Festival stories & guides
Guides, listicles and the stories behind the world's best festivals.
The World's Best Food Festivals for Serious Eaters
The best food festivals for serious eaters, from Oktoberfest and Galway oysters to Alba white truffles, with current dates, how entry works and a tip for each.
The 20 Best Music Festivals in the World
The best music festivals in the world, from Glastonbury and Fuji Rock to Roskilde and Rock in Rio: where, when, what each is known for and how tickets work.
10 Bucket List Festivals to See Before You Die
The ten bucket list festivals worth crossing the world for, from Rio Carnival to Kumbh Mela, with dates for the next edition and how far ahead to book each one.
Day of the Dead Oaxaca: A Traveller's Guide to Día de los Muertos
Day of the Dead Oaxaca runs 31 October to 2 November: comparsas, cemetery vigils at Xoxocotlán and Atzompa, sand tapestries, and how to book, travel and behave.
What to Pack for a Festival: The Complete Festival Packing List
A festival packing list covering camping gear, day bags, power banks, sunscreen and what to leave at home, with official limits from Glastonbury and Oktoberfest.
Where to Travel Each Month: A Year of Festivals by Month
Festivals by month for the whole year: two or three festivals worth travelling for each month, with 2027 dates, the rules that set them and booking lead times.
The Best Festivals in Japan (and When to Go)
The best festivals in Japan by season, from Sapporo's snow sculptures to Gion Matsuri, Nebuta, Awa Odori and Fuji Rock, with dates, crowds, tickets and trains.
A First-Timer's Oktoberfest Guide: Tents, Tickets and Tips
Our Oktoberfest guide for first-timers covers the 2026 and 2027 dates, how the big tents differ, free entry, table reservations, beer prices and the bag rule.