Bucket List-Worthy Festivals Around the World

28 November 2025

Nothing beats the thrill of traveling to a new destination, immersing yourself in a different culture, and experiencing the energy of a festival firsthand. Festivals bring people together, create unforgettable memories, and often showcase the best of a country's traditions, music, food, and artistic expression.

If you're looking to add some bucket list-worthy events to your travel plans, you're in the right place! Here are some of the most incredible festivals around the world that should absolutely be on your radar.

1. Rio Carnival (Brazil)

📍 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
📅 February/March (dates vary each year)

They don’t call it the biggest party on Earth for nothing! Rio Carnival is a spectacle like no other, attracting millions of people from Brazil and beyond. The heart of the celebration lies in the Sambadrome, where samba schools compete with extravagant floats, dazzling costumes, and high-energy dance routines.

But the fun isn't just inside the Sambadrome—street parties (blocos) take over every corner of the city, featuring live music, spontaneous parades, and infectious joy. Whether you’re dancing in the streets or watching the parade from the stands, this is one festival you need to experience at least once in your lifetime.

2. Holi Festival (India & Nepal)

📍 India & Nepal (celebrated across the countries)
📅 March (full moon day of Phalguna month)

Also known as the "Festival of Colors," Holi is one of the most joyous and visually stunning celebrations in the world. People gather in the streets to throw vibrant colored powders, dance to traditional music, and enjoy festive treats like gujiya and thandai.

Holi represents the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring. While it's celebrated all over India, some of the best places to witness the festivities are Mathura (the birthplace of Lord Krishna), Vrindavan, and Jaipur. Just be prepared to get completely covered in color—because no one leaves Holi clean!

3. Oktoberfest (Germany)

📍 Munich, Germany
📅 Mid-September to Early October

Beer lovers, this one’s for you! Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival, drawing millions of visitors to Munich each year for two weeks of non-stop drinking, dancing, and Bavarian culture. Traditional beer tents serve up steins (Maß) of locally brewed beer, alongside delicious German delicacies like pretzels, sausages, and roasted chicken.

But Oktoberfest isn't just about beer—expect live folk music, carnival rides, and people dressed in lederhosen and dirndls. It's a celebration of Bavarian traditions at its absolute finest!

4. La Tomatina (Spain)

📍 Buñol, Spain
📅 Last Wednesday of August

Ever wanted to be part of the world’s biggest food fight? La Tomatina is a unique festival where thousands of people gather in the small town of Buñol to throw overripe tomatoes at each other. It’s messy, chaotic, and absolutely hilarious!

The tradition began in 1945, and since then, it has grown into an internationally recognized event. Participants are advised to wear old clothes, goggles, and a playful spirit. After an hour of tomato-throwing madness, fire trucks hose down the streets, and the town goes back to normal—until next year!

5. Songkran (Thailand)

📍 Entire Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket are top spots)
📅 April 13-15

If you're visiting Thailand in mid-April, consider yourself lucky! Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated with a nationwide water fight. Yes, you read that right—buckets, water guns, and hoses are all fair game!

Originally a Buddhist tradition to cleanse away bad luck, Songkran has transformed into a full-on street party where locals and tourists alike drench each other in water. Chiang Mai is often regarded as the best place to experience Songkran, but no matter where you are in Thailand, expect to get soaked.

6. Carnival of Venice (Italy)

📍 Venice, Italy
📅 February (two weeks before Lent starts)

If you've ever dreamt of stepping into a fairytale, the Venice Carnival might be just the experience you’re looking for. This centuries-old festival is famous for its elaborate handmade masks, lavish costumes, and grand masquerade balls.

During the festival, the floating city of Venice transforms into an open-air theater, with parades, performances, and people dressed in opulent 18th-century attire. Whether you join an exclusive ball or simply admire the costumes in the streets, Venice Carnival is nothing short of magical.

7. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (USA)

📍 Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
📅 Early October

Imagine looking up and seeing the sky filled with hundreds of colorful hot air balloons—sounds dreamy, right? The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, attracting balloon pilots and spectators from across the globe.

The Mass Ascension, where hundreds of balloons take off at sunrise, is the main highlight. There are also night glow events, fireworks, and even the opportunity for visitors to take a ride in a balloon. If you've ever wanted to feel like you're floating in a real-life postcard, this is the festival for you!

8. Dia de los Muertos (Mexico)

📍 Mexico (Oaxaca, Mexico City, and Michoacán are top spots)
📅 November 1-2

Far from being a somber occasion, Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a vibrant and heartfelt festival honoring deceased loved ones. Families create beautifully decorated ofrendas (altars) filled with candles, marigolds, food, and photos to welcome the spirits back home.

The streets come alive with parades, traditional music, and skull-painted faces. Oaxaca and Mexico City host some of the most elaborate festivities, where you can witness giant skeleton puppets, candlelit cemeteries, and incredible displays of Mexican culture.

9. Yi Peng Lantern Festival (Thailand)

📍 Chiang Mai, Thailand
📅 November (coincides with Loy Krathong Festival)

There’s something truly magical about watching thousands of lanterns float into the night sky, and that's exactly what happens during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai. Traditionally, people release lanterns as a symbol of letting go of bad luck and making wishes for the future.

The festival often coincides with Loy Krathong, where people send small floating baskets decorated with candles onto rivers and lakes. The combination of floating lanterns in the sky and glowing krathongs on the water creates a breathtakingly beautiful experience.

10. Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival (China)

📍 Harbin, China
📅 January - February

If you love winter wonderlands, the Harbin Ice Festival is a must-see! This incredible event transforms Harbin into a frozen fairytale land, with enormous ice sculptures, illuminated castles, and ice slides.

Artists from around the world come to carve out stunning ice creations, some towering over 20 meters high. The festival also features ice skating, snow sculptures, and dazzling nighttime light displays. Bundle up—it’s going to be cold, but absolutely worth it!

Final Thoughts

Festivals are one of the best ways to experience a new culture, meet incredible people, and create unforgettable memories. Whether you're throwing tomatoes in Spain, watching lanterns drift into the sky in Thailand, or dancing the night away at Rio Carnival, these bucket list-worthy festivals are sure to leave you speechless.

So, which of these festivals is calling your name? Start planning now—because life's too short not to celebrate!