10 amazing festivals worldwide

For culture vultures, there’s no better way to plan a holiday than to anchor your trip around the world’s great festivals, it’s pretty much a guarantee that something magical and unprecedented will happen.

Festivals are a VIP invitation to see a country in full party mode, bells and whistles included. We’ve highlighted some of the world’s most colourful, vibrant events to inspire your travels.

2. Harbin Ice Festival – China

Begins 5 – 28 January

Discover the world’s largest annual snow and ice festival; a wintry wonderland of ice lantern castles and sparkling snow sculptures. Use this as your opportunity to explore China and visit the Forbidden City in Beijing or the Great Wall of China at Badaling.

3. Mardi Gras in New Orleans

3 – 28 February

During the two week state-wide Mardi Gras celebrations, New Orleans embraces a feast of entertainment featuring vibrant masquerades and colourful parades culminating on Fat Tuesday 13 February.  Combine this amazing city experience with a road trip to Tennessee to visit Memphis and Nashville for a music holiday of a lifetime.

4. Rio Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

9 – 14 February

Over two million people flock to Rio for the annual carnival; a five day celebration of samba beats and parties that last day and night. Get your seats at the Sambodromo, the purpose-built festival arena that is the epicentre of the carnival. Once you’ve partied in Brazil, explore more of South America when you cross the border into Argentina to tango in the cafes and bars of Buenos Aires.

5. South By South West, Austin, Texas

9 – 18 March

Discover Texas and the music city of Austin at the largest music festival of its kind in the world. Then discover more of the culture and history of the Lone Star State when you visit the Alamo at San Antonio and the cowboy culture and dude ranches of Fort Worth.

6. Coachella and Stagecoach, Greater Palm Springs

13 – 22 April

Experience Greater Palm Springs’ classic American architecture, stylish galleries and designer stores when you visit the legendary Coachella Festival of Music and Arts. Situated in the state of California, also embark on an epic road trip along Pacific Highway 1 to experience the glamour of Los Angeles and the iconic sights of San Francisco.

7. Holi ‘Festival of Colours’, India

July – August

One of the most popular in India, this colourful Hindu festivals marks the triump of good over evil and is celebrated at the onset of spring. Whole communities come together to play with colours at day-long events across India, especially in the northern cities of Delhi and Agra, and in Rajasthan.

8. Aloha Cultural Festivals, Hawaii

Throughout September

Discover vibrant block parties and colourful parades, traditional hula plus Hawaiian arts and crafts, dance, music and cuisine. Island hop across this beautiful archipelago to discover active volcanoes on Hawaii Island, the spectacular scenery of Maui and the enchanting forests of Kauai.

9. Day of the Dead, Mexico

1 – 2 November

This legendary festival is a wonderful merging of Mexico’s indigenous traditions and Spanish-influence. Across the country on All Saints Day, people take to the streets in colourful costumes to honour loved ones through feasting and revelry. Some cities even go beyond that – in Oaxaca for example, cemetaries are decorated with candles and flowers while in San Miguel de Allende, you can see a costumed procession making its way through the picturesque town.

For more inspiration and to see some of our best travel experiences, visit our Let’s Talk holiday types pages and discover more amazing holiday opportunities to kick-start your New Year.