1Cover Travel Insurance Guide To The Best Festivals In The World

Enjoy the sights, sounds and vibes of these mass celebrations of arts, history, culture, tradition and music– often all rolled into one spectacular party atmosphere. Make the most of your holiday overseas with our guide to the best festivals in the world. We’ll help you enjoy the best the world has to offer.

Rio Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The biggest, most famous, and arguably the best carnival in the world takes over Rio de Janeiro in late February or early March each year. For four days, the party rages around the clock, with street after street of elaborate costumes, music and dancing – and some of the most impressive procession floats you’ll ever see. Samba time!

Diwali, India

A Hindu, Sikh and Jain celebration of the triumph of good over evil, Diwali festival involves the lighting of millions of candles, lanterns and fireworks over five days of reflective enjoyment. Perhaps it’s why many call it the Hindu Festival of Lights. And the circus-like street entertainment, music and street markets selling local foods combine to create the party atmosphere it’s become so well known for.

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA

Mardi Gras festivals take place all over the world, but perhaps the best known is the New Orleans version. Over two weeks the party builds to a crescendo, with street parties, live music, dancing, and up to 50 ornate and lively processions through the heart of the city. Just about every kind of fun is here in abundance.

New Year in Hong Kong, China

Chinese New Year takes place in late January or early February, and consists of over two weeks of celebration, culminating in a three-day public holiday. The festival is at its most vibrant and visually impressive in Hong Kong, where the city lights up on the second day of the holiday with an enormous firework display. Drums, music, processions and parties make this a festival experience not to be missed.

Glastonbury Festival, UK

For four days in late June every year, an otherwise sleepy Somerset farm becomes a temporary city of tents and stages. Glastonbury has a deserved reputation for attracting the best music acts and has a truly contagious party atmosphere. Recent years have seen it develop from a purely musical festival into a family-friendly celebration of all things quirky and well, hippy-like!

European Balloon Festival, Catalunya, Spain

If mud and rock music isn’t your thing, the European Balloon Festival is a soothing, more laid back affair. Held in Catalunya, Spain, it’s all about gracefully floating balloons of all shapes and sizes. You don’t often see an enormous Darth Vader, Sonic the Hedgehog or a pint of Guinness floating silently through the summer sky. It’s an amazing spectacle, and the ‘night-glows’ form the perfect backdrop to a relaxing outdoor evening.

It’s best to make sure you’re fully covered by travel insurance for your festival experience – you never know what might happen in all the excitement!