When I first started traveling, I followed the usual route: see the sights, try the food, snap the photos. But everything changed the first time I stumbled into a local festival by accident. Since then, I’ve made it a point to time my trips around the world’s most spectacular, emotional, and downright wild celebrations—and I’ve never looked back.
Festivals, I’ve found, aren’t just parties. They’re windows into a place’s soul. Whether it’s a centuries-old religious ceremony or a colorful explosion of culture, each one offers a deeper, more personal connection to the people and traditions that make a destination truly unforgettable.
Why Travel for Festivals?
At first, I didn’t understand why anyone would fly across the world just to attend a celebration. However, once I experienced my first major international festival, I realized how it transforms your entire trip.
Festivals bring people together in a way few other things can. Locals welcome you like family. Streets come alive with music, color, and energy. You get to see a place not as a tourist, but as a participant. And because every festival is different, you’re guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
So if you’re looking to make your next trip truly special, here are five festivals that are absolutely worth planning your entire journey around.
Holi: India’s Festival of Color
Attending Holi in India was one of the most joyful and chaotic travel experiences of my life. As soon as I stepped onto the streets of Jaipur, I was swept up in a whirlwind of color, laughter, and music.
This Hindu festival marks the arrival of spring and celebrates love, renewal, and triumph over evil. From the moment it begins, people throw handfuls of vibrant powder at one another, dance in the streets, and forget their worries.
What made Holi unforgettable wasn’t just the colors—it was the sense of unity. Strangers hugged me. Kids dragged me into impromptu dance parties. It was pure happiness in its rawest form. If you’re craving pure human connection and joy, Holi will deliver it tenfold.
When to Go: March (dates vary based on the lunar calendar)
La Tomatina: Spain’s Legendary Food Fight
I’ll be honest—I didn’t think getting pelted with tomatoes could be so much fun. But after surviving La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain, I couldn’t stop laughing for days.
Held every August, La Tomatina is the world’s biggest food fight. Tens of thousands of people gather in the town square and hurl overripe tomatoes at each other for a full hour of absurd, messy fun. Everyone is drenched in tomato pulp, but no one minds.
What I loved most was how carefree and absurd it all felt. There’s no deeper meaning—just joy, release, and a whole lot of red. If you’re looking for something outrageous and unforgettable, this is it.
When to Go: Last Wednesday of August
Songkran: Thailand’s New Year Water Festival
If you ever need to cool off in Southeast Asia, just visit Thailand in April during Songkran. Celebrating the Thai New Year, this festival is essentially a country-wide water fight—and I’ve never felt more alive.
During Songkran, every city becomes a battlefield. People arm themselves with water guns, buckets, and hoses, soaking everyone in sight. I spent days getting drenched, laughing with strangers, and joining parades that blended tradition with pure, chaotic fun.
Yet beyond the splashing, Songkran also has deep cultural roots. Locals visit temples, cleanse Buddha statues, and pour water gently over elders’ hands for blessings. It’s the perfect mix of wild celebration and heartfelt tradition.
When to Go: April 13–15
Día de los Muertos: Mexico’s Day of the Dead
Of all the festivals I’ve experienced, none have moved me quite like Dia de los Muertos. Celebrated across Mexico, this festival honors the dead not with grief, but with joy, remembrance, and celebration.
I joined a family in Oaxaca for the festivities, and it changed how I view death and memory. We decorated altars with marigolds, candles, and photos of lost loved ones. We shared their favorite foods, told stories, and danced late into the night.
The streets were filled with music, painted faces, and a vibrant mix of celebration and reverence. It was beautiful, emotional, and unforgettable. If you’re looking to experience a culture’s heart and soul, start here.
When to Go: October 31 – November 2
Carnival: Brazil’s Ultimate Party
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro was unlike anything I’d ever seen. For five days, the city exploded with energy, music, and dance. I couldn’t walk more than a few blocks without running into a parade, a street party, or someone in a jaw-dropping costume.
I danced with strangers in the streets, followed samba schools through the Sambadrome, and marveled at the sheer scale of it all. Carnival is the definition of a city letting loose—and it’s intoxicating.
Despite the noise and crowds, there was always a moment of wonder: a dazzling float, a breathtaking costume, a shared smile with someone who didn’t speak my language but understood my joy. That’s what makes Carnival magic.
When to Go: February or early March
How to Plan a Trip Around a Festival
After making plenty of mistakes, I’ve learned a few things about planning a festival trip right. First, book everything early—flights and accommodations fill up fast. Second, research local customs and etiquette. You want to participate respectfully and avoid any faux pas.
Also, arrive a day or two before the festival begins. This gives you time to get your bearings, meet people, and soak in the anticipation. And most importantly, be flexible. Festivals are unpredictable, and that’s part of the adventure.
Travel Deeper, Celebrate Louder
Traveling for festivals has added more color, laughter, and meaning to my life than I ever expected. It’s not just about seeing the world—it’s about feeling it, joining in, and becoming part of something bigger than yourself.
So if you’re looking to shake up your travel routine and create memories you’ll talk about for years, pick a festival, pack your bags, and go. The world is throwing a party—don’t miss it.
Stay tuned to Travel Tales for more stories, recommendations, and unforgettable adventures from around the globe. Trust me, the journey’s only just begun.