You're in luck if you’re eyeing 2025 as your year of globe-trotting adventures! The new year promises plenty of bucket-list-worthy global celebrations, from the vibrant colors of the Holi Festival in India to the enchanting Gion Matsuri in Japan.

Plan your year now with this month-by-month festival calendar of the most epic events around the globe.

Escape to cooler climes at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in China. Originating from the centuries-old tradition of fishermen and peasants crafting ice lanterns during the Qing Dynasty, the winter festival was first officially launched in 1963. It showcases the ingenuity of transforming ice into breathtaking sculptures and structures. Today, it’s one of the largest ice and snow festivals worldwide, featuring massive ice buildings illuminated with dazzling lights that transform the city into a magical spectacle. 

When: January 5 to late February 2025

Where: Harbin, Heilongjang Province, China

Step into a Renaissance painting at the Carnival of Venice, where you'll see people wearing exquisite masks at the most lavish balls. This traditional festival began in 1162 to commemorate a military victory. People then wore masks to conceal their identities from different social classes, allowing for a sense of freedom and anonymity during the celebration. To truly immerse yourself in the experience, take a gondola ride through Venice's historic canals to capture Instagram-worthy views of the festivities.

When: February 22 to March 4, 2025

Where: Venice, Italy

Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, marks the arrival of spring in Northern India. It celebrates love, forgiveness, and new beginnings with lots of singing and dancing. This joyful religious festival lasts two days and culminates with people throwing colored powders and water on the street. Each color holds its own meaning: red for love and fertility, blue for protection, and green for new beginnings, to name a few. Holi Festival packs streets with huge crowds, so take extra precautions.

When: March 14 to 15, 2025

Where: Delhi or Jaipur, India

Prepare for epic water battles at Songkran Festival, Thailand's famous celebration to mark Thai New Year. The word “songkran” means "passage of the sun” in Sanskrit, symbolizing the act of moving forward. For Thai people, water is a symbol of purification—it washes away the previous year to make way for a clean slate in the new year.

During this festival season, cities in Thailand like Chiang Mai and Bangkok get their streets ready for crowds drenching each other with water guns, buckets, and hoses. It's the perfect way to welcome the summer heat!

When: April 13 to 15, 2025

Where: While Songkran is celebrated nationwide, the festivities in Chiang Mai and Bangkok are particularly renowned.

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival, or Da Jiu Festival, is celebrated on Cheung Chau Island in Hong Kong and honors the end of a devastating plague during the Qing Dynasty. The four-day festival features floating parades, dragon and lion dances, and street celebrations. 

The highlight of the festival is the famous "bun scrambling" competition. Held at the centuries-old Pak Tai Temple, participants race to climb a 20-meter tower of buns, aiming to collect as many as possible within three minutes. It’s one of Hong Kong’s quirkiest attractions!

When: May 3, 2025

Where: Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong

Gawai Dayak is a traditional festival celebrated by Malaysia’s ethnic Dayak groups in Sarawak and signals the end of the harvest season. The celebrations kick off at midnight with locals feasting and taking a sip of tuak (an alcoholic beverage brewed from rice). Explore the diverse cultural events, including bazaars, traditional dances, and fire shows.

When: June 1 to 2, 2025

Where: Sarawak, Malaysia

The Gion Matsuri is one of Japan's most famous traditional festivals, held in Kyoto since 869 AD. It originally began as a ritual to appease the gods during an epidemic. Over the centuries, the festival has evolved into a vibrant celebration featuring spectacular float processions and traditional performances. Book your accommodations early if you want to experience the float parade on July 17 and July 24.

When: July 1 to 30, 2025

Where: Kyoto, Japan

Get messy at La Tomatina, where people throw overripe tomatoes at one another for a squishy and memorable time. The festival's origins are unknown, but popular legend suggests it began with a group of young people having a tomato fight during a parade. The festival’s popularity has forced organizers to limit attendees to 20,000 people, so plan your trip early!

When: August 27, 2025

Where: Buñol, Spain

Devotees view Burning Man as a movement rather than just a cultural festival. Thousands gather in the Nevada desert yearly to build Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis devoted to art, freedom, and self-expression. Expect mind-blowing art installations, community-driven creativity, and artistic expression everywhere.

When: August 24 to September 1, 2025

Where: Nevada, USA

India’s Diwali, the Festival of Lights, unfolds over five days, with celebrations happening across various faiths in cities like Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, and Amritsar. The festival, which marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, involves lighting clay lamps, decorating homes, and setting off dazzling fireworks. Diwali also provides an excellent opportunity to indulge in Indian feasts!

When: October 20, 2025

Where: Delhi, India

In November, Thailand is aglow with the magical Loy Krathong Festival, a beautiful celebration of gratitude and renewal. Locals release intricately decorated floating lanterns (krathongs) onto rivers and lakes as night falls, creating a shimmering spectacle as a grand gesture of respect toward the water spirits. Cultural events, performances, and fireworks accompany this traditional festival in cities like Chiang Mai and Sukhothai.

When: November 6, 2025

Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand

St. Lucia's Day marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Sweden and honors St. Lucia, an early Christian martyr. The festival features a procession led by a girl chosen to represent St. Lucia, who wears a white gown, a red sash, and a crown of candles. "Lucia handmaidens" and "star boys" accompany her while singing traditional songs. The religious festival also involves Christmas treats, grand feasts, and twinkling candlelight shows.

When: December 13, 2025

Where: Sweden

With these incredible global celebrations happening throughout 2025, it's time to start planning your dream trip! Whether you're drawn to the vibrant colors of the Holi Festival or the masked mystery of Carnival of Venice, there's an unforgettable experience waiting for you.

Don’t forget to stay connected and share your experiences with postpaid roaming or prepaid roaming promos. For a premium travel experience, explore Globe’s Platinum benefits, offering concierge services, airport lounge access, and exclusive travel benefits, so you can festival-hop with ease and style!