Festivals are a great way to bring people together and have a good time. It is also an excellent opportunity to showcase cities or countries to visitors from all over the world. If you are undecided about which of the world-famous festivals to go to, you can get help from our list.
World Famous Festivals
Exciting adventures traveling the world and new experiences exploring foreign cultures make your trip even more enjoyable. Festivals are a great way to meet new people and spend some good time with them while tangibly relating to local traditions. Moreover, world-famous festivals are perfect to spice up your travel plans.
There are dozens of great festivals to choose from around the world each year, and we’ve compiled a list of world-famous festivals to help you decide which one to go to.
Diwali
Diwali or Dipawali is India’s biggest and most important holiday. This festival takes its name from the string of clay lamps (deepa) Indians (avali) lit outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
But over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival enjoyed by non-Hindu communities as well. For example, Diwali in Jainism, BC. marks the nirvana or spiritual awakening of Lord Mahavira on 15 October 527; In Sikhism, it honors the day the Sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was released from prison.
Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead is one of the most important festivals in Mexico. Because Mexicans honor their dead with a cheerful and positive celebration. The understanding of life and death and all the traditions and ancient beliefs revolving around the subject is what sets Mexicans apart from the rest of the world. On November 1 and 2, Mexicans go to cemeteries and offer offerings to celebrate death. The celebration of the Day of the Dead is divided into two parts. These are All Saints’ Day, November 1, and November 2, which celebrates all exemplary saints as well as deceased children. Participants in this festival bring flowers to the graves of family members and often spend the night waiting for their dead to find their way back to earth. The goal is to remember loved ones who are no longer with them. The Day of the Dead is originally celebrated in Mexico but is also celebrated in other countries such as Guatemala, Brazil, and Spain, as well as by Mexicans living in the United States.
Songkran
Among the world-famous festivals, Songkran is the most famous festival in Thailand. An important event in the Buddhist calendar, this festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The word Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘to pass’ or ‘to approach’.
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year festival celebrated from time immemorial. It is a celebration that embraces goodwill, love, and compassion. The first day of Songkran takes place when the Sun moves from Pisces to Aries, which marks the New Year according to the Brahman solar system. Songkran festival falls on 13, 14, and 15 April every year. The first day is known as Maha Songkran or Great Songkran. Also, the Thai government has declared the Songkran festival as an extended public holiday to enable people to return to their hometowns for family reunions.
Semana Santa
Semana Santa is the Spanish celebration of the week approaching Easter. Traditionally spanning Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) to Easter Sunday (Domingo de Pascua), Semana Santa is Spain’s largest religious celebration and has historically been used as a way to explain the story of Jesus.
While Semana Santa celebrations take place all over Spain; The most famous procession takes place in Andalusia (especially in cities such as Seville and Malaga), in the region of Castile and Leon. Each city has its own celebrations and they are often different from each other. While festivities tend to be more extravagant and lively in Seville; The Castile region has more serious communities for religiously inclined travelers.
Obon Festival
The Obon Festival is an annual Japanese holiday commemorating deceased ancestors. It is believed that spirits return at this time to visit their relatives. Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung and Obon dances are performed to guide the spirits. Families gather together to visit their relatives’ graves and offer food in temples.
Although the official dates are August 13-15, it can also be celebrated between July 13-15 in some places. Obon week in mid-August is one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons, making it one of the busiest times of the year for travel. Many Japanese leave their cities on August 10 and return on August 17-18.
Tsechu
Tshechu or Mask Dance Festival is the most important religious festival in Bhutan. It is held annually in various monasteries and dzongs of Bhutan to honor Guru Rinpoche, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. This festival is a great opportunity to watch unique, colorful and exciting displays of Bhutanese traditional culture.
Quebec Winter Carnival
Among the world-famous festivals and the oldest winter carnival, Quebec Winter Carnival is a must-see event that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Under the leadership of the king of the party, Bonhomme Carnaval, hundreds of thousands of people from all over participate in many events, especially in the open air.
Saint Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish festival to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint. This festival is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of Saint Patrick’s death in the fifth century. Celebrated with parades, greenery, and lots of beer, St. Patrick’s Day brings together millions of people.
Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux is home to an iconic music festival where some of the world’s best performances grace the stage. Dating back to 1967, this festival takes place every summer on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Summerfest
Summerfest in Milwaukee is the world’s largest music festival. Running for over 40 years, Summerfest attracts the best names in the music industry as well as showcases up-and-coming musicians. Hosted by American Family Insurance, this festival offers an unforgettable experience with shows you can admire and moments you can’t miss.
The Rio Carnival
The Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the largest festival in the world. Carnival is a Christian holiday celebrated by Christians all over the world. This carnival integrates all the cultures and traditions of Brazil, including the predominant European and African cultures as well as the rich musical culture that thrives in Brazil.
The Rio Carnival is essentially a big Samba performance that many local Samba schools prepare for all year. But it is important to know that Carnival in Rio is not just a Carnival parade, the whole city is full of street parties called ‘Blocos’.
Burning Man
The list of world-famous festivals would not be complete without mentioning Burning Man. Burning Man is a nine-day festival featuring artistic performances, installations, and music in the desert. While this festival was once a desert festival devoted to bohemians and outliers, today it attracts more than 70,000 people to celebrate the burning of a large wooden statue.
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