November is a month of festive celebrations when the festive mood of October gets new wings. Many types of festivals are celebrated in this month, including cultural, nature, and religious festivals. Here are the top cultural festivals celebrated across the world in the month of November.

Day of the Dead 

This is a traditional holiday celebrated on 1^st and 2^nd November though 31^st October and 6^th November can also be included in the list of days based on locality. Family and friends gather at a place to pay respect to their relatives or friends who have died during this festival. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated primarily in Mexico with effects in the United States and parts of Central America.  

This festival is a celebration of the life and death cycle that often includes celebrations with altars decorated with photographs and food to honor the deceased. This festive celebration includes Marigolds and sugar skulls for a festive atmosphere. The Day of the Dead is celebrated with multiple events that feature altar construction dedicated to the spirits of the deceased, followed by cemetery visits.  Some cities also host colorful parades featuring dance, music, and costumes showcasing skeleton-themed attire. 

The events of “Day of the Dead” include cultural performances and theatrical representations that reflect the history and significance of this holiday. Some art exhibitions also take place during this festival that display themed artworks, murals, and altars for the celebration of traditional and contemporary culture. Community gatherings with food, music, and family activities are encouraged in some cities for togetherness and shared remembrance.  

Pushkar Camel fair 

The Pushkar camel fair or Pushkar fair is an annual multi-day livestock fair celebrated in the Pushkar town of Ajmer, which is locally known as Kartik Mela. Every year it is celebrated in the month of November in Rajasthan. This festival is celebrated with cultural events and competitions, including dances, and tug of war between women and men teams. Competitions like “matka phod”, bridal and “longest mustache” competitions, camel races are arranged for fun. 

Thousands of people visit Pushkar Lake to celebrate this festival with activities, events, and cultural performances. Traders buy and sell camels while thousands of camels are being paraded. Exciting races of decorated camels gather crowds and create a festive atmosphere. The camel beauty contests are a popular attraction of this fair, where camels, accompanied by their owners, are judged based on their appearance, adornments, and grooming. 

This fair coincides with the Kartik Purnima festival, which is when pilgrims perform spiritual activities in the sacred lake of Pushkar. Tourists can enjoy hot air balloon rides, desert camping, and camel safaris to get the ultimate experience. They can taste traditional Rajasthani cuisine from food stalls or buy handicrafts, jewelry, textiles, and gifts. 

Cambodia water festival 

It is a three-day festival celebrated across the entire country but mainly in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh along the beautiful Tonle Sap River. It is going to be celebrated between 14^th November and 16^th November in 2024. The important events of this festival include the evening parade of brightly lit boats on Loy Pratip River and Sampeah Preah Khe, the moon prayer ceremony in front of the Royal Palace. It offers thanks to the moon and Auk Ambok, where locals gather at temples to eat ambok or flattened rice with banana and coconut. 

This festival, known as “Bon Om Touk,” marks an end to the rainy season and celebrates the reversal of the Tonle Sap River’s flow. It has a cultural importance for agriculture, fishing, and transportation and a historical root for commemorating the victory of King Norodom Sihanouk over the Thai forces. This festival encourages community spirit with boat races between teams with colorful traditional boats and religious ceremonies with offerings and prayers to the water spirits conducted at pagodas. 

Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Cambodia water festival with traditional dance performances, music, and cultural exhibitions or with fireworks and food tasting at riverside shops. 

Loy Krathong 

It is an annual traditional Siamese festival celebrated in November by Thais to pay respect to Lord Buddha and the Goddess of water. Local people gather around lakes, rivers, and canals during this festival to release floating lanterns or Krathongs on waterways. In 2024, it is going to be celebrated on 16^th and 17^th November. 

People make decorative floats with banana leaves, flowers, and candles to release them on rivers and lakes as a symbol of positive bringing. The sky is filled with thousands of lanterns in Chiang Mai and some other regions for stunning visual displays. Loy Krathong highlights Thai heritage as traditional dance performances and musical events are hosted during the festival. 

Local people add the brightness of fireworks to the festive atmosphere of Loy Krathong, besides unique celebrations with parades, food stalls, and contests in towns. The beautiful Loy Krathong festival worshiping Phra Mae Khong Kha brings family and friends together by sharing meals and through festivities. 

Diwali  

Diwali is a festival of lights that celebrates the auspicious event of Rama’s return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana. Diwali is going to be celebrated on 31^st October and 1^st November in Northern India by lighting rows of clay lamps. In southern India, it is Diwali is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, which ultimately means victory of good over evil. 

The festival of lights is celebrated by lighting diyas and candles as a symbol of victory of light over darkness. People decorate their houses with colorful rangolis made from colored powders, rice, or flower petals to welcome guests and deities. They worship goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha to request wealth for their family and remove all the obstacles. Cities are decorated with fireworks displays, and community events like fairs, and cultural programs are organized. 

People visit temples to offer prayers, participate in traditional rituals and exchange gifts to share love, and sometimes donate to needy people for charity.  

Ganga Mahotsav 

Ganga Mahotsav is celebrated in Varanasi every year in November after Diwali to worship the Holy River Ganges which is a source of life to the nation. It is a five-day festival which is going to be celebrated in the month of November 2024. It is a vibrant cultural, traditional, and spiritual festival that is attended by tourists and pilgrims worldwide. 

This Mahotsav is celebrated with Ganga Arati along the riverbank to honor the sacred river, Ganga. Then, performances of classical music and dance by local and national artists and exciting boat races showcasing traditional rowing techniques are organized. Tourists and pilgrims can purchase traditional handicrafts made by local artists and taste delicious food from local food stalls.  

Spiritual leaders and scholars often talk about the significance of the Ganga and spirituality, which is a must-attend for visitors seeking knowledge. A grand procession with locals in festive attire and traditional music, and dance is also included in the celebration for the unique experience of visitors. 

Thanksgiving 

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada to honor the blessings of the past year and harvest. It is generally celebrated in the U.S. on the fourth Thursday in November, and in Canada, it is celebrated on the Second Monday of October. In 2024, Thanksgiving is going to be celebrated on 28th November among pilgrims and Americans. 

This festival is celebrated with a large meal with roast turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Families can include regional and cultural dishes also. People travel long distances to enjoy this day with their family. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a famous event in New York City that is celebrated with floats and performances. American football games and community service, like providing meals and clothes to needy people, are also included Thanksgiving tradition. 

Tazaungdaing Festival 

It is a famous festival of Myanmar celebrated during the full moon of the Tazaung month to mark the end of the rainy season. Tazaungdaing, known as the Festival of Lights, that, is a time to worship the Lord Buddha and celebrate the auspicious moment with light. People illuminate their houses and streets with candles and colorful lanterns as a symbol of a positive vibe. 

This festival is a symbol of removing darkness and ignorance with light and positive effects. Devotees often donate to monasteries and offer food and essentials to monks—Experience Myanmar’s rich cultural heritage with traditional music, dance, and parades. Watch the stunning display of hot air balloons in Taunggyi that are lit with candles soaring into the night sky. 

Armistice Day 

This November festival is observed in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries with a two-minute silence on the eleventh hour. The main event takes place on Remembrance Sunday to honor all military veterans and those who have died for the country during their service. In 2024, it is going to be celebrated on 11th November. 

The ceremonies are organized at war memorials including a moment of silence at 11 AM to remember the deceased. In some countries, officials and veterans visit memorials and cemeteries. Towns and cities often held parades with veterans, military personnel, and community organizations to pay respect.  

Fête de la Saint Martin 

St. Martin’s Day is celebrated in Malta in southern Europe on the Sunday nearest to 11 November to recall his acts of kindness and charity. It also marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. On this day, a bag full of fruits and sweets is distributed to the Children, and this bag is known as Il-Borża ta’ San Martin or St. Martin’s bag locally. Local people remember his charity lessons on this day to bring good values inside themselves. 

Children often carry lanterns during parades, symbolizing the light and positive impacts brought by St. Martin, especially in rural areas. Markets may offer seasonal treats during this festival and regional specialties like roasted chestnuts and wine are enjoyed by local people. This festival is a great opportunity for communal celebrations with fairs, concerts, and events inside the town.  

Conclusion 

Participate in the celebrations of worldwide cultural festivals this November and enjoy the festive vibe with exciting activities and personalized experiences. Contact Trekhops.com to check out available deals and offers for your vacation with family and friends.