Festivals Around the World Worth Planning a Year of Travel For

Festivals Around the World Worth Planning a Year of Travel For (Image: Canva)

Festivals are a special chance to get to know the culture, traditions and the spirit of the community of a destination. To the serious traveller who plans to spend a year going around some of the most colourful festivals in the world, memorable experiences may be made. These festivals attract people in all parts of the world through music and colour as well as through history and ritual.

Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Samba parades, rich costumes and wild street parties are associated with Rio Carnival. Taking place in February or March each year, it is a festival of music, dance and Brazilian culture that now welcomes people from every corner of the world.

Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest is a 16-18-day festival of Bavarian culture, which occurs towards the end of September and the beginning of October. In the Munich beer tents, visitors can taste traditional beer, their country's delicacies, folk music, and colourful parades.

Diwali, India
Diwali, the festival of lights, usually happens in October or November. Indian cities are illuminated with lamps and fireworks, as well as bright decorations, and families celebrate with sweets, rituals and communal gatherings.

Songkran, Thailand
The Thai New Year festival, called Songkran and held in April, is famed because of the water fights held all over Thailand. It is not only the season of playing, the season of visiting temples, prayer, and giving respect to the elders, but also a blend of fun and tradition.

La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain
La tomatina is an annual tomato fight festival, which takes place in August and involves thousands of people. The streets turn into a game with each other, and it is a memorable and vibrant experience that can be found only in this small Spanish town.

Holi, India
The festival of colours known as Holi is celebrated in March and is celebrated throughout India. The participants toss colored powder, dance and consume festive foods in signification of good triumphing over evil and the beginning.

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA
The Mardi Gras, which takes place in February or March, is attended by parades, music and masked balls in New Orleans. It is a cultural experience as the festival combines French, Spanish, and Creole traditions, thus a very vibrant and engaging activity.

Carnival of Venice, Italy
The Carnival of February, celebrated in Venice, is famous because of expensive costumes, masks and huge balls. There are gondola parades and theatrical performances in recognition of the artistic and cultural heritage of the city.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA
This festival, which is held in October, features hundreds of hot air balloons shooting up into the New Mexico sky. Visitors get to have a balloon ride, night glows, and photography, among other things, making it a globally spectacular event.

Skiing, Harbin, China
This festival is held during the period between January and February, and it involves huge ice sculptures and lit installations. The blend of art, creativity and winter cold attracts visitors to have a magical, immersive winter experience.

To the international travellers, the festivals are not just an opportunity to celebrate but also a chance to experience other cultures, savour other traditions and have a lifetime experience. A world tour in a year enables an amazing experience.