Last updated on June 9th, 2024 at 01:00 pm

Whether it is the Carnival in Venice or the Mud Festival in S. Korea, Gaurav & I are always on the lookout for unique local experiences. While we’ve been lucky to enjoy some crazy festivals, we haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s out there.

For that reason, we reached out to some fellow travel bloggers and asked them to recommend their favorite “unique” festivals from around the world. And the result – This incredible list! Be prepared to update your bucket list after reading this post. From cultural festivals to music to food to literary festival, there is something for everyone.

Ready for some adventure and travel lust? Here goes…

1. The Venice Carnival, Italy

By Richa and Gaurav of My Ticklefeet

Like all the other Carnivals around the world which is celebrated to commemorate Shrove Tuesday, the Carnival of Venice is no different in its religious spirit. However, the style of celebration sets Venice apart. Be ready to be transported to the Renaissance period during this festival. 

It’s easily the biggest masquerade party on the streets of Venice for the two weeks that it is celebrated. In 2019, the festival will be from February 23rd to March 5th. The festive events such as costume competition take place in San Marco Square. People who are dressed up happily pose for photographers, in fact, you might stand out if you don’t wear a mask that day.

2. Nyepi – New Year, Bali

By Jessica Elliott of How Dare She

Nyepi is the unique Balinese Hindu celebration of New Year. The date moves with the saka, the lunar-based calendar, but is typically in March. Regardless of the timing, it’s a weeklong celebration with each day representing something different.

The Balinese New Year is celebrated with Melasti (3-4 days prior to Nyepi day) in which people visit their temples. On their way making parades as they go from one to the next. This is followed by the ogoh-ogoh celebration in which large demonic statues will be paraded through the banjar and set on fire to burn their negative spirits. Finally, the Nyepi day is the day of silence in which people are not allowed to work, go outside, use electricity or make noise or even have entertainment. Nyepi day is the day of reflection to reset for the year to come.

Visitors are not only welcome but encouraged to participate (and forced to when it comes to the day of silence). The ogoh-ogoh celebrations are easy to find as there is at least one in each banjar. When attending the ogoh-ogoh celebrations, it’s important to be respectful and wear modest dress. Expect revelry in the street all night long!

3. Paredes de Coura Music Festival, Portugal

By Inma Gregorio of A World to Travel

After attending this Portuguese music festival eight years in a row, you can trust me when I say that it is well worth visiting Portugal to simply chill at the Taboao river beach for a few days. Explore Paredes de Coura village during the day and enjoy the music festival in the afternoon and night time every August. General admission passes start at 75€.

Quite the right size for this Northern Portuguese region, this festival sees around twenty-five thousand people daily for four days. This year, bands such as Arcade Fire, Slowdive, and Jungle performed in the main stage; and many others – not so famous but still highly recommended – in the smaller Vodafone FM stage; which doubles as an after-hours for electronic music once the indie, pop, and rock are over.

4. Boryeong Mud Festival, S. Korea

By Richa & Gaurav of My Ticklefeet

Here’s a festival when your mother won’t scold you for playing with the mud. In fact, she might ask you to get some back for her too. Why? This mud found by the banks of Boryeong in S. Korea is so rich in minerals that it has been used as skin therapy for years by Koreans.

The commercialization of Boryeong’s cosmetic products gave birth to the mud festival. Every year in July thousands of Koreans and international tourist flood Boryeong to not only enjoy the mud fight but also to dance to the tunes of their favorite K-Pop singers. Koreans know how to throw a party and you won’t return disappointed from this beach party of the year. You can take a bus tour from Seoul to attend Boryeong Mud Festival as a day trip. 

5. Carnival in Rio, Brazil

Talek Nantes of Travels With Talek

When you talk about festivals worldwide, you must include the mother of all festivals, Carnaval in Rio. The is the largest carnival of all.  Situated in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro on the southeastern coast of Brazil, the festival occurs every February. The entire city participates in the festivities. Sometimes businesses close their doors for celebrations.  

Dancing groups called “Samba schools” prepare all year to strut their stuff in the massive parade and dance on the floats and in the streets. The costumes are spectacular. Anyone can participate but to get a great seat you have to know someone or pay a lot to sit in the preferred location.     

6. The Burning Man, USA

Val and Nick of The Wandering Wheatleys

Burning Man is a festival that takes place in Black Rock City, Nevada, USA every year during the week before Labor Day. It was started in 1986 on Baker Beach in San Francisco where a group of guys burned a 9-foot wooden statue known as “the man”. Whether that represented corporate America, societal norms, or simply an ex-girlfriend, no one knows for sure. But it’s grown into a massive yearly festival now.

Tickets go on sale in March and the process is both cumbersome and competitive. A “burner profile” is required to enter an online queue to purchase tickets. Because of the heavy volume of applicants, random selection determines who can purchase the maximum 2 tickets + 1 parking pass.

“Black Rock City”, where Burning Man is held, is a massive dry lake bed – flat and dusty as far as the eye can see. A “city” filled with camps and spectacular art pieces is constructed and deconstructed every year. During the festival, there are only two things available for purchase – ice and coffee. You’ll need to bring everything else to survive the week. It is also a “gifting environment” so most Burners bring gifts for others. You’ll be amazed at the things people will offer you with no expectation of any form of reciprocation – it is one of many incredible things that make Burning Man a truly unique experience!

7. The Fringe Festival, Scotland

By Gemma of Two Scots Abroad

Edinburgh really hots up during three weeks in August and this is Scotland we are talking about so you know I am not talking about the weather! Every nook and cranny of Edinburgh’s Old Town is packed full of comedy, theatre, art and music during the Festival Fringe!

With nearly 3000 acts spilling onto Edinburgh cobbled streets, there is something for everyone. From Game of Thrones The Musical to late night chat show antics with Mr. Thing. Silent discos parading through the street – the Fringe is a sight to behold.

Venues include university buildings, containers, tents, pubs, and an upside purple cow. No space is left unturned during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!

8. Cherry Blossoms Festival, USA

By James of Travel Collecting

Celebrating cherry blossoms is a national pastime in Japan, but the United States is home to two amazing cherry blossoms (sakura in Japanese) festivals too.  There are thousands of cherry trees in Washington DC spread around the Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument; a gift from Japan.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC takes place over three weeks in late March to early April each year (March 20-April 13 in 2019).  There is an opening ceremony with performances by a variety of Japanese performers including J-pop singers, musicians, and dancers (free, but ticketed).  March 30, 2019, is the Blossom Kite Festival, with hundreds of kites being flown. The festival culminates in a mile-long parade with giant balloons, floats, marching bands and more.

A couple of weeks later (dates vary, but were April 28-29 in 2018), head north to New York City for the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens ($30 admission each day).  There is an incredible avenue of cherry trees and several stages with performers including Kabuki dancing, Taiko drumming, J-pop music, and a Cosplay Fashion Show.  Dress up as your favorite anime character and buy an obento (lunch box) for a picnic under the sakura trees.

9. The Lantern Festival, Taiwan

By Kaila Yu of KailaYu

Held in various locations all around super delicious Taiwan, this festival is one that I loved because of how culturally significant it was. It marks the last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The magnificent fireworks display is believed to ward off disease and sickness from the town.

I attended this years celebration, where there was a technology-inspired theme for the first time. There was even an app that told you about lantern festivities in three separate languages.

You will not need to pay to get into the festival, but you will need to pay if you would like to set off a lantern with the rest of the group. As far as dress goes, just be sure to wear comfortable, and modest clothing. Several young people were in jeans and well-kept sneakers-so just make sure to look nice and have fun.

10. Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, New Mexico, USA

By Laurence Norah of Finding the Universe

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest annual hot air balloon festival. Upwards of 600 hot air balloons attend this festival in New Mexico every year in October, and for around ten days they fill the skies of this part of the world with fantastic color and shapes.

There’s a $10 entry fee per person for each day of the festival, and you need to be here before sunrise for the morning ascensions. Warm clothing is advisable to beat the cold mornings but you’ll want to layer as it will get warmer as the day progresses. In between balloon events, there are also plenty of other things to do in Albuquerque. We’d suggest coming into the town for a few days, as poor weather can cause cancellations of some events. You’ll also want to book well in advance for your accommodation, as the city fills up quickly!

11. Ganesh Chaturthi, India

By Rashmi and Chalukya of GoBeyondBounds

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the religious Hindu festivals celebrated all over India, dedicated to elephant faced-God, Lord Ganesha. The festival is usually celebrated during the months of August or September. During the festival, a clay model of Lord Ganesha is worshipped in people’s houses or in several pandals (community podiums) around the city. The public pandals usually have a colossal Ganesha statue next to a smaller one.

Several cultural programs and fun competitions are organized for locals to participate. The length of the festival in Pandals is usually between 11 or 21 days.  On the last day of the festival, the statue of Lord Ganesha is immersed in water (Sea or Lakes). The statue is taken to the water bodies in a procession accompanied by the beating of drums, dance, and bursting of crackers. 

Tips: Anyone can visit the pandals set up around the city. Some of them are free and some have a small fee. On weekends there can be long waiting queues. Though there is no dress code, respect the customs and traditions and dress modestly.

12. The Phanom Rung Festival in Buriram, Thailand

By Allan Wilson of Live Less Ordinary

Taking place at the ancient ruins of Phanom Rung Historical Park, the Phanom Rung Festival is celebrated annually, around early April each year, with the rare phenomenon when the morning sunrise aligns with the fifteen doorways of the ancient temple’s upper sanctuary. And it is truly a spectacular day-long event, starting with sunrise, and ending with a firework display in the late night hours, with many exciting happenings including a fare of ancient markets, and a parade of traditional dress and culture during the day.

For me, the night show was by far the most memorable when a dazzling display of sound, light and costume design is set beneath the backdrop of the upper sanctuary of the temple ruins. And it was like watching a stage performance at a mini Angkor Wat. It is also found way off-the-beaten-path in the Northeastern ‘Isaan’ region of Thailand, near the Cambodian border, where the closest base for travel would be the rural town of Nang Rong.

13. Mah Meri Spirits’ Day in Carey Island, Malaysia

By Kathleen of Kat Pegi Mana: Where Is Kat Going

The Mah Meri tribe is a subgroup of the Senoi indigenous community in Peninsular Malaysia. They live on Carey Island situated along the coast of Selangor state, just an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. In recent years, the Mah Meri tribe has been inviting outsiders to participate in the rituals and traditions of Hari Moyang (Spirits’ Day). Mah Meri Spirits’ Day is typically celebrated a month after the Chinese Lunar New Year, and the exact day is determined by visions received by the tribe in their dreams.

The Mah Meri tribe practices animism and believes that the door to the spiritual world opens on Hari Moyang when their ancestral spirits will return to the world and visit the living. On that day, reverence is paid to the spirits, and the tribe seeks for better fortunes, protection, forgiveness or special wishes from the spirits. The tribe wears their traditional costumes of palm leaf grass skirts and tops made of tree bark. Some of the community members wear expressive masks to represent the ancestral spirits which look rather cute! The festivities include a short procession to the House of Spirits where tribe members receive blessings from the ancestral spirits. Traditional songs and dances are also performed around the Bunga Moyang, a symbolic Mah Meri cone made of palm leaves.

14. Day Of The Dead, Mexico

By Audrey Chalmers of Gumnuts Abroad

One of the world’s most unique (and electrifying) festivals is held in Mexico between October 31 and November 2. This is when Mexicans remember and honor deceased loved ones in what is known as Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos. Devotees believe that spirits return to the world of the living for one day of the year to be with family and friends.

This is not a drab and mournful occasion, however, but a life-affirming explosion of color. Revelers don startling make-up and garish costumes to take to the streets in a riot of singing and dancing with brass bands, and parades. People gather in cemeteries to decorate graves with marigolds and spend time with passed loved ones. They also build elaborately decorated altars in their homes and at local cemeteries to welcome spirits with offerings of food, water, family photos, and candles.

Visitors are welcome at local cemeteries provided they act respectfully. And anyone can join the madness of a street parade. Day of the Dead is a festival unlike any other around the world.

15. St. Patrick’s Day, Chicago, USA

By Ketki Sharangpani of Dotted Globe

St. Patrick’s Day is an important festival in the Irish culture and celebrated with great pomp and splendor by Chicago’s Irish community. The festival is celebrated every year on the 17th of March to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. Although there are a lot of things to see in Chicago, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations here are the best in the United States and attended by thousands of tourists and locals every year.

The highlight of the celebration is the river dyeing ceremony where gallons of eco-friendly green dye is dumped into the river to dye it a vibrant green. Thousands of visitors line up along the river bank to watch the color change. In addition to that, there is also a St. Patrick’s Day parade involving Irish bands and dancers. Visitors attending the celebrations wear green in the spirit of the day and have shamrocks and clovers in their attires. The evening is dedicated to dancing, drinking green beer and feasting on Irish food.

16. Portugal Carnival, Portugal

By James of Portugalist

Most people have heard of Carnival in Rio, and may even have it high on their bucket list, but did you know that Portugal celebrates carnival as well? In Portugal, Carnival celebrations happen throughout the country and one of the most popular parades takes place in Loulé in the Algarve.

The celebrations aren’t quite as big as those in Rio so don’t cross Carnival in Brazil off your bucket list just yet: while millions of people turn up to see Carnival in Rio, the numbers of attendees in Loulé is probably in the low thousands. However, it’s still a fantastic opportunity to attend a Carnival celebration if you’re in the area.

Like Carnival elsewhere, there’s plenty of music, lots of dancing, some street food, and other festivities. The floats often take a political theme, and it’s a good way to get an insight into the big political issues facing Portugal that year. Entry is free and there’s no dress code.

17. Muju Firefly Festival, S. Korea

By Monique of Miss and Chronic Adventure

Muju Firefly Festival is one of the quirkiest festivals that S. Korea has to offer, and it takes place in an absolutely stunning little town in the Korean countryside. Held in September each year, the festival highlights the three firefly species that are endemic to the area, and you can view these little guys by going on a guided walk of their habitat or taking in the on-site firefly experience. If you do want to take the guided tour, be sure to book ahead as this is the one activity that gets booked up super quickly.

I loved this festival because of the range of activities available. There is VR gaming experience, water fights, and a spectacular fireworks and lantern display. I also recommend spending the night at one of the beautiful campsites in the area, and really take in the laid-back country vibe. This is quite a busy festival, so expect some crowds, but it is nowhere near the chaos of Seoul. There is no entrance fee for the festival, but take some cash with you as not all of the stalls take card payments.

18. The Gauderfest in Tyrol, Austria

By Linda of Travel Tyrol

The Gauderfest in the beautiful Ziller Valley in Tyrol is the biggest beer festival in Austria showcasing the area’s traditions and folk dress. The Gauderfest is held every year on the first weekend in May in the town of Zell am Ziller in Tyrol, Austria. An entrance fee, starting at €10, is charged for the main festival grounds. Listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Gauderfest’s origins can be traced back more than 600 years ago.

A special beer called the Gauder Bock is brewed just for the festival. With an alcohol content of 7.8 %, it’s the strongest festival beer in Austria.  However, beer is just one of the big attractions to the Gauderfest. The Sunday parade featuring more than 2,000 participants in traditional Austrian dress (think Lederhosen and Dirndl) with Gambrinus the Beer King in the lead, is the absolute festival highlight. Other attractions include a craft market, traditional sport, and an amusement park.

Getting to Zell am Ziller is easy by train, car, and bus. Because there is only one road in and out of the valley, we highly recommend taking the train to avoid traffic frustration.

19. Krampusnacht, Austria

By Vicki of MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld

Intriguing and terrifying at the same time – Krampusnacht is the stuff nightmares are made of! Small alpine towns in the Austrian Alps have the men and teenage boys of the village dress up as the Krampus – a half goat/half demon who is meant to whip children into being nice at Christmas. The Krampus parade through the streets dragging chains, carrying torches of fire and whipping innocent bystanders with twigs. (Seriously, this actually happens!)

Under the cover of darkness, the creatures masks are bright and garish – and undoubtedly burn into your memory. Speaking from experience, sleep may not be so peaceful after attending this event!

20. Lisbon Sardine Festival, Portugal

By Halef and Michael of The Round The World Guys

One of the most unique and biggest festivals in Portugal is the Feast of Saint Anthony in Lisbon, or fondly known as the Lisbon Sardine Festival. Lisbon’s Saint Anthony festival honors its patron, St. Anthony of Padua. As the legend said, his effort to spread Christianity in Portugal stalled and ignored – and out of frustration, he preached the Gospel by the seashore. Lo and behold, a school of sardines came to listen to him.

Ironically, eating these fish is now symbolic of celebrating St. Anthony. This Festival happens every year on June 12th. If you happen to attend the event, head to the historic neighborhoods of Baixa and Alfama for the center of the festivities. Get yourself to try one of these sardines from hundreds of vendors along the street, and wash it off with sangria or local beer while dancing to great music.

Another tradition with Festival of Saint Anthony includes rubbing the Manjerico – a potted plant of basil in the form of a ball that symbolizes newly-sprouted love. Who knows that you will find your special someone during this festival!

21. The Llamadas Festival in Montevideo, Uruguay

By Jenny & Steven of Tales from the Lens

The Llamadas is a festival held in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, during the South American Carnival season. While each country on the continent celebrates Carnival to the sound of samba, Uruguay throws a giant street party at the beginning of its 40 day-long celebrations, called the Llamadas, as a way to praise its African heritage.

In this regard, on the first night of Montevideo’s carnival, parades take place in the popular districts of Barrio Sur and Palermo, during which local clubs of African descent dance to the rhythm of the traditional Candombe music, a mix of Afro-Latin drum beats. This is what makes the Llamadas so special – its close ties to the remembrance of the slaves who were brought to the country in the 15th century. 

To see the parade, all you need to do is join the crowd in the street and find a good viewing spot. It is completely free. However, if you want a seat you will need to buy a ticket long in advance or join a rooftop BBQs party for a more ideal vantage point.

22. Yerevan Wine Festival, Armenia

By Megan of Megan Starr

Yerevan Wine Days is a festival that is newer in Armenia’s capital city that celebrates the rich history of Armenian wine.  Winemakers and experts come from all over Armenia and Artsakh to showcase their wine and knowledge. The festival has quickly become an important part of the city’s cultural calendar and takes place in early May every year (dates may vary).  

Yerevan Wine Days attracts people from all over the world and not just Armenia and local farmers, musicians, and people of importance are also a focal point bringing the city together over something that is so important to the country’s history and culture.  The two-day event is gaining popularity and currently has around 25,000 attendants and is growing. It is definitely a great place to celebrate one of Armenia’s most important products and the people who put the efforts into delivering such delicious wine!

23. La Mercè in Barcelona, Spain

By Justine of Latitude 41

The patron saint of Barcelona, Spain, is the Virgin of the Mare de Deu (Mother of God), and her feast day is widely celebrated on September 24 every year. The days leading up to the Roman Catholic holiday is called La Mercè festival, and it’s when over 2 million people participate in the lively happenings scattered throughout Barcelona. If you’re traveling to Barcelona, this is also one of the best times of the year to go as the summer crowds die down and Barcelona lights up!

While there are over 600 events of music, dance, theater, circuses, and more, the most notable ones celebrate the local old traditions. One of these is the correfoc, or fire-run, when revelers dressed as devils dance around the streets to music, holding sticks that emit flying white sparks to frightened but captivated crowds. A cultural phenomenon in Catalonia is watching the building of castellers, or human towers. Uniformly dressed adults and children climb atop the shoulders of their compatriots to form different shapes of towers, and can even reach up to 10 humans tall!

Another spectacle is watching the gegants, or giants, which are papier-mache figures that represent nobility or peasants. They parade around the streets while a human inside controls them, the torso of the gegant perched on their shoulders. The best part of La Mercè festival is that it’s four days of festivities, and almost every event is free to attend – no entry fee required!

24. Holi Festival, India

By Teresa of Brogan Abroad

Photo by Camilleon Soul

Holi is a traditional Hindu celebration that marks the arrival of spring in India. The celebrations vary in each state in India, but one thing they all have in common is the act of throwing powdered dye at each other, spraying water and flooding the streets dancing and singing.

I celebrated Holi in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, where a small band of musicians paraded through the streets. Locals came out to see and throw colored powder at each other. If any locals don’t come out, you go and knock on the door, they invite you in to wish you a Happy Holi and off you go to the next house. All this accompanied with as many children as there were in the village.

But under all this colorful chaos you will find a celebration that’s deeply rooted in tradition, where good triumphs over evil, reflecting the Hindu belief that faith and devotion lead to salvation. We do forget about the traditional side of celebrations that have become internationally renowned and even adopted, so it’s always important to remember what we are celebrating.

25. Pikachu Outbreak Festival, Tokyo, Japan

By Anna of My Travel Scrapbook

Every year in August Pikachus take over Yokohama, Tokyo. Giant Pikachus, tiny Pikachus, dancing Pikachus, Pikachus on stilts, Pikachus with water guns… Pikachu everywhere! As soon as you step off the train into Yokahama you are immersed into a world of yellow. It was quite surreal. Almost all the visitors were wearing yellow, we were handed Pikachu ears to wear too.

Throughout the week there are different Pikachu shows in Yokohama. You’ll be handed an itinerary upon arrival with the timing and locations of these shows. Our favorite show was the water show near the harbor and featured Pikachu dancing with water shooting from the stage! Other shows included seeing giant Pikachu dancing in pink tutus and Hawaiian skirts. The whole atmosphere was fantastic, and the music was very catchy.

The last day of the festival goes out with a bang. The grand finale is a huge Pikachu carnival parade. There are floats, dancers, performers and hundreds of Pikachu! Add visiting the Pikachu Outbreak Festival to your Ultimate Festival Bucket List. Make sure you pack something yellow and experience true Pikachu madness!

26. Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival, South Korea

By Marie of Be Marie Korea

During three weeks in January, the yearly Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival takes place on a huge frozen river in the mountain area of South Korea. This festival is truly unique as it was classified as one of the seven wonders of winter by CNN.

A 40 cm thick layer of ice covers the river and has about 10 000 drilled holes which a local mountain trout is fished through by the many local and international visitors. There is a special dedicated fishing area for foreigners, which is far less crowded than the area for Koreans. Each visitor can catch up to three fish which then can be exchanged for one grilled fish. Upon entering you’ll receive a rod and a plastic bags to put the caught trout in.

Apart from the fishing experience, there are other events going on like the ice sculpture hall, ice soccer, go sledding or ice skating, join the bare hand fishing competition and more. During the festival, there are daily shuttle buses leaving from Seoul to the festival area which takes around 1.5 hours one way. The price of the bus is included in your entrance ticket when purchased online.

27. Hot Air Balloon Festival, California, USA

By Constance of The Adventures of Panda Bear

The Hot Air Balloon Classic in Sonoma County, California is one of the most magical festivals in Northern California. It is held annually over a weekend in mid-June in the town of Windsor, California, located approximately 1 hour northeast of San Francisco. Show up before sunrise at 5 am (or earlier) and you’ll be in for a treat! You’ll get to see balloonists set up their balloons and launch them against the dark morning sky. They release hot air balloons into the sky shortly after 7 am. 

Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gate, but I recommend buying them in advance in case they run out. Over the years the festival has become more popular, there have been increasing numbers of attendees every year. Mornings in Northern California can be quite chilly even during the summer months, I recommend bringing a light jacket or blanket to keep warm. There is also a small concession stand there so you can also grab your morning coffee.

28. Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival, Paris, France

By Elisa of World in Paris

The Grape Harvest Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Paris. This 4-day festival is held every year in October since 1934 on the streets of Montmartre neighborhood in Paris.  The Grape Harvest Festival celebrates the arrival of Montmartre’s new wine, named Clos de Montmartre, which comes from the only vineyard left in the neighborhood.

This is not an exceptional wine, to be honest, but it just makes another excuse to celebrate in Paris. Apart from the wine stands, there are other stands with artisanal and regional products, and it is possible to eat and drink on site so you can buy more of what just tried if you really liked it. Also, there are other activities like exhibitions, dances or concerts so it is a festival for all ages. Montmartre’s Grape Harvest Festival is one of our favorite French Food Festivals in Paris.

29. Naadam Festival, Mongolia

By Jean of Traveling Honey Bird

During the month of July Mongolia celebrates the Nadaam Festival. The festival is also locally termed “eriin gurvan naadam” “the three games of men”. The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery. You will find local festivities all across Mongolia as the usually nomadic people of Mongolia take the time to come together to celebrate.

Though if you want the truly wonderful and bizarre experience then you need to experience Naadam in Ulaanbaatar. The festival usually beings on July 11 (my birthday) and goes for around four days. If you can get your hands on tickets for the opening ceremony than I highly recommend that you do. The day starts off with a parade through the city and the delivery of flags. Rolling onto an Olympic style opening ceremony and the beginning of the Mongolian wrestling. Once you’ve enjoyed watching the unique style of wrestling you can easily walk around and check out the archery. Now the traditional horse racing is a little bit more difficult to see and you’ll need to find a way to get out to the race course. 

All in all, Nadaam is a beautiful celebration of the Mongolian people and culture. Without a doubt, it has been to date my favorite festival to experience.

30. Sinulog sa Kabankalan, Philippines

Ferna from Every Where With Ferna

The festival called as “Sinulog sa Kabankalan” (or Sinulog in Kabankalan) is held every third week of January with the grand celebration on weekends. Sinulog is a religious and cultural festival Celebrated in many cities and towns in the Philippines.

Kabankalan is a city in the south of the Philippines that largely celebrate Sinulog. This started in the early days where the Moro Pirates attacked and harassed the people living who are mostly Catholics in the coastal area of Kabankalan and other towns nearby. This fight was supposedly intervened by a Sto Nino that saved these Christians from future attacks. As a way of gratitude, the people celebrate annually by feasting on food, a street dancing and the most important is an offer to Sto Nino.

The street tribal dance on Sunday is the main event of the festival where dancers are welcoming everyone to dance with them on the street. The city locals prepare a mix of oil and charcoal and paint it on everyone they see on the street. The festival is free to join, the main event is in the city’s Public Plaza where all the fun is. Don’t forget to wear black or dark colored clothes when joining.

31. Hay Literary Festival, UK

By Faye Haines of Travel With Little One

The Hay Literary Festival takes place over ten days in late May and early June each year, in the Welsh border town of Hay-on-Wye. It’s one of the biggest literary festivals in the world, taking over the whole town and surrounding area.

Hay is best known as the second-hand bookshop capital of the world. There are now around twenty left in the town and they’re the reason everyone visits. The festival takes place in fields on the edge of the town, where a tented village springs up for the duration. Entry to the site is free, but you need to book tickets for the talks and events that you’re attending. The party spreads back into the town and castle, with stalls and live entertainment on the streets.

Former US President Bill Clinton was a past speaker at Hay – his daughter Chelsea followed in his footsteps in 2018, as did Gordon Brown, Margaret Atwood, and Salman Rushdie. We love Hay because there’s a broad range of people discussing ideas. In one day we saw talks with a psychologist, the Google CEO and a British TV comedian within three hours. Even if you don’t attend any festival events, the town is a great place to visit.

32. Mainz Wine Festival, Germany

By Denise of Inhetvliegtuig

Thanks to the good climate, the German region Rheinhessen has become the largest wine region in Germany. Everywhere you look, you see vineyards with different kind of grapes. Wine plays a major role in the lives of the people that live here and therefore every town has its own wine festival. The wine has been produced in the German town of Mainz since the early Middle Ages and every year they celebrate the new harvest in a spectacular way.

Traditionally, the Mainz Wine Market takes place from Thursday to Sunday during the last weekend of August and the first weekend of September. In the city park of Mainz, you’ll find countless stands of different farmers during the wine festival. Everywhere you can taste different local wines and enjoy tasty snacks from the region. Armed with candles and picnic rugs, locals and tourists claim their place on the lawn. They drink wine, dance and enjoy the live music until the early hours. Bands and artists from all over Germany come to the Mainzer Weinmarkt to perform.

The festival is totally free, you only pay for the drinks and the food. The festival attracts a surprisingly millennial audience (mainly from Frankfurt), but it’s definitely fun for every wine lover! No matter what your age is.

33. Hogmanay in Edinburgh, Scotland

By Jessica Norah of Independent Travel Cats

Hogmanay is a Scottish traditional New Year’s celebration and is celebrated throughout the country. Edinburgh holds a large festival each year called Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, which is the largest New Year’s celebration in Scotland. It is a 3-day event and the New Year’s Eve concert, fireworks, and street party make it one of the largest public New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world.

The organized Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival events change a little year to year, but usually, include a torchlight procession through the streets of Edinburgh. It’s a large outdoor street party with live entertainers, a cèilidh dancing event, a candlelit concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral, a concert, and New Year’s Eve fireworks. On New Year’s Day morning there is Loony Dook which is an event that includes a fancy dress parade that ends by everyone taking a dip into the freezing Firth of Forth river in South Queensferry!

For visitors wanting to attend this festival, we’d recommend booking your tickets in advance as well as your accommodation in Edinburgh. In terms of packing, you’ll want to bring warm clothes as it is often cold in Edinburgh and most events are in the evening. Also, recommend bringing a waterproof jacket and rain protection as rain is fairly common. You’ll also want comfortable shoes as most events are standing-only events.

Now wasn’t that some list!

How many of these unique festivals have you been to? We’ve seen only 6 of these 33 festivals! Wait, is there any festival you’d like to add? Leave us a comment below 🙂

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Happy Traveling!