In fall, while nature dresses up in bountiful colors, people all over the world get ready to celebrate these six favorite October festivals.
Last updated: October 14, 2021
Top 6 October Festivals all over the World
Why October? The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear “October” is Oktoberfest, a world-known festival in Germany. I started learning German language and culture when I was a kid. Thus, throughout my middle and high school, Oktoberfest was one of the main topics in my German classes. Year after year, I grew to love this festival.
But Germany is not the only country that has some of the biggest October festivals. Let’s take a look at other celebrations, festivals, and places you must visit in October. Don’t you mind if I start with my favorite Oktoberfest?
PLACES AND FESTIVALS TO SEE IN OCTOBER:
Oktoberfest
Location: Munich, Germany
When it comes to Oktoberfest, everybody seems to be interested only in beer. Is it even a surprise considering that Germany is one of the best beer countries in the world? Yet Oktoberfest celebrates far more than just the alcoholic beverage.
This October festival runs for 16-18 days from mid or late September to the first weekend of October. Usually over 6 million people from all parts of the world travel to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest.
The popular beer festival was first held in 1810 as a horse race to celebrate Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s wedding. It has been celebrated every year ever since. The horse race was discontinued in 1938. Who needs it when the beer flows everywhere like a river?
Halloween
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
The next place to go to in October is Los Angeles, California. Don’t be surprised to see children, dressed as ghosts and zombies, going from house to house and asking for “trick or treat” here. Do you like it or not, this has become an inseparable part of American culture.
Halloween happens on October 31. It’s one of the most popular October holidays among people of all ages. To see the largest Halloween carnival in the world, go to West Hollywood, where more than 500,000 people flock to Santa Monica Boulevard and enjoy the bizarre costumes, live entertainment, and patio parties.
READ MORE: 5 of the Prettiest Pumpkin Patches in Los Angeles
Diwali
Location: Mumbai, India
Diwali or “Festival of Lights”, is one of the most popular October festivals in Hindu culture. It’s observed on the 15th day of the Indian lunar month of Kartika (October/November). The celebration lasts 5 days and involves the lighting of clay lamps filled with oil, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. There are a lot of lights, firework shows, flowers, and sharing of sweets in India at this time.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Every year during early October, the skies above Albuquerque become a beautiful, colorful mess created by more than 500 balloons of every shape and color. Thousands of people from around the world gather in the city for the largest hot air balloon festival in the world.
The celebration includes flying competitions, fireworks, entertainment shows, and great food. All in all, it’s one of the most popular October festivals for people from all walks of life.
Bridge Day
Location: New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, USA
Bridge Day falls on the third Sunday of October. BASE jumpers and spectators from around the world gather on the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia to enjoy the largest extreme-sport event in the world.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Location: Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
The town of Pushkar is home to the Pushkar Camel Fair, one of the largest camel fairs in the world. The festival lasts 5 days and gathers hundreds of herdsmen who buy and sell the camels. In order to attract the buyers, the merchants decorate their camels with colorful bits of clothes and papers.
Over the years, the fair has become an important tourist attraction. It draws hundreds of spectators who come to Pushkar to enjoy such competitions as “the longest mustache” and all sorts of “bridal competitions”.
Oooh, love this round up of different places to go to in October! I really wanted to go to the hot air balloon festival in NM, but totally forgot about it and missed out. Bookmarked for next year though!
I’ve always wanted to go to Oktoberfest. It sounds so so fun! Next year for sure!
Nicely curated events from around the world to look forward to in October! Love how they are so colorful, diverse & interesting (;
Author
Yes, you are right. They all are very interesting and memorable.