, and even snow slides. If you needed an excuse to sip on hot sake, dig into Japanese street food, and whip out your inner unqualified art critic, this is it. Pack your warmest jackets, your artistic opinions, and your camera, and get ready to freeze the moment at one of the world’s most mesmerising snow shows.
When: Held annually in February
Getting there
Carnival, Rio de Janeiro
If vibrant parades, elaborate costumes, and non-stop samba sounds like your kind of party, then Carnival in Rio is probably already topping your bucket list. This larger-than-life festival takes over the city every February or March with extravagant floats, infectious energy that will have you dancing ‘til dawn, and around eight million other party-goers who will be dancing alongside you. Expect dazzling performances, spectacular fireworks, and an electric atmosphere that pulses through every street, this is an event that truly embodies the spirit of Brazil.
When: Held annually in February
Getting there
Mardi Gras, New Orleans
Beads, booze, and boogie – Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the ultimate celebration of music, costumes, and revelry. With colourful floats, masquerade balls, and live jazz music on every corner, this celebration hits all the right notes. Pack your best purple, green, and gold fits, and let the good times take you right into the next morning!
When: Held annually in February
Getting there
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset
Glastonbury isn’t just a music festival, it’s a rite of passage for anyone who loves good tunes and muddy boots! With an eclectic lineup spanning every genre imaginable, mind-blowing performances across countless stages, and an almost magical atmosphere, this is the holy grail of live music. Each year, thousands of music lovers descend upon the rolling fields of Somerset ready to dance through whatever the unpredictable British weather throws at them. Sunshine or shower, one thing’s for sure; this is an experience you’ll be talking about for months after the last encore.
When: Held annually in June
Getting there
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival, transforming Scotland’s capital into a stage for thousands of performances across theatre, comedy, dance, and music. Whether you’re into avant-garde theatre, or stand-up comedy that leaves your sides aching, this 25-day festival is bound to have an act that secures you to your seat in awe and gets you out of it in applause.
When: Held annually in August
Getting there
La Tomatina, Buñol
Ready to let your inner child run wild? La Tomatina is your chance to pelt tomatoes at strangers in the biggest (and messiest) food fight on the planet. The world’s biggest food fight began in 1945 in Buñol, Spain, during a parade, with a spontaneous tomato fight that evolved into an annual tradition and is now a globally recognised festival. Nothing will bring out your kid at heart more than a day of pure unfiltered-fun, followed by lively street parties, and hopefully, a much-needed shower. Whether you’re craving culture, chaos, or just an excuse to dance in the streets, this food fight offers an epic camera roll dump, and the scent of tomato to follow you for the remainder of your trip.
When: Held annually in August
Getting there
Oktoberfest, Munich
Beer buffs, this one’s for you! Oktoberfest in Munich is a 16-day brew-fuelled bonanza, featuring giant beer tents, traditional Bavarian music, and filling pretzels to soak up the bevvies. Don your Lederhosen and dirndls (aka. Your passport to the party) and raise a stein to Bavarian culture in its most cheerful form – where the only thing better than the beer is the vibes.
When: Held annually in October
Getting there
Diwali, India
Visit Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, bathing India and many other South Asian countries in the glow of thousands of lights every October or November. Light up your leave with fireworks taking over the night sky, oil lamps flickering on every doorstep, and enough mouthwatering sweets to make your dentist shudder. From the sparkling ghats of Varanasi to the dazzling neon-lit buildings of Jaipur, this is a celebration not to miss – illuminating the nation to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
When: Held annually in October
Getting there
Day of the Dead, Oaxaca
Forget the spooky stereotypes – Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Oaxaca is a cultural cocktail of culture, colour, and calaveras. Watch the streets become transformed with exciting parades, and elaborate face painting that turn this small city into an enchanting kaleidoscope. The celebration dates back 3,000 years, rooted in the belief that the spirit and real worlds briefly merge, and souls awaken to feast, drink, dance, and reunite with loved ones. Over the years, this has evolved into one of the world’s biggest celebrations of life!
When: Held annually in October
Getting there
Yi Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai
Ready to light up your life? Head to Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng Lantern Festival, where the night sky becomes a sea of glowing wishes. Rooted in Buddhist tradition, this festival symbolises letting go of misfortune and making space for renewal and good luck – with many people choosing to send a wish or prayer up to the heavens with their lanterns. With temples aglow, local rituals, and a whole lot of community celebrations, Yi Peng is your golden ticket to literally float your worries away!
When: Held annually in November
Getting there
Getting there
Accommodation
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