To experience the colors and community of a country, you must join a local festival. Immersing yourself in cultures, celebrations, and local festivals can be a life-changing experience and a cherished memory. So, we have rounded up some of the cultural festivals around the world you must experience.
Be sure to plan your trip around these top cultural festivals to have a more enriching traveling experience. By participating in these festivities, you become part of the community that the festival celebrates. Plus, you can explore a whole new side of the country you are visiting. So, let us get started.
- La Tomatina, Spain
This tomato-throwing celebration can be messy, but extremely fun, making it an obvious choice on the list of top cultural festivals around the world. The unhinged yet energised festival, La Tomatina is celebrated in the Valencian town of Bunol on the last Wednesday of August. The celebration started in 1945 and has continued ever since. Every year, people flock to Bunol to experience this festival that should be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime. If you are visiting Spain in August, La Tomatina can be an unforgettable experience where you get to mingle with the locals in the best way possible.
- Dia de los Muertos, Mexico
At first glance, you might think that this is the Mexican version of Halloween, but in reality, it is much more significant and vibrant. It is celebrated over a week-long period beginning on October 31st. People wear traditional dresses and flowery headgear and paint their faces to celebrate the festival Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. During this cultural festival, families pay homage to their deceased loved ones, as you may have seen in Disney’s Coco. Although it is celebrated for the dead, it is not as grim as one might expect. Cities are adorned with flowers, pumpkins, and sugary skills. People often spend time outdoors during the festival singing, storytelling, and feasting.
- Rio De Janeiro Carnival, Brazil
Rio De Janeiro Carnival is the largest carnival in the world. It offers a street festival like no other, featuring dramatic parades, colorful costumes, pulsating drum beats, and high-energy samba that make your trip to Brazil culturally enriching. Every year in February, for a continuous 8 days, the Rio De Janeiro Carnival takes the streets, with millions dancing to the rhythm of the music. So, overall, this cultural festival in Brazil is a whirlwind of colors, dance, food, and music.
- Oktoberfest, Germany
Germans and beer make a perfect combination, as everyone knows. So, if you are a beer fanatic, Oktoberfest will be your paradise. It is the world’s biggest beer festival, which celebrates beer and the Bavarian culture over 16 days. It takes place in Munich, and every year, you won’t believe it, almost 7 million tourists visit to experience Oktoberfest! The festival features a parade, Music, and carnival activities. People wear traditional outfits, giving the visitors a first-hand experience of German culture.
- Songkran, Thailand
You must attend Songkran if you are visiting Thailand. It is the New Year celebration in Thailand, celebrated on April 13th every year with water balloons and guns. This 3-day water battle festival on the streets brings out the exotic culture of Thailand like no other. It significantly marks the end of the hottest days and the beginning of the rainy season in the country. During this festival, the streets will be packed with people from all over the world. Among these, the beaches in Bangkok host the most fun water battles. As a true blend of tradition and fun, the first day of Songkran is celebrated by pouring scented water at Budha temples and fun water fights in the streets.
Over to you, Conclusion:
Travelling around the world has become much easier with options for quick flight and accommodation bookings. You just need to find a city of your choice and head straight for the experience of a lifetime. Now that you know the famous cultural festivals around the world, take part in them to make your trip worth remembering.
