The Ultimate Guide to the World’s 10 Biggest Festivals

Festivals are the world's most epic parties, where entire cities (and sometimes entire countries) come together to celebrate culture, music, history, or just pure joy. From colorful street parades to spiritual gatherings, these festivals are more than just events; they're life-changing experiences. If you're looking to add some excitement to your travel bucket list, we've rounded up the ten biggest festivals around the globe that are guaranteed to leave you with stories you'll be telling for years. So, grab your clothes, pack your bags, and let’s dive into the ultimate guide to the world’s largest, wildest, and most unforgettable festivals!

Guide to the world’s 10 biggest festivals

1. Rio Carnival – Brazil

Image credit: By Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil - http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/cultura/foto/2014-03/ultimo-dia-de-desfile-do-grupo-especial-no-rio?id=906222, CC BY 3.0 br

Welcome to the world’s biggest party! The Rio Carnival is a whirlwind of samba, sequins, and street parades. Held every year before Lent, this festival draws millions to Rio’s streets for five days of nonstop dancing, vibrant costumes, and incredible floats. It’s basically Brazil showing off its passion and unique culture, and you’ll love every minute of it. Whether you're partying at the famous Sambadrome or joining in on a bloco (street party), the energy is electrifying. Trust that you’ve never seen a celebration like this!

When: February or March

Must do activities: Join a samba school parade for the full carnival experience. Get your costume ready and dance like nobody's watching!

2. Oktoberfest – Germany

Beer lovers, this one’s for you! Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, held annually in Munich, Germany. What started in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration has now become a two week extravaganza consisting of massive beer tents, traditional Bavarian music, pretzels bigger than your head, and liters upon liters of beer. It's all about good vibes, lederhosen (traditional German clothes), and saying "Prost!" (cheers) with new friends from around the world.

When: Late September to Early October

Must do activities: Try all the local brews, feast on bratwurst and schnitzel, and don’t forget to buy a souvenir beer stein(traditional German 1L beer mug) to commemorate your visit.

Also read: Indian Tourist Surge in Germany: 32.6% Increase Compared to Last Year!

3. Diwali – India

Known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali is a magical celebration of good triumphing over evil and light over darkness. It’s celebrated all over India (and beyond), with cities and homes illuminated by millions of oil lamps, candles, and fireworks. Streets are lined with colorful decorations, and families come together to exchange sweets and gifts. It's a sensory overload of joy, light, and warmth.

When: October or November

Must do activities: Head to Jaipur or Varanasi to witness some of the most dazzling Diwali celebrations, complete with riverbank fireworks and floating lanterns.

Also read: 10 Destinations in India to Visit Within 20K During Diwali

4. Chinese New Year – China

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in China, with celebrations lasting for 15 days. From dragon and lion dances to fireworks and parades, this festival is all about family reunions, delicious feasts, and honoring ancestors. Cities like Beijing and Hong Kong burst with energy, while smaller towns offer a more intimate, traditional celebration. You’ll be showered in red, the color of good fortune, and can’t leave without spotting the famous fireworks displays.

When: January or February

Must do activities: Catch the Chinese New Year parade in Hong Kong or Beijing lantern festival for an unforgettable visual spectacle.

Also read: How to Plan a Trip to China from India: A Step-by-Step Guide

5. Mardi Gras – USA

Image credit: By Infrogmation of New Orleans - photo by Infrogmation (talk), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is like a rainbow explosion of beads, costumes, and jazz. Known as "Fat Tuesday," it's a day (and week!) of indulgence before the start of Lent. Expect wild parades with beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, and colorful costumes. The whole city gets into party mode, with the French Quarter being the epicenter of festivities. You’ll be grabbing beads, eating King Cake, and dancing to live music on every corner.

When: February or March

Must do activities: Catch the Krewe of Zulu parade and grab a coconut, a prized Mardi Gras throw, if you can!

Also read: India emerges as 5th largest source of tourists for US

6. Glastonbury – United Kingdom

Image credit: By Czampal - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Glastonbury is not just a music festival; it’s an experience. Held on a massive farm in the English countryside, this festival is five days of music, art, and pure festival magic. With headliners that include the biggest names in rock, pop, and electronic music, Glastonbury attracts hundreds of thousands of fans every year. It’s muddy, it’s wild, and it’s iconic. From the Pyramid Stage to secret performances, there's something for everyone.

When: June

Must do activities: Explore the festival beyond the main stages; Glastonbury has an entire area dedicated to healing and well-being, and you might just find the best secret gig of your life!

7. Holi – India

If you love color, Holi is the festival for you! Known as the "Festival of Colors," Holi is all about spreading joy, love, and bright powder. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Expect to be covered head-to-toe in vibrant hues as people gather in the streets to throw colored powder, dance to music, and celebrate with family and friends. The energy is infectious, and the entire country transforms into a giant, colorful party.

When: March

Must do activities: Join the Holi madness in Mathura or Vrindavan, where the festival takes on an even more spiritual and lively atmosphere.

Also read: 14 Best Places in India to celebrate the Holi in 2024

8. La Tomatina – Spain

Image credit: By Graham McLellan from London, UK - 00690016, CC BY 2.0

This is the world’s largest food fight, and it’s as crazy as it sounds. Every year, the small town of Buñol turns into a tomato battlefield during La Tomatina. Thousands of participants from around the world gather to throw overripe tomatoes at each other in what is one of the most bizarre yet exhilarating festivals on the planet. It’s messy, fun, and utterly unforgettable.

When: Last Wednesday of August

Must do activities: Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting stained and don't forget to bring goggles.

9. Carnival of Venice – Italy

Step into a world of mystery, elegance, and timeless charm at the Carnival of Venice. This festival is famous for its stunning masks and elaborate costumes, transforming Venice into a living, breathing 18th-century ballroom. Wander through the city's canals and piazzas, where locals and visitors alike dress in luxurious costumes, adding an air of romance and intrigue to the whole experience. It’s one of the most glamorous and unique festivals in the world!

When: February

Must do activities: Attend a masquerade ball in a historic Venetian palace for a night of pure, old-world glamour.

Also read: Travel Guide to Italy from India 2023

10. Burning Man – USA

Burning Man isn’t your typical festival; it’s a temporary city built on creativity, art, and radical self-expression. Held in the middle of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, this event attracts tens of thousands of "Burners" who come to participate in art installations, interactive performances, and communal living. There are no headliners or scheduled events; everything is created by participants. It’s wild, weird, and nothing short of extraordinary.

When: August to September

Must do activities: Be part of a giant art installation or ride an art car; it’s all about contributing to the experience.