20 brightest festivals in the world: From Oktoberfest to Burning Man

The world is home to many unique festivals and celebrations, which attract attention with their history, traditions, and scale.

From the vibrant Rio Carnival to the beer Oktoberfest in Munich — each of them reflects the culture of its people and brings together people from all over the world.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest (Germany, Munich) – the largest beer festival, held from late September to early October.

Millions gather in tents to drink Bavarian beer, enjoy traditional dishes, and participate in folk festivities with music and attractions.

Rio Carnival

Rio Carnival (Brazil, Rio) – takes place in February before Lent. This is the largest carnival in the world with samba parades.

Participants in bright costumes dance on the streets, while samba schools compete in spectacular performances, attracting millions of viewers.

Venetian Carnival

Venetian Carnival (Italy, Venice) – takes place in February before Lent. Participants wear masks and costumes, participate in parades and balls.

The carnival is famous for its theatrical performances and masquerade parties, which are held on the streets and squares of the city.

San Fermin Festival

San Fermin Festival (Spain, Pamplona) – takes place from July 6 to 14. The main event is the famous running of the bulls through narrow streets, which culminates in a bullfight at the arena.

The participants run ahead of the bulls, and the celebration is accompanied by processions, music, and public festivities.

Holi

Holi (India) – celebrated in March on the day of the full moon. This is the festival of colors, where people throw colored powders at each other.

The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. Holi is accompanied by songs, dances, and massive street festivities.

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead (Mexico) – celebrated on November 1–2. It is a holiday of remembrance for the deceased, during which colorful parades are held.

People create altars with photographs and favorite belongings of the deceased, decorate them with candles and skulls, symbolizing respect for ancestors.

Songkran

Songkran (Thailand) – celebrated from April 13 to 15 in honor of the Thai New Year. The main feature of the festival is the mass water fights in the streets.

People splash water on each other, symbolizing purification and the start of a new year. The festival is accompanied by parades, religious rituals, and family gatherings.

Diwali

Diwali (India) — the festival of lights, celebrated in October or November. During the festival, people decorate their homes with oil lamps and lanterns, set off fireworks to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Diwali symbolizes the start of the new year and is accompanied by family prayers and feasts.

Battle of the Oranges

The Battle of the Oranges (Italy, Ivrea) takes place in February or March as part of the carnival. During this spectacular event, participants throw oranges at each other in the streets of the town.

The battle symbolizes a popular uprising against tyranny and attracts thousands of people, turning the town into an arena of an orange "war".

La Tomatina

La Tomatina (Spain, Buñol) is held annually on the last Thursday of August. It is a grand battle where thousands of participants throw tons of ripe tomatoes at each other.

The festival starts with preparations in the main square and continues with massive street battles, ending with a street cleanup and lively festivities.

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras (USA, New Orleans) is held in February or March, before Lent. The carnival is famous for its bright parades, colorful costumes, jazz music, and bead throwing from floats.

The festival fills the city with joy, dancing, and traditional parades, attracting millions of participants and spectators.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival (USA, Albuquerque) is held in October. It is the largest balloon festival in the world, gathering hundreds of hot air balloons in various shapes and colors.

The sky over the city fills with bright balloons, creating a spectacular sight for thousands of spectators.

Glastonbury

Glastonbury (UK, Somerset) is the largest open-air music festival, held in June.

Renowned musicians and artists from various genres perform at the festival. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and is celebrated for its diverse music, art, and culture.

Cologne Carnival

The Cologne Carnival (Germany, Cologne) takes place from November to February, peaking on Rosenmontag (the Monday before Lent).

This carnival features colorful parades, costumes, and public festivities. Locals and tourists dress up, participate in parades, and celebrate on the city's streets with music and merriment.

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain, Tenerife) is held in February and is one of the largest carnivals in the world. It is renowned for its scale, vibrant parades, and costumes, similar to the Rio Carnival.

The event includes costume contests, musical performances, and street dancing, attracting thousands of participants and tourists.

Burning Man

Burning Man (USA, Nevada desert) takes place at the end of August. It is an alternative art festival where participants create large-scale installations, perform, and live in a temporary community.

The climax of the festival is the burning of a giant effigy (the "Man"), symbolizing the event's conclusion.

Selarón Steps Festival

The Selarón Steps Festival (Brazil, Rio de Janeiro) takes place in January. This vibrant street celebration combines elements of carnival and street art.

It is held on the famous Selarón Steps, which are decorated with thousands of ceramic tiles. The event is accompanied by music, dancing, and colorful performances.

Taiwan Lantern Festival

The Taiwan Lantern Festival (Taiwan, Taipei) is held in February or March and marks the end of the Chinese New Year. During the festival, thousands of glowing lanterns are released into the sky.

This colorful spectacle is accompanied by parades and traditional dances, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity.

Sechseläuten

Sechseläuten (Switzerland, Zurich) takes place in April. It is an ancient festival that symbolizes the end of winter.

The highlight of the festival is the burning of a giant figure representing winter, accompanied by music, parades, and street celebrations.

Giant Parades in Belgium and France

The festivals take place in Belgium and France, held at the end of August.

This centuries-old tradition features parades of giant figures representing characters from local legends marching through the streets.