Event calendar for travelers: festivals, markets and holidays

How to use the travel events calendar

The same city can be quiet one week and packed the next because of a festival, a fair or a long weekend. This travel events calendar puts holidays and events around the world on one page, so you can pick the best time to visit before you book.

Use the arrows to move from month to month; today is highlighted. Click a day and the event for that date shows up in the list below the calendar. Each event links to our guide to the country.

Fall and winter: festivals, Christmas markets and New Year's Eve

Fall opens with Oktoberfest in Munich, which runs from September into October, and with Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated across India. In the United States, Thanksgiving in late November is a peak travel week.

From late November through December, Christmas markets in Europe fill the squares of Germany, Austria and many other countries. The season closes with New Year's Eve, and later in winter Vietnam celebrates Tet, its lunar New Year.

Spring and summer: carnival season, Easter and open-air festivals

Carnival season falls in February and March, with parades in Venice, Cologne and Rio de Janeiro. Easter comes next: Holy Week processions in Spain and Italy draw large crowds, and the dates shift from year to year.

In April, Thailand celebrates Songkran, its New Year water festival. Then come the summer music festivals and film festivals in Europe, many of them held outdoors.

Public holidays: what to check before you book

Public holidays change how a destination works. Museums and stores may be closed, and trains and buses often run on a holiday schedule.

Hotels and tickets for the big festivals sell out well in advance. Book early if your dates are fixed; otherwise the days just before or after an event are usually calmer.

Where the dates come from

Dates come from event organizers and official sources such as tourism boards. The day of the last check is shown under the calendar. Programs still change, so confirm with the organizer before you pay for flights or a room.

Questions about the events calendar

How do I find out what is happening in a country in a given month?

Go to that month and look through the list below the calendar. Click a day to jump to its event.

Can I trust the dates?

They come from organizers and official sources. Still, confirm with the organizer before you book.

Why do some months have only a few events?

Many organizers announce their dates only a few months ahead. We add events once the dates are official.

How do I plan a trip to a Christmas market or a carnival?

Check the opening and closing dates in the calendar and book your stay early, because rooms near the center go first.