Traditions

Christmas Markets in Prague
Immerse yourself in the festive magic of a medieval town

Firefly Festivals (Hotaru Matsuri)
Watching fireflies is a summer obsession for the Japanese

May Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución de Mayo)
Witness Independence Day in Buenos Aires!

Inti Raymi Festival
This ancient religious ritual survived till today and represents the most famous festival in Cusco

Qoyllur Rit'i or Star Snow Festival
Thousands of pilgrims walk to the foots of Andes to welcome new circle of life or honor the Lord

Warachikuy
Inspiring event when young sons of the Incas show their strength and overcome different trials by fire

La Fiesta Grande de Andacollo
December marks the peak of colorful religious celebrations held monthly in Andacollo

Cherry Blossoms in Japan
The first week of April is the best chance to see Japanese cherry trees in full bloom!

Songkran Water Festival (Thai New Year)
Thai New Year lasts for at least three days, depending on the region, and is one of the most joyful celebrations of the new year worldwide

Hawaiki Nui Va'a
The annual event is a great opportunity to experience a canoe competition, as well as other performances that come along

Indigenous New Year or We Tripantu
Mapuche Indians along with other Chilean indigenous nations celebrate their traditions in June

Lavender Fields in Bloom
One of the first things that come to mind when you think of Provence is a magnificent lavender field

Wildebeest Migration in Kenya
Witness one of the greatest miracles of the world

Onbashira
A deadly festival of log riding that attracts more than half a million people

Exploring Tusheti
Tusheti is one of the most picturesque high-mountain hidden gems of Georgia

La Sciuta di San Sebastiano
The celebration of San Sebastiano in Sicily can easily top every patron saint festival in the whole Italy

Tarragona Human Towers Competition
A spectacular competition of building human towers - something to be seen only in Catalonia

Christmas Holidays in Cusco
Summer heat is not an obstacle to celebrate Christmas and drink hot chocolate

Bore Tide
A unique natural phenomenon that offers great opportunities to surfers and kayakers

Fantasia (Tbourida)
Witness the traditional Moroccan horsemanship spectacle

Virgen del Carmen
Towns of Paucartambo and Pisac near Cusco are home to a festival dedicated to Virgen del Carmen, a ceremony well worth attending

Synchronous Fireflies
Although thousands of firefly species live around the world, there are not that many places where you can observe such magic

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
A truly wild festival with giant floats and hundreds of participants

Cambodian Water Festival or Bon Om Touk
One of the most authentic festivals in Cambodia that attracts several millions people each year and marks a unique natural phenomenon—the reversing flow between the Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River

Alkmaar Cheese Market
No country is as famous with its cheese as the Netherlands is! Don't miss your chance to try out all the different cheeses available regionally in one place now

The Burry Man
Follow the Burry Man throughout the streets of Queensferry as he drinks whisky and spreads good luck

Easter Explosion of the Cart (Lo Scoppio del Carro)
Easter in Florence is memorable for splendid fireworks display

Ballooning Сhallenge
Take one of the balloon flights and watch Cappadocia's magnificent scenery from heights

Rugby Haka
New Zealand rugby players keep spectators electrified during the entire match starting with vigorous haka cries

Busójárás
The 500-year-old traditions with bonfires and parades of fearsome monsters unfold on the bank of the Danube, making one of the strangest and most unforgettable events in Hungary

Plum (Ume) Blossom
The beautiful though often underappreciated blossom of the Japanese plum is one of the first signs of spring

Tradition or Savagery? Grindadráp!
The national hunting and eating of the pilot whales for many people may seem an oddity, but for Faroese this has been a long time tradition

Pchum Ben or Ancestors' Day
On this holy day, ask any local to bring you to the Pagoda, and you will take part in the spiritual Buddhist ritual

Wine Season
Witness grape harvesting and winemaking in one of Portugal's most famous wine regions

L'Escalade
Don't miss this original and colourful Swiss celebration in Geneva

Thaipusam
Hindu devotees dance with heavy and prickly kavadis decorated with flowers and peacock feathers and pour life-giving milk to honour Murugan

World Reindeer Racing Championship
Enjoy a truly unique and often hilarious experience at the Reindeer Racing Championship

Loughcrew Equinox
The ancient tombs of Loughcrew are aligned perfectly with equinox sunrise and have been a sacred place for Gaelic culture, especially during this occasion

Rørosmartnan or Røros Fair
This ancient Scandinavian market is recreated in this special UNESCO world heritage site

Festa del Redentore in Venice
Enjoy the fireworks from one of the many gondolas in St. Mark's Basin

Cuecas Mil
This is the only occasion to see a thousand Chilean national dances at one spectacle

Ger Camping
Instead of the usual hotel, Mongolia offers something unique and authentic—traditional nomadic ger camping

Hollandse Nieuwe Herring
Not every herring can be called Hollandse Nieuwe. Check the reason why this one gets the special name!

Fur Rondy
Run, Rudolph, run! This festival in Alaska offers a unique blend of winter fun and Alaskan tradition

New Year Celebrations in Vágur
The festivities involve throwing torches on the wooden boats, carrying flags, putting up the gates, and singing

Watching Puffins
Set off for your birdwatching journey across Ireland to spot puffins on the coast

Hiking and Trekking
Sweden is a great destination for hiking with tons of variety

The Ba' Game
When charged up Uppies and Doonies fight for the leather trophy ball, the townspeople protect their dwellings with wooden barricades

Holi Festival
If your life seems grey and you are looking for more color, check out Goa's Holi Festival

Makha Bucha Day
One of the holiest days for Buddhists, celebrates the day when 1250 disciples of Buddha gathered for his preaching. The holiday includes one of the most spectacular ceremonies in Buddhism

Goats of Souss Valley
The most hilarious and astonishing thing you might see in Morocco is the goat trees

Holy Week (Semana Santa) & Easter
Feel the beauty of traditional ceremonies and taste delicious foods

Ear-Shooting Festival (Mala-Ta-Ngia) of Bunun Tribe
Feel the spirit of the Bunon tribe during an interesting aboriginal ritual

Laufskálarétt
Watch a great celebration of local communities, when hundreds of wild horses return to farm homes in the fall

Huhu Grub
When Huhu beetle larvae are eaten with closed eyes, they may be easily confused with buttery chicken

Waitangi Day
Festivities introduce Māori culture, highlighting traditional underground oven cooking and tribal customs

Qiantang River Tidal Bore
World's biggest tidal wave may easily sweep you into the river, and viewing platforms don't always guarantee your safety

Polyphonic Song Festival
A music festival which represents Corsica's cultural identity

Hadaka Matsuri
Finally being nude brings some luck and fortune at this festival!

Skåne Yellow Spring
Skåne is Sweden's southern region which boasts endless yellow fields among typical red houses

Burning of the Clavie
This Pagan feast may be erased from Gregorian calendar, but not from people's minds

Meditation during Buddhist Holidays
Calm your mind and practice wholesome meditation in a Lao Buddhist temple

Cow Racing Festival
Marking the last day of Khmer year, the festival is dedicated to ancestors and is a mix of solemn peaceful celebration and full of adrenaline festive activities

Eel Fishing
In order to attract eels, Japanese fishermen use an interesting technique. Check it out for yourself!

Pi Mai or Songkran—Lao New Year & Water Festival
No fireworks or fancy family dinners, but rather a temple worship, splashing water, and street food

Cusco Carnival
For those who like crowded and chaotic places with music, dance, and other interesting activities, the right time to visit Peru is during the Carnival

Eis-zwei-Geissebei (Sausage Tossing)
An old pre-Carnival tradition from Rapperswil, near Lake Zurich

Trekking and Volcano Climbing
The most impressive and challenging hiking trails wind up and down Guatemala's active volcanoes

Coffee Harvest
There is never too much coffee. Indulge in Guatemala's best during the harvest festivities

The Army of Ducks
If you think ducks can't work in the wine-making business, visit South Africa and see for yourself

Great New Zealand Muster
It means hundreds of fluffy sheep running along the street of Te Kuiti, the world's shearing capital

Aloha Festivals
A dynamic celebration of Hawaiian culture and Aloha spirit

Els Enfarinats
Every year, the town of Ibi is seized by frantic soldiers who reestablish new justice with flour bombs, eggs, and firecrackers

Metropolitan Opera in the Parks
Beautiful opera music in the relaxed atmosphere during the Summer Recital Series

Festival de Barriletes Gigantes or Day of the Dead Kite Festival
Giant flamboyant hand-made kites embody the millennia-old tradition of communicating with the dead

Tet or Lunar New Year
The most famous and most important holiday in Vietnam that brings lots of joy and happiness to people

Fiesta de Santo Tomás
In honour of this Catholic Saint, Guatemalans perform a traditional indigenous dance

Austin Celtic Festival
Grab a checkered skirt and head for the Celtic Festival—tradition and lots of fun for the whole family

Dervish Dancing Performance
Take a glance of one of the most impressive performances of Cappadocia's best whirling dancers

Songpyeon
Chuseok, or the Korean Thanksgiving, will not be complete without traditional Songpyeon, Korea's special rice cakes

Merrie Monarch Festival
One of the most colorful cultural events in Hawaii held to honor King David Kalakaua

Fiesta De Las Cruces
This festival represents a special religious tradition of carrying decorated crosses up the hill

Räbechilbi: Gourd-Lantern Parade in Richterswil
Step into a real Halloween atmosphere with this sparkling procession

Day of the Skulls, or Día de las Ñatitas
A remarkable mixture of pagan and Christian traditions turns into sombre but festive celebration of skull in the city of La Paz

Dry Fish Rack
Plenty of unsalted cod is dried by cold spring winds and almost freezing temperatures on huge wooden racks

Kanamara Matsuri
An interesting festival that celebrates fertility and openness that welcomes everyone!

Corpus Christi
It is a colorful ceremony parading through the streets of Cusco, celebrating both Catholic and Inca tradition

Pétanque World Championship (Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque)
A sport in which the French are the ultimate champions

Epiphany and La Befana
Learn about the legend of La Befana during the National Holiday Epiphany

Nalukataq, Whaling Festival in Barrow
It is perhaps the most authentic Native American event in Alaska. People there still preserve their old traditions

Cowal Highland Gathering
At Highland dances, Scottish boys and girls perform in national costumes dancing to the traditional sounds of the hornpipe

Fall Stinko Ginkgo
Yellow fruit of ancient ginkgo trees: aromatic or stinky – you are to decide

Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua
Deemed world's greatest Easter Week Festival, local celebrations amaze with fervent and colorful ceremonies

Festa des Vermar or Grape Harvest Festival
100 years before Christ, Mallorca was already making wine

Paucartambo Festival
Learn about Peruvian history, pay respect to the dead, honor the Virgin, and try not to lose your head in the craziness of this event

Changing of the Guard
A guard in an iconic scarlet tunic and bearskin hat must always be on alert to protect the King, so the changing of the guard is a vital tradition

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival
Beetle larvae, baby fish with their guts intact, and lamb testicles promise an unforgettable culinary adventure for daring food enthusiasts

Try a Guinea Pig or Cuy
An offer of a guinea pig plate is the highest privilege in Bolivia, and refusal is unacceptable!

Longsheng (Longji) Rice Terraces
It took hundreds of years to construct a mountain of rice terraces which today reaches up to 900 m above sea level

Gold Panning
Alaskan lands remember the times of the great Gold Rush. Moreover, there is still a chance to get some gold! Are you ready to face this challenge?

Shamanism
Professional shamans will connect you with spirits, but listen carefully as maybe your ancestors are trying to tell you something

Body Board Down the Sand Dunes
It's like snowboarding, surfing and sledging, yet without snow, water or sledges, just sand dunes and a dose of adrenaline

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
An unforgettable Taiwanese tradition in which thousands of bright lanterns light up the Pingxi sky!

York Christmas Market
We're happy to present to you one of the most magical Christmas markets in the world

Phuket Vegetarian Festival, or Nine Emperor Gods Festival
One of the most notorious festivals in Thailand that does not have that much common with vegetarianism

Ohinata no Hitoboshi or Fire Ring Festival
The beautiful mystic sight of spinning fire rings is an unforgettable experience

Chameleons
Have you seen how chameleon changes colours? The world's smallest species is found only in Madagascar

Yom Kippur
Streets and roads are empty—the whole country is celebrating Yom Kippur, the holiday of atonement and forgiveness

Carro Matto—New Wine Feast
Florentines salute “crazy cart” carrying the first 2000 bottles of new wine with much ceremonial

Wash an Elephant
Wash an elephant in a waterfall, deep in a beautiful jungle. This area is considered as the largest indigenous region in Cambodia; however it may change soon due to the tourism expansion

Zao Fox Village
Around 200 fluffy residents of this village enjoy its diverse infrastructure with fox hotels as an alternative to fox houses, also fox feeding area, and even fox shrine—everything to cater their needs

Winter in Bukovel
The largest ski resort in Eastern Europe has everything for a perfect holiday

Cinco de Mayo
Bring your amigos and enjoy the fiesta with some Mexican flavor. There will be fresh margaritas, and mariachi music—a true Mexican festival in NYC!

Zulu Reed Dance
Tens of thousands of bare-breasted maidens dance and sing, bringing reeds to their King

Boun Bang Fai or Rocket Festival
For just the right amount of rain try the Lao way and send off a rocket to the god of rain

Burns Night Celebrations
Scotsmen respect their national poet and commemorate his legacy by cooking his favorite meal on his birthday

Baby Turtle Release
Have you ever held a baby sea turtle in your hands? This is a great occasion to carry a whole dozen

Traditional Fishing with Nego-Chin Boats
The people in Provence are very protective of their traditions and this annual event is a good example

New Year Bears
Crowds of bears dance, growl, roll, die, and then resurrect in the snowy Romanian streets

Fiestas del Charco
Enjoy the unforgettable emotions of this day full of fun. This fiesta of joy is one must-visit during your Canary vacations

Texas SandFest in Port Aransas
One of the largest beach festivals in Texas welcomes everyone to get dirty and play in the sand and create beautiful sculptures

Rice Harvest Season
The mountainous district Mu Cang Chai is located at 1,000 meters above the sea level and offers some spectacular scenery during the rice harvest season

Bökh Wrestling
The traditional sport favored by Genghis Khan himself, is a must for every Mongolian

Westman Islands Camping Festival (Þjóðhátíð)
A great festival that mixes music, drinking, eating and a little romance

Stilt Fishing
Once this kind of fishing was a necessity, now it is fading away

Fiesta de la Cruz
Instead of oppressive sadness, the cross and crucifixion is commemorated through vivid costumed dances

Fiesta San Antonio
A huge Fiesta, lasting for 10 days, is a celebration of the rich and diverse cultures of San Antonio

Mayan Pole Flyer Dancing or El Baile del Palo Volador
Stunning air dancers resemble circus acrobats, but in fact, this is a part of Guatemala's ancient Mayan cultural heritage

Inti Raymi or Aymara New Year
The two-faced and twelve-horned Aya Uma and dancing circles worship sun and nature through ancient Aymara rituals

Paro Tshechu
This festival reveals the secrets of compassion and peace through sacred dances and ritualistic music

The Long Night of Museums
A perfect opportunity to visit the great museums of Provence for free

Speedy Turtles
Watching recently-hatched baby turtles "rushing" towards the sea is adorable and affordable for everyone

Long Grove Apple Fest
Celebrate the beauty of fall at this annual apple festival!

Khmer New Year's Day
Khmer New Year's Day is the happiest time in Cambodia when people wish each other peace, happiness, and prosperity

Coffee Picking Season
The coffee grown in Panama has a magnificent taste due to the mixture of different cultures

Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri
Definitely the wettest in Japan! This water-throwing festival brings both happiness and prosperity

Tapati Rapa Nui
A fervent celebration of masculine strength and feminine grace

Rijeka Carnival
Winter holiday season in Rijeka is highlighted by the biggest carnival in Croatia with costumed parades and performances, lots of music and dancing

Cacao Harvest Season
Enjoy the process of making one of the sweetest things in the world - from cacao beans to chocolate

Q’eswachaka Bridge Weaving
This Inca bridge is a connection between the past and the present, and its renovation is a real tradition for locals

Marathon de Paris
It's not just about running beside world-famous monuments—music, cheese, and wine tasting wait en route too

Visiting Tsaatan Tribe
Meet the reindeer nomads during their short-lasting stay out of the taiga's deep forests

Palín
The first Chilean sport introduced by an indigenous nation partially resembles hockey

Royal Gun Salutes
Gun salutes mark special occasions in London often associated with the Royal Family

Holi Festival
A Hindu festival celebrated with lots of colors and picturesque traditions

Tobacco Harvest
Get world's finest cigars from the very heart of world's tobacco industry

Chonburi Buffalo Racing
The event to apreciate the hard work of buffaloes is full of adrenaline and competitions

Cormorant Fishing
One of the oldest fishing traditions in the world, Ukai fishing is a fascinating practice. Check out just how it's done!

Hmong New Year
An indigenous ethnic group of Northern Laos displays its colorful festive traditions

Día de Los Muertos
This colourful celebration is prepared especially for the immortal souls that come down to earth to join the living on this special day

St. Patrick's Day in Ireland
Explore the top five Irish cities to celebrate St. Paddy's

New Orleans Red Dress Run
A flamboyant run in red dresses accompanied by great music and plenty of beer

Deepavali: The Festival of Lights
Full of joy Little India overwhelms with bright decorations, thousands of lights and typical Indian treats

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Wear your best green attire and attend St. Patrick’s Day Parade to feel the spirit of San Francisco’s Irish community

Common Ridings on the Scottish Borders
Though today there is no need to protect the Scottish borders, the Scots still celebrate their centuries-old traditions and history

Flea Markets
Punk fashion, vintage watches, and 18th-century cups are waiting for their new owners

Thimphu Tshechu
Each dance, performed at this festival, is an old story that combines costumes, masks, and sacred knowledge

Fête du Costume in Arles
What could be better than lovely Arlesian women dressed in gorgeous costumes walking the streets of beautiful Arles?

All Souls Weekend in Tucson
Join the massive procession and colorful celebration to remember the dead

Salmon Run
Every four years, sometime in October, millions of migrating sockeye salmon paint the Adams River scarlet-red

Krasna Malanka (Ukrainian New Year’s Eve)
A bizarre pagan show with straw bears, gypsies, and evil spirits occurs every winter in a small Bukovyna village

Royal Ploughing Day
Take part in the nationwide future forecast on harvest, weather, and epidemics during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Chornobyl Exclusion Zone Tours
Extremely high levels of radioactivity don't scare off curious tourists who come to discover the ghost city of Prypiat

Kandy Esala Perahera
Celebrated to pay respect to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha in Kandy

Akutaq
Berries mixed with dried fish, walrus tallow, and reindeer fat—sounds strange? Alaskans don’t think so

Guelaguetza Festival
The indigenous people of Mexico gather thousands at the amphitheatre to introduce pre-Hispanic culture

Les Bravades de Fréjus
A traditional feast day in the lovely little town of Fréjus

Shigmo Festival (Shigmotsav)
Become a part of this major Hindu festival in Goa

Kaapse Klopse
The post-New Year celebration of the original value is a traditionally big event for Cape Town

St Anthony Feast in Boston
This feast showcases Italian culture in America's melting pot

Octopus Season
Santorini boasts to be a seafood destination, and offers octopus dishes with its own unique flavour

Wine Fight (La Batalla del Vino)
Red wine seems to be flowing in the veins of locals in Haro. Once a year it also fills up the streets of the town—at the exuberant battle of wine

Lomisoba
A mixture of pagan and Christian traditions, Lomisoba is a colorful insight into Georgian culture

Festival of Sant Joan
Traditional festivals are not numerous on Ibiza, so the fiery summer welcoming is not to be missed

Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead
Painted faces in colorful Mexican clothes reunite with their dead loved ones through cemetery celebrations

Wan Ok Phansa
The festival that marks the end of the Buddhist lent is full of celebrations and interesting authentic activities

Quema del Diablo or Burning the Devil
As the clock strikes 6, the townspeople of Guatemala City leave their homes to set the devil on fire

Húsvéti Locsolkodás (or Wet Monday)
'I was walking in a green forest, I saw a blue violet, it had started to wilt, may I sprinkle it?' – this is what the men ask the women on this holiday before sprinkling them with water

Easter Parade & Easter Bonnet Festival
One of the best Easter traditions in the Big Apple, where New Yorkers show off their creativity

Serra da Estrela Cheese
Try traditional and internationally recognised sheep cheese

La Corda de Paterna
This magnificent half an hour spectacle in the sky will be an event you'll always remember

Ivrea Battle of the Oranges
This celebration of freedom costs 500,000 kilos of fruit and, probably, as many orange-sized bruises, but locals know it's worth the price

Exploring the Mayan Ruins
You will surely want to discover these amusing pieces of millennial Mayan architechture

Festa da Iemanjá
The festival of the Goddess of the Sea is a holiday for the Brazilian religion—Umbanda