Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
November is a month of vibrant celebrations across the world, offering a mix of cultural traditions, music, and unique experiences. Festivals in November offer the electrifying beats of Iceland Airwaves to the majestic boat races of Cambodia’s Water Festival, this month is a delight for travelers and festival lovers alike. Be it the colorful parades in Mombasa, playful monkeys in Lopburi, or the heartwarming Shichi-Go-San traditions in Japan, each festival tells a story of heritage and joy. If you’re looking for unforgettable experiences, these November festivals are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the world’s diverse cultures.
10 Famous Festivals In November Around The World
Explore 10 famous festivals in November around the world, showcasing vibrant traditions, music, and celebrations that welcome the new year with joy and excitement.
1. Día De Los Muertos
Photo: Poloide93 / Wikimedia Commons
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions, celebrated from October 31 to November 2. Unlike typical mourning customs, this festival is a joyful and colorful tribute to deceased loved ones. Families create ofrendas (altars) decorated with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, incense, and the favorite foods and drinks of the departed. It is believed that, for these days, spirits return to visit their families and partake in the offerings. The event is marked by lively parades, traditional music, and Catrina face paintings, where people dress in elegant skeleton costumes.
Location: Mexico, especially in cities like Oaxaca and Mexico City
Highlights: Elaborate altars (ofrendas), cemetery vigils, Catrina face painting, and festive parades
2. Bonfire Night, Guy Fawkes Night
Photo: Anonymous / Pxhere / Image For Representation Only
On November 5th, the UK celebrates Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, in remembrance of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This event recalls when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in an effort to overthrow King James I. The tradition of lighting bonfires and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes dates back centuries. Today, the event is marked with fireworks displays, processions, and funfairs, drawing families and communities together. Many enjoy traditional treats like toffee apples, roasted chestnuts, and hot drinks, adding warmth to the crisp autumn air.
Location: United Kingdom, with major events in Lewes, East Sussex, and London.
Highlights: Spectacular fireworks, processions, bonfires, and traditional treats like toffee apples
3. Diwali, Festival Of Lights
Photo: Anonymous / Pxhere / Image For Representation Only
Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism, celebrated over five days between late October and early November, depending on the lunar calendar. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, commemorating Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana in Hindu mythology. People light diyas (oil lamps), decorate their homes with rangoli (colorful patterns made of powdered dyes), burst fireworks, and gather for family feasts. Gifts and sweets are exchanged, and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
Location: India and countries with significant Hindu populations; major celebrations in cities like Delhi and Mumbai
Highlights: Illuminated homes and streets, vibrant fireworks, traditional dances, and festive foods
4. Loy Krathong And Yi Peng, Lantern Festivals
Photo: Takeaway / Wikimedia Commons
Thailand celebrates two mesmerizing festivals in November: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng. During Loy Krathong, people release beautifully decorated krathongs (floating baskets made of banana leaves) into rivers, thanking the water goddess and symbolizing new beginnings. Meanwhile, Yi Peng, mainly observed in Chiang Mai, sees thousands of illuminated paper lanterns floating into the night sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle. These festivals are deeply spiritual, promoting the release of negativity and making wishes for the future. Visitors can also witness traditional dances, live music, and street markets offering local delicacies and handcrafted souvenirs.
Location: Thailand, with prominent celebrations in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai.
Highlights: Sky filled with lanterns, floating krathongs on rivers, traditional dance performances, and local markets
5. Pushkar Camel Fair
Photo: sheetal saini / Wikimedia Commons
The Pushkar Camel Fair, held every November in Pushkar, Rajasthan, is one of the world’s largest livestock fairs and a major cultural spectacle in India. Originally a marketplace for camel and cattle trading, the fair has evolved into a grand festival that attracts both traders and tourists. Thousands of camels and other livestock are bought and sold, while folk performances, camel races, and traditional competitions create a lively atmosphere. One of the most famous contests is the “longest mustache” competition, which highlights Rajasthan’s unique cultural heritage.
Location: Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Highlights: Camel trading, cultural performances, traditional crafts, and local cuisine
6. Iceland Airwaves
Photo: Anonymous / Pxhere / Image For Representation Only
Iceland Airwaves is an electrifying multi-genre music festival held annually in Reykjavík, Iceland, usually in early November. Known for its intimate yet vibrant atmosphere, the festival showcases a mix of Icelandic and international artists, spanning various genres from indie rock and electronic to folk and experimental music. Performances take place across diverse venues, including concert halls, bars, small clubs, and even unconventional locations like art galleries. The festival is famous for discovering emerging talent, often featuring artists before they achieve global recognition.
Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
Highlights: Live performances by emerging artists, diverse music genres, and the vibrant Reykjavík nightlife
7. Cambodia Water Festival, Bon Om Touk
Photo: Codas / Wikimedia Commons
The Cambodia Water Festival, or Bon Om Touk, is a grand three-day celebration marking the natural reversal of the Tonle Sap River’s flow, a rare hydrological phenomenon. Held in November, this festival symbolizes gratitude for the bountiful water and harvest season. The most anticipated event is the longboat races, where beautifully decorated boats compete along the rivers of Phnom Penh, drawing massive crowds. The streets come alive with illuminated boat parades, fireworks, live music, and cultural performances.
Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia (also celebrated in Siem Reap and Battambang).
Highlights: Traditional boat races, vibrant parades, fireworks, cultural performances, and festive street markets
8. Mombasa Carnival
Photo: Jdvillalobos / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Mombasa Carnival, Kenya’s largest cultural festival, is a vibrant showcase of the country’s ethnic diversity and rich heritage. Held annually in November, the streets of Mombasa transform into a spectacle of colorful parades, traditional music, and energetic dance performances. Different Kenyan communities proudly display their distinctive costumes, musical styles, and cultural expressions, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere. A major highlight is the dhow race along the Indian Ocean, celebrating Mombasa’s deep-rooted maritime culture. Visitors can savor Swahili cuisine, with food stalls offering delicacies like grilled seafood, pilau, and mandazi.
Location: Mombasa, Kenya
Highlights: Colorful street parades, traditional music and dance performances, dhow races, and local cuisine
9. Lopburi Monkey Banquet
Photo: Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Lopburi Monkey Banquet is one of Thailand’s most quirky and fascinating festivals, held every last Sunday of November in Lopburi, a town famous for its resident monkey population. This unique celebration is a gesture of gratitude to the macaques, who are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the region. Locals prepare an extravagant buffet of fruits, vegetables, and Thai sweets, which is laid out near Prang Sam Yot, an ancient Khmer temple. As hundreds of monkeys feast on the banquet, visitors are treated to an entertaining and chaotic spectacle.
Location: Lopburi, Thailand
Highlights: Feeding and observing monkeys, traditional dance performances, and exploring historical sites
10. Shichi-Go-San
Photo: Bergmann / Wikimedia Commons
Shichi-Go-San, meaning “Seven-Five-Three,” is a traditional Japanese festival that celebrates the growth and well-being of children aged three, five, and seven. Observed annually on November 15, this rite of passage dates back to the Heian period (794–1185) and is a significant moment in Japanese family life. Parents dress their children in elegant kimonos or hakama, and together, they visit Shinto shrines to pray for their child’s health, happiness, and longevity. One of the most cherished traditions of the festival is the giving of chitose-ame, or “thousand-year candy”, symbolizing a long and prosperous life.
Location: Japan, nationwide.
Highlights: Children in traditional kimonos, shrine visits, and cultural photography opportunities.
Festivals in November offer more than just entertainment, they provide a deep connection to history, culture, and local traditions. Dancing in the streets of Kenya, watching dazzling fireworks in Cambodia, or enjoying live music in Iceland, each event is a window into a different way of life. These celebrations bring people together, blending tradition with modern festivity. As you plan your travels, consider embracing these unique experiences, where every performance, ritual, and feast tells a story. Let the spirit of November’s festivals inspire your next adventure with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Anonymous / Pxhere / Image For Representation Only
