Here are some of the best festivals and celebrations in Asia
Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
When: January 5-February 25, 2025
Where: Harbin, China
Description: A winter wonderland featuring gigantic ice sculptures, illuminated ice lanterns, and a range of winter activities.
Expert Tips: Visit during the opening ceremony for the best experience.
Official Website: Harbin Ice Festival
Estimated Participants: Millions
Dubai Shopping Festival
When: January 10 - February 10, 2025
Where: Dubai, UAE.
Description: A month-long shopping extravaganza with discounts, entertainment, and cultural events.
Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu)
When: January 15, 2025
Where: Assam, India
Description: The harvest festival of Assam celebrated with traditional dance, feasting, and the building of Meji structures, followed by a bonfire.
Expert Tips: Join the community celebrations in Majuli.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Makar Sankranti
When: January 14, 2025
Where: India
Description: Celebrates the harvest season with kite flying, traditional sweets, and cultural events. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
Expert Tips: Participate in the International Kite Festival in Gujarat.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
When: January 29, 2025
Where: Across China and East Asia
Description: Marks the beginning of the lunar new year. Festivities include dragon dances, fireworks, family reunions, and the giving of red envelopes (hongbao).
Expert Tips: Experience the grand celebrations in Beijing or Hong Kong.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Billions
Pingxi Lantern Festival
When: February 11, 2025
Where: Taiwan
Description: Lanterns are released into the night sky, symbolizing good luck and sending wishes for the upcoming year.
Expert Tips: Visit Pingxi for a magical display of lanterns.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Tens of thousands
Thaipusam
When: February 12, 2025
Where: Malaysia, Singapore, and parts of South India
Description: A Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Murugan, marked by devotees piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers as a form of penance.
Expert Tips: Witness the vibrant procession at the Batu Caves in Malaysia.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Hundreds of thousands
Kuwait Liberation Day
When: February 25, 2025
Where: Celebrated nationwide in Kuwait.
Description: Marks the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991.
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: February-March 2025.
Where: Dubai, UAE.
Description: Celebrates literature with author sessions, panel discussions, and workshops.
Eid al-Fitr
When: March 30, 2025.
Where: Across the Middle East, with significant events in cities like Cairo, Istanbul, and Dubai.
Description: Marks the end of Ramadan with prayers, feasts, and social gatherings.
Holi
When: March 14, 2025
Where: India and Nepal
Description: The Festival of Colors signifies the victory of good over evil. Participants throw colored powders and water at each other, celebrating with music and dance.
Expert Tips: Join the celebrations in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Bali Spirit Festival
When: March 23-30, 2025
Where: Bali, Indonesia
Description: A celebration of yoga, dance, and music, promoting well-being and community spirit.
Expert Tips: Immerse yourself in yoga and healing arts workshops.
Official Website: Bali Spirit Festival
Estimated Participants: Thousands
Nowruz
When: March 20-21, 2025
Where: Celebrated across the Middle East, especially in Iran
Description: Persian New Year, marked by feasts, family gatherings, and symbolic rituals.
Abu Dhabi Festival
When: March-April 2025
Where: Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Description: Showcases performing arts, including music, dance, and theater.
Red Sea International Film Festival
When: March 2025
Where: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Description: Highlights regional and international cinema with screenings, workshops, and awards.
Songkran
When: April 13-15, 2025
Where: Thailand and parts of Southeast Asia
Description: Thai New Year festival celebrated with water fights, parades, and religious ceremonies. Water symbolizes purification and the washing away of sins.
Expert Tips: Head to Chiang Mai for the world's largest water fight.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey)
When: April 13-16, 2025
Where: Cambodia
Description: Celebrated with traditional dance, music, and water festivals. Locals clean and decorate their homes and visit pagodas.
Expert Tips: Join the water festivities in Phnom Penh for a lively experience.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Songkran Water Festival
When: April 13-15, 2025
Where: Laos and parts of Thailand
Description: Similar to the Thai Songkran festival, Laotians celebrate the New Year with water fights, religious ceremonies, and festive gatherings.
Expert Tips: Enjoy the festive atmosphere in Luang Prabang.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Cherry Blossom Festivals
When: Late March to April
Where: Japan, South Korea, and parts of China
Description: Celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms. Festivities include picnics, traditional performances, and illuminations under the blooming trees.
Expert Tips: Attend the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Pahela Baishakh (Bengali New Year)
When: April 14, 2025
Where: Bangladesh and West Bengal, India
Description: Celebrates the Bengali New Year with colorful processions, traditional music, dance, and delicious food.
Expert Tips: Join the vibrant celebrations in Dhaka or Kolkata.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Dead Sea Ultra Marathon
When: April 2025
Where: Jordan
Description: Trail running event offering stunning views around the Dead Sea area.
Vesak (Buddha Purnima)
When: May 12, 2025
Where: Across Asia, with major celebrations in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia
Description: Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha with processions, prayer, and the decoration of temples.
Expert Tips: Witness the grand celebrations in Borobudur, Indonesia.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Dragon Boat Festival
When: May 31, 2025
Where: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other East Asian countries
Description: Traditional boat races are held to commemorate the death of the poet Qu Yuan. Participants also enjoy zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
Expert Tips: Watch the exhilarating races in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
When: May 23 - June 1, 2025
Where: Fez, Morocco
Description: Showcases sacred music traditions from around the world in a historic setting.
Yemeni Unity Day
When: May 22, 2025
Where: Celebrated nationwide in Yemen.
Description: Commemorates the unification of North and South Yemen in 1990.
Jerusalem Festival of Light
When: June 2-12, 2025
Where: Jerusalem, Israel
Description: Illuminates the Old City with light installations, music, and art.
Eid al-Adha
When: June 7, 2025
Where: Celebrated throughout the Middle East.
Description: Also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," it commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son.
Jeddah Season
When: June-July 2025
Where: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Description: A multi-week festival featuring entertainment, sports, and cultural events.
Naadam Festival
When: July 11-15, 2025
Where: Mongolia
Description: The "Three Manly Games" of wrestling, horse racing, and archery, celebrating Mongolia's nomadic culture.
Expert Tips: Attend the opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar for a cultural extravaganza.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Thousands
Kandy Esala Perahera
When: July 11-21, 2025
Where: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Description: A grand procession featuring traditional dancers, fire eaters, and ornately decorated elephants, honoring the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.
Expert Tips: Secure a good viewing spot along the parade route.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Hundreds of thousands
Gion Matsuri
When: July 1-31, 2025
Where: Kyoto, Japan
Description: One of Japan's most famous festivals, featuring a grand procession of floats, traditional performances, and religious ceremonies.
Expert Tips: Secure a spot along the parade route for the best view.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Hundreds of thousands
Beiteddine Art Festival
When: July-August 2025
Where: Beiteddine, Lebanon
Description: Features music, theater, and dance performances in a historic palace setting.
Boryeong Mud Festival
When: July 18-27, 2025
Where: South Korea
Description: Participants enjoy mud-based activities, including mud wrestling and mud slides, during this fun and quirky festival.
Expert Tips: Bring old clothes and embrace the mess!
Official Website: Boryeong Mud Festival
Estimated Participants: Hundreds of thousands
Jordan Festival
When: July 2025
Where: Amman, Jordan
Description: A cultural celebration with music, dance, and art events.
Aida Refugee Camp Festival
When: July 2025
Where: Bethlehem, West Bank
Description: Showcases Palestinian culture through art, music, and theater.
Egyptian National Day
When: July 23, 2025
Where: Celebrated nationwide in Egypt.
Description: Commemorates the Egyptian Revolution of 1952.
Ghost Festival (Hungry Ghost Festival)
When: August 7, 2025
Where: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and parts of Southeast Asia
Description: A traditional Chinese festival honoring ancestors, featuring elaborate rituals, burning of joss paper, and performances to appease wandering spirits.
Expert Tips: Experience the cultural richness in Taiwan or Hong Kong.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Eilat Red Sea Jazz Festival
When: August 2025
Where: Eilat, Israel
Description: Jazz festival attracting international and regional musicians.
Onam
When: August/September
Where: Kerala, India
Description: A harvest festival celebrated with traditional dance, elaborate feasts (Onam Sadya), and the famous boat race, Vallam Kali.
Expert Tips: Attend the boat race in Alappuzha for a thrilling spectacle.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Mid-Autumn Festival
When: September 17, 2024
Where: China, Vietnam, Singapore, and other East Asian countries
Description: Celebrated with family gatherings, mooncake feasts, and the illumination of lanterns to mark the harvest season.
Expert Tips: Enjoy mooncakes and lantern displays in Hong Kong.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance
When: September 16-18, 2024
Where: Hong Kong
Description: A mesmerizing dance featuring a dragon made of straw and incense sticks, accompanied by drummers and lion dancers.
Expert Tips: Experience the authentic atmosphere in Tai Hang.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Tens of thousands
Saudi National Day
When: September 23, 2024
Where: Kingdom-wide celebrations in Saudi Arabia.
Description: Commemorates the renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Dashain
When: October 2-15, 2024
Where: Nepal and parts of India
Description: The longest and the most significant Hindu festival in Nepal, celebrating the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
Expert Tips: Join the festivities in Kathmandu for a cultural immersion.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Navratri
When: October 3-11, 2024
Where: India and parts of Nepal
Description: A nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess Durga, featuring vibrant dance performances (Garba and Dandiya Raas) and religious rituals.
Expert Tips: Join the energetic dance celebrations in Gujarat.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
When: October 5-13, 2024
Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (replica held in Taoyuan, Taiwan)
Description: While not in Asia, this festival features hundreds of hot air balloons, including many from Asian countries, creating a spectacular display.
Expert Tips: Attend the early morning Mass Ascension for breathtaking views.
Official Website: Balloon Fiesta
Estimated Participants: Hundreds of thousands
Tihar (Deepawali)
When: October 28-November 1, 2024
Where: Nepal and parts of India
Description: A five-day Hindu festival celebrated with lights, flowers, and the worship of animals, including crows, dogs, and cows.
Expert Tips: Experience the unique animal worship rituals in Kathmandu.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Cairo International Film Festival
When: November 6-15, 2024
Where: Cairo, Egypt.
Description: One of the oldest film festivals in the Middle East, showcasing international and Arab films.
Lebanese Independence Day
When: November 22, 2024
Where: Celebrated nationwide in Lebanon.
Description: Commemorates Lebanon's independence from French mandate in 1943.
Oman National Day
When: November 18, 2024
Where: Celebrated nationwide in Oman.
Description: Marks the birthday of Sultan Qaboos and the country's independence.
International Oud Festival
When: November 2024
Where: Jerusalem, Israel.
Description: Showcases the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument, through concerts and workshops.
Loi Krathong
When: November 15, 2024
Where: Thailand and parts of Southeast Asia
Description: Lanterns and decorated baskets are floated on rivers to honor the water spirits. The festival is also known for its beauty contests and fireworks.
Expert Tips: Celebrate in Chiang Mai for a magical experience.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Diwali (Deepavali)
When: November 1, 2024
Where: Throughout India and South Asia
Description: Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Celebrated with colorful decorations, fireworks, and the lighting of oil lamps.
Expert Tips: Explore Varanasi, India, for a spiritual and traditional Diwali experience.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Millions
Yi Peng Lantern Festival
When: November
Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Description: Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, creating a mesmerizing display of lights. It is celebrated in conjunction with Loi Krathong.
Expert Tips: Participate in the lantern release for an unforgettable experience.
Official Website: N/A
Estimated Participants: Tens of thousands
Qatar National Day
When: December 18, 2024
Where: Celebrated nationwide in Qatar.
Description: Commemorates the unification of Qatar and the ascension of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani.
Marrakech International Film Festival
When: November-December 2024
Where: Marrakech, Morocco.
Description: Celebrates global cinema with premieres, tributes, and awards.
Ready to go to the festivals!
All the necessary information for your trip to the festivals around the world.