{"id":42115,"date":"2020-01-29T06:00:07","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T14:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=42115"},"modified":"2025-08-16T04:05:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T11:05:48","slug":"festivals-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/festivals-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Festivals are one of the most popular ways to experience different cultures around the world. Every destination has it’s own unique festival, with visitors traveling from near and far for film festivals, music festivals, food, and more. Each of these festivals has its own history, from brand new music festivals to traditions that have been going on generations. <\/p>\n

We have created a list of the best festivals around the world by month for 2021, so whether you like music festivals, carnivals, or film festivals, this list has a festival for everyone!<\/p>\n

JANUARY<\/h2>\n

Sundance Film Festival <\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – January 23rd to February 2nd, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Park City, Utah, USA<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – SunDance.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Sundance is an institute that helps provide and support artists from film, film composing, and digital marketing to create new pieces and showcase them to the world. The first Sundance Film Festival was in 1981 where ten up and coming filmmakers were invited to showcase their work.<\/p>\n

Every year since then the Sundance Film Festival has taken place in Park City Utah, showcasing documentary and dramatic short and feature films from emerging filmmakers. The festival also has filmmaker talks, panel discussions, and live music. <\/p>\n

This is one of the more exclusive festivals, so be sure to start planning your trip early to secure the best accommodation<\/a>! <\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>6 Best Utah Trails For Solo Women Hikers<\/a><\/p>\n

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Harbin Ice Festival, China<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – December 25th, 2019 to February 25th, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Harbin, China<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – IceFestivalHarbin.com<\/a><\/p>\n

This festival that runs from December through to February in Harbin, China is the world’s largest ice festival! You can visit and enjoy a variety of winter travel experiences including an international snow sculpture art expo, ice lantern art fair, ice and snow amusement park, ice bar & restaurant, winter swimming watching, skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling.<\/p>\n

There is something for everyone at this unique festival and it’s the perfect place to visit in the winter months.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>7 Unforgettable Things To Do In China<\/a><\/p>\n

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International Kite Festival, India<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – January 7th to 14th, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Gujarat, Uttarayan India<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – GujaratTourism.com<\/a> <\/p>\n

The festival of Uttarayan in India marks the day that winter turns into summer. It is known as Makara Sankranti\/Mahasankranti, a sign for farmers that harvest season is approaching. The day is thought to be the most important harvest day in the Indian calendar.<\/p>\n

To celebrate and mark this time, many cities in Gujarat organize a kite competition for the local residents. This is a huge celebration and is now a 2-day public holiday.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>A Quick Guide To India\u2019s Golden Triangle<\/a><\/p>\n

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FEBRUARY<\/h2>\n

Pingxi Lantern Festival, Taiwan<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – February 8th to 23rd, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Shifen, Pingxi District, New Taipei<\/p>\n

Since 1990, the Pingxi Lantern Festival<\/a> has taken place during the first full moon of the Chinese New Year (which changes each year). Between 100,00 and 200,000 rice paper lanterns are let out into the night’s sky. <\/p>\n

Lanterns were released historically to let others know that the town was safe. Today, people use the lanterns to attach wishes and decorations to before letting them into the sky.<\/p>\n

The main night for the festival is the 8th February 2021 but night markets and lanterns will appear for up to two weeks after.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>8 Reasons Why Taiwan Will Surprise You<\/a><\/p>\n

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Venice Carnival, Italy<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – February 8th to 25th, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Venice, Italy<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – Carnevale.Venezia.it<\/a><\/p>\n

The Venice Carnival is held every year and ends on Shrove Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The carnival dates back to 1162 as a celebration of victory. It was not celebrated for hundreds of years until 1979 when the carnival returned to the city as part of the cities history and tradition.<\/p>\n

The carnival is famous for its masks, with contests for the best masks. The carnival has masquerade balls, carnival shows, events around the city, music, and much more.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>The 5 Most Romantic Things To Do In Venice<\/a><\/p>\n

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Rio Carnival, Brazil<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – February 21st to February 26th, 2021<\/p>\n

Location – <\/strong>Rio de Janeiro, Brazil<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – Rio.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rio Carnival is the world’s most well known and biggest carnival, with celebrations all over the city. The carnival and festival take place every year beginning on the Friday before Lent and ends on Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent.<\/p>\n

The carnival dates back to the 1640s, and now attracts visitors from all over the world. The city of Rio de Janeiro is 6 full days of parades, floats, street parties, masquerade balls, and the city is filled with music, dancing and brightly coloured costumes.  <\/p>\n

Bring your best costume and dancing shoes because the Rio Carnival is one of the most fun festivals in the world!<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>10 Things Not To Miss In Rio De Janeiro<\/a><\/p>\n

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Barranquilla Carnival, Colombia<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – February 22nd to February 25th 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Barranquilla, Colombia<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – Colombia Travel<\/a><\/p>\n

Barranquilla Carnival is the second largest carnival in South America after Rio, Brazil. The Barranquilla Carnival takes place in the Colombian port city of Barranquilla, every year over four days before Ash Wednesday on Saturday and finishes on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The Barranquilla Carnival dates back to the 1880s, today it is much different from it was then, with parades, street dancing, colourful costumes, and parties throughout the city. <\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>A Quick Guide To Bogota & Cartagena<\/a><\/p>\n

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Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – Tuesday, February 25th, 2021 (Parades every weekend from January 4th, 2021. Major parades every day from February 19th to February 25th, 2021)<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – New Orleans, Lousiana, USA<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – MardiGrasNewOrleans.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Anyone who has been to New Orleans<\/a> knows they don’t do anything by halves, and Mardi Gras is no different! It’s the biggest event in the city’s calendar.<\/p>\n

While the origins of the festival are unknown, they date back centuries. Mardi Gras typically begins from the last night of Christmas and stretches to Ash Wednesday. Every weekend in January there are parades throughout the city leading up to the week before Ash Wednesday when they occur daily.<\/p>\n

Mardi Gras is filled with beautiful floats, parades, dancing in the street, partying, masquerade balls, and is a full family event with the streets lined with families having BBQs and enjoying time spent together. In Lousiana, the week of Ash Wednesday the Monday to Wednesday are holidays known as Mardi Gras break, so everyone can celebrate together and enjoy family time.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>7 Things To Do On Your First Trip To New Orleans<\/a><\/p>\n

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MARCH<\/h2>\n

Holi Festival, India<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – March 9th & 10th, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Rajasthan, India – Jaipur & Udaipur<\/p>\n

Holi is a popular Hindu festival celebrated in India. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘festival of colours’, ‘festival of spring’, or ‘festival of love’, signifying the beginning of spring. The festival begins on the evening of a full moon and lasts the night and following day.<\/p>\n

People gather on the night of the full moon and perform religious rituals with a bonfire and the next day is the colour festival. During the festival people throw colours over each other, where everyone joins in the streets at parks and participates in the colour and paint festival.<\/p>\n

Water guns and water balloons are used to smear the paint around. Coloured powders tend to be used and music is played. It’s one of the more unique and colorful festivals in the world!<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>7 Instagrammable Spots In The Pink City Of Jaipur, India<\/a><\/p>\n

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South By Southwest (SXSW)<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – March 13th to 22nd, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Austin, Texas, USA<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – SXSW.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Since 1987 South by Southwest (SXSW) has been held annually in Austin, Texas. This festival is a celebration of both the film and music industry, with conferences and screenings.<\/p>\n

The 10-day event showcases sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and networking events. This event has music performances by major artists, film screenings, awards, and pitches.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>5 Can\u2019t Miss Coffee Shops In Austin<\/a><\/p>\n

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APRIL<\/h2>\n

Coachella, California, USA<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – April 10th – 12th & April 17th – 19th 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Empire Polo Club, Indio, California, USA<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – Coachella.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Coachella is a music festival that takes place over two weekends in April in Indio California. The music festival began in 1999 as a single weekend event and in 2012 was changed to two weekends.<\/p>\n

Coachella has artists both well known and up and coming, with multiple stages and groundbreaking performances and comebacks.<\/p>\n

Be sure to pack your finest boho desert style attire because part of the fun of Coachella is seeing the outfits that everyone wears!<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>5 Unique Experiences You Must Indulge In At Joshua Tree And Palm Springs<\/a><\/p>\n

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Snowbombing, Austria<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – April 13th to 18th, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Mayrhofen, Austria<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong> – Snowbombing.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Snowbombing is an alpine music festival which is a week-long festival of live bands, DJs, apres ski, and much more.<\/p>\n

Snowbombing combines a traditional ski holiday with a music festival with events and activities on the slopes such as races, paragliding, sledding, exploring an ice cave and more. There is live music from big-name artists in stages across the town from forests, to an igloo rave. <\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>24 Hours In Salzburg, Austria<\/a><\/p>\n

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Songkran Water Festival, Thailand<\/h3>\n

Date<\/strong> – April 13th to 15th, 2021<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong> – Thailand<\/p>\n

Celebrated every year from April 13th to 15th, Songkran Water Festival is an annual ‘water fight’. Dating back centuries the festival historically was on the date when the sun changes position in the zodiac.<\/p>\n

The people of Thailand believe water is purifying and cleans away bad luck from the past year and cleanses bringing fortune to the new year. This festival happens throughout Thailand with the biggest celebrations taking place in Chiang Mai<\/a>, Khao San Road in Bangkok<\/a>, and many other cities throughout the country.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>A Complete Guide To Thailand’s Songkran Water Festival<\/a><\/p>\n

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A post shared by Official Thailand Tourism (@thailandinsider)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n