From Holi to La Tomatina: Top 10 biggest festivals in the world

What if you could wade through rivers of colour, dance in the streets to thundering samba drums, or get drenched in a city-wide water fight? Across the globe, festivals are more than just dates on a calendar—they are powerful expressions of culture, history, rebellion, and joy. From sacred rituals to chaotic carnivals, these 10 unforgettable celebrations remind us that the world knows how to party, in ways you never imagined. (Image: Canva)

1. Holi – India & Nepal
Where Colours Speak Louder Than Words
In March, India and Nepal explode into a canvas of powdered pigments. Holi isn’t just a festival—it’s a free-spirited rebellion against routine. Strangers become friends with a splash of pink, and worries dissolve in clouds of blue. Celebrated to mark the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, Holi offers one of the world’s most vivid sensory experiences. And yes, wear white—you’ll never get it back, but the memories will last forever. (Image: Canva)

2. Carnival – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A City That Dances to the Beat of Its Own Drum
For a week before Lent, Rio forgets about sleep. Carnival takes over every street, rooftop, and soul in the city. Think feathered costumes, sequined parades, samba rhythms that shake your spine, and blocos (neighbourhood street parties) that stretch until sunrise. It’s chaotic, overwhelming, and utterly unforgettable—an explosion of joy that defines Brazil’s soul. (Image: Canva)

3. Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
More Than Just Beer—It’s a Bavarian Dream
Imagine a sea of lederhosen and dirndls, frothy steins clinking, and entire tents erupting in song. Oktoberfest is where Bavarian tradition meets global celebration. While beer flows endlessly, it’s the atmosphere—warm, hearty, and strangely wholesome—that steals the show. From carnival rides to giant pretzels, it’s a cultural immersion wrapped in joy and hops. (Image: Canva)

4. Diwali – India
Light Conquers Darkness in the Festival of Hope
Across India in late October or early November, darkness retreats. Homes glow with oil lamps, firecrackers light up the sky, and families gather to celebrate new beginnings. Diwali is deeply spiritual, yet joyfully festive. Whether you’re sampling sweets in a bustling market or watching fireworks from a rooftop, you’ll feel the collective heartbeat of a country that knows how to celebrate both the sacred and the spectacular. (Image: Canva)

5. Gion Matsuri – Kyoto, Japan
1,000 Years of Elegance, Floats, and Fire Rituals
Step into Kyoto in July, and it feels like time slows down. Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s oldest festivals, turns the ancient city into a theatre of pageantry. Towering floats glide down the streets, lanterns glow like fireflies, and centuries-old traditions are reenacted with reverence. It’s quiet, powerful, and deeply poetic—a chance to witness living history in motion. (Image: Canva)

6. Glastonbury Festival – Somerset, UK
Five Days of Mud, Music, and Pure Magic
Forget everything you know about music festivals. Glastonbury is an alternate universe of sound, creativity, and surprise. Yes, you’ll get muddy. Yes, it might rain. But none of that matters when you’re dancing to your favourite band under a stormy English sky, surrounded by art installations, fire-breathing dragons, and tens of thousands of music lovers. Glastonbury is less a festival, more a pilgrimage. (Image: Canva)

7. Chinese New Year – Across China and Global Chinatowns
A Firecracker Start to the Lunar Calendar
For 15 days each year, the world’s most populous nation erupts into celebration. Chinese New Year is marked by red lanterns, dragon dances, ancestral worship, and family feasts that span generations. It’s a time of reflection and reunion, where wishes for prosperity and good fortune fill the air. Major cities like Beijing and Hong Kong dazzle, but the magic lives in family homes and old traditions brought back to life. (Image: Canva)

8. Running of the Bulls – Pamplona, Spain
Adrenaline, Tradition, and a Wild Dash Through History
San Fermín in Pamplona is not for the faint of heart. Every July, thrill-seekers line up for the chance to run ahead of a herd of bulls thundering through narrow cobblestone streets. It’s controversial, electric, and steeped in centuries-old tradition. Whether you run or watch from a balcony, it’s one of the most intense and iconic spectacles in the world. (Image: Canva)

9. Songkran – Thailand
The World’s Largest Water War
In mid-April, Thailand welcomes the New Year not with fireworks, but with water—lots of it. Songkran transforms entire cities into splash zones. Kids with water guns, elephants spraying passersby, and strangers ambushing you with buckets of ice water—it’s hilarious and heartwarming all at once. Beneath the fun lies a beautiful ritual of cleansing and renewal. Just don’t expect to stay dry. (Image: Canva)

10. La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
When a Town Declares War… With Tomatoes
One hour. Over 100 tons of tomatoes. Thousands of grinning people in the narrow streets of Buñol. La Tomatina is not your average food fight—it’s a euphoric mess of slippery fun. What began as a spontaneous act of protest in 1945 now attracts people from around the world. It’s loud, sticky, and absurd—in the best way possible. You don’t just visit La Tomatina. You surrender to it. (Image: Reuters)