Best Festival In November: Celebrations Worth the Visit

November is a month of festivities worldwide. This month offers a mix of cultural, religious, and seasonal celebrations that attract tourists from all over the world. From bonfires and food to music and dance, the festivals in November have something for everyone. Here’s a list of the top festivals that you should consider attending this November.

Diwali – The Festival of Lights 🪔

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals and is celebrated worldwide. The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. During this five-day festival, people light up their homes with diyas (oil lamps) and decorate them with colorful rangolis. Fireworks, delicious food, and exchanging gifts are also a part of the celebration.

Day of the Dead – Celebrating Life 🌺

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It’s a colorful and joyful celebration of life and death, where families and friends come together to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away. The festivities include building altars, decorating graves, and preparing traditional food like pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and sugar skulls.

Pushkar Camel Fair – A Unique Cultural Experience 🐫

Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the largest camel fairs in the world and is held annually in the holy town of Pushkar, India. The fair is a celebration of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan and attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. The highlights of the fair are the camel races, beauty contests, and trading of camels and other livestock. The fair also features cultural programs, folk dances, and mouth-watering local food.

Beaujolais Nouveau Day – Cheers to the New Wine 🍷

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November every year and is a celebration of the new harvest of Beaujolais wine in France. The day starts with a race to deliver the wine to Paris, followed by a big party where the new Beaujolais wine is uncorked and celebrated. The wine is known for its fruity flavor and is best enjoyed with cheese and charcuterie.

Thanksgiving – A Day of Gratitude and Feasting 🍗

Thanksgiving is an American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It’s a day to give thanks for the blessings of the year and to spend time with family and friends. The day is marked by a grand feast, which includes roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. It’s also a popular shopping day, with Black Friday sales starting right after Thanksgiving.

Carnival of Granada – A Colorful Fiesta 🎉

The Carnival of Granada is a colorful carnival held every year in Granada, Spain. The carnival is celebrated in honor of the patron saint of the city, San Cecilio. The festivities include parades, music, dance, and traditional costumes. People also indulge in delicious local food and drinks during the carnival.

Melbourne Cup – The Race That Stops a Nation 🐎

Melbourne Cup is a prestigious horse race held annually in Melbourne, Australia, on the first Tuesday of November. The race is a part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which includes a series of events like fashion shows, live music, and food festivals. The race is known for its high stakes, with millions of dollars at stake, and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world.

Loy Krathong – The Festival of Lights 🎆

Loy Krathong is a Thai festival celebrated on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November). The festival is a celebration of water and light, and people release krathongs (decorative floating baskets) into rivers and canals. The baskets are usually made of banana leaves, flowers, and candles. The festival also includes cultural performances, food stalls, and fireworks.

Bonfire Night – Remember, Remember the 5th of November 🔥

Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is a British holiday celebrated on November 5th. The holiday commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. The celebrations include lighting bonfires, setting off fireworks, and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes. The holiday is usually accompanied by traditional food like toffee apples and hot chocolate.

Chhath Puja – Worshiping the Sun God ☀️

Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and is celebrated for four days in November. The festival includes rituals like taking dips in the holy river, fasting, and offering prayers to the Sun God. The festival is known for its beautiful decorations, traditional food, and cultural programs.

Festival of St. Martin – Tasting the New Wine 🍷

The Festival of St. Martin is a wine festival held in the wine regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in November. The festival is a celebration of the new wine and is marked by wine tastings, food stalls, and cultural programs. The festival is also known for its lantern parades, where children carry colorful lanterns and sing traditional songs.

Matsuri – A Mix of Religion and Culture 🎊

Matsuri is a Japanese festival celebrated throughout the year, but November is the month when many festivals take place. The festivals are a mix of religion and culture and include traditional dances, parades, and food stalls. The most famous Matsuri in November is the Shichi-Go-San Matsuri, where children aged three, five, and seven visit shrines to pray for their health and wellbeing.

Kali Puja – Worshiping the Goddess Kali 💀

Kali Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month Kartik. The festival is dedicated to the goddess Kali, who is known for her fierce form and power. The festival includes rituals like lighting diyas, offering prayers, and sacrificing animals (in some parts of India). The festival is known for its cultural programs, food stalls, and traditional sweets.

Quito Independence Day – A Celebration of History 🎉

Quito Independence Day is celebrated on November 3rd, and it marks the day when Quito, the capital of Ecuador, gained independence from Spain. The festivities include parades, concerts, and cultural programs. The highlight of the celebrations is the procession of the Quito La Carita, a statue of the Madonna and Child, which is carried through the streets of the city. The celebrations also include traditional food and drinks.

FAQ

Q: Which is the best festival to attend in November?

A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as it depends on your interests and preferences. If you’re interested in cultural festivals, then Pushkar Camel Fair or Matsuri in Japan would be a good choice. If you’re looking for a festive atmosphere, then Diwali or Melbourne Cup would be a good option.

Q: What is the significance of Diwali?

A: Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his victory over the demon king Ravana.

Q: What is the history behind Thanksgiving?

A: Thanksgiving is a holiday that commemorates the first harvest festival celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621. It’s a day to give thanks for the blessings of the year and to spend time with family and friends.

Q: What is the Beaujolais Nouveau wine?

A: Beaujolais Nouveau wine is a red wine made from Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France. It’s known for its fruity flavor and is released on the third Thursday of November every year.

Q: What is Loy Krathong?

A: Loy Krathong is a Thai festival celebrated on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month. It’s a celebration of water and light, and people release krathongs (decorative floating baskets) into rivers and canals.

Q: What is Matsuri?

A: Matsuri is a Japanese festival celebrated throughout the year, but November is the month when many festivals take place. The festivals are a mix of religion and culture and include traditional dances, parades, and food stalls.

Q: What is Kali Puja?

A: Kali Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month Kartik. The festival is dedicated to the goddess K