"The Atmosphere Was Unlike Anything Else I've Experienced": People Are Sharing Unique Events Around The World Worth Traveling For

Traveling is all about experiencing different cultures and traditions. So what is more fun than visiting a new country only to experience something totally unique? Need some ideas for your bucket list? Redditor u/Devastater90 asked, "What are global events that happen once a year worth visiting?" Here's what people said.

1."Naadam, the annual summer festival in Mongolia. Think horse racing, archery, and wrestling in pink vests and briefs."

A large group of people in colorful clothing stand in front of a snow castle as colorful fireworks explode in the sky above
Vcg / VCG via Getty Images

2."The Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was fun. I didn't even go on a balloon; I just watched them from the ground and had a good time. If you spend more time here, I recommend going up to Santa Fe, and if you like white water rafting further up north in Taos, it is amazing (plus a beautiful area to explore)."

Hot air balloons of various shapes and designs are taking off at a festival, with a large crowd of spectators below enjoying the event
Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

3."Kite Festival in India or Pakistan. My extended family is from Gujarat, India, and visiting during this festival was some of the most fun I've ever had. Everyone is out on their rooftops all day flying kites. They 'fight' the kites by trying to cut one another's kite strings."

People standing on a beach watching various animal-shaped kites, including a fish and an octopus, flying in the sky during a kite festival
R. Satish Babu / AFP via Getty Images

4."I just came back from Carnival in Rio, and it was such an amazing experience. If you think it will be anything like Mardi Gras, you are very fortunately wrong. It was an event that was full of national pride. It takes a full year's worth of effort to put on a great party. Everyone dresses up and drinks all day, but it's not like people are passed out, destroying things, or being overly rowdy. That being said, the drinks flow nonstop from sunrise to sunrise."

A vibrant, colorful float adorned with intricate decorations and peacock feathers partakes in a nighttime parade at the Rio Carnival, surrounded by dancing performers
Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

5."Nieuwjaarsduik in The Netherlands. It's a Dutch tradition of swimming/plunging into a cold body of water on the first sunrise of the year."

A group of people embracing each other while standing in a calm body of water with the sun setting in the background
Westend61 / Getty Images/Westend61

6."The Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand."

People release glowing sky lanterns into the night at a crowded outdoor festival
Lauren Decicca / Getty Images

7."Oktoberfest in Munich was a blast and definitely my favorite festival I've traveled to so far. The atmosphere there was unlike anything else I have ever been to. However, to do it right (IMO) you need to get a table in one of the tents."

A large crowd gathers in a festively decorated hall with arched, illuminated ceilings, appearing to be celebrating at a large indoor event or festival
Michelangelo Gratton / Getty Images

8."La Tomatina. It's an hour-long, large-scale tomato-throwing battle in the streets of Buñol, Spain."

People are engaging in a tomato fight, covered in smashed tomatoes, as part of the La Tomatina festival in Spain
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso / Getty Images

9."Holi in India! What's better than throwing colored water and powdered dyes on your friends? Best holiday ever!"

A vibrant scene of numerous hands reaching upward, covered in colored powders such as yellow, pink, blue, green, and red, likely at a Holi festival
Devesh Tripathi / Getty Images/500px Prime

10."If you're into performing arts, Edinburgh's Fringe Festival runs the month of August and it's absolutely amazing!"

A busy street scene in a historic town with colorful storefronts, hanging flags, and people walking along the cobblestone path
Guven Ozdemir / Getty Images

11."The Pierogi Festival in Krakow, Poland. When I booked a trip to Poland I didn’t realize it was going on. It was such a good time and the food was great. Krakow in general is awesome."

A bustling town square filled with people enjoying an outdoor market, with buildings in the background under a clear sky
Nurphoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

12."The Winter Carnival in Québec City is beautiful. They also have a peewee hockey world championship at the same time that draws in around 15,000 fans for games played by 12-year-olds, which is a lot of fun to watch."

Crowded, festive pedestrian street decorated for winter holidays with hanging garlands and a large snowflake. People are shopping, chatting, and enjoying the day
Nicolasmccomber / Getty Images/iStockphoto

13."Attending a Cabalgata de Reyes Magos in Spain is a ton of fun. I went in Seville this year, and it feels like the entire city came out to party."

—u/iMcNastyiMcNasty
Cristina Quicler / AFP via Getty Images

14."New Year's Eve in Sydney. Being out on the harbor watching the fireworks was spectacular."

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge with vibrant fireworks display during a nighttime celebration. Boats are in the water below the fireworks
E4c / Getty Images

15."Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in either Oaxaca or Mexico City. If I had my pick, I'd go with Oaxaca."

A vibrant Day of the Dead altar decorated with marigolds, candles, and various offerings
Rob Tilley / Getty Images

16."Carnival of Venice is a lot of fun, especially watching lots of people walking around in outrageously expensive costumes."

Decorative Venetian masks on display, featuring elaborate designs and intricate details. The background shows a Venetian canal with traditional buildings
Bravo1954 / Getty Images

17."My husband and I timed our Bali trip with Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence. The idea is to keep the island silent and dark as evil spirits pass over. There's no sound, no lights, no internet (!), no travel, and flights are at a standstill. People don't go out, even for food. No one is allowed on the streets except the Pecalang (the traditional police in Bali). The days before and after Nyepi are filled with different ceremonies and festivities. It was truly amazing to experience this part of Balinese culture, and I can't wait to visit Nyepi again sometime in the future!"

Baskets filled with flowers and offerings are arranged on a beach for a ceremonial event, with a group of people gathered in the background
Smith Photographers / Getty Images/Tetra images RF

18."Glastonbury in Somerset, England. IMO, it's the mother of all music festivals. I've now been to a few festivals around the world (including Coachella last month), and Glastonbury is still head and shoulders above the rest."

Large crowd at an outdoor music festival at night, with colorful flags and bright fireworks lighting up the sky above the stage
Jim Dyson / Redferns

19."I happened to be in Nepal during one of their Hindu festivals called Tihar, and really enjoyed it. Lots of lights, music, colorful mandalas, and flowers all over the streets of Kathmandu. I saw fireworks go off at night and passed several small parades in the streets."

Outdoor festival at night under a canopy of colorful string lights and bunting, with a decorated pavilion in the center surrounded by people
Chandan Gupta Bhagat / Getty Images/iStockphoto

20."Semana Grande in San Sebastian is epic. A week of parties, DJs, and fireworks every night. San Sebastian itself and the surrounding towns are amazing. The pintxos alone are worth traveling for."

Aerial view of a vibrant, populated beach beside a busy promenade and a scenic coastal city with lush hills in the background
Unaihuiziphotography / Getty Images

21."The monarch butterfly migration in Michoacán, Mexico. If I could recommend one trip to anyone, it would be this. It was absolutely the most spectacular place I’ve visited."

A cluster of monarch butterflies sit closely together on tree branches, displaying their intricately patterned wings
Karen Tweedy-holmes / Getty Images

22."As a wine lover, I was ecstatic when I realized I would be in Slovenia during The Old Vine Festival. It celebrates the world's oldest, still-producing grapevine. It may be a bit esoteric, but it's a lot of fun regardless."

Aerial view of a scenic landscape with rolling hills, lush greenery, and a light mist partially covering the area. The sun is rising or setting, casting a soft glow
Simonskafar / Getty Images

Have you traveled somewhere for a specific cultural event, festival, or tradition? Or do you have one on your bucket list? Tell us in the comments or drop it into this anonymous form.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.