Festivals are events that offer a great chance to experience real-life and pulsating cultures, traditions, and celebrations. Whether a music enthusiast, a foodie, or a person who simply loves various cultural experiences, festivals surely bring a lot of unforgettable memories and shining moments. From the metallic golds and silvers during Holi in India, to the electric vibe at Coachella in California, festivals around the globe brings together and celebrates, connects, and learns from one another. Here is a low down on some of the best Festivals across the globe you ought to be checking off your bucket list. Best Festivals in the World
Best Festivals Around the Globe
1. Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil
Being probably among the most internationally famous the world over, the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is a giant, boisterous celebration just before Lent. Millions of tourists come each yearly to that event. The climax of the event is the samba parade, where contesting samba schools represent the best show of music, dance, and fantastic costumes. It is samba that fills the streets of Rio, together with all kinds of dances and revelry. If you really want to experience Carnival Spirit, you can get involved in a samba school parade actively for the most amazing experience ever. Best Festivals in the World
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is much more than a carnival; it is a social movement that reflects the exuberance and passion in the Brazilian spirit. It goes on for a number of days, with different blocks or street parties throughout the city. Each banda has its own thema, music, and vibe. In short, it’s unique. Apart from the samba parade, other events include lavish balls in some of the most respected places in town, such as the Copacabana Palace. These balls include live music and dancing, with very elaborate attire to help give a taste of the high society’s spin on Carnival. Best Festivals in the World
2. Diwali in India
Diwali is among traditional and important festivals celebrated with great gusto in the countries of the Indian subcontinent. This is a festival that shows the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, observed with the trim of color, firecrackers, and delicious food.
This day is special as the glow of oil lamps and candles fills homes and streets, making a person feel as if they are in a fairy tale. People get together to exchange gifts with each other, share sweets, and watch a lot of fireworks across the sky. To experience Diwali in its beauty and joy, make sure you visit India and be a part of these celebrations towards an unforgettable cultural experience. Best Festivals in the World
The celebration of Diwali varies throughout India, with each region observing its own distinct traditions and customs. In the north, Diwali is celebrated as a festival of Lord Rama when he had defeated the demon king Ravana and returned to Ayodhya. In the west, particularly in Gujarat, it signals the end with the Perkali of the conclusion of the harvest season. It is a five-day festival, with each day having its own set of rituals and significance. The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day dedicated to wealth and prosperity, during which people purchase gold and new utensils. Best Festivals in the World
The second is Naraka Chaturdashi, symbolizing the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakașura. The third day is the main Diwali day, meant for the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja, celebrated in commemoration of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to save his village from torrential rains. The fifth day is Bhai Dooj, a festival honoring the relationship between brothers and sisters. Best Festivals in the World
3. Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest is the biggest beer festival in the world and takes place in Munich, Germany. It is a uncertainties-day celebration of Bavarian culture, food, and beer that attracts more than six million visitors from all parts of the world. Visitors may enjoy some delightful time over Bavarian folk music, food, and beer in one of the fourteen ample beer tents put up in the grounds of the festival.
The high point of Oktoberfest comes in the form of a beer wagon and festival tent parade through the streets of Munich, with all participants decked in traditional Bavarian gear. If you happen to be a lover of beer, food, and good partying, then Oktoberfest may just be the perfect type of festival for you.
The original Oktoberfest was held in 1810 in honor of, not surprisingly, Crown Prince Ludwig’s wedding to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Since then, it has become an international event—many citizens in the big cities of the world organize festivals in a similar way. However, none of them matches the original Oktoberfest Munich in its size and authenticity. The festival area, best known as Theresienwiese, extends to over 100 acres with an enormous array of attractions like rides, games, and cultural exhibitions. Every tent has its own character and atmosphere, from the party atmosphere of the Hofbräu-Festzelt to the more traditional and classic Augustiner-Festhalle, which tends to feature beer supplied by Munich’s oldest brewery. Best Festivals in the World
4. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, USA
Mardi Gras, otherwise known as Fat Tuesday, is also a very colorful and lively festival celebrated in one of the oldest cities of America, New Orleans, Louisiana. Known for the celebrations, music, and other customs dating back to the 18th century, Mardi Gras brings long floats, marching bands, and costumed revelers tossing beads and trinkets to the crowds. The carnival finale is the Mardi Gras parade, a procession down the avenue of marvelous floats carrying masquerading riders. Come experience the energy and excitement of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Best Festivals in the World
Mardi Gras is inextricably interwoven with New Orleans’ own history—French, Spanish, with a smattering of African and Caribbean cultural influences thrown in for good measure. It is a festival season that begins officially on January 6th, Twelfth Night, and has its culmination on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. This takes place through the season, with various parades and masked balls held by different krewes, or social organizations, with each one having its own theme and spatialities.
The most renowned krewes are Zulu, Rex, and Bacchus. Zulu, Rex, and Bacchus are known for their pyrotechnic, eye-popping floats and celebrity grand marshals. Equally famous is the change that the street parties in the French Quarter bring, with partyers bedecked in garish costumes and masks, bringing the ethos of Carnival to the great, wide world. Best Festivals in the World
5. La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain
La Tomatina is an annual tomato-throwing festival held every August in Buñol, Spain, where the first event took place in 1945. During La Tomatina, everyone assembles in the town square and initiates one colossal tomato fight by throwing oversweet tomatoes in a joyful, disorderly manner at one another. The result: the streets plastered with a sea of red pulp as everybody starts to laugh, dance, and have a good time in the merry atmosphere. If you live for the spontaneity and love to let loose, then this is the festival for you: La Tomatina. Best Festivals in the World
There are many theories about how the event started, perhaps as a food fight between friends or by turning an act of protest gone bad, but regardless of the beginning, it has just continued to grow into a very popular custom, with thousands of participants from around the world. The day begins with a “palo jabón” contest, which in itself is a man-on-man combat event where participants climb a greased pole to the top to retrieve a ham. Afterward, truckloads of tomatoes make their way into the town’s center, and then comes the tomato battle. The fight lasts approximately one hour before streets are cleaned with water and participants often head to the Buñol River nearby to clean themselves.
The Best Festivals in the World
6.Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England
Glastonbury Festival is, doubtless, one of the largest and most famous music festivals in the world. It draws thousands of music lovers worldwide into its kaleidoscope of different stages, housing big-named performances, art installations, cabaret shows, and workshops. Boasting an eclectic lineup spanning rock, pop, hip-hop, electronica, and world music of every kind, the Glastonbury spill also pours very strongly into sustainability and environmentalism. Loving music, art, and community? You’ll dig Glastonbury Festival. Best Festivals in the World
Glastonbury Festival was created on Worthy Farm—a working dairy farm in Pilton, Somerset. It dates back to 1970; when at first, it was just realized as a small event, drawing some 1,500 people. Today, it has grown into the global phenomenon, pulling in upward of 200,000 attendees. The site covers more than 900 acres, containing several anarchic stages; one of the most famous is the Pyramid Stage, which hosts the biggest headline acts. The festival, besides music, has a variety of activities and attractions: from fields for treatment, where one can even practice meditation or yoga, to green fields, which educate on ecological awareness and sustainable life. Best Festivals in the World
7.Songkran, Thailand
Songkran is a traditional Thai New Year festival in mid-April that is celebrated with water fights, parades, and religious ceremonies. The highlights of the Songkran Festival feature a water festival whereby water is sprinkled onto others in washing away the past year and welcoming the New Year. Music plays, and all people dance, breaking into laughter as all classes of people are together in the event. Feel the beauty and fun of the Thailand culture when you visit Thailand this Songkran for a celebration you’ll never forget.
It is easily traceable to ancient Hindu traditions, where water was used to signify purification and renewal. This festival normally runs for three days, but in some areas, the celebrations continue even for a week. The first day is the eve of Songkran: people clean their houses and public places in preparation for the New Year. On the second day of the festival, known as Songkran Day, everyone treaded around temples and merited through almsgiving and pouring water on Buddha images. Best Festivals in the World
But it’s on the New Year’s Day that water fights are launched, and everyone, young and old alike, is equally armed with buckets, hoses, and water guns to get everyone soaked. Major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya have their own unique take on the festival and are popular destinations for Songkran merrymaking. Best Festivals in the World
8. Coachella in California, USA
Coachella, held annually in Indio, California, is one of the world’s most prestigious and high-profile music festivals. Across myriad stages, the festival hosts top artists of the era in genres spanning everything from rock and pop to hip-hop, electronic, and indie. Atop the music list, Coachella features art installations, food vendors, and other high-degree interactive experiences. Best Festivals in the World
It is one of the truly immersive events in the world. This festival is known as a trendsetter in terms of fashion, music, and culture, thus being a haven for all kinds of influencers and celebrities worldwide. Want to be part of the hottest festival across the world? You should not miss Coachella. Coachella, or Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, is an event that debuted in 1999, then rapidly turned into a cultural phenomenon. Best Festivals in the World
The event spans two weekends in April with the same lineup both weekends. Festival grounds specifically occupy Empire Polo Club, which spans over 600 acres. Within these are various stages, areas for art pieces, and VIP areas. Coachella is known not only for its eclectic curation of performers but also for the best venue of discovering new music. Foodwise, it has everything from high-end food trucks to pop-up restaurants by celebrity chefs. You will also get the opportunity to see many sculptures and a lot of art installations, therefore the visual experience will be all-encompassing. Best Festivals in the World
9. Holi in India
Holi is the celebration in India to commemorate springtime and the victory of good over evil.The festival is celebrated through playing with colors, music, dance, and all kinds of fun-filled eating. People come together and splash each other with colored powders and waters, forming a rainbow, which depicts unity and love.
The streets of India turn into riots of color as people from every age group and every background celebrate together. The celebration is something to be felt to realize the magic and fun in Holi. To head towards India and get colored with colors of enjoyment. To get the feel of it. The color riot usually discussed in “Holi” has basically its roots in ancient Hindu mythology but is associated with a number of legends. Best Festivals in the World
One of such legends is that of Prahlad, the devotee of Lord Vishnu, who was saved from the clutches of the demoness Holika, thus suggestive of the victory of good over evil. Another is the one concerning Lord Krishna’s playing colors with his beloved Radha and her friends. It is celebrated over two days. The first day, Holika Dahan, is a light-up of bonfires to stand for the burning of evil.
The second one is Rangwali Holi, which is actually the main phase of celebrations—a festival of fun where people get together to play with colors, dance, and spend their time eating traditional holiday food like gujiya (a sweet dumpling) and drinking a spiced milk drink called thandai. Best Festivals in the World
10. Day of the Dead in Mexico
The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos in Spanish, is a Mexican tradition observed in memory of dead loved ones. It is observed on November 1st and 2nd. Homes beam with color and ornamentation that stream in from within: altars, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, foodstuffs of tradition. Families reunite to remember and honor their family members who have died, and on this occasion, they prepare altars with photos, candles, and offerings of food and drink. Soon after, one of the festival’s highlights is parades with processions of people in fancy affixations wear skull makeup to pay homage to their dead by rejoicing, frolicking to the music, and dancing. Best Festivals in the World
Planning a visit to Mexico during the Day of the Dead will offer you an experience of one of the richest and most colorful cultural practices. The celebration of the Day of the Dead had a history based on very ancient Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Aztecs, who believed that death was just a natural phase in the life cycle. Best Festivals in the World
The festivity becomes a mix of indigenous practice and Catholicism, which gives way to a very particular celebration of life and death. The Day of the Dead celebration is done with altars, which are actually called ofrendas, usually garnished with marigold flowers, candles, and papel picado. People offer traditional favorite food and drink of the deceased person and include symbolic traditional foods, such as sugar skulls called calaveras, and a special bread called pan de muerto. The main parade events and elaborate festivals are in cities such as Mexico City and Oaxaca, although it is a countrywide celebration, and each region has different customs and traditions. Best Festivals in the World
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are some of the premier music festivals globally?
The shortlist of great music festivals around the world includes Glastonbury Festival in England, Coachella in California, Tomorrowland in Belgium, and Lollapalooza in Chicago. All these festivals have different artist lineups, well-designed experiences, and an atmosphere of liveliness that most music fans become attracted to throughout the world. Best Festivals in the World
One of the most Quantum electronic dance music festivals located in Boom, Belgium, is Tomorrowland. Its entailing features include the highly elaborate stage designs, immersive themes, and always a lineup of best DJs. Now plugged in in Grant Park, Chicago, Lollapalooza was originally launched in 1991 as a touring festival. From that time, the festival has featured fan favorites from a wide variety of artists across genres in the music field. Best Festivals in the World
How do I decide which festival is ideal for me to attend?
The kind of festival one may be thinking of attending would depend on his or her interests, budget, and travel preferences. Think of what you’re looking for: maybe music, food, culture, or adventure. Check the lineup, location, and reviews of a festival to see if it fits your taste. Also, consider the time of the year and the weather conditions, as these play a huge role in your overall experience. Best Festivals in the World
If you are a music lover, look for festivals with lineups that include your favorite artists or genres. If you are a dedicated foodie, look out for festivals that are known to have culinary wonders like the Taste of Chicago or the Pizzafest in Naples. For the cultural experience, festivals like Diwali in India or Day of the Dead in Mexico will give you a treat with rich traditions and vibrant celebrations. Best Festivals in the World
What should I pack for a festival?
Now, planning for an outfit for a festival would surely consider the event location, the weather, and the kind of festival it is. As a general list of things to pack, comfortable clothing and decent shoes, sunblock, a hat or cap, a refillable water bottle, and a portable charger for your phone are usually included. To the list go camping equipment, toiletries, and a first-aid kit if attending multi-day-long festivals. Always refer to the event guidelines for items that are not allowed. Best Festivals in the World
For any outdoor festival, such as Glastonbury or Coachella, get ready by including extra layers for various weather conditions and changes in temperature. A waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear will come in handy, as walking and standing constitute the largest parts of your time at a festival. In case of cultural festivals like Diwali or Songkran, pack something that is ethnocultural or clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet. Best Festivals in the World
How am I Going to Be Safe at a Festival?
Follow these tips for how to stay safe at a festival:
• Be hydrated and drink lots of water. Best Festivals in the World
• Be aware of your surroundings; watch for scams and stick with friends. Best Festivals in the World
• Secure your stuff and stow the goods; keep valuables close or locked away. Best Festivals in the World
• Don’t overdo it because it’s a long event, so take breaks to rest up. Best Festivals in the World
• Plan it out so that if an emergency arises, you are aware of first aid stations. Best Festivals in the World
Also, never take drinks or food from people that you have just met, and always be sure of the path to take back to your accommodation. Familiarize yourself with all entrances and exits of the festival grounds and know where the first-aid stations are located so that in case of an accident, this could be very helpful.
Are there any family-friendly festivals?
Yes, plenty all around the world. Some examples would be the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in Scotland; the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, in the USA; and the Just So Festival in England. Many of the festivals have activities, performances, and zones just for children and families, so they are appropriate for travelers with kids. Best Festivals in the World
Edinburgh Festival Fringe: The biggest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, entails a plethora of performances ranging from theater and comedy to music and dance. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Experience for yourself why New Orleans has been dubbed the world’s most culturally diverse city through live music, local food, and fun family entertainment. Just So Festival, Cheshire, England: This family arts festival, set within the grounds of Rode Hall in Cheshire, promises a magical experience with storytelling, music, theatre, and creative workshops. Best Festivals in the World
Festivals are an event that could release so much information by joining the world from every corner of countries, cultures, traditions, and occasions. What you love, music, food, art, or bizarre things, there is a festival. Whether it is Rio’s streets during the colorful Carnival or the artistic air in Glastonbury, England, these festivals will leave an unforgettable memory and appreciation of the world’s diversity and beauty. So, pack your bags, call the crew, and get ready for the best festivals across the globe.