Cultural Festivals to Experience Worldwide

The joy of travelling to a new city is unbeatable. Every ticket appears worthy when you become a part of different cultures around the globe, even for a fraction of the time. Cultural festivals are your ticket to experiencing the lifestyle and culture of cities worldwide.

Vibrant colours paired with unique symbolism of true beliefs are worth experiencing if you enjoy exploring the globe. Cultural festivals are meant to bring people from different ethnicities together. The best part is that if you are travelling to a new city, there are high chances of a cultural event or festival happening.

Tag along as we take you through a list of cultural festivals around the world you can not miss.

Experience these Cultural Festivals Around the Globe

Let’s begin the exploration journey with everyone’s favourite cultural events around the globe:

La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain

It’s impossible to begin the list of cultural festivals without starting it with La Tomatina. La Tomatina got its kick after the famous scene in a superhit movie but its roots are way back in 1945. The festival was celebrated for the first time in 1945, Bunol, and it brought together thousands of people who took part in true tomato madness along with music, dance, and food. Interestingly, around 20,000 people from around the world come together to celebrate the festival every year.

• When is the La Tomatina Festival Celebrated? It is celebrated on the Last Wednesday of August every year. The tomato throwing starts around noon and ends around 2 PM. Then, there is a day of food and beverage stalls.
• Did You Know? The festival derives its essence from a small tomato fight between a group of people at a Parade in 1945. As it appeared to be fun, the city people decided to turn this into an annual celebration.
• Travel Tip: Carry old clothes, and comfortable footwear and prepare for a tomato-splattered experience.

Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

Possibly the world's largest beer celebration, Oktoberfest is a 16-day-long festival that brings together more than 6 million people on the streets of Munich. The festival celebrates Germany’s finest beer, tracing its roots around 200 years ago. Besides brewed drinks, the festival offers delicious food that represents the true essence of Germany. Head to the festival to devour the finest pretzels and ‘kaiserschmarrn’. Exploring the city during Oktoberfest is an experience you can not miss out on. Colourful streets, friendly tourists and German music create an unmatchable vibe.

• When is the Oktoberfest Festival Celebrated? Mid/Late September to the first Sunday of October. The festival will be celebrated from 21st September to 6th October in 2024. The celebrations start around noon after the barrel-tapping ceremony performed by the Mayor.
• Did You Know? The festival was first celebrated at the marriage ceremony of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese, which everyone from the city was invited to attend. The day was so successful that the city demanded an annual celebration that eventually translated into Oktoberfest.
• Travel Tip: There are 80,000 limited seats inside the beer tents, so make sure to pre-book your seat at the tents. Weekdays are more open.

Carnaval, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

If you consider yourself a party fanatic, the Carnaval must be at the top of your list. It is a celebration of music, food, dance, art, and culture at their best. Take part in throbbing drum beats, samba dance, and street parties at Rio de Janeiro to create the experience of a lifetime. A nonstop celebration that brings out the party fanatic in you like never before, Carnaval Rio has to be amongst the top celebrations around the world.

• When is the Carnaval Celebrated? It will be celebrated between 28th February to 8th March 2025. The festival generally starts around noon and continues non-stop for over a week.
• Did you know? The festival has multiple key highlights, but the traditional “Samba Schools Competition” held between schools, which grew from street bands, is iconic. These schools have a close relationship with the community and provide financial support.
• Travel Tip: While in the city, hike to Sugarloaf Mountain, take a dip at the famous beaches and visit Christ the Redeemer to experience modern art at its finest.

Songkran, Thailand

If you are planning a trip to Thailand, you must attend Songkran. A three-day water battle on the streets of Thailand brings out the exotic and fun essence of Thailand like no other. The festival observes Thailand’s New Year and is celebrated with water guns and balloons. The streets are packed with people visiting from all corners of the globe. The festival represents a true blend of tradition and fun. The first day is celebrated by pouring scented water at Buddha Temples and a fun water fight around the streets.

• When is the Songkran Festival Celebrated? Every year, it is celebrated on 13th April. It typically starts around 10:00 AM and continues for the next three days.
• Did You Know? The festival marks the beginning of the rainy season and the end of the hottest days in Thailand. Water fights found their way into the festival as they perfectly blended with the heat waves around the country.
• Travel Tip: The beaches of Bangkok host the most fun events during the Songkran festival. Book a ticket to the S20 music festival to experience a party filled with laser beams, water cannons, and the finest music artists.

Dia De Los Muertos, Mexico

If you want to become a part of something authentic and soulful, Dia De Los Muertos is the cultural festival for you. The literal meaning of the festival’s name is the Day of the Dead, which is celebrated as a day to pay respect to the souls who are no longer with us. The festival is celebrated by inviting the dead for a joyous reunion that creates a positive and spiritual vibe around the city, making it probably one of the most unique cultural events around the world. The altars around the city are decorated with yellow marigold flowers, and you will be amazed to see people getting down on the streets, their faces painted as skeletons, for a joyous parade.

• When is the Dia de Los Muertos Festival Celebrated? The festivities begin at midnight November 1st and last 24 hours.
• Did You Know? The festival traces its origins to around 3,000 years ago when the Aztecs and Nahua people viewed death as an integral part of life and celebrated it rather than mourning. Even today, people in the city leave water and food for the souls of the deceased.
• Travel Tip: To embrace the true essence of this cultural festival, do not miss the city parades, like the Parade of Spirit Guides and the Procession of Souls.

Over to You!

Travelling around the globe has become much easier and faster with options for quick flight and accommodation bookings. All you need to do is find a city of your choice and head straight for the experience of a lifetime. Now that you know the famous festivals around the world, take part in them to make your travels worth remembering.

In addition to easy booking access to cultural festivals around the world, owning a comprehensive travel plan from Care Travel Insurance keeps you financially protected regardless of which corner of the globe you are in.

Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.