October is a month of festivals and celebrations with friendly activities, cultural events, and traditional ceremonies around the world. Many events are enjoyed by families, romantic couples, and kids in this month. Some famous festivals celebrated in October may include Oktoberfest, Navaratri, and MassKara festival. If you are also interested in participating in some of the most widely celebrated cultural events of October, check out these top 20 festivals.  

Dusshera  

Dusshera is the biggest and most famous Hindu festival celebrated across different cities of India in their unique styles which is known as Vijayadashami at some places. This year, it will be celebrated on 12th October to honor the victory of good over evil as Lord Rama won over demon king Ravana. In Eastern India, it marks the end of Durga Puja honoring the victory of Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura.  

The special thing about this festival is Navratri, a nine-night festival before Dusshera which is celebrated with vibrant folk dance garba, colorful traditional attire, and fasting. In Mysuru, a grand procession of decorated elephants and cultural performances take place. The Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh hosts a weeklong fair with parades through the streets.  

Halloween  

Halloween is a globally celebrated festival with spooky activities that take place across multiple places of the World. In the United States, Massachusetts, and Salem it is a month-long celebration of infamous witch trials history. You can enjoy guided tours of Bran castle to recall its vampire lore during this festival. In Mexico the Day of the Dead is celebrated along with Halloween traditions by recalling their beloved ones whom they have lost with colorful altars and sugar skulls.  

You can enjoy ghost tours through the haunted medieval streets of Edinburgh and Scotland during Halloween. This festival is celebrated in New Orleans with costume parades and with voodoo-themed events in the French Quarter.  

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta   

This is a delightful festival celebrated in Albuquerque New Mexico for nine days every October when the city turns into a balloon lover’s paradise. In 2024, it will be celebrated between the 5th and 13th of October with special shape rodeos and breathtaking twilight glows. However, the star of this festival is Mass Ascension where hundreds of balloons lift off together.  

Feel the magical atmosphere of crisp autumn air and stunning Rio Grande Valley backdrop. You can also learn about the “Albuquerque box” which is a wind pattern that allows ballons to return to their launch spot. Enjoy a glorious festival with hot air balloon rides in a group by taking part in this festival this October.  

Oktoberfest  

Oktoberfest is mainly celebrated in Munich Germany a month earlier in cold weather. This massive event is celebrated for over two weeks from late September to early October with beer tasting. Visitors can also enjoy regional and folk dances besides rich food in a friendly atmosphere. The festival begins as the mayor taps the first keg of beer accompanied by a parade with horse-drawn beer wagons and traditional costumes to celebrate Bavarian culture.  

Families can enjoy their holidays in the fairgrounds with rides and activities at a discounted rate or with authentic Bavarian cuisine like pretzels, sausages, and roast chicken. Some stein-holding contests and traditional games are also arranged for tourists’ entertainment. This festival ends with a fireworks display and a final toast marking the end of celebrations.  

Hermanus Whale festival   

This festival is celebrated in South Africa on the first weekend of October to highlight the annual migration of southern right whales to the waters off Hermanus of South Africa. The festival provides various activities and a lively environment of music, art, and environmental awareness events. Tourists can take part in whale-watching tours on boat trips for closer views of whales or buy handmade goods from arts and crafts markets.  

You can also attend live musical performances of various genres, educational sessions on marine conservation, or taste local food and wine. Try some fresh seafood, calamari, mussels, dried biltong, or traditional Braai with boerewors and steak meats. Go for a guided tour of local vineyards for some authentic wines.  

Bathukamma   

Bathukamma is a Hindu flower festival celebrated by the women of Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh every October. This year it is going to be celebrated between 1st and 9th October 2024. This is a vibrant festival celebrated by creating elaborate flower stacks using seasonal blooms and processions with singing and dancing around Bathukamma.   

Visitors can participate in traditional folk dances like Oggu Katha with local tribal people or cultural performances of music and drama. Bathukamma is immersed in water at the end of this festival to symbolize the cycle of life celebrating the beauty of nature and the spirit of womanhood.   

India Art festival  

It is a massive event with a wide range of artworks from various artists including paintings, sculptures, and installations which is celebrated around mid-October. In 2024, the India Art Festival is going to be celebrated from 10th October to 13th October with exhibitions, workshops, and discussions to highlight the contemporary art and culture in India.  

Tourists coming to take part in this festival can expect to see the artworks of established and emerging artists or attend live performances of various art forms for dynamic experiences. Visitors can engage themselves in conversations with artists, and art critics on different topics like ongoing trends, challenges, and innovations. Get an opportunity to collect some impressive artworks or watch presentations of traditional art forms and bid on them.  

Marwar festival   

Marwar is a popular festival in the Jodhpur region of India and a two-day event that commences during the full moon of Sharad Poornima every October. It is celebrated in the memories of Rajasthan heroes and was originally known as Maand festival. Local people celebrate this festival with Rajasthani dance and music performances like Ghoomar and Kalbeliya to bring festive enjoyment to their lives with vibrant rhythms.  

Tourists can also take part in stunning camel processions through the streets to learn about the importance of camels in the desert culture. Regional artists display their works of textiles, pottery, and jewelry providing a glimpse into the traditional rich craftsmanship of that region. They can participate in cultural storytelling competitions from locals or visitors or try tasty dishes of dal baati churma and gatte ki sabzi. Go for a guided tour of Jodhpur historical sites and offer prayers at local temples.  

Mannarsaala Ayilyam   

Mannarsaala Ayilyam is an important festival at the Mannarala Sree Nagaraja temple in Alappuzha of Kerala It is dedicated to snake gods built by Lord Parashurama and has a female priest. It is going to be celebrated on 26th October 2024 with traditional ceremonies and cultural events. This festival often coincides with Naga Panchami, a special day for special rituals and offerings to serpents. A grand procession with serpent idols takes place on this day with devotees and tourists who come to take part in this event.  

Special prayers and rituals are performed during Ayliyam Puja with offerings of milk and rice. Cultural performances with folk music and dances are also arranged during this festival to create a festive atmosphere with local traditions. Visitors offer flowers, fruits, and other traditional dishes to worship the deities.  

MaasKara festival   

Maaskara is an annual festival celebrated at different sites in Bacolod City, Philippines on the 4th Sunday of October every year. The celebration takes place at Bacolod public plaza, Bacolod city government center, and Lacson tourism strip. In 2024, the festival will be celebrated on 27th October with cultural events in a vibrant atmosphere. Multiple sports events, concerts, and cultural shows take place during this festival which ends with a grand parade of floats decorated with flowers and vibrant designs.  

The highlight of this festival includes street dancing competitions with colorful masks and costumes where different barangays show their talents with innovative dance forms. Visitors can watch a unique mask-making process filled with creativity and craftsmanship through some engaging workshops. Some trade fairs and food stalls are set up at the festival sites with local dishes and unique gifts for culinary contests.  

Naga Fireball festival   

This festival celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent in Nong Khai of Thailand every year in October for two days. This is among the most mysterious phenomena in the world as mysterious red fireballs shoot up from the Mekong River during this festival. These balls soar up to 150 meters before vanishing and according to local beliefs, it’s the work of Naga, a mythical serpent. This year it is going to be celebrated on 19th and 20th October.  

The event also features boat races, traditional dance performances, and vibrant shopping markets besides the magical fireball sightings. You can explore northeastern Thai cuisine with authentic flavors from the food stalls lined up on the riverbank.  

Takayama autumn festival   

It is a centuries-old famous festival of Takayama Japan which is also familiar as Hachiman Matsuri considered to be Japan’s most beautiful autumn celebration. This festival is going to be celebrated on the 9th and 10th of October 2024 with ornate floats, colorful processions, and traditional music. You can take part in iconic puppet shows performed on the floats and taste local dishes during this festival.  

This festival is highlighted by an evening parade where a few lantern floats create a mesmerizing spectacle against the backdrop of Takayama’s well-preserved old town. The most special highlight of this festival is 11 ornate floats over 300 years old and considered symbols of traditional craftsmanship. The intricate carvings, metalwork, and lacquer design of these floats are beautiful attractions for tourists.  

Abu Simbel Sun festival  

It is an iconic festival that is celebrated every year when the sun aligns perfectly to illuminate the inner sanctum of the Abu Simbel temple built by Ramses II. This year it is going to be celebrated on 22nd October 2024 at Abu Simbel Egypt. Tourists from all over the world come to witness this stunning solar phenomenon that lights the statues of gods.   

This event is celebrated with traditional Nubian and Egyptian music, dance performances along with street fair. The temple was relocated in the 1960s to save it from the flood of the Nile and has been cut into blocks carefully to preserve this magical solar alignment.  

Berlin festival of lights   

This is a bright festival of Berlin in Germany which will be celebrated for 10 nights between 4th and 13th October 2024. This turns Berlin into a sparkling open-air gallery with iconic landmarks, monuments, and buildings that become canvases for light installations and projections. Artists from around the world create mesmerizing displays telling stories of regional culture and presenting some impressive light art.   

The most special thing about this festival is the World Championship of projection mapping during the festival which invites international artists to compete to create the most impressive projection mapping displays. Brandenburg Gate often serves as the center for these competitions and tourists can experience this illuminated spectacle on a walking tour or by taking bus and boat rides.  

Cirio de Nazare  

This is a massive religious festival of Belem, Brazil which is observed on 13th October 2024 which is the second Sunday of October. It honors Our Lady of Nazareth attracting millions of pilgrims to Belem for participating in this festival. The most significant point of this festival is a grand procession carrying the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets of this city. Pilgrims touch the rope of procession for blessings and this sacred rope is stretched for over 400 meters.   

After the festival terminates pieces of this rope are distributed as relics among pilgrims. Devotees often follow the image of the Virgin Mary barefoot to display their faith in her. Then attendees enjoy a meal called “Cirio Lunch” with regional dishes to experience the taste of authentic dishes.  

Samhain  

Samhain is celebrated in Celtic regions from 31st October to 1st November to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter with traditions honoring ancestors. This festival is celebrated with large bonfires in cold weather serving warmth and removing evil spirits. Local people dress in costumes representing spirits, faeries, or the deceased representing traditional beliefs. Families share meals of apples, nuts, and root vegetables to celebrate the harvest or participate in activities like apple picking.  

Learn about food preservation techniques or read your future with apple bobbing and other fortune-telling forms. Local people offer food and set up altars to offer prayers to deceased spirits during Samhain. Communities can take part in parades, and festivals, or go for a spooky adventure to the haunted houses. The people believing in supernatural entities often keep an interest in listening to ghost stories and folklore during this Samhain.  

Koyasan Daishonin’s Festival  

The Koyasan Daishonin festival honors the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi with visits to the sacred mountain, UNESCO World Heritage Site, numerous temples, and the famous Okunoin Cemetery. The festival is celebrated with rituals, prayers, and various cultural activities to celebrate Shingon Buddhist traditions. In 2024, this festival is going to be celebrated on 13th October with rituals and ceremonies at the temples in Koyasan.  

Offer prayers at the temple of Kobo Daishi and attend a ceremonial procession in traditional robes as a symbol of respect. Learn about the cultural heritage of Koyasan through traditional music and dance performances or buy artifacts from exhibitions.  

Canterbury Festival  

The Canterbury Festival is popularly celebrated in the historic Canterbury city of Kent, England at different venues. Tourists can enjoy diverse performances at theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces like art exhibitions, and cultural events. This is an ideal event for literature enthusiasts and is going to be celebrated from 12th October to 27th October.   

Enjoy concerts of classical, jazz, and contemporary genres or interactive sessions focusing on multiple methods of painting to writing. Families can attend storytelling sessions, literary events, and street performances in a vibrant atmosphere.  

International Coffee Day  

It is celebrated in different cities across the world on 1st October to promote the coffee industry with fair trade practices. Tourists can visit nearby coffee plants and learn about sustainable practices for coffee plantations. Taste energetic coffee drinks at the coffee shops and learn about brewing methods on guided tours or at workshops. Some charity events are also organized to support coffee farmers and raise awareness about the global impact of coffee farming.  

Conclusion  

Enjoy the best experiences of October cultural festivals by exploring autumn beauty and family-friendly activities. Visit trekhops.com and check out the special activities of iconic events and vibrant festivals this October to make your vacation unforgettable with friends and family.