Solo Travel
Where to travel in South East Asia
Abi Buller
Solo Travel
8 Traditional Festivals Around the World You Have to Experience
Festivals are incredible events to experience even just once, so here are 8 traditional festivals around the world you HAVE to try.
Throughout the year, from all areas around the world, different cultures participate in hundreds of traditional festivals and celebrations.
Of course, we couldn’t fit all of them into this article, and we haven’t necessarily listed all the best ones, but this list celebrates some of the most diverse and eclectic traditional festivals out there.
Understanding and celebrating different cultures, no matter how different, forms a key part of cultural exchange and promotes a great link between all.
Celebrations like these motivate massive movements of people across countries and continents, and it’s important to consider this while travelling.
If you’re heading to any of these traditional festivals, make sure to plan early, book your flights and accommodation well in advance, and stay safe during your festivities!
Fourth of July (Independence Day)
- Where: USA
- When (in 2020): July 4th
This one I’m sure most of our readers are very familiar with, especially those of you who have attended summer camp in America.
The Fourth of July (or Independence Day) is a national celebration in the United States of America, celebrating the independence from British rule.
The day is characterised by barbecues, trips to the beach and fireworks, and is a quintessential American celebration.
The colours of red, white and blue will be everywhere and parts of the government shut down for the celebrations in a federal holiday, too.
It’s also known to be one of the busiest periods of travel in the US, with people taking advantage of the days off work to go on holiday.
For those who have been to summer camp in America, you’ll know how big this day can be!
Bastille Day
- Where: Paris, France
- When (in 2020): July 14th
This is the French traditional celebration of national identity and peace.
It was first celebrated in 1789, in remembrance of the storming of Bastille, and was later reinstated in 1880, which has then continued ever since.
The day begins with a military parade, held on the Champs-Elysees, and similar parades can be seen throughout France.
Other than the military parade, there are feasts, fireworks, dances, and all kinds of parties held in this national celebration.
Bonfire Night
- Where: England
- When (in 2020): November 5th
Also known as Fireworks Night or Guy Fawkes Night, this is an English festival held on November 5th every year.
It is to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot, where Guy Fawkes and a group of others attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
The celebrations revolve around setting off fireworks, and burning a bonfire with a scarecrow representation of Guy Fawkes sat on top.
Carnival of Venice
- Where: Venice, Italy
- When (in 2020): February 8th to 25th
The Venetian Carnival is one of the grandest parties of the year, particularly visually!
Costumes and masks fill the city and there are tonnes of grand masquerade balls held throughout.
It was officially reintroduced in 1979 and is seen as an important cornerstone in the culture of Venice.
The festival happens in the lead up to Lent, before Easter, and is a time of great celebration and dancing.
Cherry Blossom Festival
- Where: Japan
- When (in 2020): April
All around Japan, people come to visit and see the swathes of cherry blossom trees which come into flower in Spring.
The Japanese name for this is Hanami, which translates to “viewing flowers”, but there’s more to the festival than that; modern cherry blossom festivals involve drinking and eating too, often in the form of a picnic under the flowers, to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Chinese New Year
- Where: China
- When (in 2020): January 25th (in 2021 it will be February 12th)
Chinese New Year is no doubt something you’re familiar with, but have you ever witnessed the celebrations?
In China, the festivities last sixteen days, including preparation, and lead all the way up to the traditional lantern festival.
In the lead-up, there are street markets for all the specific clothes, food and gifts people buy, and later in the two weeks, you’ll see fireworks and firecrackers going off, with feasts and gifts.
Each year is represented by a certain animal, which will be seen all over the place during the new year celebrations.
It’s an important part of the Chinese calendar, and one of the most significant traditional festivals.
If you’re travelling to China, this is a really exciting event to plan your trip around!
Day of the Dead
- Where: Mexico
- When (in 2020): November 2nd
The Day of the Dead is a massive celebration in Mexico, in remembrance of friends and family who have died.
It is seen as a time of celebration, not sadness, as it is believed that the dead reawaken to celebrate the day with their loved ones.
Families will go to cemeteries and decorate the graves of their friends and family and welcome their spirits back to the home for the day.
The specific celebrations of the day vary from town to town, but all encompass building altars to the deceased and having large feasts to celebrate the occasion.
Diwali
- Where: Many countries, notably India
- When (in 2020): November 12th to 16th
Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and some Buddhists, and is symbolic of light succeeding darkness, good overcoming evil.
The celebrations include lamps and candles lighting up entire towns and cities, great feasts being held and fireworks displays throughout the festival.
It’s also a family festival, so families will come together for this celebration, even if they don’t usually see each other.
It’s worth travelling to just to see the beautiful decorations and light displays which are created but it is also, of course, an incredibly important cultural tradition which would be interesting and exciting to be a part of.
So there you have it, just a few traditional festivals and celebrations which would be great excuses to travel the world and see as many as you can.
Getting to know each other and our different cultures can help lead to a better mutual understanding, which can only be a benefit in this day and age.
There are so many other traditional festivals to explore as well, with this just being a starting point, so who knows where in the world you’ll end up!
