Destinations That Come Alive During a Festival

Published in the Sunday Gujarat Samachar on 06 April 2025

There’s something magical about being in the right place at just the right time—and when that time coincides with a local festival, travel takes on a whole new energy. Over the years, I’ve realised that some destinations are beautiful on their own, but during a festival? They come alive. Streets burst into colour, music spills into the air, strangers become friends, and you get to witness a culture at its most expressive, joyful, and real.

Today, I want to take you on a journey through some of the most unforgettable places I have come across—destinations that don’t just host festivals, they become them.

Varanasi – Dev Deepawali

There’s something otherworldly about Varanasi at any time of year, but during Dev Deepawali, the city feels like it’s touched by the divine. Celebrated fifteen days after Diwali, this lesser-known festival marks the day when the gods themselves are believed to descend to the Ganges. And the locals honour them in the most spectacular way—by lighting over a million diyas along the ghats. As dusk falls and the river glows in flickering gold, the entire stretch from Assi Ghat to Rajghat becomes a luminous riverfront of devotion, music, and light.

Priests perform a grand Ganga Aarti, fireworks burst over the water, and boats gently glide through the reflections of flame. It’s a spiritual celebration, yes—but it’s also deeply artistic and emotional. For travellers, Dev Deepawali offers a rare chance to see Varanasi not just as a sacred city, but as a living, breathing festival of light and life.

Seville, Spain – Feria de Abril

If there’s one festival that captures the fiery heart of the Andalusia region of Spain, it’s Feria de Abril in Seville. Held two weeks after Easter, this week-long celebration is a vibrant, high-energy ode to Spanish culture. During the day, the fairgrounds are filled with horse-drawn carriages, traditionally dressed locals in flamenco attire, and the sound of live guitars echo from every corner.

By night, the casetas (tented pavilions) come alive with music, dance, food, and laughter. You don’t just attend Feria—you dive into it. The dancing goes on till dawn, and the atmosphere is electric. Seville during Feria is pure joy, with a side of sequins, tradition, and timeless Spanish soul.

Kyoto, Japan – Gion Matsuri

Kyoto is always a blend of history and grace, but during Gion Matsuri, the city turns into a full-scale celebration of tradition and refinement. Held throughout July, this is one of Japan’s oldest and most iconic festivals—dating back over a thousand years. The highlight is the Yamaboko Junko, a grand parade of towering wooden floats intricately decorated with tapestries and lanterns. As they glide through Kyoto’s streets, you will feel like you are watching a moving museum of Japanese craftsmanship.

But Gion Matsuri isn’t just about the floats—it’s about atmosphere. Locals in yukatas stroll the lantern-lit lanes, food stalls offer everything, and shrines buzz with activity. Evenings are especially magical when the city slows down and traditions take centre stage. To be in Kyoto during Gion Matsuri is to experience Japan at its most elegant and timeless—where the past feels beautifully present.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Carnival

Carnival in Rio isn’t just a festival—it’s a full-body experience. This iconic celebration transforms the city into one massive explosion of colour, rhythm, and joy. At the heart of it all are the Samba parades at the Sambadrome, where samba schools compete with elaborate floats, dazzling costumes, and infectious music. The energy is electric, the creativity is jaw-dropping, and the crowd? Completely mesmerised.

But Carnival isn’t confined to the Sambadrome. The whole city joins in. Street parties (blocos) take over neighbourhoods, with live bands, spontaneous dancing, and people dressed in everything from superhero capes to sequined fantasy. If there’s one festival that proves how deeply joy and culture can intertwine, it’s Carnival in Rio.

Pushkar, India – Pushkar Camel Fair

For one week every year, the quiet desert town of Pushkar transforms into one of the most fascinating spectacles in India. The Pushkar Camel Fair, held around the full moon of Kartik month (usually in October or November), is a mix of cultural vibrancy, religious devotion, and old-school desert charm. Thousands of camels, horses, and livestock are traded in a dusty, colourful carnival setting—many of them dressed up in beads, tassels, and even painted patterns.

But there’s more than just camels. Folk performances, turban-tying contests, hot air balloon rides, and spiritual rituals on the ghats of Pushkar Lake come together to create a multi-sensory experience. Pilgrims gather for the holy dip, while travellers wander through pop-up bazaars, snack on Rajasthani delicacies, and soak in the kind of energy that only happens when tradition meets celebration in the heart of the desert.

Chiang Mai, Thailand – Yi Peng Lantern Festival

There are few sights in the world as enchanting as thousands of glowing lanterns rising into the night sky—and Chiang Mai during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival delivers that moment in the most poetic way. Celebrated in November, this northern Thai festival is a deeply spiritual event where locals release khom loi (paper lanterns) into the sky as a symbolic act of letting go of the past and making wishes for the future.

The entire city lights up—literally. The Ping River is dotted with floating flower baskets, temples glow with candles and lanterns, and cultural performances fill the air with music and joy. The main lantern release events, held just outside the city, are breathtaking. As you stand among a crowd holding your own lantern, waiting for the collective countdown, there’s a shared sense of awe and peace that stays with you long after the lights fade into the sky.

Munich, Germany – Oktoberfest

There’s no party quite like Oktoberfest, and every year, Munich transforms into the happiest place on Earth for beer lovers and culture seekers alike. Running from mid-September to the first weekend in October, this legendary Bavarian festival isn’t just about beer (though the massive tents and endless steins are certainly a highlight). It’s about tradition, community, and celebration on a grand scale. Whether you go for the beer, the music, or just the vibe, Oktoberfest is about coming together—strangers from around the world, laughing under the same big tent.

From glowing lanterns in Chiang Mai to dancing in the streets of Seville, these festivals show how travel isn’t just about places—it’s about moments. So why not time your next trip to when a destination is truly alive? Chalo Bag Bharo Nikal Pado...