From international sporting extravaganzas to delightful local foodie feasts, our world festival and event calendar is your guide to the best happenings around the globe.
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SEPTEMBER
9 - 11 September: Brisbane Festival
Every year the riverside city of Brisbane springs to life with a program of theatre, music, circus and other thrilling performances. Millions flock to enjoy this vibrant festival, which is topped off by a fireworks extravaganza - the much-anticipated River Fire.
11 - 17 September: Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bardstown, USA
If you’re into bourbon, cigars, cowboy boots and all things delightfully Southern, then this is the event for you. Enjoy a week full of festivities that celebrate the rich culture and history of bourbon in Bardstown and the surrounding Kentucky communities.
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16 - 4 September: Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Moved from its original date in October to take advantage of September’s balmy weather, Oktoberfest is the biggest beer festival in the world. Every year over six million people gather to quaff beer, eat traditional foods and join lively festivities.
21 - 24 September: London Fashion Week, UK
The London Fashion Week is an industry event that sweeps the public up in the glamorous wave of excitement that floods the city twice a year. Runway shows are enhanced by their settings in fabulous historical buildings all over town.
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22 - 24 September: Galway International Seafood Festival
From the World Oyster Opening Championship to the Mardi Gras Masquerade, this festival is an exuberant celebration of Irish food. Foodie lectures, tasting events, family activities and gala dinners are all part of the action-packed schedule.
30 September - 02 October: Thimphu Tsechu, Bhutan
Rich with cultural significance, Thimphu Tsechu is an annual Buddhist celebration. The Bhutanese dress in their finest clothes and jewels to watch the monks perform ritual dances, a sight which promises luck and prosperity and is rumoured to grant wishes.
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OCTOBER
1 October: Malaysia Grand Prix, Kuala Lumpur
A round of the Formula One World Championship, the Malaysian Grand Prix is held yearly at the Sepang International Circuit. Guests can revel in the lively trackside atmosphere and join many spinoff events when their eyes aren’t glued to the race.
4 -22 October: Melbourne Festival, VIC
This leading international arts festival has a reputation for presenting groundbreaking performances of theatre, dance, circus and music. A fantastic program of spectacular, thought-provoking shows find a perfect home in the cultural hub of Melbourne.
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7 - 15 October: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA
Every year a stunning display of hot-air balloons adorns the sky of Albuquerque. The largest such event on earth, the Fiesta launches hundreds of colourful hot-air balloons into the crisp fall air. A program of live performances completes the carnival atmosphere.
20 October - 5 November: Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival is the Pacific’s leading epicurean event. Hundreds of renowned chefs, celebrities and wine experts gather to show off their wares to the taste buds of an appreciative public in a range of tropically perfect locations.
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22 October: Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) Kyoto, Japan
Dressed in costumes from every period of Japanese history, locals parade from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine in a celebration of Kyoto’s cultural heritage. The parade includes performers dressed as notable figures from the erstwhile capital’s history.
24 October - 1 November: World Series Baseball, USA
Jump into the spirit of World Series Baseball - a best-of-seven playoff between the National League champions and American League champions. If you’re lucky enough to catch a live game get set for a rowdy crowd and a rousing atmosphere.
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NOVEMBER
1 - 2 November: Day of the Dead, Oaxaca, Mexico
This Mexican celebration commemorates deceased family members and loved ones, and is especially colourful in the town of Oaxaca. The locals create ornate altars, spend days cooking traditional foods and take part in impromptu, costumed parades.
1 - 5 November: La Diablada, Puno, Peru
La Diablada, or Dance of the Demon, is a captivating festival of parades, performances and street markets with roots that snake back thousands of years. Fabulously costumed dancers perform ancient routines that represent the constant struggle of good against evil.
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9 - 13 November: Pirate Festival, Grand Cayman
Kicked off by an invasion of pirates who swarm in from old-time sailing vessels, this swashbuckling event is a must for anyone who loves a themed party. Enjoy parades, costume contests, live music and street dancing in authentic pirate style.
16 - 19 November: Margaret River Gourmet Escape, WA
WA’s premier food and wine festival offers an appetising line-up of events and appearances from celebrities such as Australia’s own Curtis Stone. This year, it will also host exclusive wine events to mark 50 years of Margaret River wine production.
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November 2017 - May 2018: Nabana no Sato, Japan
During the warmer months, Nabana no Sato is a flower-filled wonderland, but the colder months bring the glory of the winter light festival. This incredible illumination show incorporates millions of LED lights in fairytale displays that boggle the mind.
23 November: Ashes First Test, Brisbane, QLD
The cricket teams of Australia and England battle it out for a legendary trophy in this five test series. The the first ball of the first test is always bowled with an accompaniment of rowdy cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.
