Festivals In February: 10 Vibrant Events You Cannot Miss

Festivals in February are incredibly exciting and enriching to attend. These festivals offer a unique blend of great weather and cultural immersion that you cannot miss. This is a unique opportunity for great entertainment. These festivals provide you a chance to connect with different cultures while visiting with your family and friends. There are different festivals to attend, all offering an authentic experience in terms of traditions, customs, music, and food. Delve into the rich performances, exhibitions, and interactive art during these festivals to make it a great visit full of fun and liveliness.

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Top 10 Festivals In February

It’s time to find out the topmost festivals in February across the world. Check out this guide for complete details.

1. Carnival In Brazil

Carnival in Brazil, among important festivals in February that you can attend with family.

Photo: Alan Betensley / Wikimedia Commons

This is a famous festival known for its explosion of color, music, and dance. The most famous celebrations are held in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. There are Samba parades with competition between Samba schools. You can attend street parties throughout Brazil. DJs play lively music and are largely joined by locals as well as tourists. Elaborated costumes are a part of this carnival with outfits made of feathers and rhinestones. The special group parade is popular for stunning floats and dancers providing unforgettable experiences.

Dates: Starts the Friday before Ash Wednesday
Nearest Airport: Galeão International Airport (GIG)

2. Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is among the important festivals in February that you can attend.

Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Chinese New Year is celebrated as a traditional holiday in China worldwide. It is a blend of cultural traditions and family gatherings meant to bring good fortune and prosperity. The Reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve is a large meal featuring spring rolls, rice cakes, dumplings, and fish. Home-cooked meals are prioritized during such a feast. Hongbao is given to children, these are red envelopes filled with money. Fireworks and firecrackers are a central part of these celebrations. You can also observe lion and dragon dances with the dancers wearing lion costumes and perform acrobatics.

Dates: based on lunar calendar
Nearest Airport: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

3. Venice Carnival

Venice carnival, among notable festivals in February that you can attend with your partner

Photo: Unofeld781 / Wikimedia Commons

This is a popular festival celebrated in Venice with centuries-old traditions that make it a unique experience. It is a historic festival with ties from the 12th century. The masks are the most iconic element of this festival. There are intricate costumes worn by men and women. Festa Delle Marie is the official beginning of the carnival. The flight of the Angel is a famous event which takes place on the opening Sunday. Parades and processions are a part of this festival. The extravagant masquerade balls are also a popular element of the Venice festival.

Dates: usually starts from February 22
Nearest Airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

4. Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, among special festivals in February that you can attend with friends

Photo: Catherine Roche-Wallace / Wikimedia Commons

This is a vibrant Festival held in New Orleans USA. It refers to Fat Tuesday in French. It is celebrated with parties, costumes, music, and delicious food. King cake is a pastry popular during these times. Parades with marching bands and dancers are an attraction. Krewes are the social clubs that organize the festivities. Music, especially jazz music and dancing occupies the central stage. The Mardi Gras balls feature gowns and tuxedos and are invitation only. There is a tradition of throwing small trinkets, coins, and cups into the crowd.

Dates: Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
Nearest Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

5. Harbin International Ice And Snow Sculpture Festival

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is a festival to attend with family.

Photo: Rincewind42 / Wikimedia Commons

This is one of the world’s largest winter festivals in China and is known for ice and snow sculptures. It is full of lighting displays and winter activities. This Winter Wonderland is a great tourist attraction for visitors from all across the globe. Ice palaces and ice castles made up of blocks of ice create a beautiful atmosphere. Ice swimming is enjoyed by the swimmers in the frozen waters. There are ice sculpting competitions representing works of art. Exhibitions and shows are an integral part of the festival.

Dates: January 5 to February every year
Nearest Airport: Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB)

6. Tet Nguyen Dan

Tet Nguyen Dan, among special festivals in February that you can attend with your partner

Photo: Lưu Ly / Wikimedia Commons

This festival is the beginning of the New Year according to the lunar calendar in Vietnam. It is a celebration of family and ancestral worship. It is believed that the first person to enter a home influences the luck of the family for the entire year. A traditional rice cake is made from sticky rice, mung beans, and pork. Pickled onions, boiled chicken, and candied fruits are also attractions. Fireworks and festivities are held at midnight to bring in the New Year. Visiting family and friends is a tradition during this festival.

Dates: late January to early or mid-February
Nearest Airport: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

7. Losar

Losar is among the important festivals in February that you can attend with your loved ones.

Photo: Ailiajameel / Wikimedia Commons

It is a festival celebrated not just in Tibet but also in places where Tibetan communities reside. It is also known as the Tibetan New Year. Cleaning and preparing the Home to invite good fortune and sweep away bad luck is an important component. People wear new clothes that symbolize fresh startings. Tibetan food like Khapse, Tibetan butter tea, and guthuk is an integral part. Family and community gatherings are organized. Monastic rituals are performed through special prayers. Butter lamps are lit and Mantras are chanted during this time.

Dates: typically falls in February or March
Nearest Airport: Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA)

8. Setsubun

Setsubun, among stunning festivals in February, is full of colors and festivities.

Photo: Syced / Wikimedia Commons

This is a traditional festival in Japan that is celebrated at the beginning of the spring as per the lunar calendar. Bean throwing is a key tradition where people throw roasted soybeans to drive away bad luck. Different ceremonies are performed to purify the household. Lucky sushi rolls are an important part of the tradition. It involves eating the entire roll in silence as you face the correct direction. Children usually dress up as demons only with Horns and fierce expressions. Eating sweets and snacks with neighbors and friends is a part of the festival.

Dates: February 3 every year
Nearest Airport: Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT)

9. Vasant Panchami

8Celebrate Vasant Panchami as you worship Goddess Saraswati and relish delicious food.

Photo: BadhonCR / Wikimedia Commons

This festival is celebrated in India to honor Goddess Saraswati. It also marks the arrival of spring. It is celebrated with Saraswati Puja where devotees offer flowers and fruits. Books and musical instruments are placed near the idea of Goddess Saraswati seeking blessings and wisdom. Yellow color is considered auspicious. Foods are flavored with saffron and yellow sweets are prepared. Kite flying is a tradition in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Special Khichdi is prepared with the use of rice, lentils, and yellow spices.

Dates: on the fifth day of Magha month in the Hindu calendar
Nearest Airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD)

10. The Deccan Festival

Visit the Deccan festival in Hyderabad, a festival that you cannot miss this year.

Photo: Rahul Pandit / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

It is a cultural festival in the capital city of Telangana where the history, art, and heritage of the Qutub Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties are honored. It is marked with traditional music, dance, crafts, heritage, and food. Sufi music performances are an integral part of the festival. Traditional dance and folk performances are performed. Hyderabad food like Haleem and Mirchi ka Salan are an attraction. Craft and handicraft exhibitions highlighting Hyderabadi pearls, and Kalamari are organised.

Dates: varies, usually in February or March
Nearest Airport: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)

Festivals in February allow you to drive deep into the local culture and customs of different communities. It helps you to widen your perspective with exposure to different traditions and ways of life. You must explore these festivals as it is a great way to socialize and meet new people. There are learning opportunities that you must not leave on this trip with TripXL for an unbeatable experience.

Cover Photo: HONG SON / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Festivals In February: 10 Vibrant Events You Cannot Miss