Amazing festivals around the world
Be inspired by a world of festivities for your next holiday destination. Feel the intoxicating rhythms of Rio Carnival, relive the ancient Inca rites at Inti Raymi, and see a million candles light up the sky over Diwali. Time your trip right, and fly out on one of our special festival departures. Make the most of your holiday and see the streets come alive. Here’s our inside guide to the best festivals where you can party like a local.
January
Timkat
Where and when? Ethiopia, 19 January
Why go? Ethiopians celebrate Epiphany in style. A three day extravaganza, the most important festival begins as men, women and children clad in white robes gather for day and night-long ceremonies. To commemorate Christ’s baptism in the Jordan river, the pools and rivers are blessed and people bathe and splash onlookers with water. On the final day, the feast of St Michael, people tuck into special meads and breads.
Be there: Discover Ethiopia »
March
Holi Festival
Where and when? India, 23 March 2013
Why go? March is the month of the Holi Festival celebrations in India. Holi celebrations mark the beginning of spring with the locals painting themselves in bright colours to match the vivid yellows and purples of the natural blooms. This festival is about fun and freedom and covering your neighbour in a rainbow of coloured water and powder. Expect mess and merriment.
Related trips: Dehli to Kathmandu »
Explore the mystical south: Southern India» .
Madeira Carnival
Where and when? Madeira, Portugal, 15 - 22 March 2012
Why go? One of the biggest street parties in Europe, Madeira’s Carnival evokes the riotous spirit of Rio! With an elaborate parade through Funchal with samba bands and dancing troupes, the party doesn't stop until Shrove Tuesday where it ends with the Trapalhão parade – when the streets are full of locals in outlandish costumes. This is about big costumes and loud, lively music.
Related trips: Combine a stop for the festival in Funchal with our Walking in Madeira trip.
April
Semana Santa
Where and when? Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, Spain (all Spanish speaking countries), Easter (Date varies)
Why go? You can celebrate Semana Santa – Holy week – across the Spanish speaking world. But we love Antigua, Guatemala, where the whole city pours out into the streets with colourful carpets, sculptures and symbolic dress in a magical, moving procession.
Related trips: Worldwide Semana Santa trips » Family Semana Santa trips »
Luoyang Peony Fair
Where and when? China, mid April
Why go? During the middle of April Luoyang Peony Fair takes place to celebrate the full bloom of peonies in Luoyang city. Chinese tourists flock to see the gardens awash with red, white, yellow and purple set against the thick dark leaves of the peonies and folk music performances performed in the Luoyang National Peony Garden.
Related trips: Explore China »
June
Inti Raymi
Where and when? Cusco, Peru, 24 June
Why go? There are no human sacrifices these days at this revived Inca festival. So you can breathe easy and join the celebrations, as local Incas, priests and soldiers parade through the streets to honour Inti Raymi, god of the sun at winter solstice. Enjoy the feasting and dancing, as the festivities hot foot their way to the fortress city of Sachsayhuaman, Cusco.
Be there: Inti Raymi Trips »
October
Diwali
Where and when? India, 26 Oct 2011, 3 November 2013
Why go? Think India and you always imagine vibrant colours of pink and indigo cities, exuberant temples and henna-painted hands. But some days are even brighter than others. Over Diwali, one of the most joyful of all the Hindu festivals, millions of candles are lit and hundreds of firework displays are held across India to celebrate the festival of light. It is customary to give gifts as a show of love and affection to family and friends.
Related trips: Rajasthan Teen Adventure >>
See Diwali in style: Tigers, Taj & Temples >>
Dussehra
Where and when? India, 6 October 2011, 14 October 2013
Why go? To see good triumph over evil, of course. A huge pageant, Dussehra is a Hindu festival to celebrate the beginning of the harvest. Communities across India come out to perform the Ramayana and burn effigies of the evil Ravana and Kumbhakarna to show the victory of the good Lord Rama.
Related trips: Worldwide India trips » Family India trips »
November
Pushkar Camel Festival
Where and when? Pushkar, India, 2-10 Nov
Why go? If you want to buy a camel, this is the place to go. But even if you don’t, the greatest camel fair in the world has to be seen to be believed. Thousands of people, pilgrims and camels descend on Pushkar, a sleepy village in Rajasthani desert to trade, worship and enjoy the madness. You can even enter the competition for the longest moustache.
Related trips: Pushkar Camel Fair »
