Top Global Festivals and Events to Experience in 2025 and 2026
Suppose you’re planning your next adventure in 2026. In that case, these are the most extraordinary festivals and events to add to your travel list, each promising a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a deeper connection with the people who make them special.
And to make sure you stay connected wherever you go, equip yourself with a Holiday eSIM prepaid plan, the easiest way to enjoy high-speed, secure mobile data without swapping SIM cards or depending on public Wi-Fi.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival – Thailand
Dates: November 15–16, 2025 & November 14–15, 2026
When night falls over Chiang Mai, thousands of glowing lanterns rise into the sky, creating one of the world’s most breathtaking spectacles.
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival, rooted in Northern Thailand’s Lanna Buddhist traditions, marks the full moon of the second lunar month. Locals and visitors release lanterns (Khom Loy) as symbols of renewal — letting go of misfortune and inviting good luck for the year ahead.
Beyond the lanterns, the festival includes traditional dances, street parades, and markets filled with local delicacies.
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Oktoberfest – Germany
Dates: September 20 – October 5, 2025 | September 19 – October 4, 2026
No festival captures cultural joy quite like Oktoberfest in Munich. What began as a royal wedding in 1810 has become the world’s biggest folk celebration, drawing millions each year.
Held at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, Oktoberfest features huge beer tents, live Bavarian bands, traditional outfits, and hearty dishes like roasted chicken, pretzels, and pork knuckle. Every tent has its own charm — and its own music, laughter, and energy.
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Kyū Bon Festival – Japan
Dates: Between August 9 and September 7, 2025 | August 18 – September 6, 2026 (based on the lunar calendar)
In Okinawa and other southern regions of Japan, families observe Kyū Bon, a deeply spiritual version of the Obon festival honoring ancestral spirits.
Homes and temples glow with lanterns welcoming loved ones’ spirits. Offerings, dances, and the uchikabi fire ceremony — burning paper money to send blessings — mark the closing rituals.
It’s a serene, reflective event that highlights Japan’s respect for family, tradition, and continuity.
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La Tomatina – Spain
Dates: August 27, 2025 | August 26, 2026 (Last Wednesday of August)
Every summer, the small town of Buñol explodes into color during La Tomatina, the world’s largest tomato fight.
Thousands of people gather to toss overripe tomatoes in a joyful hour-long battle that covers the streets — and everyone in them — in red. Despite the chaos, the event is surprisingly organized and followed by a massive street celebration.
It’s loud, messy, and unforgettable.
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Día de los Muertos – Mexico
Dates: November 1–2, 2025 & 2026
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a profound yet joyful Mexican tradition that celebrates life and memory.
Families create colorful ofrendas (altars) adorned with flowers, candles, sugar skulls, and food to welcome the spirits of loved ones back home. Parades, music, and traditional face painting turn streets into living art galleries of remembrance and joy.
It’s one of the most visually stunning and emotionally meaningful celebrations you can witness.
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Hogmanay – Scotland
Dates: December 30, 2025 – January 2, 2026
When Scotland rings in the New Year, it does it with Hogmanay, a celebration unlike anywhere else.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is famous for its massive street parties, concerts, and fireworks displays. Across Scotland, smaller towns mark the occasion with bonfires, “first-footing” traditions, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne at midnight.
Hogmanay is a festival of warmth and unity in the heart of winter.
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Carnival – Brazil
Dates: February 13–18, 2026
No list of global festivals would be complete without Rio Carnival, a celebration of rhythm, dance, and color that defines Brazilian culture.
The streets of Rio de Janeiro come alive with samba parades, dazzling costumes, and music that lasts day and night. Travelers from around the world join locals in a city-wide celebration that embodies joy and freedom.
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Holi – India
Dates: March 13, 2026
Known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is celebrated across India with bursts of color, laughter, and unity. People take to the streets to throw vibrant powders, sing, dance, and celebrate the arrival of spring.
Beyond the joy and color, Holi carries deep meaning — symbolizing forgiveness, renewal, and the triumph of good over evil.
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Why These Festivals Matter
Each festival in 2025 and 2026 offers a window into what makes humanity beautiful — its diversity, creativity, and shared joy.
Whether it’s floating lanterns in Thailand, dancing in Brazil, or remembering loved ones in Mexico, these celebrations remind us that life’s best moments are often shared.
And with Holiday eSIM, you can stay connected through all of them — safely, instantly, and affordably — in more than 200 destinations worldwide.
What We Think on Global Festivals in 2025 and 2026
The next two years promise a journey through the world’s most spectacular traditions. From sacred rituals to joyous chaos, these global festivals offer more than entertainment — they’re experiences that connect hearts and cultures.
As you plan your travels for 2025 and 2026, make Holiday eSIM your travel companion. With fast data, wide coverage, and easy activation, you can explore freely, share every moment, and celebrate the world without limits.
Celebrate globally. Connect instantly. Travel smarter with Holiday eSIM.
