Some trips are built around a beach or a museum. Festival trips are built around real moments. A cold night in a crowd, warm street food in your hands, music spilling into side streets, and that tired, happy feeling when you finally sit down.

If you are collecting popular festivals around the world for 2026, it helps to plan like a regular person, not a super fan. Think about the weather, crowds, bathroom lines, and how far you want to walk every day.

One small essential is staying connected. A Jetpac international eSIM for global travel can save you when you are hunting for the right entrance, rebooking a ride, or finding your friends in a crowd.

How To Choose The Right Festival For You

A lot of the most popular festivals around the world look great on a list, but feel very different in real life.

If you want the best events in the world, choose one main festival and one slower cultural day nearby. It keeps the trip fun instead of exhausting.

Quick 2026 Festival Calendar At A Glance

These dates help you map the year. Always double-check official updates before you book.

Street Spectacle And Big Crowd Energy

If you want the biggest festivals worldwide, these are the ones where the city feels like it has turned into one shared party. They are unforgettable, but they are not always comfortable.

#1. Rio Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 🇧🇷

Rio Carnival is one of the most famous festivals around the world for a reason. It is part parade, part street party, and part all-night music. In 2026, the Sambadrome parade schedule runs from Feb 13 to Feb 21. The street blocos can run longer, with official planning stretching to the end of Feb 22.

You hear drums coming before you see the crowd. The air is warm and sticky, and glitter shows up everywhere, even on your hands days later. People grab cold drinks, grilled snacks, and whatever is quick between events. If you do it right, you pick one big parade night and one daytime bloco, then leave yourself a quiet morning after.

This is one of those popular festivals around the world that rewards pacing. Go hard every day, and you will burn out fast.

#2. Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA 🇺🇸

Mardi Gras is not just one day, but Mardi Gras Day in 2026 falls on Feb 17. In New Orleans, the weeks leading up to it are full of parades, bands, and neighborhood traditions.

The sound is the whole point. Brass bands, cheering, and the steady rumble of floats. It can be cool at night, then warmer in the afternoon, so layers help. Food is part of the rhythm, too. You stop for beignets, gumbo, and something fried, and you eat standing up. If you want a smoother experience, pick a parade route that fits your vibe and arrive early so you are not scrambling.

For many people, this sits among the most popular festivals around the world because it feels open. You do not need a perfect plan, just a practical one.

Lanterns And New Year Energy

These are famous festivals around the world that can feel gentle and family-focused, even in big cities. The mood is bright and hopeful, with a lot of food and a lot of walking.

#3. Lunar New Year, Multiple Cities Worldwide 🌍

Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026. You can experience it in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, San Francisco, and Vancouver, each with its own style.

You see red lanterns, fresh flowers, and lines outside bakeries early in the morning. The sound is a mix of chatter, drums, and firecrackers in some areas. Food is the heart of it. Dumplings, sweet cakes, and long meals that turn into long conversations. If you want photos, go early before the crowds build, then come back at night when the lights make everything feel warmer.

This is one of the cultural festivals around the world that works for almost any traveler because you can choose loud parades or quiet temple visits.

Color, Water, And Heat

These are the best events in the world if you like playful energy and do not mind getting messy. They are also where your phone needs protection.

#4. Holi, India And Beyond 🇮🇳

Holi 2026 is listed on Tue, Mar 3 in many places, with some regions observing on Wed, Mar 4. It is joyful, chaotic, and very physical.

You will hear music from every direction. Powder hangs in the air, and your hair will probably stay tinted for a while. It can be warm in the day, cooler at night, and the streets get slippery. The easiest way to enjoy it is to wear old clothes, protect your eyes, and keep your phone sealed. Eat something solid before you go out, because you will be moving for hours.

If you are choosing popular festivals around the world for pure memory-making, Holi is hard to beat.

#5. Songkran, Thailand 🇹🇭

Songkran is the Thai New Year, with official holiday dates in 2026 on Apr 13, Apr 14, and Apr 15. In many places, the celebrations run longer.

The weather is hot. You step outside, and you are wet in minutes. Streets turn into water fights, but there are also calm temple rituals earlier in the day. You hear laughing, splashing, and music from trucks rolling past. Mango sticky rice is everywhere, and cold drinks feel like survival. Shoes with grip matter more than style, and a waterproof pouch is not optional.

This is one of the biggest festivals worldwide, where a simple plan makes a big difference. Choose one main area, pick a meeting point, and take breaks so you do not crash.

Arts, Music, And City Takeovers

If you want the best festivals in the world for performances, these two give you completely different experiences. One is a desert scale. One is city streets and small rooms.

#6. Coachella, Indio, California, USA 🇺🇸

Coachella 2026 runs Apr 10 to Apr 12 and Apr 17 to Apr 19. It is loud, hot, and very spread out.

The desert air feels dry, and dust gets into everything. You walk a lot. You wait a lot. It helps to treat it like a long day outside, not a fancy night out. Water, shade breaks, and comfortable shoes matter. Food is part of the fun, too, but lines can be long, so eat earlier than you think you need to.

This is often listed among the most popular festivals around the world because it is big, polished, and packed with moments that feel like a movie.

#7. Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe returns from Aug 7 to Aug 31, 2026. It is one of the best events in the world if you like comedy, theatre, and stumbling into something strange and great.

The city feels cool even in summer, especially at night. You hear buskers on the Royal Mile and laughter coming out of basements, pubs, and tiny rooms with folding chairs. You will snack between shows, grab hot chips, and keep moving. The best way to do it is to pick two or three shows a day, then leave space for random discoveries.

It belongs on any list of famous festivals around the world because it feels creative, messy, and real.

Food, Late Summer Chaos, And One Wild Morning

This one is short, intense, and very specific. It is also one of the most talked-about popular festivals around the world for people who love a story.

#8. La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain 🇪🇸

La Tomatina 2026 is listed for Wednesday, Aug 26 at 12 noon. It is a tomato fight that turns the street into red pulp in minutes.

It is hot, loud, and slippery underfoot. You hear cheering and chanting, and you will smell tomatoes for the rest of the day. Goggles help. Closed shoes help. Afterward, people rinse off, sit down for a long lunch, and laugh about how ridiculous it was. It is chaotic, but it is also oddly friendly.

This is one of the biggest festivals worldwide, moments where the memory is the whole point, not the comfort.

Big Tents, Long Tables, And Cold Nights

This is a classic for people who want tradition with structure. It is also one of the famous festivals around the world, where planning ahead pays off.

#9. Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany 🇩🇪

Oktoberfest 2026 runs from Sep 19 to Oct 4. It is more than beer. It is music, costumes, rides, and long tables packed with strangers who feel like friends by the end of the night.

Evenings can get chilly, especially when you step outside. Inside the tents, it is warm, loud, and full of singing. Food is part of the experience, with pretzels, roast chicken, and hearty plates that keep you going. If you want a calmer visit, weekdays are usually easier than weekends.

For many travelers, this earns its spot among the best festivals in the world because it is festive but still organized enough to feel manageable.

Culture First, Deep Traditions, And Quiet Respect

These cultural festivals around the world are not just events. They are about family, memory, and meaning. If you go, go with respect first.

#10. Día de los Muertos, Mexico 🇲🇽

Día de los Muertos is observed on Nov 2, with many communities also marking days around it. Altars, candles, marigolds, and music can fill homes and public spaces.

The atmosphere is warm, not gloomy. You smell flowers and incense, and you hear music in the distance. Food shows up everywhere, from sweet breads to home-cooked dishes shared with family. If you visit cemeteries or altars, ask before taking photos and keep your voice low. This is one of the cultural festivals around the world that feels personal, even in a public space.

#11. Diwali, India And Beyond 🇮🇳

Diwali in 2026 falls on Sunday, Nov 8, in many places. In different regions, celebrations can stretch across several days.

You see oil lamps, string lights, and fireworks in the evening air. The smell of sweets hits you first, then the sound of popping firecrackers. It is a festival where food is a big part of the welcome. Expect laddoos, savory snacks, and full plates offered with a smile. If you prefer calmer nights, stay slightly away from the busiest fireworks areas and visit markets earlier in the day.

It is one of the best events in the world for atmosphere because the whole place feels lit from the inside.

Connectivity That Helps In Real Crowds

Festival days are simple until they are not. A gate changes. Your taxi pin drops in the wrong place. Your friend’s message comes through late. That is why the eSIMinternet matters more at popular festivals around the world than on a normal city break.

If you are relying on an esim for international travel, it helps when you land and need directions straight away, and it helps even more when the streets get packed, and public WiFi stops working. A good international eSIM, just like Jetpac, also makes it easier to keep plans moving without hunting for a café password.

FAQs

What are the popular festivals around the world in 2026?

Rio Carnival, Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year celebrations, Holi, Songkran, Oktoberfest, Diwali, and Día de los Muertos are popular festivals around the world that many travelers plan around in 2026.

What are the most popular festivals around the world for first-timers?

If it is your first big trip, the most popular festivals around the world that feel easiest to manage are the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Oktoberfest, and the Lunar New Year celebrations, since you can choose quieter days and smaller events.

What are the biggest festivals worldwide if you want pure crowd energy?

For the biggest festivals worldwide, pure energy comes from Rio Carnival and Songkran, which deliver constant street-level action with big crowds and fast-moving plans.

What are the famous festivals around the world that still feel cultural?

Some famous festivals around the world still feel rooted in local life, especially Diwali and Día de los Muertos, where family traditions and community rituals stay central.

What are the best festivals in the world for music and arts?

If you want the best festivals in the world for performances, Coachella offers big stages in a desert setting, while the Edinburgh Festival Fringe offers thousands of shows across an entire city.

Do I need an eSIM for international travel for festivals?

It helps a lot. An eSIM for international travel can keep your maps, tickets, and messages working when local WiFi fails. If you can, set up an international eSIM before you fly. The best eSIM for international travel is the one you do not have to think about once the crowd hits.

Disclaimer

This blog is for educational purposes only and is based on publicly available information. Festival dates, schedules, prices, entry rules, and local regulations can change without notice. Always verify the latest details with official festival organizers and local authorities before booking travel, tickets, or accommodation.

Any budget estimates are indicative only and may vary by location, season, exchange rates, availability, and travel style. References to connectivity options are informational and not an endorsement. Network coverage, speeds, and service quality can vary by location, device, and third-party factors, and Jetpac is not responsible for these variations or third-party data.