Festivals worth planning a trip around

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Some festivals are so spectacular that they are worth planning a whole trip around. Here are our favourites.

Yi Peng, Chiang Mai (November)

Thousands of lanterns are released into the night sky. Our honeymoon special is timed for it. See Chiang Mai and Thailand Honeymoon Special: Lantern of Love.

Durga Puja, Kolkata (September or October)

The city becomes an open-air art gallery of elaborate pandals, with music, food and celebration day and night. See Kolkata.

Pushkar Camel Fair (October or November)

A huge livestock fair and festival at the edge of the desert, with folk music, competitions and ghat rituals. See Pushkar.

Hornbill Festival, Nagaland (early December)

Nagaland's tribes come together for dances, music, food and crafts. See Kohima.

Rann Utsav, Kutch (winter)

A tent city and cultural festival by the White Rann, magical under the full moon. See Rann of Kutch.

Holi, Mathura and Vrindavan (February or March)

The festival of colours celebrated in Krishna's homeland.

Onam, Kerala (August or September)

Flower carpets, feasts and snake-boat races.

Cherry blossom, Japan (late March to April)

Not a festival exactly, but the blossom season fills parks with hanami picnics.

Songkran, Thailand (April)

Thai New Year becomes a nationwide water festival.

Planning tips

• Confirm the year's dates; many follow lunar calendars.
• Book accommodation months ahead.
• Expect higher prices and crowds.
• Respect rituals and ask before photographing people.

See India's festival calendar for travellers: when to plan which trip and our Festival and seasonal trips page.