🎉 Festivals Around the World You Can’t Miss: A Jet Ready Ventures Guide for British Travellers

If travel is about stories, then festivals are where the best ones are written. They’re the heartbeat of a culture — loud, joyful, unpredictable, and sometimes gloriously chaotic.

From lanterns floating over Asian skies to samba parades in South America, the world’s greatest festivals don’t just entertain — they transform the way you see a place.

Here’s your Jet Ready Ventures list of global festivals that every British traveller should experience at least once — whether you’re chasing colour, culture, or pure celebration.

🌈 1. Holi – The Festival of Colours, India

When: March
Where: Across India (best in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Jaipur)

There’s no celebration on Earth quite like Holi — a full-throttle explosion of colour, music, and laughter that marks the arrival of spring. Picture locals and travellers alike throwing clouds of bright powder into the air, dancing in the streets, and sharing sweets as drums beat in the background.

It’s not just fun — it’s symbolic. Holi celebrates love, forgiveness, and renewal, all played out in a riot of joyful chaos.

British Traveller Tip:
Leave your favourite clothes at home — the colour doesn’t wash out easily. Opt for lightweight cottons (white looks best in photos) and pack biodegradable powder from local stalls rather than cheap imports.

Best Paired With: A few restful days in Rajasthan afterwards — Holi is wonderful but intense.

🎭 2. Carnival – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

When: February or early March
Where: Rio de Janeiro

Rio’s Carnival is pure, unapologetic spectacle — a citywide dance party where samba schools parade through the streets in feathers, sequins, and pure joy. It’s hot, loud, and full of energy that lasts long after sunrise.

Every year, millions flock to join the parade or watch from the stands of the Sambadrome, where the competition is fierce and the costumes dazzling.

British Traveller Tip:
Stay near Ipanema or Santa Teresa for easy access to blocos (street parties). Brazilians love visitors who join in respectfully, so don’t be shy — grab a caipirinha and dance.

Flight Tip:
Book early — flights from Heathrow to Rio fill up fast around Carnival season.

🔥 3. La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain

When: Last Wednesday in August
Where: Buñol, near Valencia

It’s not every day you can throw tomatoes at strangers and call it cultural appreciation. La Tomatina is a gloriously messy food fight that turns the small Spanish town of Buñol into a sea of red.

Tens of thousands gather to pelt each other with overripe tomatoes for one hour of total, tomato-fuelled madness. Afterwards, locals hose down the streets (and you).

British Traveller Tip:
Wear goggles. Trust us — tomato juice in your eyes is not part of the fun.
Stay in Valencia and catch the early morning train — Buñol is tiny and accommodation is limited.

🏮 4. Pingxi Lantern Festival – Taiwan

When: February (Lunar New Year’s end)
Where: Pingxi, near Taipei

High in the mountains of northern Taiwan, the night sky glows with thousands of floating lanterns. Each carries handwritten wishes — for love, health, new beginnings — drifting upwards into the darkness.

It’s beautiful, tranquil, and deeply moving.

British Traveller Tip:
It can get chilly at night, so pack a light jumper. Combine the festival with a few days exploring Taipei’s night markets — the street food is exceptional.

Cultural Note:
The festival is about renewal, not spectacle. Take time to learn the meaning behind the tradition — locals appreciate travellers who respect the sentiment.

🍺 5. Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany

When: Late September to early October
Where: Munich

Even if you’re not a beer lover, Oktoberfest is worth the trip. Munich transforms into one giant Bavarian fairground, complete with huge tents, brass bands, hearty food, and an infectious sense of camaraderie.

It’s cheerful, a little chaotic, and surprisingly family-friendly during the daytime.

British Traveller Tip:
Book a table in advance if you want to sit in one of the big tents. Bring cash — card machines are unreliable.
And yes, locals do wear traditional outfits. If you want to fit in, grab a dirndl or lederhosen in town.

🕺 6. Notting Hill Carnival – London, England

When: August Bank Holiday weekend
Where: Notting Hill, London

You don’t have to fly anywhere for this one. Notting Hill Carnival is a British institution — a celebration of Caribbean culture that fills West London with music, food, and an unbeatable summer vibe.

With steel drums, sound systems, and parade floats that stretch for miles, it’s one of Europe’s biggest street festivals.

British Traveller Tip:
Arrive early, stick to one route (it’s easy to get lost in the crowds), and sample as much food as possible — jerk chicken, plantain, and rum punch are essential.

💀 7. Día de los Muertos – Mexico

When: 1st–2nd November
Where: Across Mexico (especially Oaxaca and Mexico City)

Forget gloomy Halloween — Mexico’s Day of the Dead is all about colour, memory, and love. Families decorate altars with marigolds and candles, parades fill the streets with skull-painted faces, and the air hums with celebration.

It’s a heartfelt reminder that remembrance can be joyful.

British Traveller Tip:
Join a local guided tour or workshop to understand the meaning behind the ofrendas (altars). Mexicans are incredibly welcoming to visitors who engage with respect and curiosity.

🎆 8. Diwali – India & Nepal

When: October or November

Where: Across India, Nepal, and parts of Southeast Asia

The Festival of Lights marks the triumph of good over evil — and it’s every bit as luminous as it sounds. Streets shimmer with candles and fairy lights, fireworks burst over cities, and homes are filled with sweets, laughter, and prayer.

It’s a time of reflection and renewal, best experienced with locals.

British Traveller Tip:
Plan ahead — trains and flights sell out fast during Diwali week. Dress modestly, remove shoes when entering homes or temples, and join in with an open heart.

🎨 9. Venice Carnival – Italy

When: February
Where: Venice

Venice becomes a stage during Carnival — masked figures glide along canals, opera music drifts through squares, and every corner feels like you’ve stepped into a Renaissance painting.

It’s elegance, art, and theatre rolled into one.

British Traveller Tip:
Venice is cold and damp in February, so pack layers and waterproof shoes. You don’t need a full costume to take part — just a beautifully crafted Venetian mask and a sense of wonder.

🔥 10. Up Helly Aa – Lerwick, Scotland

When: Last Tuesday in January
Where: Shetland Islands

Closer to home — and utterly unique. Up Helly Aa celebrates Shetland’s Viking heritage with a torchlit procession and the burning of a replica longship. It’s part history, part theatre, and fully spectacular.

The island atmosphere is warm and welcoming, even if the weather isn’t.

British Traveller Tip:
Book well in advance — accommodation is limited. And bring proper winter gear; this is the North Sea in January.

🌍 Final Boarding Call