29 incredible festivals around the globe that belong on your bucket list

ITALY: Regarded as one of the most stunning mountain ranges on the planet, the World Heritage-listed Dolomites in the northern Italian Alps never fail to dazzle. They're particularly pretty during the Dolomiti Balloon Festival, when hundreds of colourful hot-air balloons drift over the snow-dusted peaks. The week-long celebrations include everything from professional races to joy flights open to the public. balloonfestival.it

SPAIN: Make some noise - it's time for San Sebastian's Tamborrada drum parade. This raucous event celebrates the Spanish city's patron saint's day, and sees costumed chefs, milk maidens and soldiers parade through the city. If the outfits don't get your attention, then the beating of barrel drums and accompanying brass bands certainly will. January 20; sansebastianturismoa.eus

CHINA: The Middle Kingdom's coolest event of the year, the Harbin Ice Festival runs from December to March - but things reach their climax in January. This city in north-east China receives winds from Siberia. Safe to say, things get chilly over the winter months. Locals have harnessed the cold to create a wonderland replete with the world's largest and most elaborate ice and snow sculptures, illuminated at night. There's also alpine skiing, winter swimming (for the brave) and snowmobiling, among other activities. Until March; icefestivalharbin.com

INDIA: India doesn't do "small", whether in population, colour or festivals. Case in point the Jaipur Literature Festival, the largest free event of its kind in the world. Writers (both professional and up-and-coming) from every corner of the globe converge to celebrate, converse and learn, joined by bookworms and fans of prose. Look forward to workshops, discussions, readings, music and more. February 1-5; jaipurliteraturefestival.org

BRAZIL: Expect to go sleepless for five days when you attend Rio de Janeiro Carnival, the festival that lures in millions of party people every day. The streets of Rio are flooded with samba-shaking parades, flamboyant costumes and over-the-top parties. Numerous events consume the week, including informal street fiestas and the official Sambadrome parade. February 9-17; riocarnaval.org

NEW ZEALAND: After a 1931 earthquake flattened Napier, the locals banded together to rebuild the North Island city - in the era's popular art deco architectural style. The result is streets lined with pastel buildings, all adorned with geometric ornamentation, symmetrical forms and low-relief decorative panels. The Art Deco Festival Napier unites design lovers across 200 events, with highlights including people dressed in deco style and streets filled with classic cars. February 15-18; artdecofestival.co.nz

INDIA: A celebration of love and the triumph of good over evil, Holi - the Hindu festival of colours - has taken the world by storm. But there's nothing like experiencing it in its native India or Nepal. Today, revellers mark the occasion by throwing technicolour pigments into the air, acknowledging the coming of spring, putting the past year behind them and beginning anew. Wear clothes you don't mind throwing out afterwards. March 25; holifestival.org

IRELAND: Most people associate Saint Patrick's Day with green, whether in attire, decorative shamrocks or even beer (don't drink this - it's frowned upon in Dublin at the St Patrick's Festival). The event commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland - indeed, Irish heritage and culture in general. On the day, the capital turns into a blur of parades, music and drinking. And yes, there is plenty of green. March 17; stpatricksfestival.ie

NEW ZEALAND: Huhu grubs, fish eyes and venison tongue are all on the menu at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival. The town on the west coast of the South Island is surrounded by fertile pastures. And everything that can be consumed, is consumed, at this fete. Expect some of the weirdest and most exotic delicacies imaginable, alongside fabulous NZ-grown-and-made gourmet produce. March 9; wildfoods.co.nz

USA: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been taking place since 1970. No points for guessing the style of music it celebrates. Aficionados from around the world descend on the Louisiana city to listen to some of the most talented jazz artists in the world, whether on the street, in storied clubs or in large theatres. Past performers include Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Stevie Wonder, among many others. April 25-May 5; nojazzfest.com

THAILAND: You may have seen people getting drenched in the streets during Songkran, a country-wide event celebrating the Thai New Year. And while there are plenty of water pistols, buckets and hoses, there's much more to this festival. The world's biggest water fight also includes temple fairs, asking the elderly for blessings and building sand pagodas. April 13-15; tourismthailand.org

SPAIN: All-nighters are de rigueur at The Seville April Fair, a bacchanalian whirlwind in honour of Andalusian culture, music and food. Bring your stamina because that equates to long days spent eating, drinking, dancing and socialising. The week-long event is loud and lively, with stalls dotting the streets selling everything from flamenco costumes to croquetas. April 14-20; welcometoseville.com

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FRANCE: More than 4500 film professionals from around the world join the Festival de Cannes to attend screenings and social events, and rub shoulders with their contemporaries. You, too, can be part of this oh-so-famous French Riviera event. Cinema lovers between the ages of 18 and 28 can participate in a program to discover the Official Selection; cult films and classics are screened every evening on the Mace beach; and then there's the potential for celebrity spotting. You'd be unlucky not to see someone famous. May14-25; festival-cannes.com

NORWAY: Norway's largest performing arts event, Bergen International Festival, showcases creative expression from around the world, with a focus on Northern European culture. Hundreds of shows are hosted over 15 days, with the multifaceted program featuring everything from music and theatre to dance and art exhibitions in numerous venues across the city. May 22-June 5; fib.no

CHINA: It's debated whether the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival owes its origins to dragon worshipping in prehistoric times, or to poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself after his reforms didn't work - people paddled out to save him in boats, but failed. Cities across the country pay homage by racing dragon-crested boats in harbours and lakes - millions of spectators cheer them on while eating auspicious foods like zongzi, a pyramid-shaped glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in reed leaves. June 10; www.chinahighlights.com

USA: Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, BB King, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor are just some of the big names who have performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the largest free celebration of blues in the world. Hundreds of thousands of fans gather at Millennium Park and other venues around town to groove to their favourite artists. And the only reason to open your wallet is to buy beer and snacks. 2024 dates TBA; chicago.gov

SWITZERLAND: There's a lot to love about the Swiss town of Montreux, nestled between mountains and Lake Geneva and with a pretty flower-lined promenade. It's a postcard-perfect backdrop for the annual Montreux Jazz Festival, which, despite its name, also revolves around blues and soul. Over its 50-plus years of toe-tapping sounds, the event has hosted the likes of Aretha Franklin, Prince and Stevie Wonder, to name a few. July 5-20; montreuxjazzfestival.com

MONGOLIA: The ancient Greeks may have the Olympics, but the Mongolians have Naadam Festival. This two-day event showcases the three skills Genghis Khan considered essential for a Mongolian warrior: wrestling, horseracing and archery. It may be a centuries-old tradition, but it still excites every person across every corner of the country. A number of operators include the festivities on their annual tour itineraries - try G Adventures or Wendy Wu Tours. July 11-15; gadventures.com, wendywutours.com.au

SCOTLAND: Every August, the curtain rises on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest performing arts festival. This incredible platform for creative freedom consumes the city across hundreds of stages, with venues ranging from busses and shipping containers to concert halls and genres including circus, comedy, dance, opera, exhibitions ... and so much more. August 2-26; edfringe.com

USA: Pull on your blue suede shoes and head to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, to celebrate Elvis Week. The life and enduring legacy of the legendary musician and "rubber legged" dancer is remembered across the singer's former home and grounds. Dress up and get ready to groove - the King of Rock and Roll would expect nothing less. August 9-17; graceland.com

SPAIN: Things get rather messy at La Tomatina, the world-renowned tomato-throwing festival that has been a tradition in the Valencian town of Bunol since 1945. If you're planning on becoming part of the human passata at this massive one-hour food fight, be sure to wear old clothes and bring goggles to protect your eyes. August 28; latomatinatours.com

GERMANY: Despite its name, Oktoberfest actually kicks off in September - after naming it, event organisers realised that October days were cold and short, and not at all conducive to drinking copious pints of cold beer. Which is what Oktoberfest is dedicated to. It all began in Munich, and the city still attracts millions of lederhosen-clad revellers who consume enough beer to sink a small ship. Thankfully, there are plenty of pretzels on hand to soak up all that liquid gold. September 21-October 6; oktoberfest.de

MYANMAR: Myanmar's Inle Lake is normally a calm and crowd-free destination, replete with stilted houses, golden temples and fishermen in canoes. Things start to pick up pace during the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, a watery Buddhist event whereby small sacred Buddha images are ceremonially rowed around the lake in a colourful barge to bless villagers, accompanied by boats expertly navigated by Inle leg rowers. tourism.gov.mm

GERMANY: The German capital becomes a glowing stage at the Berlin Festival of Lights, and the landmarks, monuments, buildings, streets and squares are the stars. National and international artists create works using lights in motion based on their own interpretation of the year's theme, telling unique stories that always shine bright. October 10-19; festival-of-lights.de

MEXICO: The Day of the Dead may sound like a sombre and macabre occasion, but in Oaxaca, it's as joyful as it is poignant. Locals believe that the veil between the world of the spirits and the living is lifted, so deceased loved ones can travel back for a visit. They celebrate by dressing in elaborate costumes, parading through the city, dancing and singing in graveyards. November 2; visitmexico.com

INDIA: From the festival of colours to the festival of lights ... welcome to Diwali. This spiritual Hindu event represents light's triumph over darkness. And to do that locals set cities aglow with fireworks and tea lights. Celebrations vary across India, but some of the most popular take place in Varanasi's Assi Ghat. November 1; incredibleindia.org

THAILAND: In Chiang Mai, the night of the full moon on the 12th lunar month is the time of Krathong Sai Loy Krathong. When the full moon begins to rise, locals carry their decorated krathong (small container fashioned from leaves) to the banks of the rivers, then light candles and set the krathong afloat to pay their respects to the goddess of water. Spectacular fireworks, dancing and singing ensue. November 14-16; tourismthailand.org

SCOTLAND: Think of Hogmanay as the Scottish version of New Year's Eve - but with a wee bit more alcohol in the mix. Edinburgh's festivities have evolved into one of the world's biggest end-of-year celebrations, and typically last for four days. Events range from a haunting torchlight procession to massive outdoor street parties, concerts and fireworks. December 29-January 1; edinburghshogmanay.com

TURKEY: Performed each year on the anniversary of 13th-century poet Rumi's death, the Whirling Dervish Festival is a dizzying affair. Millions of pilgrims and tourists descend on the city of Konya, where Rumi is buried, to watch displays of the whirling prayer ceremony - a spectacular where faithful spin until they've reached a kind of religious ecstasy. goturkiye.com