* As Featured in 2023 Bucket List Edition: Festivals, Events and Fairs
Festivals
FEBRUARY
MARDI GRAS | New Orleans, LA
Don your wildest, most colorful costume and head down to Bourbon Street for two weeks of nonstop parties, parades, drinks, floats, Fat Tuesday celebrations, local “krewes” and, of course, beads—but only if you earn them.
mardigrasneworleans.com
CARNIVAL | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Put Mardi Gras in Brazil, add some samba music and exotic costumes and you have Carnival: a five-day festival (aka “The Greatest Show on Earth!”) packed with live street music, parades, and parties.
riocarnaval.org
SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL | Miami Beach, FL
Come hungry to this grand foodie tasting featuring bites from 30 South Florida restaurants—plus refreshing cocktails and live music. You might even run into some famous Food Network personalities!
sobewff.org
QUÉBEC WINTER CARNIVAL | Quebec, Canada Cold weather lovers, this one’s for you! Head to Quebec for a range of fun winter activities—from silent discos to parades to canoe races and much more.
carnaval.qc.ca
MARCH
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST | Austin, TX
Otherwise known as SXSW or South By, this art-centered fest celebrates tech, film, music, education, and culture, with over 300 artists from around the world making an appearance.
sxsw.com
NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL | Washington, D.C.
Peep D.C.’s gorgeous pink blooms while enjoying signature events like the BlossomKite Festival, Petalpalooza, and Pink Tie Party. You’ll be seeing pink for days!
nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
SAINT PATRICK’S FESTIVAL | Dublin, Ireland
Experience the Feast of Saint Patrick in its birthplace! Feel the luck of the Irish via Irish music, food, and drinks, art installations, pop-up performances, and more. Sláinte!
stpatricksfestival.ie
SEPTEMBER
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | Toronto, Canada
Movie buffs from across the world gather every year for this star-studded event showcasing leading Canadian and international films.
tiff.net
OKTOBERFEST | Munich, Germany
Das boot! The world’s largest beer festival invites you to put on your lederhosen, order a lager and drink up. In between sips, enjoy hearty German food, live music, and more.
oktoberfest.de
OCTOBER
ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA® | Albuquerque, NM
You’ve never seen balloons quite like this. Watch as the sky is filled with giant inflatable animals, cartoon characters, plants, and everything in between—and don’t miss the aerial drone light show, Twilight Twinkle Glow, and other special festivities.
balloonfiesta.com
DECEMBER–FEBRUARY
HARBIN ICE AND SNOW FESTIVAL | Harbin, China
Ever wonder what Elsa’s ice palace would look like in real life? During this festival, Harbin turns into just that—think ice stairs, ice walls, ice railings, and ice turrets. Let it snow!
chinahighlights.com
FEBRUARY VENICE CARNIVAL | Venice, Italy
Every year, millions of people descend on the Floating City to take part in masquerade balls, parties, parades, historical reenactments, and several other entertaining events. Don’t be shy about your costumes and masks!
venice-carnival-italy.com
Arts & Culture
APRIL
COACHELLA VALLEY AND MUSIC ARTS FESTIVAL | Indio, CA
One of the most sought-after music festivals, Coachella puts together a star-studded lineup that attracts celebrities and festival goers from around the world.
coachella.com
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL | New Orleans, LA
Get jazzy with it during this weeklong music fair celebrating local music and culture—plus local artisans and food. Pro tip: Heritage Square is where it’s at!
nojazzfest.com
MAY
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL | Cannes, France
Get a first look at new films from around the world and of all genres at this prestigious event featuring national and international celebs. … And don’t miss out on the red-carpet entrance!
festival-cannes.com
JUNE
ART BASEL | Basel, Sweden
The international art world comes together during this region-wide art week featuring features over 200 leading galleries and 4,000+ artists from five continents.
artbasel.com/basel
AUGUST
LOLLAPALOOZA | Chicago, IL
Some of the biggest names in music take to nine stages during this four-day festival that’s been attracting music lovers around the world for decades.
lollapalooza.com
DECEMBER
ART BASEL | Miami Beach, FL
Feast your eyes on significant works by both prominent and upcoming artists at one of Miami’s hottest events of the year.
artbasel.com/miami-beach
Fashion
FEBRUARY, JUNE, AND SEPTEMBER
LONDON FASHION WEEK | London, England
Some of the world’s top celebrities and designers gather to see daring, cutting-edge fashion for the upcoming season at this haute event that takes place three times a year.
londonfashionweek.co.uk
PARIS FASHION WEEK | Paris, France
See and be seen at a series of designer presentations held at venues across the City of Light, with spring/summer and autumn/winter events held annually.
parisfashionweek.fhcm.paris
FEBRUARY, SEPTEMBER
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK | New York City, NY
The who’s who of the fashion world travels to the Big Apple twice a year for exclusive designer runway shows, panels, fashion films, and more.
nyfw.com
FEB/MARCH and SEPT/OCT
MILAN FASHION WEEK | Milan, Italy
The Fashion Capital of Italy hosts one of the most important fashion events in the world twice a year to showcase emerging trends at various fashion shows, presentations, and more. The street becomes a runway itself!
fashionweekonline.com/milan
