2026 Summer Calendar

Situated on the rugged coast of South Africa’s Western Cape and highly regarded for its Cape Rock oysters, it’s only fitting that the waterfront town of Knysna hosts an annual festival revolving around the delicacy. Complete with oyster shucking contests, cooking competitions, wine pairings, and more, it’s a bucket list item for any epicurean. 

Celebrate music, dance, and art at this esteemed Croatian summer festival dating back to 1950. Set throughout Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, guests can attend performances ranging from theater enactments to jazz sessions while simultaneously admiring the city’s enchanting medieval architecture and serene Adriatic ambience.

For those who don’t mind getting a little dirty, make your way to South Korea for the Boryeong Mud Festival, where attendees from all over the world gather at Daecheon Beach to do just that: get muddy. The festival was initially created as an effort to boost tourism by promoting the skin benefits of the mud found at the beach. Today, it’s become a full-blown party with obstacle courses, mud slides, and K-Pop concerts.

Believe it or not, you don’t have to go all the way to the Caribbean to celebrate their vibrant culture. North America’s biggest Caribbean carnival takes place right in Toronto, Canada, featuring plenty of lively dancing, elaborate costumes, mouthwatering cuisine, and — the pinnacle of the event — the Grand Parade, which marches down Lakeshore Boulevard.

Every August, intricately designed floats, skilled musicians, and traditional dancers take over the streets of Aomori, Japan, for a week of cultural festivities. A series of nightly parades, Nebuta Matsuri is a celebration of summer as well as a cleansing ritual to prepare for the transition of seasons, inviting guests to witness the region’s vibrant customs and captivating folklore firsthand. 

An annual tradition since 1957, Feria de las Flores is a colorful commemoration of heritage and history. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” the festival honors Medellín, Colombia’s thriving flower industry with shows, elaborate floral displays, and parades where local farmers proudly show off enormous arrangements known as silletas. 

This massive performing arts festival is a gathering of like-minded souls from around the world. Boasting hundreds of performances varying from opera to cabaret to comedy on stages scattered throughout the city, the three-week celebration is guaranteed to entertain. Edinburgh, a city steeped in rich history, literature, and art, sets the perfect scene for the event.

One of Valencia’s most notable events, La Tomatina is an unusual, but thrilling, annual tradition of throwing tomatoes at each other throughout the city streets. Don’t worry — the tomatoes are overripe and crushed before you throw them and you can wear goggles to protect your eyes. While the origin of the ritual is unclear, the popularity it’s gained today is obvious; join over 20,000 others in carrying on the unique custom this August. 

One of the more innovative art gatherings, the World of WearableArt Show demonstrates the creative mastery and expert craftmanship of some of the world’s most imaginative artists and designers. Blurring the lines between haute couture and performing arts, this runway show of wearable art pieces is a fierce display of avant-garde design, dance, and music. The event is a true trailblazer of the fashion industry and well worth the trip. 

Savor delicious Nordic fare and stunning coastal scenery as you journey across the Åland archipelago for the region’s annual harvest festival. Hop from farm to farm and experience the island’s agricultural prowess with opportunities to taste local specialties like smoked fish, homemade jams, pickled vegetables, traditional Åland pancakes, and more. Free buses are available to facilitate easy transportation between farms as well as pop-up restaurants, artisanal markets, and other epicurean events. 

Munich’s biggest event of the year, Oktoberfest attracts millions of participants to indulge in crisp beer, hearty Bavarian cuisine, live music, and spirited camaraderie. The festival’s communal seating and interactive atmosphere guarantees you will make plenty of friends along the way as you dance on benches and passionately chant, “Hoi hoi hoi!” before every drink. Despite the festival’s name, the revelry begins mid-September, so grab your lederhosen or dirndls and book your flights. 

Occurring when the moon is at its brightest, the Mid-Autumn Festival is observed throughout China and eastern Asia, a heartfelt celebration of kinship and gratitude. Brimming with fascinating cultural lore, the holiday is typically celebrated with glowing decorative lanterns and mooncakes, pastries stuffed with various pastes and fillings. The full moon, a symbol of family unity, is honored throughout the night.