11 unmissable festivals in 2026

Posted 2 January, 2026 Sasha Oelsner

We love a good celebration in South Australia, the Festival State, and we set the bar high for a good time.

We have festivals for cheese and motorsport, history and art, guitar and football. There’s a festival for everyone, but how does the rest of the world compare?

Let’s go on a journey around the world and discover 11 festivals to add to your travelling itinerary.

1. Sundance Film Festival | Utah, USA

Film aficionados should add attending the Sundance Film Festival to their bucket list. Held annually in the United States at the end of January, 2026 will be the final year the festival takes place in Utah before it moves to Colorado from 2027 onward.

See brand-new films on the big screen long before they reach mainstream audiences. You may even find yourself walking the red carpet and rubbing shoulders with your favourite independent filmmakers and celebrities.

2. Carnival | Venice, Italy and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Carnival celebrations take place worldwide in February to mark the beginning of Lent, but Venice, Italy, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (pictured at top), are the undisputed standouts – so they both deserve a spot on this list. Both festivals feature vibrant costumes and electrifying parades, yet each offers a unique flavour.

In Venice, elaborate masks are essential, echoing the tradition of nobility disguising themselves to mingle freely with the public. At Rio Carnival, energetic samba dancing, massive floats, colourful block parties and infectious music bring locals and visitors together in celebration.

Though worlds apart, both festivals share one outcome: joyful, exuberant gatherings where people from all walks of life come together.

3. Cherry blossom (Sakura) season | Japan

Beginning in Japan’s southern regions and slowly moving north, the blooming of the sakura is a spectacle that must be seen to be believed. The exact timing shifts each year, but visiting between late March and early April gives you an excellent chance of experiencing the blossoms at their peak.

Simply strolling the streets immerses you in their beauty, but many regional celebrations coincide with the bloom. Hanami (flower-viewing) festivals take place across the country, including at Kitakami Tenshochi, Osaka Castle Park, Mount Yoshino and Tsuruoka.

4. Vivid Sydney | Sydney, Australia

Closer to home, Vivid Sydney illuminates the city during May and June. Wrap up against the winter chill and explore immersive outdoor light installations and 3D projections that transform landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Experience the most relaxed – and most efficient – way to see the sights by sailing past on a Vivid Lights Cruise. Don’t forget to use your RAA membership for an exclusive discount.

Alongside the visual spectacle, enjoy performances by local and international musicians, creative workshops, talks and remarkable culinary events.

5. Matariki | New Zealand

Matariki is a relatively new addition to the festival calendar, with the occasion first celebrated across New Zealand in June 2022. The date changes each year, usually falling in late June or early July. Marking the Māori New Year, this is the first national holiday based on a First Nations celebration.

Matariki invites all New Zealanders and visitors to learn about Māori culture and traditions. It’s a time for reflection and renewal, with celebrations including art exhibitions, concerts, food festivals and cultural workshops. As it’s tied to the appearance of the Matariki star cluster, make sure to head outside and look to the skies.

6. Goodwood Festival of Speed | West Sussex, England

Imagine South Australia’s Bay to Birdwood meeting the Monaco Grand Prix, with a dash of British aristocracy, and you have the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Despite its name, it’s not held in Adelaide but at Goodwood House in West Sussex, England each July.

The festival is a mash-up of summer garden party and motorsport prestige. Expect everything from historic racing machines to the latest supercars and motorcycles making their global debut. Motorsport legends, rising stars and engineering marvels take to the iconic hill climb – the centrepiece of the event. You can even camp on-site with your travel buddies so you don’t miss any of the action.

7. Edinburgh Fringe Festival | Edinburgh, Scotland

Exactly six months after Adelaide’s Mad March, the Edinburgh Fringe takes over the historic city of Edinburgh every August. It’s the largest Fringe Festival in the world with Adelaide proudly in second place.

The event began when performers staged shows on the “fringe” of the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival after World War II, and the two festivals still run side by side today.

For three manic, sleepless weeks, Edinburgh becomes a playground of performance, featuring theatre, comedy, circus, magic, music, visual art, street shows – anything you can imagine. With more than 3000 different shows, there’s something for everyone.

8. Oktoberfest | Munich, Germany

Despite its name, Oktoberfest takes place mostly in September in Munich, Germany. Originally held in October to celebrate a royal wedding more than 200 years ago, the festival shifted forward to September as there’s better weather for the party.

Today it attracts more than six million visitors each year, making it the largest festival in the world. Locals and travellers don traditional dirndls and lederhosen to drink fine Bavarian beer, enjoy lively oompah bands, and feast on dishes like pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe) and sauerkraut.

9. Abu Simbel Sun Festival | Abu Simbel, Egypt

Held twice a year (February and October), the Abu Simbel Sun Festival in Egypt has taken place for more than 3200 years. Although the temple of Ramses II is spectacular year-round, on these two days the sun aligns perfectly to illuminate the inner sanctum and bathe the statues of Ra (the sun god) and Amun (king of the gods) in brilliant light.

Visitors and locals gather before dawn to witness this ancient spectacle, followed by Nubian dance, live music and plates of warm, comforting koshari – Egypt’s national dish.

10. Diwali | India

Diwali is one of the most exciting times to visit India, with the festival featuring a riot of colour, feasts, fireworks and thousands of glowing oil lamps. Celebrated over five days in October or November, festivities take place across the country.

The Hindu celebration marks many occasions, including the beginning of the harvest season, the triumph of light over darkness, and the welcoming of Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth. Top destinations for experiencing Diwali include Jaipur (the Pink City), bustling Mumbai and the holy city of Varanasi.

11. Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival | Harbin, China

A tribute to the magic of winter, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is the largest event of its kind in the world. Expect towering ice palaces, intricate sculptures, global competitions, skiing, winter swimming and glowing ice-lantern exhibitions.

Held in Harbin, China from December through February, it’s dazzling and extremely cold. Temperatures range from -16C to a frosty -35C, making it a perfect festival for cold-weather lovers.

For must-see Christmas festivals and markets, have a look at our list of the seven best for 2025.