The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and pumpkins are everywhere. It’s officially fall, so it’s time to kick back and enjoy the season in style with a trip to one of these fall festivals worldwide.
La Vendemmia
La Vendemmia is the annual fall festival of Tuscany, Italy. It takes place at the end of September or the beginning of October and celebrates the grape harvest. The word “la vendemmia” means “harvesting” in Italian. It’s a time when locals get together to pick grapes from their vineyards. The purpose of this festival is to celebrate the fruit’s ripening—but it also serves as a major source of income for local farmers who sell their crops to wineries.
Tuscan wineries serve as hubs during La Vendemmia because they offer tastings and tours to welcome visitors into their businesses throughout this period. If you’re planning on attending La Vendemmia, take advantage of these opportunities! You’ll learn more about Tuscan wine while enjoying some delicious samples at one (or many) wineries across Tuscany.
As well as being an excellent way for tourists who want an insider’s look into Tuscan culture and history through food and drink—and also want an excuse not only to drink but also eat tons too!—La Vendemmia offers plenty more reasons why anyone should visit during this time: There are lots of activities going on outside too: live music performances; guided tours through vineyards; hands-on workshops where visitors can try making different types themselves such as grappa or olive oil. We started with this one since La Vendemmia is our favorite on this list of best fall festivals worldwide!
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held in Munich, Germany. It is the world’s largest fair and the world’s largest beer festival.
The event is held in late September or early October of each year. It runs for 16 days, ending on the first Sunday in October.
Over 6 million people visit Oktoberfest annually to participate in its festivities. They include folk dancing, dirndl dresses with Bavarian lederhosen (pants), yodeling competitions, parades with marching bands, and oxcarts carrying large wooden barrels filled with beer.
Dia de Los Muertos
Dia de Los Muertos is a festival celebrated in Mexico and other countries. It is a celebration of the dead, considered the most important holiday in Mexico. The two days closest to November 1st and 2nd are marked as holidays across Mexico, but it’s also celebrated in other countries worldwide. Dia de Los Muertos can be translated to “Day of the Dead” or “Day of the Souls.”
Día de Todos los Santos
As the name suggests, Día de Todos Los Santos (All Saints’ Day) is a celebration of the dead. In many countries, it falls on November 1. In others, it’s celebrated one day later, on November 2. On this day, families light candles and place them around photos of loved ones who have passed away. But unlike Halloween, they aren’t meant to scare people away from your house. Instead, they’re meant to honor those no longer with us and bring them into our homes for lovely family bonding time!
Many people see this holiday as similar to Halloween in its celebration of ghosts and goblins. But it’s important not to confuse the two. While both holidays involve dressing up like scary creatures or wearing costumes that represent your favorite fictional characters from TV shows or movies (like Batman), All Saints’ Day is largely focused on honoring those who have passed away while celebrating their lives.
Autumn Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival)
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of family and friends. It’s also a time to show gratitude for good harvests. Many people decorate their homes with paper lanterns and light them up at night.
Everyone in China celebrates the festival, but it’s especially popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar (usually late September or early October).
Bring family & friends together for dinner outdoors under the full moon and enjoy mooncakes (traditional cakes made with lotus seed paste), fruit & flowers! You can also make your lanterns out of rice paper or craft foam if you have access to a hot glue gun (you can hang these from trees). If you’re looking for something more adventurous than just sitting around eating mooncakes while watching TV all day–why not get out into nature? Head down to your local park or beach where other families might be celebrating as well!
Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night is held on November 5, commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. It has been celebrated in various forms since the 17th century, with the current focus being largely on fireworks and bonfires.
The date is also significant for Americans who celebrate our nation’s independence from Britain. In 1776, American patriots fought off the British Army at a fort in New York City known as Fort George. It was later renamed after Britain’s King George III. The same king who attempted to destroy Parliament with his “Gunpowder Plot.”
Happy Guy Fawkes Day!
Dussehra and Durga Puja
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami or Dashain, is celebrated by Hindus all over India. It marks the victory of good over evil. It is an ancient Hindu festival that falls on the 10th day of Navratri, a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. The celebrations begin with Mahalaya Amavasya (the darkest night of the year) when Lord Rama’s return from exile and defeat of Ravana is remembered with prayers, hymns, and rituals. On Vijayadashami day, effigies representing Ravana are burnt on bonfires across India. At the same time, people dance around them with their hands raised high above their heads in celebration. A sign that evil has been defeated! Flame-filled effigies symbolize the removal of all obstacles in life. It gives hope for a brighter future and signifies an end to difficulties faced during this period by means of fire being put out through immersion in water (water = relief).
Conclusion
The fall season is a time for festivals and celebrations worldwide. These events bring people together as they share their traditions, culture, and love of music with others. They also offer an opportunity for visitors to get to know a new place by exploring its sights while they’re there! From New York City to Wellington, here are some of our favorite fall festivals that you should check out this year if possible!