Your 12-Month Guide to Festivals Around the World in 2026

Experience the colour, action and excitement of Holi Festival. Image source: Adobe Stock.

Are you eager to travel more in 2026? Whip out your calendar and jot down these dates! With this 12-month guide to festivals around the world, scratch your travel itch while indulging in a trail of fun experiences!

January 2026

Soundsplash

Where: Wainui Reserve in Raglan, New Zealand
When: 16-18 January 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Air New Zealand or Batik Air, direct from Perth

Soundsplash is more than a weekend-long summer music festival. Alongside the multi-genre lineup of local and international talent, you’ll find performance art, wellbeing-themed workshops and plenty of activities. Grab healthy eats in Kai Village, buy handmade goods at the bazaar and soak up the vibe! This eco-conscious festival also has a zero-waste policy. 

February 2026

Lunar New Year

Where: Multiple cities, including Hong Kong and China  
When: 17 February 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Cathay Pacific, or China Southern Airlines direct from Perth  

Celebrate the Lunar New Year 2026 in China, and welcome in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength, speed and perseverance in Chinese culture. Shop at temple fairs where lanterns and intricate paper cuttings dance in the wind. Sample sugar-coated hawthorn berries between folk performances and lion dances, and join the locals in playing traditional games such as Mahjong and Chinese Chess! 

Tết

Where: Vietnam (multiple cities)  
When: 17-21 February 2026  
How to get there: Fly direct with VietJet or Vietnam Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi from Perth  

Vietnam is at its most festive during Tết, marking the arrival of spring and the Lunar New Year. Watch dragon dances weave through red-and-gold decorated streets and firework displays at night. Explore flower markets overflowing with peach blossoms and kumquat trees, and snack on symbolic dishes like sticky rice cakes and spring rolls. 

 

March 2026

Holi Festival

Where: India (multiple cities) 
When: 4 March 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Malaysia Airlines or Singapore Airlines via Kuala Lumpur from Perth  

India's Festival of Colours is a lively extravaganza, particularly in cities like Varanasi. Join in the fun colour fight and dancing, exchange coloured powders and water balloons, and snack on papri chaat and thandai, a refreshing beverage made from milk, nuts, seeds and spices.  

Melbourne Grand Prix

Where: Melbourne   
When: 5-8 March 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Virgin Australia, direct from Perth 

Join the crowds for one of motorsport’s most highly anticipated events at Melbourne’s Albert Park. Attend the popular Melbourne Walk to catch a glimpse of your favourite drivers! Check out the various trackside viewing spots and have a blast in the family-friendly zones featuring great food and an electrifying atmosphere.   

April 2026 

Cherry Blossom Festival

Where: Japan (multiple cities) 
When: Late March to early April  
How to get there: Fly with All Nippon Airways (ANA), direct from Perth 

Discover the beauty of Hanami, Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival. Don’t be surprised by the early morning rush to get the best picnic spots, as sharing meals beneath blooming trees is a common practice by families and friends! Celebrate in multiple locations across Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, conveniently connected by the Shinkansen, Japan's high-speed railway.

Dubai International Boat Show 2026

Where: Dubai, UAE  
When: 8-12 April 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Emirates, direct from Perth 

Dubai Harbour hosts this prestigious annual boat show where you can marvel at gleaming superyachts, futuristic marine tech, high-speed watercraft and new boat launches. Catch water sports demonstrations amongst other yacht enthusiasts and yacht owners from around the world. Formula One fans will appreciate the rare supercars on display.

May 2026

Vivid Sydney

Where: Sydney, Australia
When: 22 May-13 June 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Qantas 

Art, technology and community come together in a visual spectacle of awe-inspiring installations, projections, and interactive light sculptures at Vivid Sydney’s main event. Away from the lights, enjoy live music and performances as artists share their stories through dance and song, and taste local and international cuisines from menus especially curated for the event. 

Flower Carpet Festival in the Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium. Image source: Adobe Stock. 

June 2026

Sónar

Where: Barcelona, Spain  
When: 18-20 June 2026  
How to get there: Fly from Perth with Qatar Airways, Emirates or Singapore Airlines, with one stopover  

Celebrate creativity and electronic music at Sónar. This three-day festival showcases the latest developments in electronic music and multimedia art, including installations that explore the connection between AI and art. Rub shoulders with art and music enthusiasts, attend panel discussions and participate in master classes about technology, creativity and innovation. 

July 2026

2026 Wimbledon Championships

Where: Wimbledon, England
When: 29 June-12 July 2026
How to get there: Fly from Perth direct with Qantas or with one stopover on Qatar Airways or Emirates

Gear up for an epic English summer with Wimbledon Championships tickets. Tour the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum for a hands-on look at the sport's heritage. Beyond the courts, stay entertained with activities like the Wimbledon Saturday Farmer’s Market, Windmill Museum and Wimbledon Village Stables, or afternoon tea at Elys. 

August 2026 

EuroPride

Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands  
When: 25 July-8 August 2026  
How to get there: Fly Qatar Airways, Emirates or Cathay Pacific with one stopover when you fly from Perth  

Be part of Europe’s biggest celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and diversity. March in parades, dance at street parties and attend cultural events like movie nights and workshops promoting unity and joy. At the popular Canal Parade on 1 August, brightly decorated boats symbolising inclusivity glide through Amsterdam’s historic canals.

Flower Carpet Brussels

Where: Brussels, Belgium
When: August 2026
How to get there: Fly Emirates with one stopover when you fly from Perth 

Admire Brussels’ Flower Carpet, one of the world’s most breathtaking floral displays. Every two years, the Grand Place transforms into a kaleidoscopic living tapestry with thousands of begonias arranged into intricate patterns, while day and night performances combine music, lights and nature. 

September 2026

Reeperbahn Festival  

Where: Hamburg, Germany  
When: 16-19 September 2026
How to get there: Fly Qatar Airways or Emirates with one stopover when you fly from Perth 

Head to Hamburg for the Reeperbahn Festival, one of Europe’s largest club festivals. Meet emerging musicians from multiple genres, including pop, rock, indie and electronic. Watch film screenings and browse art exhibitions at various venues in the St. Pauli district, renowned for its nightlife, culture and history.  

Releasing the lanterns during Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival, Thailand. Image source: Adobe Stock. 

October 2026

Singapore Grand Prix 2026  

Where: Singapore  
When: 9-11 October 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Singapore Airlines or Scoot direct from Perth  

Experience the adrenaline rush and entertainment of the Singapore Grand Prix on the popular Marina Bay Street Circuit. Dine on mouth-watering Asian flavours, from satays to curries, at its food stalls, and watch a variety of performers, including illusionists and circus-cabaret acts. 

MassKara Festival 2026  

Where: Bacolod, Philippines  
When: 25 October 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Philippine Airlines or Jetstar direct from Perth  

Welcome to one of the biggest street fiestas in the Philippines. MassKara Festival is about letting loose, treasuring good company and losing yourself in the atmosphere. The main highlight? A dance competition featuring bright, elaborate costumes and smiling masks. Electric MassKara starts at sundown and turns into a street party, featuring LED-lit dancers, bands and floats.

November 2026 

Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 

Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand  
When: 24-25 November 2026  
How to get there: Fly with Thai Airways, via Bangkok, from Perth  

Release a lantern under the full moon amongst throngs of observers during Yi Peng. Beyond the glowing lanterns, create flower floats, watch cultural performances and parades, and browse night markets filled with spices, crafts and local goods. End the evening sampling traditional northern Thai flavours such as khao soi, a creamy coconut curry noodle soup. 

December 2026 

Christmas at Kew  

Where: London, England  
When: 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2026  
How to get there: Fly from Perth direct with Qantas or with one stopover on Emirates or Qatar Airways  

Stroll through the Kew Gardens winter wonderland with a three-kilometre-long light trail, awe-inspiring festive installations, illuminated tunnels and shimmering trees. Warm up with hot chocolate and other seasonal treats, then end the evening at the family fairground, with fun rides for everyone. 

Watch masked dancers in the streets of Bacolod during the MassKara Festival, The Philippines. Image source: Adobe Stock.

Perth Airport: Your gateway to the best events around the world

Fill your year with unique experiences as you celebrate diverse traditions alongside locals and create memories in a new city, country or continent! To ensure an enjoyable start to your holiday, relax at our Aspire Lounge in T1 before takeoff, or shop duty free in-store and online. Don’t forget to use our guide for travelling with kids and these nifty airport tips for international travellers for a smooth transition through Perth Airport.