Festivals Around the World
There are so many incredible days and nights to be had at festivals around the world. Celebrations of music, beer, performing arts and traditional religious events are among the most popular.
Taking in a fun-packed festival is a brilliant way to broaden your horizons, meet new people and sample the local culture. Some may only last for a day, while others go on for several weeks. Whatever suits your budget and tastes, you can soak up the sights and sounds of the best festivals around the globe with a little help from our global guide to many of the best.
Our multi-centre holidays cover many of these dazzling destinations, so if something in particular catches your eye, we can make that spark of an idea a reality and for an excellent price. So without further ado, let’s dig deeper into some of the greatest places on Earth to let your hair down and have an extraordinary experience.
Cannes Film Festival - France
Taking place in mid-May, the Cannes Film Festival attracts stars of the big screen and movie fans from all over the world to the South of France. It’s been going for over 75 years, and its lovely location is just one of the many reasons why it’s proved so popular for more than seven decades.
Cannes is a stylish place to visit at any time of year, but there’s an extra touch of magic in the air when the big hitters from Hollywood and other film industry locations are in town. The coveted Palme d'Or is the festival’s most prestigious prize.
As you’d expect, accommodation prices are expensive when the festival is taking place, but there are many great locations nearby where you can stay and travel into Cannes to see your favourite stars strut their stuff on the red carpet.
Coachella Festival - California, USA
A classic event in the rock music calendar, the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes place in Indio, California, each April. Previous headliners have included Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Radiohead and Beyoncé.
With a capacity of around 125,000, the festival is one of the largest in the world. Despite only starting in 1999, Coachella has established itself as a must-visit music festival on many people’s bucket lists.
Maybe it’s the warm weather, the world-class talent on stage, or the chilled-out camping in the desert - there are so many reasons to attend Coachella at least once in your life. It’s just over 100 miles from LA to the venue, so you could book one of our US multi-centre holidays, hire a car, take the bus and tag an unforgettable weekend onto the beginning or end of your stay.
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of an amazing music festival, and Coachella is an event you’ll still be talking about in years to come, whatever age you are. California certainly knows how to party.
Diwali Festival of Light, India
The biggest date in India’s calendar, the annual Festival of Lights, is a celebration of good over evil and is characterised by spectacular fireworks and illuminations. For an authentic Diwali experience, head to Vrindavan, the birthplace of Krishna. ‘Diwali’ translates as ‘row of lights’ and originated in Sanskrit as ‘dipavali’.
Diwali takes place in October or November and lasts for five days. It’s a religious festival which is marked all over the world by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. If you’re already thinking of going to India for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, visiting during Diwali will make it even more special and provide you with an unforgettable experience.
One of the greatest things about travelling to new places is having the chance to meet new people and see different cultures. Our Indian holiday deals cover a variety of dazzling destinations, including New Delhi, Jaipur, Goa and Cochin. Diwali is a joyful time, and you’ll love every moment.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe - Scotland
Visiting Edinburgh in August is a real treat for the senses. The city’s Festival Fringe has been entertaining visitors from all over the world since 1947. So whether you’ve been before or are planning your first trip, we’d highly recommend it, as no two performances, days, or years are ever the same.
There’s a wonderful blend of well-established performers and emerging artists showcasing their work across music, theatre, spoken word, comedy, magic, dance, and so much more. There are also many free street performances in and around The Royal Mile, so you can have a great time without blowing your budget.
With a massive selection of shows to choose from, it’s wise to plan well ahead and book your tickets in advance. Also, make sure you leave enough time between performances to make your way between venues, as the city gets extremely busy at this time of year.
There are plenty of actors, spoken word artists and comedians who cut their teeth at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before going on to achieve fame and fortune. So who knows, maybe you’ll grab tickets to see the ‘next big thing’ and have a great story to tell in years to come when they’re on TV or playing sell-out gigs.
Edinburgh has excellent stalls selling tasty street food, pubs with vast beer gardens and outdoor seating, plus so many historical buildings and statues spread all over the city, including Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument.
The unmistakable sound of the bagpipes fills the air around Princes Street in the summer months, and when the sun’s shining, the sunken gardens nearby fill up with people having picnics and making the most of the weather.
Edinburgh is a stunning city to visit at any time of year, but during festival time, it bursts into life with an eclectic mix of sights, sounds and tastes from all corners of the world.
Gasparilla Pirate Festival — Tampa, Florida, USA
There are two versions of the Gasparilla Pirate Festival at the end of January each year - one for kids and a more boisterous one for adults with plenty of grog flowing. The children’s event features an air show and a vibrant pirate parade comprising school groups, marching bands and organisations from across the local Tampa community. It’s a great spectacle if you’re already in the area, perhaps enjoying your holiday in Orlando, which is about 1.5 hours away by car.
The main Gasparilla Pirate Festival is a much rowdier affair. Tampa’s historic pirate invasion is re-enacted every year and begins with the Gasparilla Flotilla making its way across the water to the Tampa Convention Centre. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience with so many pirate-filled vessels ready to disembark on dry land.
After that, there’s a big parade through the city where pirates share their treasure with the expectant crowds. This Tampa tradition is great fun and not something you’re likely to see anywhere else. There’s also PirateFest, with live music and a chance to enjoy a few drinks before and after the main parade.
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival has been a mainstay of Tampa life for well over a century, starting in 1904, and it’s easy to see why it’s remained so popular with locals and visitors alike.
Gion Matsuri – Kyoto, Japan
Every July, the festival of the Yasaka Shrine, known as Gion Matsuri, lights up the city of Kyoto. Gion Matsuri started in the year 869, so it’s a celebration everyone holds dear and looks forward to.
The float parade on July 17th is the main event - the floats can be as tall as 25m and weigh up to 12 tonnes, so they’re spectacular and awe-inspiring. Festival time is full of extraordinary experiences, including some of the best street food you’ll ever taste, the opportunity to see the floats being put together, and what’s known as the Byobu Matsuri - a tradition where homeowners show off their family heirlooms to people passing by.
Visiting Kyoto in the summertime is even better when you immerse yourself in the Gion Matsuri festival. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time and get an insight into traditional Japanese culture that will stay with you forever.
Attending this historic and colourful festival will not only put a huge smile on your face but also give you a glimpse into Japanese life from over one thousand years ago.
Holi Festival of Colour, India
For an enriching festival experience full of vibrancy, head to India to celebrate Holi. The Hindu festival of colour takes place each spring, with the exact date dependent on when the full moon occurs in the month of Phalguna in the Hindu calendar.
Holi is characterised by the rituals of sprinkling, smearing or throwing coloured Holi powder over yourself and your friends and shooting each other with water guns or throwing water balloons.
Although it has its origins in religion, Holi is also celebrated by secular groups. Visit India to join in the frolics and festivities in cities like Delhi and Jaipur, or celebrate Holi in Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, where it’s also popular.
Holi is a great way to make new friends, have a lot of fun and try something new. The atmosphere is unbelievable, and you’ll also get so many fantastic photographs to share with people back home on social media. There’s no doubt that Holi will be the main highlight of your trip to India. It’s a special festival that will leave you yearning to return year after year.
Lazarim Carnival - Portugal
In the UK, many people mark Shrove Tuesday by making and eating delicious pancakes. If you’re looking for a festival with more than a splash of artistic flair, we highly recommend Carnival time in Lazarim.
The parade of caretos (people donning intricate wooden masks disguised as the devil) is like nothing you’ll have seen before. With a drum band providing the soundtrack, the striking masks and costumes come to life in dramatic fashion. The next step is a light-hearted public shaming before eating a wholesome stew that’s been cooking slowly in cauldrons throughout the proceedings.
Lazarim is around 90-120 minutes away from Porto, depending on your mode of transport, so you can easily make a day trip of it. Steeped in tradition and dating back to pre-Roman times, the Lazarim Carnival experience is a rare and remarkable one.
Mardi Gras - New Orleans, USA
For a completely different carnival experience before Lent, the Mardi Gras in New Orleans never fails to disappoint. Did you know that “Mardi Gras” translates from French as “Fat Tuesday?” You’ll see lots of purple, gold and green on the streets as the float parades make their way through different parts of the city. A local law dictates that masks must be worn on floats, so expect to see some weird and wonderful sights passing by.
Different krewes run Mardi Gras parades but based around a central theme each year. A tremendous amount of work goes into each float, and preparations for the following year start more or less immediately after the festivities are over.
New Orleans always has a party vibe to it, with the likes of Bourbon Street being a thriving hub for live music and nightlife. If you’re looking for an action-packed multi-centre holiday to America in February or March, the Mardi Gras celebrations are just too good to miss.
Montreux Jazz Festival - Switzerland
Every summer on the shores of Lake Geneva, music and nature intertwine in perfect harmony for the duration of the Montreux Jazz Festival. This famous and prestigious event draws approximately 250,000 visitors to Switzerland every year.
What could be better than accessing over 200 free concerts while enjoying a drink and some appetising local food by the water’s edge? Despite its name, this long-running (created in 1967) music festival is home to more than just jazz. You’ll also be able to hear many renowned artists across other genres too, including blues, soul and pop. Famous names from outside the world of jazz who have played Montreux include Radiohead, Elton John, Adele and Ed Sheeran.
Spending part of your summer in Switzerland is a decision you’ll never regret. Montreux is just one of many magnificent destinations in the country. We have a stunning rail holiday package that finishes in Montreux, so you could choose to extend your time here and make the most of the marvellous music that fills the fresh Swiss air.
Whether you’re a long-time jazz lover or have recently discovered a passion for it, the Montreux Jazz Festival will take your appreciation to a whole new level.
Oktoberfest - Munich, Germany
Millions of litres of top-quality beer are drunk at Oktoberfest each year. Visitors from across the world descend on the Bavarian capital to celebrate its music, food and culture. You’re guaranteed to make new friends, have some great sing-songs in the massive beer tents and probably overindulge when it comes to pilsener, pretzels, sausages and chicken.
Whether you’re planning to visit on your own or as part of a large group, you’ll love the party atmosphere as people from all walks of life unite around their love of beer and having a great time. It’s worth noting that Oktoberfest actually begins in September and runs into the start of October. The first Oktoberfest was held back in 1810, albeit in a different format from the one we know and love today.
The Germans certainly know how to make amazing beer, so it’s a great opportunity to try some you might not have tasted before in the UK. The famous beer glasses, known as steins, hold around one litre, so they’re much bigger than the pint glasses you might use down your local pub. There are many reasons why Oktoberfest has stood the test of time, and if you’ve always wanted to go, why not firm up your plans for this year and make it a trip to remember?
La Tomatina - Bunol, Spain
On the last Wednesday in August every year, people of all ages and nationalities flock to a small Spanish town near Valencia. Why? To throw huge amounts of tomatoes at each other, of course.
The first La Tomatina Festival took place in 1945 before being banned. It was rekindled later in the 1950s and has proven popular ever since. It might be due to the novelty value, but there’s something incredibly fun about this festival which is basically a giant free-for-all food fight in the Spanish sunshine.
After a wild experience being covered from head to toe in tomatoes, there’s an excellent after-party where you can relax in some clean clothes and share your tales from a day that will live long in your memory.
You’ll need to get yourself a ticket if you want to take part in La Tomatina. Bunol is a small town, so it can’t cope with vast numbers of tourists all looking to launch tomatoes at each other. If you thrive on excitement and trying new things, you’ll absolutely love this unique festival. It’s probably not a good idea if you don’t like tomatoes, though!
Rio Carnival - Brazil
Known as ‘O maior show da Terra’ (the biggest show on Earth), Rio de Janeiro’s annual Carnival is a bombastic spectacle, with jubilant music, samba dancing, resplendent costumes and colourful celebrations that set the template for the rest of the world. Taking place just before Lent each year, Carnival is an event that takes over the entire city, with spectacular parades, street parties and flamboyant costumes providing a feast for the senses.
As you might imagine, this is an immensely popular festival, so if you’re planning on visiting Rio during Carnival, it’s good to book 12 months in advance, as dates sell out quickly.
Songkran - Thailand
The Thai New Year national holiday is known as Songkran. There are several traditional activities people like to take part in, but soaking each other with water is the most fun. Songkran is celebrated on April 13th-15th every year, and everyone is armed with a water gun, bucket or garden hose ready to give people within reach a good soaking. The reason behind this nationwide water fight is that it helps to wash away bad luck and bless people for the new year that lies ahead.
Bangkok is a great location for tourists to celebrate Songkran and have a wonderful time with the enthusiastic locals. However, leaving your hotel during Songkran isn't advised if you don’t want to get wet because people will drench you relentlessly without warning.
Because April is generally the hottest month of the year in Thailand, getting splashed every few seconds can be refreshing and a great way to cool down. With our Bangkok multi-centre holidays, you can include the Songkran celebrations as part of your overall stay in this beautiful part of the world with its stunning scenery and ornate Buddhist Temples.
Venice Carnival - Italy
A stunning destination in its own right, Venice is particularly vibrant during Carnival. This truly is a spectacular event, with opulent balls, elaborate carnival masks, and fancy dress galore. Don’t miss the Flight of the Angel, an annual spectacle involving an acrobatic abseiling ‘angel’ in St Mark’s Square, which marks the beginning of the festival on the weekend before Shrove Tuesday.
While you may want to visit Venice at Carnival time, with Viva Holidays, you can also do so much more. For example, we’ve got several deals on Italian multi-centre holidays, which provide you with the opportunity to visit other captivating and romantic cities such as Rome and Florence.
Life’s too short not to enjoy yourself. If you’ve ever wanted to visit any of the festivals or carnivals mentioned above, now’s the time to start making plans. Singing along to your favourite bands or celebrating a special occasion in the sunshine will ignite your senses and leave you wanting more.
Our multi-centre holidays to various destinations throughout the year are excellent value for money. This means you’ll have more left over to spend on living life to the max and return home with amazing stories to tell everyone.
We’re open seven days from 9 am until late, so please contact us if you’ve got any questions about our holiday packages.
