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19 Epic Festivals Across the World in 2023


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19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Planning your 2023 travels? I’ve rounded up a few of the greatest festivals around the globe, that can assist you work out the place to go and when!

These are a few of the greatest occasions around the globe, properly value travelling for.

There are huge music festivals, country-wide water fights, non secular festivals, and a lot extra. At all times a great way to get below the pores and skin of a distinct nation and expertise a novel slice of native tradition.

Determined to journey to attend an enormous competition? Time to begin planning! Try this superior competition packing checklist, analysis prime recommendations on your chosen occasion, e book your flights, and prepare to social gathering!

From well-known cultural occasions, to quirky events you might have by no means heard of, these are a few of the most attention-grabbing world festivals arising this 12 months. Is there something you’d add to the checklist? Don’t overlook to go away a remark on the backside of this put up!

Final Up to date: third January 2023 with all identified dates. 

19 of the Finest World Festivals

Chinese language New Yr, China

2023 dates: twenty second January 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Chinese language New Yr is well known at festivals around the globe! Beijing is among the most iconic locations to witness the Lunar New Yr – with the Forbidden Metropolis decked in lights, and parades and performances throughout the town. Nonetheless, the current fireworks ban might have taken a few of the shine off the festivities. Hong Kong has some of the spectacular fireworks shows over Victoria Harbour, alongside flower festivals, horse races, and the spectacular Evening Parade.

For those who can’t make it to China for New Yr, many cities around the globe host festivals to have a good time. China City in London, the Thirteenth arrondissement in Paris, New York Metropolis, Sydney, San Francisco, and lots of others have large Chinese language New Yr parades! Tet is one in every of the largest festivals in Vietnam and the most effective Chinese language New Yr Festivals on the earth.

Pingxi Lantern Pageant, Taiwan

2023 dates: fifth February 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

One of the iconic world festivals must be the Taiwan Lantern Pageant, hosted within the district of Pingxi. Happening on the final day of the Lunar New Yr, the competition sees hundreds of holiday makers flocking to the village to put in writing their needs on paper lanterns and launch them into the sky.

The custom comes from lanterns which have been as soon as used as indicators to point out that villages have been secure. At the moment, they carry needs and hopes for the brand new 12 months to individuals’s ancestors.

Rio Carnival, Brazil

2023 dates: seventeenth – twenty fifth February 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Rio Carnival might be some of the well-known festivals around the globe – and with superb purpose. It’s the largest carnival on the earth, with over two million individuals a day on the streets. For every week main as much as Lent, Rio de Janeiro erupts with vibrant parades, events, and open-air performances. And each neighbourhood within the metropolis internet hosting its personal avenue social gathering – greater than 300 of them!

Various Carnival locations

Carnival is an enormous deal in lots of international locations. Barranquilla Carnival in Colombia is commonly referred to as the second greatest after Rio, with a number of monumental processions and large avenue events.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Carnival can also be an enormous deal in Uruguay’s Montevideo. In Europe, Italy’s Venice Carnival deserves a spot on each competition traveller’s want checklist.

Mardi Gras, New Orleans

2023 dates: twenty first February 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Mardi Gras has the identical origins as Carnival and takes place on the Tuesday earlier than the primary day of Lent (Ash Wednesday). The ultimate day of revelry is Mardi Gras. It means Fats Tuesday in French, and is historically the day with probably the most excessive celebrations. And nowhere on earth celebrates that revelry like New Orleans!

Parades take over the town, and some of the well-liked traditions is for the costumed performers to throw out beads, doubloons, or different trinkets, generally known as “throws”. It’s possible you’ll even see just a few individuals flash to get their fingers on a few of these plastic treasures! Historically, that is the day to get “naughty” behaviour out of your system earlier than going into Lent. So count on to see loads of extra and drunkenness. Try this fab first-timers information to Mardi Gras in New Orleans for more information. 

Holi, India

2023 dates: eighth March 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Due to its wealthy heritage and mix of non secular cultures, India is residence to numerous attractive festivals. One of the well-liked – and exquisite – is Holi. In any other case generally known as the Pageant of Color, one of many fundamental components of Holi is the throwing of colored paint.

Holi is Hindu a celebration of excellent over evil, and of the arrival of spring. The color throwing comes from the story of Krishna and Radha, through which the blue-skinned god colors Radha’s face with jets of water to make them equals. At the moment, it’s a critically enjoyable competition the place the ambiance is one in every of overwhelming pleasure. A should for each competition lover!

READ MORE: Lady’s Information to Holi in India

Cherry Blossom Pageant, Japan

2023 dates: March/April 

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

On the finish of March and the start of April, Japan’s temporary Cherry Blossom Season – generally known as Sakura Matsuri – sweeps throughout the nation. Cherry blossoms are the nationwide flower of Japan, and Buddhist teachings have given the fleeting season a non secular context of mindfulness and residing within the second.

As a result of nature is unpredictable, remember to do your analysis. Keep watch over the Cherry Blossom Forecasts when reserving your journey, and permit time to be versatile.

Finest Locations to See Cherry Blossom in Japan
  • Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo
  • Matsuyama Citadel, Ehime Prefecture
  • Senkoji Park, Onomichi Metropolis
  • Nakaragi no Michi Path, Kyoto

Songkran, Thailand

2023 dates: Thirteenth-Fifteenth April 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

One of the distinctive – and enjoyable – world festivals I’ve ever skilled is Songkran in Thailand. This celebration of Thai New Yr includes sprinkling and throwing water at each other, to scrub away sins and unhealthy luck, and to signify purification.

Over time, the competition has developed into extra of a large water-fight. Individuals take to the streets armed with buckets, water weapons, and jet sprays! You possibly can nonetheless discover quieter non secular celebrations inside temples, however the Thai individuals have discovered the proper mixture of spirituality and enjoyable of their country-wide water combat.

Semana Santa, Guatemala

2023 dates: 2nd – eighth April 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Semana Santa is Spanish for Holy Week; the week simply earlier than Easter on the finish of Lent. The Spaniards introduced the custom of Semana Santa with them to Guatemala, and 500 years later it’s some of the necessary non secular festivals within the nation.

Antigua is residence to some of the spectacular Holy Week celebrations on the earth, with a captivating mixture of Spanish traditions and indigenous cultural beliefs, making it fully distinctive. The streets and interiors of church buildings are adorned with intricately designed alfombras. These are “carpets comprised of colored sawdust, and so they create a vibrant backdrop for the quite a few processions and lavish floats that fill the town.

Different locations to have a good time Semana Santa in Latin America
  • Copacabana, Bolivia
  • Quito, Ecuador
  • San Miguel del Allende, Mexico
  • Tañarandy, Paraguay
  • Ouro Preto, Brazil

Naadam Pageant, Mongolia

2023 dates: Eleventh-Fifteenth July 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

For some of the distinctive festivals around the globe, head to Mongolia for the lesser-known, however completely fascinating, Naadam Pageant. A celebration of the nation’s nomadic tradition, Naadam focuses on three fundamental sports activities: archery, horse racing, and wrestling.

Women and men compete to point out off their prowess at sports activities and abilities which can be deeply rooted in Mongolian tradition and historical past. However the competition additionally combines these sports activities with arts and tradition, and the video games are punctuated by singing and dancing performances.

Edinburgh Worldwide Pageant and Fringe, UK

2023 dates: 4th-Twenty eighth August 2023

Fringe Festival guide
Picture credit score: Edinburgh’s Festivals

The well-known Edinburgh Pageant Fringe was created to run alongside the extra high-brow Edinburgh Worldwide Pageant, on it’s “fringe”. Each run for many of August yearly, taking up all the metropolis in a celebration of the humanities. Theatres host exhibits from around the globe, the streets fill with performers, venues pop up in probably the most unlikely of locations, and the entire metropolis is buzzing with creativity and enjoyable.

Whereas the Worldwide Pageant focuses on theatre, opera, and dance, the Fringe is extra “something goes”. Comedy, music, circus, cabaret, musicals, spoken phrase poets, theatre… just about every thing you may consider!

READ MORE: First Timer’s Information to the Edinburgh Fringe

All Edinburgh Summer time Festivals

It’s not all in regards to the Fringe. Over the summer season months, Edinburgh performs host to a bunch of fab festivals and occasions. However the greatest spectacle must be the Edinburgh Royal Navy Tattoo. It was one in every of my all-time journey highlights and a should for each journey competition want checklist.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

La Tomatina, Spain

2023 dates: thirtieth August 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Undoubtedly one of many craziest festivals on the earth, La Tomatina takes place yearly within the city of Buñol in Spain. Basically, all of the native residents get collectively to throw tomatoes at one another in a big meals combat. The competition is held on the final Wednesday in August and follows every week of festivities.

It might seem to be an enormous waste of meals, however the city of Buñol buys in over-ripe, poor-quality tomatoes, particularly for the occasion. For the reason that tomatoes can be no good for consuming, the locals don’t see it as a waste. And the competition appears to be like like severe, messy enjoyable!

READ MORE: Try Vicky Flop Flop’s information to Tomatina for a great deal of data and suggestions.

Burning Man, USA

2023 dates: twenty seventh August – 4th September 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Burning Man might be some of the distinctive festivals around the globe. Held each summer season in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, this well-known competition attracts travellers from all around the globe.

It’s formally an artwork competition, however Burning Man is way greater than that! The desert location turns into a short lived metropolis, stuffed with costumed attendees having fun with full freedom and inventive expression. It’s a sort of “something goes” ambiance, devoted to anti-consumerism and self-expression, and culminating within the burning of an enormous effigy of a person.

Oktoberfest, Germany

2023 dates: sixteenth September – third October 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

An unlimited beer competition, Oktoberfest is now celebrated around the globe. However the official competition takes place in Munich, Germany – and it’s all about Bavarian tradition and beer.

This is among the hottest world festivals and attracts in an enormous crowd. Greater than six million individuals attend the occasion yearly, making it one of many greatest people festivals on the earth. Alongside beer stalls, you’ll discover Bavarian meals, parades, music, and a funfair. Undoubtedly a should for any beer lover’s diary!

Diwali, India and Nepal

2023 dates: twelfth November 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Diwali is the Hindu Pageant of Lights, and it’s some of the well-liked festivals in Hinduism. Just like Holi, it’s a celebration over the “victory of sunshine over darkness, good over evil and data over ignorance.”.

Hindus around the globe have a good time by adorning their houses with oil lamps and candles, and provide puja (prayers) to the goddess Lakshmi. Though India is extra well-known for Diwali, the celebration can also be large and exquisite in Nepal, the place it’s generally known as Tihar. If you’re fortunate sufficient to go to both nation in October, attempt to coincide your go to with this beautiful competition.

READ MORE: 17 issues to do in Nepal 

Dia de los Muertos, Mexico

Dates: thirty first October – 2nd November yearly

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

One in all my favorite world festivals is the Dia de los Muertos in Latin America, and significantly Mexico. Just lately, motion pictures like Spectre and Disney’s Coco have given the competition worldwide fame. However whereas the colorful costumes and cranium face paints are an attention-grabbing a part of Day of the Useless, the competition is about far more than that.

It’s a three-day vacation through which households collect collectively to recollect and pray for family members who’ve died. Many go to the cemeteries to make choices, adorning the graves with marigolds and candles. Some households even maintain events within the cemeteries, and the ambiance is mostly one in every of pleasure and celebration reasonably than unhappiness. There are an enormous quantity of traditions and beliefs surrounding this competition, so take the time to essentially perceive the occasions once you go to. However in fact, don’t miss the parades and events as properly!

Douz Sahara Pageant, Tunisia

2023 dates: late December 2023, actual dates TBC

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Within the oasis city of Douz within the Tunisian Sahara, palm timber outnumber residents 25 to 1! However yearly, the tiny city attracts over 50,000 guests to the Worldwide Pageant of the Sahara. Initially a Bedouin marriage market, immediately this can be a fascinating world competition celebrating the tradition of the Sahara desert and if Bedouin life.

Singing, dancing, feasting, camel racing, and craft gala’s unfold throughout the four-day desert competition. The one draw back is that the competition dates, which change yearly, might be notoriously laborious to search out – so regulate the official Tunisia tourism web site for particulars.

Krampusnacht, Germany and Austria

Date: Krampusnacht at all times falls on fifth December

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

If all of the festive celebrations of December get a bit an excessive amount of for you, head to Germany or Austria searching for the last word antithesis to Santa; Krampus. This creepy dude is half-goat, half-demon, and he’s the one who punishes kids who’ve misbehaved.

In a number of international locations, together with Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany and the Czech Republic, the evening earlier than the Feast of St Nicholas is Krampusnacht. Many cities, significantly in Alpine areas, host parades of males dressed as Krampus in an occasion generally known as the Krampuslauf (Krampus Run). Rural villages in Austria, similar to Corridor in Tirol, are among the many greatest locations to see a standard Krampus parade. In Germany, Munich hosts a big occasion (though it’s not at all times on the identical date, so verify earlier than planning your journey).

Konya Whirling Dervishes Pageant, Turkey

2023 dates: early December – seventeenth December 2023

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

A celebration of dance and tradition, the Whirling Dervishes Pageant is a crucial non secular and cultural occasion. The competition is held in Konya, Turkey, yearly, however the date varies because it’s primarily based on the Islamic non secular calendar.

The whole competition is devoted to Jelaleddin Rumi, a revered Sufi saint and the founding father of the Mevlana order of Islam. 1000’s of Sufi Muslims descend on the small metropolis of Konya, the place Rumi’s tomb is discovered, for the competition. Dancers in white or colored skirts carry out an intricate dance for a ceremony generally known as Sema. The twirling dance actions create a shocking impact with the whirling of the skirts, and this competition is spectacular to look at.

RELATED POST: Try extra issues to do in Turkey for extra in

Sydney New Years Eve, Australia

Date: thirty first December (duh!)

19 Epic Festivals Around the World in 2023

Sydney is the primary main worldwide metropolis to greet the brand new 12 months at midnight, and it affords one of many greatest New Years Eve celebrations on the earth. With the enduring Opera Home and Harbour Bridge offering a spectacular backdrop, the midnight fireworks are among the many most spectacular on the planet and a should for any traveller’s bucket checklist.

Not solely is that this an thrilling place to spend New Years Eve, however it’s additionally the beginning of summer season in Sydney. So reasonably than shivering away within the UK, you may spend New Years Day on one in every of Sydney’s beautiful seashores!

Are there any epic world festivals that you simply’d add to this checklist? Scroll down to go away a remark and share the most effective cultural festivals on the earth. 

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19 of the best festivals around the world



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