2017 Must See World Events

Here are some of our picks for the best events 2017 has to offer...

Welcome in the Year of the Rooster with Chinese New Year - China

Happy Lunar New Year! Welcome to the year of the fire rooster, when all of your dreams could come true. Chinese New Year falls on the 28 January 2017, following the Lunar cycle. Celebrations revolve around reunion, harmony and ensuring good luck for the coming year. Get involved with the ringing of bells, the lighting of firecrackers, visiting friends and family, and watching traditional lion dances.

Party in the street during Mardi Gras - New Orleans

Mardi Gras is about the music, parades, picnics, floats and excitement. It's one big holiday in New Orleans! Adorn yourself in purple, green and gold, and be decorated with beads caught from the floats during the parades. See the crazy costumes, eat incredible food and party into the night. Mardi Gras is held from 1-9 February 2017.

Watch the lanterns float away at the Pingxi Lantern Festival - Taiwan

As the lanterns float into the night sky, they carry with them the prayers and hopes for purification of souls for the new year. This is the essence of the Pingxi Lantern Festival, held on 11 February 2017, a visual sensation that turns the night sky into an expanse of unimaginable beauty.

Enjoy the mystery and intrigue of the masks of Carnevale- Venice, Italy

From Venetian masks to masquerade balls, no where else does it quite like Venice! Carnevale di Venezia, or Carnival, is held from 11-28 February 2017, where the streets of Venice become lined with festivities and celebrations. Candle-lit parades of boats, concerts, street performances and opulent masquerade balls is just some of what Venice has in store during Carnival.

Attend the Samba Parades and Carnival Balls throughout Rio Carnival - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

One of the biggest parties on Earth, Rio Carnival attracts more than one million festival-goers every year. Held from 24 February - 4 March 2017, Rio de Janeiro transforms into a city of colour, costumes and music. Dance in the street to the sounds of the Samba, watch the magnificent floats in the festival parades, and soak up the atmosphere that is the Rio Carnival.

Get colourful and carefree at Holi Festival - India

Holi Festival, or the "Festival of Colours" commemorates the victory of good over evil, and gets its name from Lord Krishna, who liked to play pranks on the village girls by drenching them in water and colours. Spend the day throwing coloured powder all over each other, having parties, and dancing under sprinklers. Held on 13 March 2017, Holi Festival is a time to be carefree, so get involved!

Laugh into the night with Melbourne's International Comedy Festival - Melbourne, Australia

Showcasing some of the best comedic talent in the world, Melbourne's International Comedy Festival is committed to bringing the art of comedy to as many people as possible. From 29 March - 23 April 2017, Melbourne transforms into a huge comedic hub of live entertainment, theatre, cabaret, street performances, stand-up comedy and so much more.

Witness the madness of The Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling - Gloucestershire, England

Thrill-seekers unite! One of the more unique and quirky events that Gloucestershire has to offer is Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling, where crowds of people chase downhill in pursuit of a wheel of cheese. On 29 May 2017, thousands of spectators flock to Cooper's Hill to watch this strange event, but be warned, travellers participate at their own risk!

Behold the phenomenon of the White Nights Festival - St. Petersburg, Russia

The White Nights, a phenomenon caused by Russia's northerly geographical location, means that from 26 May - 23 June 2017, St. Petersburg experiences a "midnight sun". As the sky doesn't grow dark during this time, it has become a symbol of the city and a time for festivals, entertainment and cultural events.

Experience one of the biggest music festivals in the world, Glastonbury Festival - Pilton, United Kingdom

Contemporary music, comedy, theatre, cabaret and headliner rock artists - Glastonbury has it all. This five-day festival runs from 21-25 June 2017, inspired by the ethos of the hippie, counterculture, and free festival movements. Tickets sell out well in advance, as this is one of the most sought-after music festivals in the world, so be sure to get yours!

Grahamstown National Arts Festival - Grahamstown, South Africa

Whether you're looking for dance, comedy or theatre, you'll find it in Grahamstown from 29 June - 9 July 2017. The National Arts Festival is the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent. Offering an opportunity for all to participate and exhibit across the arts spectrum, the Festival's significance as a forum for new ideas and an gauge of future trends in the arts cannot be underestimated.

Indulge in the finest food exhibits in the Specialty & Fine Food Asia 2017 - Suntec City, Singapore

Fine food connoisseurs are now bringing their specialty and artisan foods to Singapore! The vibrancy and excitement of these entrepreneurs will be showcased from 18-20 July 2017 in this Fine Food Fair, connecting the latest gourmet food and beverages to the people of Singapore.

Get messy at the World's Biggest Food Fight, La Tomatina! - Buñol, Spain

For one day only, thousands of people make their way into Buñol, a town close to Valencia, in order to throw thousands of over-ripe tomatoes at each other. Sounds like fun, right? The World's Biggest Food Fight is held on 30 August 2017, and as it is in such high demand, only 20,000 people can be lucky enough to participate, so get your tickets early to enjoy the fun!

Burning Man Festival - Black Rock Desert, Nevada

In this home of creativity, all are welcome. This is the essence of the Burning Man Festival, held from 27 August - 4 September 2024 in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. A temporary metropolis is created, dedicated to self-expression, art, community, and self-reliance. This isn't your usual festival, this is Burning Man.

Drink, dance and be merry at Oktoberfest - Munich, Germany

Munich cordially invites you to join the festivities of it's largest beer festival, Oktoberfest! Drink beer by the litre, eat traditional Bavarian pretzels, listen to live brass bands, and sing and dance the hours away in a beer tent. This is a festival not to be missed, catch it from 16 September - 3 October 2017.

Pay your respects during Dia de los Muertos - Mexico

The Day of the Dead, a holiday that celebrates the spirits of those who have passed on. Houses are decorated with candles, flowers, fruits, and traditional breads. As the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, from 1-2 November 2017, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life.

End the year celebrating Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) in Edinburgh, Scotland

Hogmanay - the Scot's word for New Year's Eve, involves gift-giving, visiting friends and neighbours, storytelling, singing, dancing and drinking. Link arms with one another as the clock strikes midnight while singing "Auld Lang Syne", and watch the fireworks over Edinburgh Castle. Beginning on 31 December 2017, the festivities last well into January of the New Year.