Many unique festivals around the world attract countless travelers in this era of globalization. People are willing to travel long distances just to experience these festivals and join the locals. Here are 10 globally influential cultural festivals worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime, encompassing different regions and cultural traditions, highlighting their uniqueness and celebration methods. These festivals not only showcase local cultural heritage but also offer immersive experiences suitable for travelers exploring the world's diversity.
La Tomatina (Tomato Battle) · Spain
La Tomatina is a festival held annually on the last Wednesday of August in Buñol, Valencia, Spain. Tens of thousands of participants from around the world gather for a harmless free-for-all, throwing over 100 tons of ripe, juicy tomatoes through the streets. Originating in 1944, La Tomatina has evolved over 70 years into a steadfast tradition and a defining feature of Buñol.
The La Tomatina begins at 9:00 AM. In the streets, people erect a tall, greased wooden pole, placing a piece of ham at the top. The tomato fight begins only when someone climbs to the top and retrieves the ham. People scramble to climb over each other's heads to grab the ham, but the greased pole causes them to slip and fall. Once the ham is taken, the tomato fight commences.
[Time]: The last Wednesday of August each year
[Location]: Buñol, a town in the Valencia region of Spain
Holi Festival · India
The Holi Festival signifies the end of the monotonous winter and the arrival of spring with its blooming flowers. On this day, locals play traditional Indian music, singing and dancing with abandon. Adults and children alike take to the streets, smearing colored powder on each other's foreheads as a blessing. Many more grab the powder and spray it at each other, covering everything from head to toe, creating an incredible, colorful world. Even the air is filled with powder. Playful children even add water to the mixture and "sweep" everyone they encounter with buckets, water balloons, or water guns.
[Date]: Around the full moon in spring, usually in February or March, lasting 3-7 days.
[Location]: Color festival is centered in North India, with the grandest celebration taking place in Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna. It can be reached by train from New Delhi, a journey of approximately 2-3 hours.
Albuquerque International Balloon Festival
Every year in early October, Albuquerque hosts the world's largest hot air balloon festival, lasting for 9 days. Hundreds of giant hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes will rise simultaneously, creating a spectacular sight. The entire city turns out early in the morning, with car radios broadcasting real-time updates on the two main factors affecting balloon takeoff: wind speed and temperature. All the balloons are launched from the hot air balloon park, and people chase after them in their cars. Even if a balloon crashes on the highway, the team will immediately relight it, wait for it to heat up, and launch it again. For tourists, chasing hot air balloons is the most exciting part of the festival.
【Time】: Early October each year
【Location】: 4401 Alameda Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA
Day of the Dead · Mexico
In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is an important holiday, almost on par with Independence Day. Although it's a festival associated with death, for Mexicans, it's a colorful, joyful, and vibrant day. Traditional commemoration involves setting up a private altar, placing sugar skulls, marigolds, and the deceased's favorite foods, and then carrying these items to the cemetery to pay respects.
【Dates】: November 1st and 2nd annually
【Location】: Throughout Mexico
Agit Agueda, Mexico
Agit Agueda, Portugal is an annual arts festival featuring concerts, performances, cultural events, and handicraft displays and sales. During the festival, the streets of Agueda are adorned with colorful umbrellas, creating a vibrant and beautiful scene under the Portuguese sun.
【Dates】: July 6th to July 28th annually
【Location】: Agueda, Portugal
Loy Krathong, Chiang Mai
Loy Krathong Festival, Chiang Mai
If you only plan to visit Chiang Mai once, then come during Loy Krathong. This period, following the rainy season, is a beautiful time of year in Thailand when rivers are high and the moon shines brightly. According to Thai tradition, on Loy Krathong (Loy Krathong Festival), Thais release handmade krathongs (floating lanterns) into rivers to express their hopes and blessings.
Loy Krathong is also Thailand's Valentine's Day. Every year on the night of Loy Krathong, whether in cities or towns, wherever there are rivers, harbors, or lakes, the water is filled with floating krathongs (Thai: กระทง), their candlelight reflecting the happy silhouettes of young couples. The fragrance of flowers and the lively, melodious songs of "releasing krathongs" create a joyous atmosphere.
[Time]: Held annually on the evening of the 15th day of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (November in the Gregorian calendar)
[Location]: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Black Rock City · Burning Man
The famous annual Burning Man Arts and Music Festival, held in Nevada, USA, is described by some as an arts festival, others as a carnival, and still others as a crazy party. Burning Man, a seemingly magical and even somewhat bizarre event, has actually been held for nearly 30 years. Participants come from all over the world for eight days of festivities, where they can sing, dance, wear costumes they wouldn't normally dare to wear, or create unusual art installations with new friends. The highlight is undoubtedly the "burning" ceremony on Saturday nights, where everyone gathers in the desert to watch the blazing fire illuminate the night sky.
【Time】: Late August to early September annually
【Location】: Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA
Italy - Highline Festival
Organized by the International Highline Meeting, the Italian Highline Festival takes place in the Italian Alps. Participants must navigate steel cables suspended high in the mountains, making it difficult to maintain balance, to reach hammocks suspended on these cables. Besides spending several days and nights there, it also has all the typical festival facilities and entertainment—a kitchen, a bar, and a fantastic music event. Participants can also enjoy activities such as yoga and paragliding.
[Time] August or September each year
[Location] Monte Piana, Italy
South Korea - Beryeong Mud Festival
The Beryeong Mud Festival is one of the most popular festivals in South Korea for foreign tourists. During the festival, visitors can be seen everywhere covered in mud, and there are various fun and engaging activities.
The most popular main event is a mud wrestling match where men and women are covered in mud, and visitors can experience firsthand the skin-beautifying effects of mud. At night, visitors can enjoy beautiful music and fireworks at a seaside performance venue.
[Date] July each year
[Address] Daecheon Beach area, Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
Canal Gay Pride - Netherlands
The annual Canal Gay Pride is probably the most exciting day in Amsterdam besides Queen's Day. Unlike other countries, Amsterdam is the only gay pride parade that takes place on canals by boat. As a result, while participants in other countries had to maintain order, the crowds in Amsterdam were singing, dancing, drinking, and making merry with deafening music on the boats.
[Dates] July 25 to August 2, 2015
[Location] Starting from the Prinsengracht at the Westerdok harbor, turn left onto the Amstel river and continue to the Oosterdok harbor on the east bank.