Japan to Peru: The best festivals to experience in 2025

Nearly 75 years in the running, Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in Sapporo, the capital city of Japan's northern Hokkaido region. This popular winter event takes place in early February each year and is split into three sites. Odori Park displays snow sculptures of all sizes, Susukino district holds an ice sculpture contest, and the Tsudome Site offers even more family-friendly fun with a tube slide and snow rafting. There's something for everyone here - just make sure you wrap up warm!

Sapporo Snow Festival 2025 dates: 4-11 February

Naadam Festival focuses on three traditional games: horseracing, wrestling and archery. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this national festival, with children among the sportspeople. Connected to the nomadic Mongol civilization, Naadam takes place every July. Celebrations also include Bie biyelgee dances, Mrin khuur fiddle performances and oral traditions including Kjöömei overtone singing and long song. Embrace a community of togetherness at this UNESCO-listed festival.

Naadam Festival 2025 dates: 11-15 July

One of the largest events in the Bhutanese calendar, due to it taking place in the capital, Thimphu Festival draws locals and tourists alike. Before the festival itself, there are days and nights of rituals and prayers to invoke the gods. These are then followed by street dances in which performers wear masks and enact stories and myths. It's a mesmerising spectacle and the atmosphere is electric.

Thimphu Festival 2025 dates: 2-4 October

This week-long festival follows the last week of lent, with reenactments of pivotal scenes from the Bible held at various points in the city throughout the week. The most spectacular, and often most moving (which are on Good Friday) is when the procession follows the bright and intricately-patterned flower and sawdust carpets through the streets of Antigua for all to observe and pay homage.

Semana Santa 2025 dates: 13-19 April

The Pushkar Camel Fair brings together large numbers of people to marvel at the highly decorated camels and wander among the food and handicraft stalls to the sounds of instruments played by local musicians. It's a fantastic experience simply to soak up the ambience and chat to the locals who are more than willing to share their time and stories with visitors.

Pushkar Camel Fair 2025 dates: 30 October-5 November

Celebrated in accordance with the Ashanti calendar, the Akwasidae Festival is one of Ghana's most eye-opening festivals. The celebrations take place at the Royal Palace in Kumasi, where the Ashanti King - who is adorned in vivid cloth and ornate historic jewellery - sit underneath a colourful umbrella and surrounded by Ashanti elders and advisors. 

Sword and knife bearers, carriers of beautiful ostrich feathers and other symbols of power attend the Akwasidae Festival, and there's a cacophany of sound and visuals as drummers and trumpeters, storytellers and dancers complete the experience. Expereince this unforgettable festival on our Best of Ghana tour.

Akwasidae Festival 2025 dates: Throughout the year, held every six weeks