12 International Festivals Worth Visiting
Visit an international festival you will never forget!
January – Minstrel Carnival (Cape Town, South Africa)
The Minstrel Carnival is over 100 years old. This musical street parade is one of the largest carnivals in the world. Every year on January 2nd, thousands of people dressed in bright festive clothing take to the streets to celebrate the event. The music ranges from traditional local hits to marching bands and modern pop songs.
February – Rio Carnival (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Carnivals are held all over the world, but Rio de Janeiro is the largest carnival city. The main attraction is the Samba Parade: the best samba school, elaborate costumes, and songs created specifically for the event.
The celebration lasts five days: from Friday to Tuesday before Lent, in 2024 it will begin on February 9th.
March – Holi or Festival of Colors (India and in cities worldwide)
The Holi festival is the most colorful celebration in the world. It is also called the Festival of Colors. This ancient Hindu festival signifies the victory of good over evil. The festivities begin with an evening bonfire and continue into the morning, when everything is filled with glowing powder that must be thrown at someone present.
April – King's Day (Amsterdam)
When it's the King's birthday in the Netherlands, everyone celebrates at a big party. King's Day (or 'Koninginnedag') is known for several traditions, including a nationwide flea market and giant open-air concerts in Amsterdam.
Just don't forget to wear the national color – orange. The holiday is celebrated on April 27th.
May – Lightning in a Bottle (Bradley, California, USA)
This festival is often compared to Burning Man, but its environment is smaller and greener. It started as a private birthday party but grew into a four-day celebration of yoga, art, music, and eco-consciousness.
June – Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (Manchester, Tennessee, USA)
While Bonnaroo is best known as a premier music festival, it encompasses many art forms. There are seated theatrical performances, brand-new independent films, and many other exciting events. Dozens of non-profit organizations gather here to educate people about sustainability.
The festival usually begins on the second Thursday of June and lasts 3-4 days.
July – Boryeong Mud Festival (Boryeong, South Korea)
For most of the year, Boryeong is a quiet coastal town known for its abundant mud flats, which are used for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. But during the Mud Festival, it's a loud party that attracts millions of tourists annually. After frolicking in the mud, you can relax in one of the town's many cosmetic and massage clinics.
August – La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain)
Who hasn't dreamed of a massive food fight, forbidden at school? Every year on the last Wednesday of August, the small Spanish town of Buñol becomes the arena for a food fight with over a hundred tons of overripe tomatoes.
In 2024, it will be held on August 28th.
September – Great Reno Balloon Race (Reno, Nevada, USA)
Few things are as thrilling as a flock of hot air balloons gliding across a clear blue sky.
September is the best time for hot air balloon festivals in the United States, and the Great Reno is one of the finest. The three-day event is free to the public. You are sure to be thrilled by the event, regardless of age.
October – MassKara Festival (Bacolod, Western Negros, Philippines)
Bacolod is called the 'City of Smiles,' and MassKara shows why. Since the early 1980s, a place of suffering has become a place of masquerade and joy. The festival of smiling masks rolls through the streets of Bacolod, charging locals and tourists with positivity.
November – Lantern Festival or Yi Peng Festival (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
One look at the night sky full of stars will leave you speechless. The Festival of Lights, called 'Yi Peng,' is a religious ceremony dedicated to Buddha. This celebration always takes place at the end of November.
Art Basel (Miami Beach, Florida, USA)
Art Basel is one of the largest art events in the world. Simply because the exhibition always features world premieres of contemporary and relevant art. Thousands of artists and fans come to get energized.
In 2023, it will take place from December 8th to 10th.
