Autumn Festival Around The World That Are Worth a Visit 

Across cultures and around the world, Autumn is a time for celebration, throughout history Autumn has been the season of harvest, Thanksgiving and autumn festivals. The majority of the Autumn festivals share a common theme of light. From lanterns, lamps, fireworks to light up hot air balloons.

Here are some of the top Autumn festivals around the worth that we think are worth visiting. 

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

 

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Where: New Mexico, United States 

Every year in October, Albuquerque in New Mexico, US hosts the world’s largest balloon festival – Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. What started off as a celebration for the local radio station’s 50th birthday in 1972 now attracts enthusiasts from all around the world and is also one of the most photographed events worldwide.

Hundreds of colourful hot air balloons are sent into the sky every day for this nine-day festival during Autumn. Watching all the colourful balloons float in the sky over the desert landscape through the crisp air of Autumn will make you feel like you are in a dream. It is certainly an Autumn festival worth adding to your bucket list.  This autumn festival gets even better in the evening, when all the balloons light up, creating a wonderland of lights. However, during the evening, the balloons stay on the ground with live fireworks in the sky and live music.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng

Where: Thailand 

Loy Krathong is celebrated all over Thailand and in some parts of Laos and Myanmar. Known as the Thai ‘Festival of Lights’ this traditional autumn festival takes place on the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar. The exact date of the Loy Krathong Festival varies each year because it is based on the lunar calendar.

During Loy Krathong houses are decorated with candles and candlelit baskets (known as Krathongs) are released down the rivers. In cities like Bangkok, the river illuminates as thousands of candlelit baskets are sent down the river. In the northern part of the country, Loi Krathong takes place at the same time as Yi Peng festival, which involves releasing a thousand paper lanterns into the sky at night all at once. Watching the sky and river light up at the same time is truly enchanting. If you are mesmerized by the photos below trust us It’s even better in real life. 

Diwali 

Where: India

Marked with lights, fireworks and colours, Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated throughout India every Autumn. Diwali which translates to ‘Festival of Lights’ is one of the worlds most ancient festival. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness and occurs annually between October and November the exact dates depends on the Hindu lunar calendar.

This is a truly spectacular festival to witness, with people decorating their houses with lamps, lanterns and rangoli – colourful patterns created on the floor usually at the entrance of the house using coloured powder and flowers. All the houses light up at night with fireworks on every street, the whole city comes aglow. If you are visiting India to experience the Diwali festival one of the best places to experience this celebration of light is Jaipur. During this autumn festival, the city of Jaipur illuminates with mud made oil lamps known as diyas. Diwali is a festival you need to at least experience once in your lifetime. 

Related: Luxury Diwali Gift Guide

Guy Fawkes Night

Where: UK

Guy Fawkes Night also known as Bonfire Night in the UK commemorates the arrest and failed attempt of Guy Fawkes, who was planning to blow up the House of Lords in London in 1605. Guy Fawkes is celebrated throughout the UK during the Autumn month, with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on bonfires on the 5th of November every year. The fireworks represent the explosives that were never used by the plotters. Stunning fireworks display are put on all over the UK.

Oktoberfest

Where: Germany

The world’s largest beer festival Oktoberfest is held every year in Munich, Germany during the Autumn season. Located just outside the city centre of Munich this 18-day festival sees millions of people attend from all over the world.

It all began in October 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Everyone had such a good time that they decided to make this an annual celebration. Years following the first world war, Oktoberfest was just celebrated as the ‘Autumn festival’ it was only after 1950 the current tradition of opening ceremony where the Mayor taps the barrel to commemorate the celebration started. It is now a staple in the German culture which is celebrated with traditional music, food, fairground rides, traditional Bavarian costumes, dozens of tents and of course, lots and lots of beer drinking!

Chinese Festival of the Autumn Moon 

Where: China

Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival, is the second most important festival in China after Chinese New Year. It is definitely worth a visit if you are visiting China during the Autumn/ Falls months. In fact, many other Asian nations, like Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, also commemorate this autumn festival.  This autumn festival is celebrated by hosting dinner, there is a procession where animal shaped lanterns are carried, each containing a candle, praising the moon, using paper lanterns, enjoying mooncakes, and other activities are all part of this festival’s celebration.

International White Truffle Fair

Where: Alba, Italy

The most valuable and rarest delicacy in the world is the truffle, and what better way to experience this than in the Italian capital of truffles – Alba. The International Alba White Truffle Fair is one of the main showcases of haute gastronomy and Italian excellence. The market is the historical heart of the event dedicated to the Tuber magnatum Pico. The perfect place to taste and buy the best truffles from the woods of Langhe Roero and Monferrato.

This festival is so much more than just the truffle markets, there are cooking shows, cooking classes, wine tasting, truffle sensory analysis, exhibitions, sports, music. The cooking shows will allow you to discover the secrets of top national and international chefs who, for the occasion, put their flair to work on bespoke dishes created for the white gold of the Langhe. The International Alba White Truffle Fair also offers an unique chance to discover Alba’s millenary culture through folklore events and historical re- enactments that involve and entertain visitors in a carousel of colours, flags, music and popular games.

Related: First Ever Truffle Concierge Hotel

Barcolana Regatta

Where: Italy

Taking place in October is the largest sailing regatta in the world. In fact, this autumn festival or sailing regatta that has been in the Guinness World Records since 2018 as the largest regatta in the world. Not to be confused with Barcelona, every year, on the second Sunday in October, the Barcolana is held on the Gulf of Trieste between the Miramare Castle and the area of the water in front of Piazza Unità d’Italia. Around 25,000 sailors compete in the Barcolana each year, while more than 300,000 spectators watch the race from the coasts of Trieste and the high land of the Carso.

Before the race, there is a festival with 300 or so activities, including water sports, the arts, culture, meetings, and social events that appeal to a broad public as well as professionals.