Japan To Peru: Festivals To Experience In 2026
Festivals are one of the most rewarding ways to experience a destination. They bring communities together, celebrate history and tradition, and offer travellers an authentic window into local life. If your travel plans for 2026 are already taking shape, these remarkable festivals deserve a place on your radar.
From snow sculptures in Japan to ancient rituals in South America, here are some of the world’s most memorable cultural celebrations to experience in 2026 – and why they’re worth planning a journey around.
Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
4–11 February 2026
Held in the northern city of Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival has been delighting visitors for more than 75 years. Each February, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, with enormous snow and ice sculptures displayed across three main sites.
Odori Park showcases intricate snow creations, the Susukino district hosts dazzling ice sculptures, and the Tsudome site offers family-friendly fun, including snow rafting and tube slides. It’s a celebration of winter at its finest – just be sure to pack warm layers.
11 days Small Group Festival tour available from AUD$8,590 person.
Semana Santa, Guatemala
29 March – 5 April 2026
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is one of Guatemala’s most moving and visually striking festivals. Held in Antigua during the week leading up to Easter, it features religious processions reenacting scenes from the Bible.
The highlight comes on Good Friday, when processions pass over intricate carpets made from coloured sawdust and flowers. These temporary artworks transform the streets into a living canvas of devotion and craftsmanship.
15 days Land of the Maya - Guatemala Small Group over Festival dates available from AUD$4,930 person.
Songkran, Thailand
13–15 April 2026
Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year and is known worldwide for its exuberant water fights. What began as a ritual of cleansing and renewal has evolved into a nationwide celebration filled with parades, laughter and good cheer.
Being soaked is all part of the experience, symbolising fresh beginnings and good fortune for the year ahead – and making Songkran one of the most entertaining festivals to experience firsthand.
10 days Best of Northern Thailand Small Group over Festival dates available from AUD$2,780 person.
Inti Raymi, Peru
24 June 2026
Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, is one of Peru’s most significant cultural events. Held in Cusco on the winter solstice, it recreates an ancient Incan ceremony honouring the Sun God.
Hundreds of performers dressed in elaborate costumes follow a ceremonial route from Qorikancha through Cusco’s main square, ending at the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress. With origins dating back to the 15th century, Inti Raymi is a moving blend of history, pageantry and tradition.
14 day Classic Peru Small Group over Festival dates available from AUD$5,000 person.
Naadam Festival, Mongolia
11–15 July 2026
Naadam is Mongolia’s most important national festival, rooted deeply in the country’s nomadic heritage. Celebrated each July, it centres around three traditional sports: wrestling, horse racing and archery – all of which are open to participants of all ages.
Beyond the competitions, Naadam features traditional music, dance and storytelling, including throat singing and long song performances. Recognised by UNESCO, it’s a powerful expression of Mongolian identity and community spirit.
15 days Mongolia Explorer Small Group over Festival dates available from AUD$6,950 person.
Medellín Flower Festival, Colombia
Medellín Flower Festival, Colombia
1–10 August 2026
La Feria de las Flores celebrates Colombia’s flower-growing heritage and the farmers who sustain it. Held each year in Medellín, the festival culminates in a parade where silleteros carry elaborate floral displays on their backs.
Bright colours, music and community pride define this joyful event, which has grown from a local showcase into one of Colombia’s most anticipated annual celebrations.
14 days Small Group tour available from AUD$8,020 person.
Akwasidae Festival, Ghana
Held every six weeks throughout the year
Akwasidae is one of the most important festivals in the Ashanti calendar and takes place at the Royal Palace in Kumasi. The Ashanti King appears adorned in traditional cloth and historic jewellery, surrounded by elders and ceremonial attendants.
With drumming, dancing, storytelling and striking displays of regalia, Akwasidae offers a powerful insight into Ghana’s royal traditions and cultural heritage.
Thimphu Festival, Bhutan
Thimphu Festival, Bhutan
21–23 September 2026
One of Bhutan’s largest and most important festivals, Thimphu Festival takes place in the country’s capital and attracts locals from across the region. In the days leading up to the festival, monks perform rituals and prayers to invoke blessings from the gods.
The main celebrations feature masked dances that depict myths and moral stories, performed in a lively and deeply spiritual atmosphere. It’s a mesmerising introduction to Bhutanese culture and beliefs.
12 days Small Group tour available from AUD$10,570 person.
Day of the Dead, Mexico
1–2 November 2026
El Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration of life and remembrance, with roots stretching back nearly 3,000 years. Across Mexico, families honour loved ones who have passed with colourful altars, food offerings, music and parades.
Skull face paint, elaborate costumes and vibrant decorations fill the streets, creating an unforgettable visual spectacle that reflects Mexico’s unique relationship with life, death and tradition.
15 days Contrasts of Mexico Small Group over Festival dates available from AUD$7,300 person.
Pushkar Camel Fair, India
17–24 November 2026
Part livestock fair, part cultural celebration, the Pushkar Camel Fair is one of India’s most unusual festivals. Set against the desert backdrop of Rajasthan, it brings together traders, pilgrims and visitors from across the region.
Highly decorated camels, bustling markets, music, food stalls and local storytelling create a lively atmosphere that’s as much about people and tradition as it is about the animals.
14 days Upgraded - India: Forts + Palaces of Rajasthan Small Group over Festival dates available from AUD$4,870 person.
Pushkar Camel Fair, India
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland, India
1–10 December 2026
Often described as the ‘Festival of Festivals’, the Hornbill Festival brings together the many tribes of Nagaland in northeast India. Held annually in Kisama village near Kohima, it’s a colourful showcase of traditional music, dance, crafts, ceremonies and cuisine.
The festival plays an important role in preserving and celebrating Naga culture, and visitors are welcomed into a vibrant atmosphere filled with parades, performances and local flavours – including the famously fiery naga chilli.
17 days Highlights of Assam and Nagaland Small Group over Festival dates available from AUD$6,830 person.
Voodoo Festival, Benin
10 January 2026
Benin’s Voodoo Festival marks the start of the country’s festival season and is one of West Africa’s most fascinating cultural events. Thousands gather in Ouidah to honour the spirits through ceremonies, music and processions.
Chiefs, priests and worshippers from around the world attend, culminating in a powerful ceremony led by the Dagbo Houno, the chief Voodoo priest. It’s a rare opportunity to witness a living spiritual tradition in its place of origin.
14 days Small Group Festival tour available from AUD$7,510 person 2026 SOLD OUT Register for 2027.
Voodoo Festival, Benin
Experience Festivals the Wanderlust Way
Travelling for a festival offers a deeper connection to a destination – one that goes beyond sightseeing. Timing your journey to coincide with these celebrations allows you to experience culture, tradition and community at their most vibrant.
If you’re inspired to plan a festival-focused journey in 2026, your Wanderlust Travel Expert can help you design an itinerary that brings these extraordinary events to life, while ensuring a seamless and rewarding travel experience from start to finish.
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