Culture

World Festivals & Celebrations

Major festivals and celebrations from cultures around the world with timing, significance, and traditions.

25 rows5 columns1 views0 downloadsSource: UNESCO / Cultural SourcesUpdated: 2/21/2026
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Festival
Country/Region
When
Type
Description
Eid ul-FitrGlobal (Muslim world)After RamadanReligiousCelebration marking the end of Ramadan fasting. Prayers, feasting, charity, family gatherings.
Eid ul-AdhaGlobal (Muslim world)10th Dhul HijjahReligiousFestival of Sacrifice commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Animal sacrifice and charity.
DiwaliIndia, Nepal, South AsiaOctober-NovemberReligious (Hindu)Festival of Lights. Lamps, fireworks, sweets, family celebrations. Victory of light over darkness.
ChristmasGlobal (Christian)December 25Religious (Christian)Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Gift-giving, family, carols, decorated trees.
Chinese New YearChina, East Asia, GlobalJanuary-FebruaryCulturalLunar New Year with dragon dances, red envelopes, fireworks, family reunions.
HoliIndia, NepalMarchReligious (Hindu)Festival of Colors. People throw colored powder, celebrating spring and love.
CarnivalBrazil, Caribbean, EuropeBefore Lent (Feb-Mar)CulturalSpectacular parades, samba dancing, costumes, and music. Rio Carnival is the largest.
BasantPakistan (Punjab), IndiaFebruaryCulturalKite-flying festival celebrating spring. Yellow clothes, music, rooftop gatherings. Deeply loved in Lahore.
Shab-e-BaratSouth Asia, Muslim world15th Sha'banReligious (Islamic)Night of Forgiveness. Prayers, visiting graves, distributing halwa. Very popular in Pakistan.
NowruzIran, Central Asia, KurdistanMarch 20-21CulturalPersian New Year celebrating spring equinox. Haft-sin table, fire-jumping, family gatherings.
ThanksgivingUnited States, CanadaNovember (US), October (CA)CulturalHarvest festival. Turkey dinner, family, gratitude, American football.
RamadanGlobal (Muslim world)9th month (Islamic calendar)ReligiousMonth of fasting from dawn to sunset. Spiritual reflection, Quran recitation, communal iftars.
Vesak (Buddha Day)Southeast Asia, GlobalMay (full moon)Religious (Buddhist)Celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. Meditation, offerings, lanterns.
Mardi GrasNew Orleans, FranceBefore LentCulturalFat Tuesday celebrations with parades, masks, beads, music, and excess before Lent.
SongkranThailandApril 13-15CulturalThai New Year water festival. Massive water fights in the streets, temple visits.
OktoberfestGermany (Munich)September-OctoberCulturalWorld's largest beer festival. Traditional Bavarian food, music, lederhosen, steins.
Day of the DeadMexicoNovember 1-2Cultural / ReligiousHonoring deceased loved ones with altars, marigolds, sugar skulls, and cemetery visits.
ChuseokSouth KoreaSeptember-OctoberCulturalKorean harvest festival. Songpyeon (rice cakes), family visits, ancestor rites.
HanukkahGlobal (Jewish)November-DecemberReligious (Jewish)Festival of Lights. Eight nights of menorah lighting, dreidels, latkes, gelt.
Independence Day (Pakistan)PakistanAugust 14NationalPakistan's independence day. Flag hoisting, fireworks, national songs, green and white celebrations.
La TomatinaSpain (Bunol)Last Wednesday of AugustCulturalMassive tomato fight festival. Streets turn red. Pure chaotic fun.
Cherry Blossom FestivalJapanMarch-AprilCulturalHanami — viewing cherry blossoms. Picnics under sakura trees, poetry, appreciation of nature.
Urs (Sufi Festival)Pakistan, IndiaVarious datesReligious (Sufi)Annual celebration at Sufi saints' shrines. Qawwali music, dhamaal dancing, free food (langar).
NavratriIndia (Gujarat)September-OctoberReligious (Hindu)Nine nights of dance (Garba/Dandiya), honoring goddess Durga. Colorful, energetic.
Jashn-e-BaharanPakistan (Punjab)SpringCulturalSpring festival of Punjab. Mela (fair) atmosphere, traditional music, food, and cultural performances.
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