Festival holidays are more than a break from the norm – they’re a celebration of culture, community, and joy. At Jamie Wake Travel, we believe that the best holidays are the ones where you connect deeply with your destination. That’s why we love planning tailor-made festival holidays that place you at the heart of the world’s most iconic and meaningful celebrations. From lantern-lit rivers in Asia to samba parades in South America, there’s a world of tradition waiting to be discovered.
When you time your trip around a local festival, you experience something truly special. You’re not just seeing the sights – you’re stepping into stories that have been passed down through generations.
Why Festival Holidays Offer Unforgettable Experiences
Travelling during a festival gives your trip extra meaning. Whether it's a religious ritual, a community celebration, or a national party, festivals bring people together. They’re moments when cities open their arms to welcome guests, and when even the quietest corners come alive with music, colour, and tradition.
Here’s why you should consider festival holidays for your next adventure:
- Celebrate like a local with insider access to unique traditions
- Experience authentic cuisine and street food only available during festivals
- Create deeper connections with your destination and its people
- Capture once-in-a-lifetime photos and memories
And the best part? Every festival holiday can be crafted around you. We’ll match you with flights, accommodation, and extras that make your trip as unique as you are.
Asia: A Continent of Spiritual and Cultural Spectacle
Diwali – Festival of Lights, India
Few festivals match the beauty and spirit of Diwali. Celebrated across India, Diwali marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Entire cities glow with candles, oil lamps, and fireworks. Families exchange gifts, clean their homes, and enjoy sweet treats during this five-day event, typically held in October or November.
Where to experience it: Jaipur, Delhi, and Varanasi offer the most enchanting Diwali experiences. In Varanasi, the rituals on the banks of the Ganges are especially moving.
Where to stay:
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra – Set just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, this luxurious hotel offers private terraces, Mughal-inspired architecture, and service that’s second to none.
We’ve got access to exclusive offers that combine Diwali celebrations with visits to the Golden Triangle.
Speak to us about planning a cultural journey filled with lights, legends, and luxury.
Songkran – Thailand’s Water Festival
The Thai New Year is welcomed with water – and lots of it. From April 13 to 15, streets across
Thailand turn into joyful battle zones, where locals and tourists alike engage in water fights to symbolically wash away the past year’s misfortunes.
Best places to celebrate: Chiang Mai is widely considered the best place to enjoy Songkran, thanks to its mix of old city charm and high-energy festivities.
Where to stay:
137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai – This beautiful teakwood boutique hotel offers a peaceful retreat just minutes from the action. Think colonial elegance with a lush garden oasis.
Make it your most memorable new year yet. We’ll help you balance festival fun with comfort and calm.
Lantern Festival – Taiwan
Held on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival is a breathtaking spectacle. Cities light up with colourful paper lanterns, often carrying wishes and dreams written by hand.
Where to go: Pingxi, near Taipei, is famous for its sky lantern release. Watching thousands of glowing lanterns float into the night sky is a moment you’ll never forget.
Where to stay:
Hotel Proverbs, Taipei – Chic and modern with standout service and rooftop views, it’s ideal for stylish travellers.
We can combine your Lantern Festival experience with tours to night markets, hot springs, or even a beach stay.
Europe: Rich Traditions and Celebrations Across the Continent
La Tomatina – Spain
Every August, the streets of Buñol become the setting for the world’s biggest food fight. It starts with a greasy pole challenge and ends with 20,000 people throwing over 100 metric tons of overripe tomatoes. It’s messy, joyful, and completely unforgettable.
Where to stay:
Caro Hotel, Valencia – A stylish design hotel within a 19th-century palace, complete with Roman ruins and Gothic arches.
Ask us about pairing your La Tomatina experience with a Valencia city break or a relaxing coastal escape.
Carnival of Venice – Italy
Venice becomes even more magical during Carnival. Held in the lead-up to Lent, it features intricate masks, elaborate costumes, gondola parades, and masquerade balls. The city turns into a living theatre where everyone becomes part of the performance.
Where to stay:
Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice – A noble residence on the Grand Canal, this property blends history, art, and elegance.
From mask-making workshops to VIP ball tickets, we can arrange it all. Step into the fantasy with a fully tailored Venice holiday.
Oktoberfest – Germany
Munich's Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, running from late September to early October.
Beyond the beer tents, it's a family-friendly celebration with folk music, traditional costumes, and hearty Bavarian fare.
Where to stay:
Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Munich – Classic luxury in the heart of the city, with rooftop views and Michelin-starred dining.
Want a table in the best beer tents? Let us handle your itinerary, complete with city tours and excursions into the Alps.
Africa: Where Festival Meets Heritage
Timkat – Ethiopia
Timkat is the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany and is one of the most spiritually powerful festivals in Africa. Taking place every January, it commemorates the baptism of Jesus and features vibrant processions, water blessings, and traditional chanting.
Top location: Gondar, with its medieval castles and cobbled streets, offers the most atmospheric celebrations.
Where to stay:
Goha Hotel, Gondar – With stunning hilltop views and traditional design, it offers a warm welcome after a day of festivities.
We offer curated cultural routes through Ethiopia, including visits to Lalibela and the Simien Mountains.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival – South Africa
Dating back to the 1800s, this New Year celebration honours the emancipation of enslaved people. With colourful costumes, marching bands, and energetic parades, it’s a joyful and moving celebration of resilience.
Where to stay:
One&Only Cape Town – Set in the city’s V&A Waterfront, it’s one of the most luxurious bases for exploring both the city and the surrounding winelands.
Why not extend your trip with a safari or a journey along the Garden Route? Let us build your ideal South African holiday.
The Americas: Bold Colours and Bigger Celebrations
Rio Carnival – Brazil
No festival holiday list is complete without Rio Carnival. Every February or March, Rio transforms into a city-wide party. Samba schools compete in the Sambadrome, and the streets erupt with colour, music, and dance.
Where to stay:
Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio – This iconic beachfront hotel is the perfect base for glamour, relaxation, and prime views of the parades.
Ask us about VIP grandstand seats, dance class add-ons, or multi-city Brazil itineraries.
Día de los Muertos – Mexico
Celebrated on 1 and 2 November, the Day of the Dead is a vibrant honouring of ancestors. Expect marigold-strewn altars, sugar skulls, candlelit vigils, and lively parades. It’s not a mournful event, but a joyful reunion with departed loved ones.
Where to stay:
Casa Oaxaca, Oaxaca City – With traditional design, warm hospitality, and one of the best rooftop restaurants in town, this hotel blends luxury and local charm.
Pair your visit with cultural workshops, cooking classes, or artisan market tours. We’ll build it around your interests.
Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA
This legendary event combines French Catholic traditions with African, Caribbean, and American cultures. Floats, beads, jazz, and street parties make Mardi Gras a spectacle of joy and diversity.
Where to stay:
The Roosevelt New Orleans – A historic hotel just steps from the French Quarter, with timeless glamour and a rooftop pool.
From parade schedules to jazz brunches, we’ll plan your Mardi Gras experience from start to finish.
Australia and the Pacific: Light, Colour, and Fire
Vivid Sydney – Australia
Running from late May through June, Vivid Sydney is a dazzling festival of light, music, and ideas. The city’s landmarks become canvases for light projections, and the streets fill with performances and pop-ups.
Where to stay:
Park Hyatt Sydney – Unrivalled views of the Opera House, luxurious rooms, and impeccable service put you in the centre of the action.
Add a Blue Mountains escape, a Great Barrier Reef tour, or a wine country visit to make it a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Pasifika Festival – New Zealand
Held annually in Auckland, Pasifika celebrates the cultures of the Pacific Islands. With dance, music, crafts, and cuisine from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and more, it’s a celebration of identity and community.
Where to stay:
The Hotel Britomart, Auckland – Stylish, sustainable, and steps from the waterfront, it’s a perfect base to explore the city’s creative energy.
Ask about multi-island Pacific itineraries for a deeper dive into the region’s rich traditions.
