The best way to get to know a culture is by experiencing first-hand the traditions and celebrations they hold most dear. If you’re looking to make 2025 your most immersive and unforgettable year yet, you must check out some of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences around the world! These celebrations offer a window into the heart and soul of their cultures. Here are the most unique travel experiences you can enjoy during every month of 2025. Pack your bags and get ready to join the party!
January: Kickstart Your Year with a Bang (or a Splash!)
Nieuwjaarsduik (Netherlands): Shock yourself into the new year with a cold plunge. An annual tradition in the Netherlands, many locals go for an icy dunk on the first day of the year. This is most common in the cities of Zandvoort and Scheveningen, but you can choose to partake from anywhere! This event brings the community together through shared experience while promoting the health benefits of cold plunging. Plus, some even come dressed in quirky costumes!
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (China): This is one of the largest ice sculpture festivals in the world. Contestants put an unmatched level of detail into sculptures, ice hotels, and snow castles. In addition, some people even compete in ice swimming competitions! Brrrrr! The festival runs from late December through early February, with an opening ceremony typically held on January 5th. Pro Tip: Don’t forget to bring your warmest clothes! Temperatures can drop to around -20°C (-4°F)!
Up Helly AA (Scotland): Experience this Viking-themed fire festival in the Shetland Islands celebrating Shetland’s Norse heritage. Approximately 1,000 people come dressed as Vikings. This event stems back all the way to the 1800s. Each year, it is celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, which this year falls on January 28th. Don’t miss the ceremonial burning of a Viking longship and the torchlight processions. Pro Tip: Nearby accommodations fill up quickly, so be sure to book early if you plan to attend.
International Hair Freezing Contest (Canada): If you’ve ever gone outside in the freezing cold without properly drying your hair, you know it can quickly freeze into some not-so-pretty styles. This event capitalizes on that, rewarding those who can come up with the funkiest hair-don’ts! Participants have been dunking their heads in the Takhini Hot Springs in this unique tradition since 2009. Participate in this and you can snag the world’s greatest vacation photo!
La Tamborrada (Spain): On January 20th during La Tamborrada, participants march through the streets of San Sebastian dressed in military uniforms, playing the drums and wielding paper mache knives and forks. Needless to say, I wouldn’t want to be caught in the middle of that!
Surva (Bulgaria): Held in Pernik, Bulgaria, Surva is a masquerade festival from January 24-26th with an emphasis on warding off evil spirits in the hope of bringing good fortune as the seasons change.
February: Carnival Fever
Venice Carnival (Italy): This world-renowned festival is all about glamour; complete with masquerade balls, intricate costumes, and parades along the scenic canals. Venetians didn’t always wear the masks decoratively, and instead wore them so that they could participate in events without social constraints or judgment. This year the carnival runs from February 14th through March 4th.
Nice Carnival (France): Is there a more picturesque backdrop to celebrate art than the French Riviera? This carnival is recognizable by its vibrant floats, giant effigies, and flower battles. Notably, this festival dates all the way back to the 13th century and is still going strong, with dates from February 15th through March 2nd this year.
Fete du Citron (France): If seeing sculptures made entirely from your favorite citrus fruits is on your bucket list, you can check them out here from February 15th through March 2nd! These sculptures and exhibitions are in celebration of the local citrus harvest.
Rio Carnival (Brazil): From February 28th through March 8th you can experience the world’s largest carnival where the streets come alive with music and dancing. During this time, the samba schools compete at the Sambadrome. The carnival is a true showcase of Brazil’s vibrancy. Pro Tip: For the best views, get your tickets for the Sambadrome in advance.
March: Spring Awakenings
Lazarim Carnival (Portugal): In the small village of Lazarim, participants wear traditional wooden masks, passed down through generations, during the parade. There is a mix of Christian and pagan traditions, and it is a happy celebration leading into the more solemn time around Lent. You can experience the carnival this year from March 1st through March 4th.
Holi (India): People celebrate Holi on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, which this year falls on March 14th. It is a joyous and messy occasion where people throw colored powders at each other in celebration of spring. It comes from the story of Prahlad and Holika, which has a deep religious significance. Pro Tip: Before Holi be sure to put a layer of coconut oil on your skin and hair so that the color is easier to wash off later.
Frozen Dead Guy Day (USA): This is one of the wackier unique travel experiences on our list! This day is all about celebrating a cryogenically frozen Norwegian man named Bredo Morstoel. During the festival, you’ll experience coffin races, a “Dead Guy” look-alike contest, and a frozen turkey bowling match! Check it out from March 14th through March 16th.
Nyepi (Indonesia): This day marks the start of the Balinese New Year, and it’s a day of complete silence in Bali, which is important to know to be respectful if you plan to visit during this time. You can’t fly, drive, or engage in any activities, as it’s a day to reflect and meditate. However, the day leading up to Nyepi involves a street parade and the burning of demonic effigies known as Ogoh-Ogoh as a symbolic ritual of the warding away of evil spirits. Nyepi runs for 24 hours from 6 am on March 29th to 6 am on March 30th.
April: Forecasting the Future
Semana Santa (Peru): Peruvians celebrate the week prior to Easter, known as Holy Week, with traditional rituals and processions, including reenactments of the Passion of Christ. You can experience it this year from April 13th through April 19th.
Sechselauten (Switzerland): This spring festival in Zurich celebrates the beginning of spring by burning the boogg (snowman effigy). The Boogg is filled with fireworks, and similarly to Groundhog Day, the amount of time that it takes for the fireworks to go off predicts the weather for the upcoming summer. The event takes place annually on the third Monday of April, so this year it falls on April 28th.
May: High-Speed Celebrations
Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling Festival (England): Annually on the last day in May (this year on May 26th), people gather to watch a competition involving rolling a 9-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a 600-foot hill. The winner gets to keep the cheese. We hope the eating of it is a communal sport! There is a risk of injury, so participate with caution!
Kinetic Grand Championship (USA): Human-powered vehicles race on land, sea, and sand in Humboldt County, California. Known as the Triathalon of the Art World, the vehicles are not only operational but also beautifully designed. It’s the perfect mix of art and adrenaline from May 24th through May 26th.
June: Midsummer Magic
Midsummer Festival (Sweden): On June 21st, the summer solstice celebration in Sweden commences and involves dancing, feasts, and flower crowns. Here you can taste herring, potatoes, and schnapps in the Swedish countryside. The real deal is not at all like the Midsommar movie, so fret not!
July: Unusual Competitions
Wife-Carrying World Championship (Finland): This takes the cake for best unique travel experiences for couples. The wife-carrying contest involves men carrying their wives over obstacles and through water in Sonkajarvi, Finland. This year you can participate in or be a spectator for the contest from July 4th through July 5th. Most exciting, the winner takes home his wife’s weight in beer. This is one of the most difficult unique travel experiences for men, and simultaneously one of the most enjoyable unique travel experiences for their partners! You can check out Kara + Nate’s video on this contest here.
Running of the Bulls (Spain): From July 7th through July 14th, you can visit Pamplona and experience this adrenaline-filled tradition as part of the San Fermin festival. Participants run through the streets with bulls each morning starting at 8 am. But if you’re not participating it’s best to watch from a safe vantage point.
Tangomarkkinat (Finland): This event from July 9th through July 13th is a celebration of tango music and dancing where a Tango King and Tango Queen will be crowned. Here you’ll find a unique style of dance that contains both Argentine tango with Finnish folk influences.
Comic-Con International (USA): Calling all pop culture and TV & film fans to San Diego from July 24th through 27th. This event involves panels, screenings, and workshops on video games, comic books, movies, and more. There is often a plethora of celebrity appearances and chances for fans to meet them. If you attend, consider going in cosplay a.k.a. dressing as your favorite character.
Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Japan): This festival is also known as the Belly Button Festival. You can expect to see lots of painted stomachs in this quirky celebration of the belly button as the center of the universe. Check it out on July 28th and July 29th.
Underwater Music Festival (USA): Of all the best travel experiences on the list, this is the one we most want to experience. For over 25 years, divers and snorkelers have gathered at Looe Key Reef in Florida to listen to music from underwater speakers. You can be one of those listeners from July 11th through July 12th.
August: Festivals That Get Down and Dirty
La Tomatina (Spain): Few festivals get messier than this one which involves tomato throwing on the last Wednesday of August. Born in 1945, this has grown into a massive event that people travel from all around the world to experience. The one-hour tomato fight uses more than 220,000 pounds of overripe tomatoes. If you do plan to attend this year on August 27th, make sure to secure a ticket in advance!
Burning Man (USA): This week-long gathering from August 24th through September 1st is all about self-expression, art, and community. A temporary city is built by the participants in the Black Rock Desert where they will live communally. The week culminates in the burning of a wooden effigy.
Boryeong Mud Festival (South Korea): August is proving to be the month of messy festivals! This one celebrates Boryeong’s mineral-rich mud’s health benefits. Participants engage in mud baths, massages, and even mud wrestling at Daecheon Beach. Experience it yourself from July 25th through August 10th.
Duke’s OceanFest (Hawaii): For all our laidback beach lovers, you’ll love this Oahu beachfront celebration of ocean sports and Hawaiian culture. The festivities honor Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic gold medalist and legendary surfer. You might recognize the name from the series of Duke’s restaurants around the U.S. During OceanFest you can compete in surfing competitions, paddleboard races, swimming events, and beach volleyball. For the less athletically inclined, there’s also lei-making and hula performances. 2025 dates have yet to be announced, but you can expect this one to be around mid to late August.
World Toe Wrestling Championship (England): Competitors from all around the globe come to Derbyshire to put their feet to the test in the hopes of being crowned the toe wrestling champion.
Air Guitar World Championships (Finland): For nearly 30 years, air guitarists have flocked to Oulu, Finland to compete in the Air Guitar World Championships. The winner gets a custom guitar that they may or may not know how to actually play. The contest is also a big promoter of world peace! How rad! Check it out this year from August 20th through August 22nd.
September: Fill Your Belly
Oktoberfest (Germany): Grab your dirndls and lederhosen and head to Munich, Germany to drink your weight in beer and experience Bavarian traditions from September 20th through October 5th this year. This is definitely a favorite among the unique travel experiences for adults!
California Avocado Festival (USA): Big fan of guacamole? Then you should check out the largest vat of guacamole at the Avocado Festival in seaside town, Carpinteria, California, from September 26th through September 28th.
October: New Experiences
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (USA): Don’t miss the “Mass Ascension” of hot air balloons taking off all at once during the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. This year the festivities in New Mexico run from October 4th through 12th. They include live entertainment, a variety of food vendors, and of course hot air balloon rides. The view of hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky against the backdrop of the Sandia Mountains gives Cappadocia a run for its money!
Naha Tug of War Festival (Japan): A parade with karate, drums, and firecrackers leads a crowd to the site of a massive tug-of-war game in Okinawa with thousands of participants. When the game is over, everyone celebrates and receives pieces of the rope as a souvenir. This festival will take place in mid-October.
November: Thankful and Festive
Dia de los Muertos (Mexico): The Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico from November 1st through November 2nd, honoring ancestors via ofrendas (altars), parades, and colorful decorations. The first day is Dia de los Inocentes, which honors children. The second day is Dia de los Difuntos, which honors the adults. Despite the somber background, these are days of joy spent celebrating the lives of one’s ancestors. Pro Tip: We highly recommend the parade in Mexico City if you plan to visit during this time.
Pushkar Camel Fair (India): A truly cultural experience, this is one of the largest camel fairs involving camel races, beauty contests, and trading. During this time, pilgrims bathe in Pushkar Lake, a sacred space, to cleanse themselves of their sins. This year the event is scheduled to take place from October 30th through November 5th.
Lopburi Monkey Festival (Thailand): On the last Sunday of November (this year, November 30th), the people of Thailand thank the monkeys of Lopburi for attracting tourism by treating them to a massive feast.
December: A Magical Finish
Christmas Markets (Europe): While not a specific festival or celebration, these markets throughout Europe help to ring in the Christmas spirit with local foods, mulled wine, and handmade goods. These markets began in Germany and Austria during the Late Middle Ages. Some of the best markets in the world include the Vienna Christmas Market in Austria and the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. Pro Tip: Most Christmas markets in Germany close on December 24th. So be sure to plan your trip accordingly!
Noche de Rabanos (Mexico): This strange celebration involves talented folks carving intricate designs into radishes. It takes place on December 23rd in Oaxaca City each year. The designs are often religious in nature, paying homage to the 16th-century influences behind the tradition. The contestants display their radishes in the town square during the competition.
Surfing Santas (USA): The warm weather in Cocoa Beach, Florida doesn’t give off the wintery Christmas vibe. Until you see people dressed as Santa riding the waves, that is! What began as a small event in 2009 has grown to include hundreds of participants each year on Christmas Eve. The money raised during the event supports local causes – a fabulous way to spread the holiday cheer!
Hogmanay (Scotland): If you’re looking for a unique place to spend New Year’s Eve this year, look no further than Hogmanay. Here you will find one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world right over Edinburgh Castle. Participants can carry torches through the city and sing along to Auld Lang Syne,
Whether you’re looking to attend a carnival, a cheese rolling festival, or a wife-carrying contest in 2025, you now know the best places and time of year to do so! We hope you were surprised and inspired by these unique travel experiences in the world. And maybe just a little bit curious as to why some of these exist! Add one of these to a future itinerary for a once in a lifetime trip. Which unique places and celebrations are on your travel experiences bucket list? Let us know in the comments!
Looking for wacky and unusual accommodations to go along with these unique travel experiences? Then check out our post on the most unique hotel stays.
