World Events Guide

The festivals, carnivals and marquee events worth planning a trip around - with verified dates (sourced, never guessed), what to expect on the ground, and how to stay connected when a hundred thousand phones hit the same network.

Prefer a month-by-month view? Browse the full events calendar

January

Masked figures in elaborate baroque costumes posing on a Venice canal bridge at dawn during Carnival

Venice Carnival 2027: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Venice, Italy

February

A Mardi Gras float rolling down St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans as crowds reach for beads at dusk

Mardi Gras 2027: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

New Orleans, United States

Illuminated carnival floats parading past crowds on Place Masséna in Nice at night

Nice Carnival 2027: Dates, Tickets & Staying Connected

Nice, France

Samba school dancers in feathered costumes parading through the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro at night

Rio Carnival 2027: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

March

Crowds in green lining O'Connell Street in Dublin as a St Patrick's Festival parade float passes the GPO

St Patrick's Festival Dublin 2027: Dates & Staying Connected

Dublin, Ireland

A towering fallas monument burning at night in a crowded Valencia square during La Crema

Las Fallas 2027: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Valencia, Spain

April

Crowds in orange and boats packed on an Amsterdam canal during King's Day celebrations

King's Day 2027: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Crowds throwing water during the Songkran festival on a closed street in Bangkok, water arcs catching the light

Songkran 2027: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Bangkok, Thailand

July

Towering Gion Matsuri hoko float with paper lanterns being pulled along Shijo street in Kyoto at dusk

Gion Matsuri 2027: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Kyoto, Japan

August

Festival crowd and stage lights on Obuda Island in the Danube at dusk during Sziget Festival in Budapest

Sziget Festival 2026: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Budapest, Hungary

Mas dancers in feathered carnival costumes parading past West London terraced houses at Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival 2026: Dates, Tips & Staying Connected

London, United Kingdom

Crowds and street performers on Edinburgh's Royal Mile during the Festival Fringe, with the Old Town skyline behind

Edinburgh Fringe 2026: Dates, Tips & Staying Connected

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

September

Oktoberfest beer tents and a funfair wheel on the Theresienwiese in Munich at golden hour

Oktoberfest 2026: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Munich, Germany

Red carpet crowds outside the Palazzo del Cinema on Venice's Lido at golden hour

Venice Film Festival 2026: Dates, Tickets & Staying Connected

Venice, Italy

Crowd facing the illuminated main stage of Rock in Rio at the Cidade do Rock in Barra da Tijuca at night

Rock in Rio 2026: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Castellers building a human tower in front of Barcelona's city hall during La Merce, crowds filling Placa Sant Jaume

La Mercè 2026: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Barcelona, Spain

October

Crowds crossing an Amsterdam canal bridge at night between club venues during Amsterdam Dance Event

Amsterdam Dance Event 2026: Dates, Tips & Staying Connected

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Formula 1 cars racing under floodlights on the Marina Bay street circuit with the Singapore skyline behind

Singapore Grand Prix 2026: Dates, Tips & Staying Connected

Singapore, Singapore

November

Vienna's Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt at dusk with the illuminated City Hall behind the market stalls

Vienna Christmas Markets 2026: Dates, Tips & Staying Connected

Vienna, Austria

Crowds and stage lights inside the Altice Arena during Web Summit's opening night in Lisbon

Web Summit 2026: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Lisbon, Portugal

Giant character balloons floating down Central Park West between skyscrapers during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 2026: The 100th & Staying Connected

New York, United States

Formula 1 cars racing down the Las Vegas Strip at night with illuminated casino towers behind the circuit

Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026: Dates, Tips & Staying Connected

Las Vegas, United States

Marathon runners crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island with the New York skyline in the distance

NYC Marathon 2026: Date, What to Expect & Staying Connected

New York, United States

Marigold-covered ofrenda and catrina figures glowing with candles on a Mexico City street at night during Dia de Muertos

Dia de Muertos 2026 in Mexico City: Dates & Staying Connected

Mexico City, Mexico

December

Crowds packed into Times Square at night with illuminated billboards and the New Year's Eve ball atop One Times Square

Times Square NYE 2026: Ball Drop, Crowds & Staying Connected

New York, United States

Fireworks exploding over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House at midnight on New Year's Eve, viewed from the crowded foreshore

Sydney NYE Fireworks 2026: Dates, Tips & Staying Connected

Sydney, Australia

Midnight fireworks bursting over Edinburgh Castle above a packed Princes Street during Hogmanay

Hogmanay 2026: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Seasonal & movable dates

Cherry blossoms in full bloom arching over the Meguro River in Tokyo with crowds strolling the banks at dusk

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan: Dates & Staying Connected

Tokyo, Japan

Fireworks bursting over illuminated Dubai skyscrapers and a crowded waterfront promenade during the Dubai Shopping Festival

Dubai Shopping Festival: 2026-27 Dates & Staying Connected

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Candlelit krathongs floating on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok with Wat Arun illuminated behind

Loy Krathong 2026: Dates, What to Expect & Staying Connected

Bangkok, Thailand