Cities with the Best Festivals You Can’t Miss

10 October 2025

Who doesn’t love a good festival? It’s like a giant party where the whole city decides to dance, eat, and celebrate life together. Whether you're into music, culture, food, or just an excuse to party, some cities take festival season to the next level.

So, pack your bags (and maybe some glitter), because we're about to embark on a journey through the world's most epic festivals you absolutely can’t miss!

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Carnival 🎭

If you haven’t heard of Rio’s Carnival, have you even been on the internet? This is the Beyoncé of festivals—glamorous, larger-than-life, and absolutely breathtaking.

Why It’s Amazing

- Street parades that feel like a Hollywood production – Think massive floats, samba dancers in dazzling costumes, and music that makes even the stiffest person sway.
- Samba Schools Battle – Different samba schools compete in the Sambadrome, and trust me, the energy here is next level.
- Non-stop partying – The city turns into one giant dance floor for five days straight. Sleep? Never heard of her.

Best Time to Go

Carnival takes place in February or early March, right before Lent begins. So, it’s basically your last chance to sin before repenting (just saying).

2. New Orleans, USA – Mardi Gras 🎷

Imagine Rio’s Carnival but with a Southern twist. New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is a mix of wild street parties, jazz music, and people throwing beads at you for no reason.

Why It’s Amazing

- The parade culture is unreal – Gigantic floats, masked riders tossing beads, and the whole city covered in purple, green, and gold.
- Bourbon Street Madness – Dive bars, jazz bands, and partygoers making lifelong memories (or forgetting them by morning).
- King Cake – This delicious cinnamon pastry comes with a tiny plastic baby inside. If you find the baby, congratulations—you have to buy the next cake.

Best Time to Go

Mardi Gras happens in February or March. Just follow the beads and the jazz music—you’ll know you’ve arrived.

3. Munich, Germany – Oktoberfest 🍺

A festival entirely dedicated to beer? Say no more. Oktoberfest in Munich is THE place to be if you're a fan of good brews, hearty food, and dancing on tables with strangers.

Why It’s Amazing

- Beer tents the size of cathedrals – Picture thousands of people raising massive beer steins, singing and swaying in unison.
- Traditional Bavarian outfits – Lederhosen for the men, dirndls for the ladies. Everyone looks like they stepped out of a German folk tale.
- The food is unreal – Giant pretzels, bratwursts, roasted chickens—basically, your diet starts after the festival.

Best Time to Go

Oktoberfest kicks off in mid-September and runs until the first weekend of October. (Yeah, Oktoberfest actually happens mostly in September—go figure.)

4. Edinburgh, Scotland – Edinburgh Fringe Festival 🎭

If you love theater, comedy, and street performances, Edinburgh Fringe Festival is your holy grail. It’s where countless comedians, artists, and performers showcase their talents, often before they strike it big.

Why It’s Amazing

- The sheer volume of performances – Over 3,000 shows in one city. You literally can't see them all, even if you cloned yourself.
- Surprises around every corner – Magicians, fire eaters, Shakespeare in alleys—this festival turns the whole city into a stage.
- Comedians testing new material – Ever wanted to see the next big stand-up comedian before they become famous? This is the place.

Best Time to Go

It happens every August, when Edinburgh transforms into one giant open-air theater.

5. Pamplona, Spain – Running of the Bulls 🏃‍♂️🐂

This isn’t your typical festival where you sip cocktails and watch fireworks. The Running of the Bulls is for the adrenaline junkies who think, “Hey, let’s run in front of stampeding bulls for fun!”

Why It’s Amazing

- The thrill factor – It’s basically real-life Temple Run, only with actual danger.
- The week-long fiesta – Even if you don’t run, the city is alive with music, fireworks, and sangria-filled nights.
- Honoring centuries of tradition – This event dates back to the 14th century, blending history with sheer madness.

Best Time to Go

The festival runs from July 6-14, during the Fiesta de San Fermín.

6. Venice, Italy – Venice Carnival 🎭

Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a 17th-century royal ball? The Venice Carnival is all about mystery, glamour, and some seriously over-the-top masks.

Why It’s Amazing

- The masks are pure art – Venetian masks are an iconic part of this festival, giving it a magical, mysterious vibe.
- Gondola parades on the Grand Canal – Nothing screams “luxury” like floating down a canal in full costume.
- Live performances, masquerade balls, and historical re-enactments – It’s basically a Renaissance fair, but way fancier.

Best Time to Go

It usually happens in February, before Lent, and lasts for about two weeks.

7. Burning Man, USA – Black Rock City, Nevada 🔥

Burning Man isn’t just a festival—it’s a temporary city dedicated to creativity, self-expression, and art installations that look like they belong on Mars.

Why It’s Amazing

- The art installations are mind-blowing – Picture massive sculptures rising from the desert, some even breathing fire.
- Radical self-expression – Costumes, performances, and music unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
- The burning of the giant wooden man – In a grand finale, a huge wooden effigy is set on fire, symbolizing letting go.

Best Time to Go

Burning Man happens in late August to early September. Just be ready for extreme desert conditions (yes, that means dust storms).

8. Tokyo, Japan – Cherry Blossom & Fireworks Festivals 🌸🎆

Tokyo doesn't do festivals halfway—it goes all-out. Two of the must-see events? The cherry blossom festivals in spring and the epic fireworks festivals in summer.

Why It’s Amazing

- Cherry blossom season (Hanami) – Parks transform into pink wonderlands, and people gather for picnics under the trees.
- Summer fireworks festivals – The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of the grandest displays of pyrotechnics you'll ever see.
- Food stalls everywhere – From yakitori to matcha ice cream, Tokyo’s festival food is next level.

Best Time to Go

Cherry blossoms bloom between late March and early April, while the fireworks festivals light up the summer nights in July and August.

Final Thoughts

Festivals are the heart and soul of a city. They bring people together, showcase culture, and give you memories (and photos) to last a lifetime. Whether it's samba in Rio, beer in Munich, or dodging bulls in Pamplona, there's a festival out there waiting for you.

So, what’s stopping you? Get out there, grab your party shoes (or running shoes, if you’re feeling brave), and experience the magic of these world-class festivals!