The top places to be, given any time of year
pictured: cappadocia, turkey
We compiled this list after a lot of research on other websites, reading books, magazines, other blogs, advice from others on the road, and so on. The list continues to evolve and grow.
We hope this helps you decide where you should be traveling based on when you can. This list is, of course, tailored to our style of travel, the festivals we are interested in, and a certain level of luxury.
January
— Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Greenland: Northern Lights
— Austria or Switzerland: Skiing the Alps
— San Sebastián, Spain: Feast of San Sebastián (January 20)
— Florida Keys: Deep Sea Fishing (January to March)
— Cayman Islands: Cayman Cookout
— Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Tournaments & Skiing in Niseko
— Uttarayan (International Kite Festival), Gujarat, India
February
— China/Asia: Lunar New Year
— Chiang Mai, Thailand: Lunar New Year (~Feb 5)
— Cairo, Egypt: Pyramids
— Caribbean: Warm weather
— Venice, Italy: Carnival
— Sapporo, Japan: Sapporo Snow Festival
— Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Carnival
March
— Miami, Florida: Jazz In The Gardens
— India: Holi Festival, Agra area
— Dublin, Ireland: St Patrick’s Day Festival
— Maldives: Perfect weather
— Havana, Cuba: Perfect weather
— Braga, Portugal or Granada: Semana Santa Festival (Easter)
— New Orleans: Mardi Gras
— Anguilla: Moonsplash, a music festival
— Everest Base Camp (March-May, Oct-Nov)
— Menton, France: Lemon Festival
— Osaka, Japan: Sumo Tournaments
— Valencia, Spain: Las Fallas
April
— Galapagos, Ecuador: Weather & mating season
— Augusta, Georgia: Masters Golf Tournament
— Cordoba, Spain: El Rocio Cordoba walk
— Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls
— Japan: Cherry Blossoms, and other things
— Keukenhof, Netherlands: Tulips
— New Zealand: Wine region
— Antigua: Antigua Sailing Week
— Takayama, Japan: Spring Festival
— Songkran, Thailand
May
— New York: BlueNote Jazz Festival
— Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee: Fireflies
— Louisville: Kentucky Derby
— Indianapolis: Indy 500
— Miami, Florida: Formula 1 Grand Prix
— Portugal: Beaches
— Prague, Czech Republic: Spring Music Festival
— Cusco, Peru: Machu Picchu
— Cannes, France: Cannes Film Festival
— Monaco: Formula 1 Grand Prix
— Scotland: Highland Games (May-September)
— Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Tournament
June
— Temecula, California: Balloon & Wine Festival
— Provence, France: Lavender fields
— Aspen: Food & Wine Classic
— Various Cities: Wine Spectator Grand Tour
— Ascot, England: Royal Ascot
— Brazil: Iguazu Falls
— Cusco, Peru: Inti Raymi Festival (June 24)
— Tanzania/Serengeti: Great Wildebeest Migration
— Peru: Incan Priests, tying down the sun (June 21)
— Kilkenny, Ireland: Curragh Racecourse & Irish Derby
— Napa, California: Auction Napa Valley
July
— Siena, Italy: Palio di Siena (July 2)
— Montreux, Switzerland: Montreux Jazz Festival
— London: Wimbledon
— Pamplona, Spain: Running of the Bulls
— South Africa: Shark Diving
— Bali: Perfect weather
— Oaxaca, Mexico: The Guelaguetza Festival
— France: Bastille Day
— France: Tour de France
— Venice, Italy: Festa Del Redentore
— Seychelles: Perfect weather
— Mongolia: Naadam Festival of Horses
— Montego Bay, Jamaica: Reggae Sumfest
— Galway, Ireland: Galway Races
— Kyoto, Japan: Gion Festival
— Nagoya, Japan: Sumo Tournament
— Faroe Islands: Olavsoka Festival
— Hajj, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
August
— Pebble Beach, California: Concours d’Elegance
— Fiji: Bula Festival
— Bunol, Spain: Tomatina tomato throwing festival
— Croatia: Music Festivals & sailing
— Oslo, Norway: Oslo Jazz Festival
— Scotland: Edinburgh Fringe & Military Tattoo
— Black Rock City, NV: Burning Man
— Brooks Falls, Canada: Bear & Salmon catching
— Tokushima, Japan: Celebrate the spirits of the dead
— Siena, Italy: Palio di Siena (August 16)
— Notting Hill Carnival, London, England
September
— Napa: Harvest
— Orange County: Huntington Beach Air Show
— Venice, Italy: Regata & Film Festival
— Germany & Austria: Oktoberfest begins
— San Sebastián, Spain: Film Festival
— Rioja, Spain: Harvest
— Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Tournament & turning of the leaves
— Paris, France: Autumn Festival at Versailles
— Rwanda: Baby gorilla naming ceremony
— Gstaad, Switzerland: Alpine Festival
— Mid-Autumn Festival, China and East Asia
October
— Alba, Italy: Truffle Hunting & White Truffle Festival
— Palm Springs, California: Modernism Week
— Germany & Austria: Oktoberfest
— Kinsale, Ireland: International Gourmet Food Festival
— Cork, Ireland: Cork Jazz Festival
— Mongolia: Golden Eagle Festival
— Hindu Countries: Dusshera Festival
— Brazil: Círio de Nazaré
— Philippines: MassKara Festival
— Trieste, Italy: Barcolana Regatta
— Myanmar: Inle Lake Pagoda Festival
— Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico, USA
November
— Cuba & Caribbean: Weather
— Mexico City: Day of the Dead
— India: Diwali
— Hawaii: Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
— Chiang Mai, Thailand: Yi Peng Lantern Festival
— Michoacán, Mexico: Monarch Butterfly Migration
— Nazare, Portugal: Nazare Surfing (Nov-Feb)
— Fukuoka, Japan: Sumo Tournament
— Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan, India
December
— Orange County: Christmas Parade
— Scandinavia: Northern Lights
— Canada: Skiing
— Australia & New Zealand: Summer weather
— Punta de Este, Uruguay: Summer
— Bonaire, Caribbean: Pink flamingos in Slagbaai
— Miami: Art Basel
— Winter Solstice at Stonehenge, England