Check out music festivals in tropical locations like Dominica, an epicenter for everything to do with Creole-inspired music and its unique genres. More interested in learning about the environment while immersing yourself in it? Join the Sea & Learn foundation on the small island of Saba for its annual, month-long visit. San Francisco also offers a completely free festival at beautiful Golden Gate Park.

If all that seems too tame for you, there’s also the thrilling Phuket Vegetarian Festival where devotees perform self-mutilating piercings (typically in the cheek or lip) during what is also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.

Whatever your fancy, read on for the best places to travel in October.

Felabration — Lagos, Nigeria

Travel to Lagos, Nigeria, for a music festival dedicated to the life and work of one man: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Felabration hosts a variety of artists from hip-hop, R&B, jazz and the Kuti-derived Afrobeat genre. It lasts the week of his birthday and takes place at New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos State.

In addition to celebrating his musical work, Felabration also celebrates Kuti’s work as a human-rights activist. He fought aggressively against an oppressive Nigerian government in the 1970s, and, to honor that sentiment today, Felabration hosts competitive debates around topics like poverty and corruption. The Felebration Symposium also invites professors and local politicians to speak.

Felebration ’22 runs from Sep. 28 to Oct. 4.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival — San Francisco

Nowadays, music festivals usually cost a pretty penny or some volunteer hours to gain entry. With the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival in San Francisco, that isn’t the case; in fact, the festival is completely free.

Plan a trip to Golden Gate Park for what originated as a “Strictly Bluegrass” festival in 2001. By 2004, however, Founder Warren Hellman, co-founder of multi-billion-dollar equity firms, added “Hardly” to the name, as artists from other genres began performing at the festival, too.

Hellman’s vision was to avoid corporate sponsors, so he always funded the festival. Despite his death two months after the 2011 iteration, the festival will remain free until 2026, thanks to the endowment Hellman left.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass attendees are encouraged to be environmentally friendly and bike or use public transportation to the festival. No hard alcohol is allowed, but you’re still allowed to bring your own beer and wine.

The festival goes from Sep. 30 to Oct. 2.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival — Thailand

If you have an appetite for southeastern-Asian, vegetarian food, you should consider heading to amazing Phuket for the vegetarian festival. Be warned, though: This isn’t a festival dedicated to meat-free eating. It is, perhaps, one of the most intense celebrations in the world and is not for the squeamish or faint of heart.

The festival’s other name is the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Unmarried men and women known as “masong” invite the spirits of the gods to enter their bodies under trance and proceed with extreme, self-mutilating body piercings (usually around the mouth area) and burning-coal walks. The masong are not allowed to eat meat, drink alcohol or have sex to maintain pure thoughts and a clean body.

Those strict requirements, in turn, help fill the streets with food stalls selling vegan delicacies (dairy isn’t allowed either), like boiled noodles, steamed-rice dishes and fresh spring rolls. The environment is hectic, as fireworks and firecrackers are constantly firing off, especially on the last night. So, be sure to wear long sleeves, close-toed shoes and earplugs.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival/Nine Emperor Gods Festival takes place from Sept. 25 to Oct. 4.

Suwannee Hulaween — Live Oak, Florida

Combine your love for Halloween with a variety of music, friendly vibes and the natural world, and you get Suwannee Hulaween. It’s a music festival in Live Oak, Florida, started by the band the String Cheese Incident and set in a naturally enclosed, wooded environment with a lake.

There are four stages, but, if you need a break from the music, there’s also other activities. Attendees can join yoga classes, learn to balance on a slackline, partake in music meditations or go on guided nature walks. Live Oak is also less than two hours by car from beautiful Cedar Key, so there’s always an opportunity for an extended vacation.

Some names on their lineup for 2022 include Portugal. The Man, Gorgon City, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, among many others.

Suwannee Hulaween goes from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30.

Sea & Learn — Saba

October is a big month for the tiny Caribbean island of Saba. Just a 12-minute flight from St. Maarten, Saba is home to less than 2,000 people and a vast, mostly untouched ecosystem. It’s known as the “Unspoiled Queen,” and, each October, the Sea & Learn non-profit foundation hosts a month-long event dedicated to eco-education and enhancing “your environmental awareness.”

A host of experts are invited to Saba, and, every other night, each expert presents a topic. Those experts also visit Saba schools with the Saba Conservation and Child Focus program to teach the local youth about their home. Tourists and local adults alike are invited to join in the myriad dynamic, educational events, as all, with the exception of the school program, are free to the public.

World Creole Music Festival — Dominica

Join the local population on Dominica in build-up celebrations to their November independence day all throughout October.

Interested in a variety of Caribbean music genres? Check out the three-night World Creole Music Festival (WCMF). These genres derive from a combination of influences from Creole-speaking countries. You’ll hear sounds from the Cadence-Iypso, Kompa, Zouk, Soukous, Bouyon and Zydeco genres. Food, drink and snack vendors are within the festival grounds, too.

Dominica’s WCMF takes place Oct. 28 to Oct. 30. And don’t forget about the many other concerts and celebrations taking place throughout the month. All said, it’s certainly a great way to discover Dominica.

Diwali — Fiji

At the end of October, Hindus celebrate their festival of lights, Diwali. With much of the population having Indian heritage, Fiji celebrates this holiday, too, but with a touch of South Pacific culture. The holiday is so ingrained in Fijian culture that even non-Hindus of the 300-island nation join in the festivities.

It’s literally a blast all over the country, as fireworks are shot off and houses and businesses are festively lit. Hindu families perform “puja” ritual prayers to the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, Lakshmi. To echo that sentiment, people go on mini shopping sprees.

Diwali in Fiji takes place this year on Tuesday, Oct. 25. There are plenty of amazing resorts to choose from as well.

Goblins and Giggles — Orlando, FL

Looking to stay close to home? Head to Orlando for one of the best Halloween celebrations in Central Florida at a resort that really knows how to maximize holiday experiences. Goblins and Giggles actually kicks off on September 9, so guests have plenty of time to plan ahead and squeeze in as much spooktacular fun as the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center offers.

Families can book the weekend package, which includes room and tickets to the Ghoul School show, or the premium Saturday package, which includes the same, as well as passes to the Monster Mash Bash. And every young guest will also receive the booklet for the Halloween Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt, which promises special prizes.

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From a world-renowned cookout with celebrity chefs at a luxurious hotel to the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts, there’s no shortage of variety of events in the first month of the year. Take a trip to Japan, and watch as a mountain gets set aflame. Looking for a more lowkey, relaxed adventure to the Caribbean? Visit Jamaica and its Rebel Salute 2020 music festival that celebrates everything reggae. Or maybe take a trip to Key West for a week of food and wine.

Read on for the best places to visit in January.

Bermuda

Bermuda might not be the warmest island to visit in January, but, with temps staying in the 60s, it sure beats a polar vortex. Another reason to visit now: the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts.

Join other world-traveling tourists for this melting pot of all things performing arts. Last year’s festival saw the likes of Louis Pearl, the Amazing Bubble Man, the Manhattan Transfer, the Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company and Bermudian singer Heather Nova. The festival actually begins in January and runs through mid-March. The 2020 iteration will be the festival’s 45th.

The festival starts on Jan. 17, 2020, and runs until March 14, 2020.

Grand Cayman

Calling all foodies: Join Chef Eric Ripert on Seven Mile Beach, as he hosts the annual Cayman Cookout. In its 12th iteration, the festival features cooking demonstrations, tastings, food pairings and mixology sessions from celebrity chefs. The main event is hosted by the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, but several other resorts fronting Seven Mile Beach offer special pricing as well.

Renowned chefs like Anthony Bourdain and Jose Andres have joined Ripert at this legendary food event.

Dates for the 2020 Cayman Cookout have not yet been announced.

Key West, Florida

Stuffing your face with holiday delicacies and festive drinks isn’t over yet. For one week at the end of January, indulge in a shrimp boil and partake in the 26th-annual Master Chefs Classic (only 450 people can attend) where restaurants compete in appetizer, entrée and dessert categories in the Key West Food and Wine Festival.

This festival starts Jan. 26, 2020, and ends on Feb. 2, 2020. Tickets go on sale on Oct. 1.

Japan

Nara’s Wakakusa Yamayaki festival takes place on the fourth Saturday of January and features some dramatic views: first, a fireworks display at the base of Mount Wakakusa, and then the side of the mountain is set on fire in a choreographed act known as Yamayaki (“the burning mountain). Both are visible throughout the city, and the former Heijo Palace site is a popular spot to watch the action.

This event takes place on Jan. 25, 2020.

Philippines

Is visiting Palawan on your travel bucket list? Plan the trip around the annual Dinagyang Festival, which takes place in Iloilo City, about a one-hour flight away. Held on the fourth Sunday of January, the country’s cultural celebration includes parades, traditional costumes, dancing, food festivals and street parties.

This year’s festival takes place from Jan. 24, 2020, to Jan. 26, 2020.

Jamaica

Celebrate all things reggae at Rebel Salute 2020, Jamaica’s annual festival of music, culture, and cuisine. In addition to featuring traditional reggae acts, a unique aspect of this festival is the focus on healthy living: The entire festival is strictly meat- and alcohol-free.

Join the festivities from Jan. 17, 2020, to Jan. 18, 2020.

Scotland

While some mark the end of the holiday season by sorrowfully taking down decorations and hitting the gym, the residents of Shetland throw the Burning-Man-meets-Vikings-style festival, Up Helly Aa.

On the last Tuesday in January, Guizer Jarl (leader) and his Jarl Squad march through the town with torches and set fire to a replica Viking galley. Sound like fun? Visitors are welcomed to watch, but participants are required to have resided in Shetland for at least five years.

The 2020 Up Helly Aa takes place on Jan. 28, 2020.

New Zealand

The idea for the World Buskers Festival was born when a street performer crashed the Festival of Flowers in 1993. Now in its 27th year, the festival features buskers of all types around the streets and venues of Christchurch showing off their craft: Think playing-card ninjas, stand-up comedians, drag queens and a boy with tape on his face.

The 2020 World Buskers Festival takes place from Jan. 23, 2020, to Feb. 16, 2020.

Hong Kong

The Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong qualify as one of the world’s biggest holiday extravaganzas, right up there with Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Expect a dazzling parade with eye-popping costumes and outrageous fireworks over Victoria Harbor. Be prepared, however, if you’re offered a lucky New Year’s food: One of the most auspicious is pig’s foot braised with black moss.

Chinese New Year in 2020 takes place from Jan. 25, 2020, to Jan. 27, 2020.

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September is the perfect time to take that trip you’ve always wanted to go on to Hawaii; the Aloha Festivals celebrate Hawaiian culture with events all month long. Or, if you’re more of a movies buff, venture to Southeast Asia for the Bali International Film Festival held on a beach. More interested in boats? Italy’s Regata Storica is a historic race that pits 16th-century-style boats against each other. Enjoy hundreds of craft beers — or just a couple — at the Key West Brewfest in the Sunshine State, or visit Honduras for the renowned Roatan International Fishing Tournament.

Whatever you’re looking for, read on for our list of the best places to visit in September.

Bali

Calling all film fanatics: plan your next vacation to coincide with the Bali International Film Festival (Balinale for short). This weeklong event held in South Kuta Beach showcases over 100 feature films, documentaries and shorts produced by Indonesian and international filmmakers. The schedule also includes workshops and seminars offering tips on scriptwriting, editing and acting, to learn the ins and outs of the industry from the pros.

The 2019 13th-annual Balinale goes from Sept. 24 to Sept. 29.

Oahu, Hawaii

The Aloha Festivals celebrate Hawaiian culture with free events all month long, making Hawaii one of the best places to vacation in September. The festivals kick off in Waikiki with the induction of the Royal Court, where the chosen king, queen, prince and princess are adorned with lei head feathers, helmets and cloaks, accompanied by traditional Hawaiian chants and hula dancing.

The Waikiki Hoolaulea is an epic block party, with a variety of crafts, food vendors and performances by hula schools. Don’t miss the Floral Parade to watch bloom-covered floats, pau horseback riders and marching bands cavalcade down Kalakaua Avenue.

Aloha Festivals kick off with the opening ceremony on Aug. 31. The 73rd-annual Floral Parade concludes the festivities on Sept. 28.

Venice, Italy

Nearly every resident in Venice comes out to watch the annual Regata Storica (the Historical Regatta), which takes place on the Grand Canal. The festivities start with a pageant by locals in 16th-century-style boats reenacting the last Queen of Cyprus’ return to the city. Then gondoliers donning traditional costumes race their vessels for major bragging rights. Watch all the action from a waterfront cafe or from a floating grandstand in the lagoon.

The 2019 Regata Storica takes place on Sept. 1.

Dana Point, California

Travel back into time at the Tall Ships Festival, held at Dana Point Harbor in Southern California. Tour classic schooners dating back to the 1770s, and watch them parade by at the Sails ‘n Ales event, with craft beer tastings, food trucks and live music. Have a blast (literally) at mock cannon battles between the ships where you can choose to act as part of the crew or just enjoy the show.

The 2019 Tall Ships Festival starts on Sept. 6 and lasts all weekend.

Florida Keys

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with a cold one at the annual Key West Brewfest, held at various restaurants, hotels and bars around the island. Sample over 150 beers, including a few local brews at the festival’s seminars, pool parties, happy hours and tap takeovers held throughout the weekend.

Notable craft-beer breweries (think Funky Buddha and Dogfish Head) will also team up with nearby restaurants for beer-pairing dinners. But the main event is the Saturday night tasting festival held on South Beach. When that’s over, party through the streets in a second line, led by a New Orleans brass band, to the after party at Green Parrot Bar.

Key West Brewfest takes begins Aug. 29 and concludes Sept. 2.

Roatan, Honduras

Anglers, get ready for the Roatan International Fishing Tournament, a catch and release competition and an Offshore World Championship qualifying event and one of the best tropical places to travel in September. Divisions include billfish (blue and white marlin, sailfish and spearfish), junior (15 year-olds and younger) and rodeo (points based on specific fish) with prizes awarded to the team who reels in the heaviest catch and earns the most points overall. Other awards include the Record-Breaking Blue Marlin prize for anyone who reels in a catch above 708 pounds, and the Top Lady Angler award, presented to the female competitor with the highest billfish or rodeo points.

The 2019 Roatan International Fishing Tournament goes from Sept. 12 to Sept. 15.

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The Cook Islands are a South Pacific paradise, with fewer crowds and cheaper room rates than Tahiti. August is a prime time to visit, as the islands celebrate their independence with a festival filled with traditional song and dance, so your vacation will come with a side of culture.

Food festivals abound in August, offering the chance to indulge on everything from lobster in Maine to chocolate in St. Lucia. Honoring ancestors in Thailand, a sailing regatta in Aruba, the king of all fringe festivals in Scotland, and hula celebrations in Hawaii round out the August offerings. These are some of the best places to travel in August.

Cook Islands

The people of the Cook Islands celebrate their independence at the annual Te Maeva Nui Festival, held in Rarotonga. A parade kicks off the festivities, which involves eight teams (four from Rarotonga and four representing the Outer Islands) challenging each other in cultural competitions. The traditional dance and choir performances that take place throughout the week are not to be missed. Plus, postcard-perfect beaches and resorts at half the price of other islands in the South Pacific make the Cook Islands one of the best places to travel in August.

The 2019 Te Maeva Nui Festival takes place from July 26 to August 5.

Oahu, Hawaii

Bring a blanket and picnic lunch to Kapiolani Park (Honolulu’s largest public park) to witness the Na Hula Festival. The non-competitive event showcases Hawaii’s oldest dance form, with hula students showing off their skills. Watch the graceful movements and appreciate the Hawaiian art form, all while enjoying a family-friendly day at the park.

Hawaii’s 78th-annual 2019 Na Hula Festival will take place at Kapiolani Park on August 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Maine

The quaint harbor town of Rockland hosts the five-day Maine Lobster Festival each summer. Nosh on all things lobster, like bisque, rolls and mac and cheese while overlooking Penobscot Bay. Events include a parade, local beer and wine tastings, a seafood cooking contest and a lobster crate race, where contestants run across a series of crates bobbing in the ocean.

This five-day food extravaganza makes Maine one of the best places to visit in August for seafood enthusiasts. The 2019 Maine Lobster Festival starts July 31 and goes until August 4. Tickets are sold at any gate at the festival itself.

St. Lucia

Calling all chocoholics: St. Lucia is one of the best places to visit in August. The island officially declared August as Chocolate Heritage Month in honor of the island’s cocoa industry, which dates back to the 18th century. Embrace all things chocolate by taking a tour to learn the ins and outs of how the delicacy is made.

At Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, set on a cocoa plantation, take part in the Tree-to-Bar Experience, where you can harvest cocoa pods straight from the tree and make your own chocolate bar. Anse Chastanet offers a similar experience, with a tour of Emerald Estates’ organic farm to see how cocoa is harvested, followed by a visit to the resort’s chocolate lab for tastings.

New Zealand

Bring your appetite to New Zealand’s largest food festival, Visa Wellington On a Plate, held in the country’s capital. During this two-week annual festival, more than 140 of the region’s top eateries offer dining deals and limited menus, including an exclusive Festival Dish (patrons vote on a favorite that wins the festival).

Special events include creative cuisine presentations like Dumplings Around the Globe, Umami Origami and Pie and Pinot pairings. A food truck rally and Beervana, a mecca for craft-beer lovers, are also on deck. Be sure to pack a coat: it’s the end of New Zealand’s winter.

Thailand

The Chinese heritage of Thailand’s population is celebrated at the annual Por Tor Festival. Translated as “Hungry Ghost,” communities gather to offer food for both their own ancestors and those spirits who no longer have living relatives. The event takes place in Phuket Town at the Seng Tek Bel shrine and on Ranong Road, where revelers parade through the streets dressed in traditional Chinese clothing.

Special offerings are left at ancestor’s altars including flowers, candles and food (mainly a red turtle-shaped cake that symbolizes good luck and long life to the person offering the gift).

Por Tor takes place on the first day of the waxing moon in the seventh month of the Chinese calendar, usually landing around late August or early September.

Aruba

Anyone from veteran sailors to novices can race at the Aruba International Regatta. Spectators can watch the action from Surfside Beach, where vessels ranging from yachts to miniature boats compete for bragging rights. The event also includes windsurfing and kitesurfing competitions, and post-race happy hours and beach parties.

The 2019 regatta takes place from August 16 to August 18.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Drama nerds and theater geeks, take note: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the king of all fringe festivals. Artists from nearly 50 countries come to Scotland’s capital city to perform in plays, ballets, operas, comedy shows and more. As a visitor, it’s easy to get in on the action without a ticket. Just stroll the Royal Mile to watch street performers amid a magical Harry Potter-like backdrop — after all, this is the city that inspired the books.

The 2019 festival starts on August 2 and ends on August 26.

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Jamaica

On the island where reggae was invented, it only makes sense that there would be an annual festival to celebrate the genre. Every July in Montego Bay, the Reggae Sumfest honors the homegrown music style with a weeklong festival. Headliners have included Jamaican artists like Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, Stephen Marley, Toots and the Maytals and the Mighty Diamonds.

International artists Sean Paul, Rihanna, Usher and 50 Cent have also visited Jamaica for this festival. Interested but can’t make the trip? Reggae Sumfest is live-streamed, too, so you can have your own irie dance party at home.

This year’s Sumfest will go from July 14 to July 20, featuring artists like Buju Banton, Chronixx and Dexta Daps.

Bali

It’s windy season in Bali, and the Balinese take advantage of the annual surplus of its natural resource. More specifically, the local kite-flyers fill the skies with hundreds of elaborately designed kites at the annual Bali Kite Festival held on Padang Galak Beach.

These aren’t your average kites from Mary Poppins: Teams of 70 to 80 people create one of three types of traditional kites that are approximately 13 feet wide and a little over 30 feet long, pitting them in best-launch and longest-flight competitions. Teams also compete for the best new creations, as some models include three-dimensional designs of cars, dragons and Hindu gods, among other creations. The event initially began as an agrarian festival and a way to thank the gods for bountiful harvests.

If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead, the Bali Kite Festival may be difficult to attend. Because the wind conditions vary so much, the festival can be scheduled any time from July to October.

Dominica

Hosted by the Dominica Watersports Association, Dive Fest is one of the longest-running scuba-diving festivals in the Caribbean. Discounts are offered for reef diving and free in-pool training sessions, so any diver of any experience can participate. The event is family-oriented and includes children-friendly activities, like whale-watching and a snorkel treasure hunt at Champagne Reef. One of the festival’s most famous events is the Kubuli Canoe Race, wherein teams of four compete in traditional fishing boats.

This year’s Dive Fest takes place from July 5 to July 14.

Fiji

Anyone who’s been to Fiji has probably heard a heartfelt “Bula!” greeting from a local. Like the Hawaiian “aloha,” “bula” can mean “hello,” “goodbye,” “welcome” and “love.” It also means “life,” which is at the essence of the annual Bula Festival celebrating Fijian culture.

The weeklong event is held in both Koroivolu Park and Prince Charles Park in Nadi. Indulge in traditional Fijian food and enjoy parades, live music, a Pacific dance contest and a Bollywood-themed night commemorating the island’s Indo-Fijian population and the crowning of Miss Bula.

The 2019 Bula Festival takes place July 22 to July 29.

Aruba

Thanks to the island’s ever-present trade winds, Aruba has become the unofficial mecca of windsurfing sports. At the Aruba Hi-Winds tournament, amateur windsurfers and kite-boarders from around the world get the chance to show off their top tricks. Competitors also face off in slalom races, freestyle competitions and long-distance events. Catch all the action from Hadicurari Beach.

The 33rd-annual Hi-Winds tournament will be held from July 4 to July 8.

Florida Keys

Ernest Hemingway left his mark on the Florida Keys, and, in his memory, their inhabitants throw him a birthday party every year. Hemingway Days is a weeklong festival to honor the author with readings, book signings and a short-story competition directed by Hemingway’s granddaughter and author, Lorian Hemingway.

One of the main events is a Hemingway lookalike contest. Some of these white-bearded “Papa” doppelgängers also take part in a mock running of the bulls, a reference to Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises. The Key West Marlin Tournament also happens during Hemmingway Days, honoring the expatriate’s love for the sport.

Hemmingway Days begin July 18 and conclude on July 21, and the marlin tournament goes from the July 17 to July 20, making the Florida Keys one of the best places to travel in July.

Tahiti

What does the movie Footloose have in common with Tahiti? In the early 1800s, dancing was forbidden in the country. Christian missionaries viewed Tahitians’ cultural dancing as vulgar. In the late 1800s, the locals gained back their right to dance when France incorporated the territory as one of its own. This history and the love for dancing are celebrated at Heiva I Tahiti, an annual festival held in Papeete.

During the event, traditional Tahitian culture takes center stage with dance performances, sports competitions (e.g., canoe races, javelin-throwing competitions) and an a capella singing competition. Heiva I Tahiti begins July 4 and ends July 20.

St. Thomas

Celebrating Bastille Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands may not be as strange as it sounds. The island of St. Thomas is home to a large community of French descendants who emigrated from the French island of St. Barts. The island celebrates the French Revolution-derived holiday with a number of events, including the popular Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament.

Between 50 and 100 boats travel to compete in an approximately seven-hour-long event and for a chance to win over $10,000 in prizes. Teams and spectators alike rendezvous at Hull Bay Hideaway afterward for a beachside party with live performances from local bands and the awards ceremony.

Bastille Day is every year on July 14, and this year’s 31st-annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament is also on the 14.

Puerto Rico

Each year, the mountain town of Aibonito hosts the largest plant show in Puerto Rico. After about an hour-and-a-half drive from San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, you’ll be engulfed in all things flora. Known locally as the “Festival de las Flores” (“Festival of Flowers”), this event lives up to its name, as the streets are packed with parades with flower-decorated displays and vendors selling plants and flowers.

Anthophiles can browse orchids, heliconias, hibiscus, fruit trees and vegetable plants, among others, while eating local cuisine from food stalls and listening to local, live music. This year’s festival takes place from June 28 to July 7.

Rhode Island

The Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island is one of the most musically diverse festivals you’ll see today. It started in 1959 and, over the years, has seen its fair share of stars: In 1963, Joan Baez invited Bob Dylan on stage for his national debut; six years later, Johnny Cash brought on Kris Kristofferson. Now celebrating its 60th anniversary this July, the constantly evolving lineup includes artists from genres like indie folk, country, blues and folk punk.

This year’s rolling lineup includes Hozier, the Highwomen, Yola, E.B. the Younger, Rayland Baxter and I’m With Her. The Newport Folk Festival is also known for having some musicians show up unannounced.

The festival takes place in Fort Adams State Park, which is about a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Boston and a three-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City. Tickets are sold out, but the organizers have implemented an official fan-to-fan ticket exchange on their website. The Newport Folk Festival takes place from July 26 to July 28.

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Belize

Calling all lobster lovers: celebrate the opening harvest season of the crustacean at Lobster Fest. Bring your appetite for this 10-day all-you-can-eat event held in San Pedro, Placencia, and Caye Caulker, as the price of lobster is at its lowest. Take a break between meals and chat with local fishermen, participate in lobster-themed water sports and dance the night (and calories) away at the beach parties.

Hong Kong

Celebrated for more than 2,000 years, the three-day Duanwu Festival (dragon boat festival) commemorates the death of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan who drowned himself in the Miluo River when the Chu capital fell to the Qin army. Chinese communities honor him every year with traditional customs including dragon boat racing, where locals paddle out in colorful boats and beat drums to keep the fish and evil spirits away from his body. Other customs include drinking realgar wine (known in ancient times to drive away evil spirits) and eating sticky rice dumplings or zongzi.

England

Head to the Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival to observe the sun reaching its highest point in the sky on June 21. Gather around Stonehenge and camp out at this four-day festival to celebrate the longest day of the year. Craft beer, food vendors and live music are also on deck.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Brother and sister team Jill and Jonathan Burkhart founded the Nantucket Film Festival in 1996, and now the event is one of the biggest in the film industry. Screen indie movies and Hollywood’s next blockbusters, watch round-table discussions, and attend events with special guests like Ben Stiller, Adam Driver, Mike Birbiglia and Whitney Cummings.

New Zealand

Want to escape the summer heat? Head to the Queenstown Winter Festival celebrating the official start of ski season. The four-day extravaganza includes competitions for mountain biking, dodgeball, disc golf and raft racing. Grab your luggage to compete in the suitcase race down the mountain, which kicks off the opening night of night skiing.

St. Kitts

The annual St. Kitts Music Festival kicks off with a three-night event featuring local artists alongside mainstream musicians. Top performers this year include Lauryn Hill, Fetty Wap and Patti Labelle.

Thailand

Starting in June and running through August, the Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival celebrates the peak time to see the fully bloomed bright-pink Siam Tulip, or Dok Krachiao. The best spots to observe these flowers is the Sai Thong National Park: walk through the Bua Sawan flower field or perch atop the Pha Ham Hot spot to get clifftop views of the Phang Hoei mountain range and blooming tulips below.

Bahamas

It’s a non-stop pineapple party with the annual Pineapple Festival. The yearly event honors the hardworking pineapple farmers in Gregory Town, Eleuthera. Partake in pineapple-themed activities from cooking and eating contests to a pineathalon, comprised of a 400-meter swim, 10K bike ride and a 5K run.

The post Best Places to Travel in June appeared first on Islands.

Aruba

You don’t really need an excuse to visit Aruba, but the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival is a pretty good one. The five-day event kicks off on Memorial Day weekend and includes beach parties, comedy performances and concerts each night headlined by top artists. This year, Alicia Keys, Maxwell, Guy and DJ Jazzy Jeff are the main acts.

British Virgin Islands

Over Memorial Day Weekend, more than 300 boats head to the BVI to participate in the Leverick Bay Poker Run. Captains compete for a cash prize by anchoring at pre-determined stops, like Scrub Island and Pirate’s Bight, to try to collect the best poker hand. Spectating is just as fun: grab a spot at Foxy’s Beach Bar on Great Harbour (one of the official stops) for live music, a beach barbecue and drinks concocted with Foxy’s Firewater Rum.

Cayman Islands

The first week of May means it’s time for Carnival on the Cayman Islands. Cayman Carnival Batabano celebrates Caribbean culture by bringing the streets of George Town to life with steel pan bands, floats and parades with thousands of people dressed in flamboyant, colorful costumes. The name is actually a nod to the island’s turtling heritage: Batabano is a word for the tracks that sea turtles leave in the sand as they crawl to the beach to nest.

Tahiti

One of the best places to travel in May for sailing are the islands of Tahiti, thanks to the Tahiti Pearl Regatta. Billing itself as “an ideal balance between a sporting competition and a festive discovery of the islands,” the four-day event invites yachtsmen to discover French Polynesia by sea. As if the islands weren’t enticing enough, optimal sailing conditions (regular winds, sun, no swell in the lagoons, small tidal range) are an added bonus.

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu takes the tradition of honoring fallen heroes on Memorial Day to a beautiful level with the Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony. Each year, thousands gather at Ala Moana Beach on the South Shore to pay their respects to lost loved ones via floating lanterns. Each family receives one lantern to place into the water, with three sides where remembrances and prayers can be written before sending it off into the horizon. If you can’t make it in person, the event is also streamed live.

Grenada

Some of the world’s best chocolate is made here, and the Chocolate Festival is your chance to indulge. Bean-to-bar tours, cooking classes, and cocoa-laden menus offer plenty of tasting ops, with chocolate meditation and chocolate spa treatments to increase the glow.

St. Lucia

The end of April brings enviable room rates and perfect weather (the sticky wet season is still a month or more away) — plus the St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. Wherever you’re staying, you’ll likely find one of its 15 venues nearby. Each year the program is packed with big names (Jimmy Cliff, Diana Ross, and Ziggy Marley in past years), but much of the fun comes from discovering your own rising star.

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Antigua

April is all about sailing. First up is Classic Yacht Regatta, a chance to drool over traditional beauties. (“They don’t build ’em like they used to” takes on new meaning here.) Stay on for Antigua Sailing Week, when modern high-performance sailboats move in. Together, they deliver two weeks of serious racing — with great looks for spectators shoreside and on the water. Serious parties, too.

Florida Keys

You have to move fast for this one: Last year, the 1,500 slots for the 7-Mile Bridge Run, across the longest of the Florida Keys‘ 43 bridges, were snapped up in a mere 10 minutes. (If you’re skunked, you can bid for one of 10 additional slots on eBay.) Not up for a quarter-plus marathon? The Cow Key Channel Bridge Run, across one of the Keys’ shortest bridges, claims to be the world’s only Zero K run. A crazy costume is de rigueur, one of the heats features pets with humans, and there’s a bar at the finish line.

Tobago

Finish off Easter weekend by cheering on your favorites at the Buccoo Goat Races. Seriously: These goats have trainers and jockeys. (They run alongside.) And stay on for the Tobago Jazz Experience. Headliners have included Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Janelle Monae and D’Angelo, and events are held in picturesque spots around the island like Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

Thailand

No ball drops in Thailand to announce the New Year celebrations happening April 13 through 15; instead, it’s thousands of buckets of water. The Songkran festival happens amid the shoulder season with hotter, drier temperatures — perfect weather for the in-street water fights that happen to wash away the previous year’s sins. Phuket, the jumping-off point for many island locales, is a prime spot for the festivities.

Miami Beach, Florida

Did someone say rum cocktails? Yes, please! The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is the perfect excuse to plan your trip to Miami Beach. Sample rums from around the globe and learn more about the spirit through seminars, lectures and master classes. The event kicks off with the Rum Fest Tiki Night at The Mai-Kai Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, a retro kitschy tiki bar built in 1956.

Bali

Calling all foodies: sample the best that Indonesia has to offer at the Ubud Food Festival. During the three-day event, expect food and wine tastings and culinary markets, along with special events highlighting the best of Bali (think lunches overlooking the rice paddies). Southeast Asia’s most prominent chefs go head-to-head in cooking competitions, and lead master classes on topics like the power of coconut, Indonesia’s forgotten flavors and the secrets of Masala.

Puerto Rico

San Juan’s Escambron Beach becomes more than just a spot to park a beach towel and swim in crystal-clear water when it sprouts a “tasting village” and transforms into the foodie fest Saborea. Celeb chefs, cooking demos, and lots of tastings (food and drink), with a kick-off party called “Bubbles and Bites”: Champagne paired with Puerto Rican chefs’ creations. We’ll drink to that.

St. Croix, USVI

Raise a glass the second week of April to the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience. The weeklong festival includes a series of events including wine tastings, gourmet dinners and a sunset barbecue.

Vanuatu

Neither getting to Vanuatu’s remote Pentecost Island nor watching Naghol Land Diving is for the faint of heart. To appease the gods and ensure a successful yam harvest, men of the Sa tribe build a 98-foot-high tower in a jungle clearing and jump from it, tethered by vines tied to their ankles. Think bungee-jumping, with a much-higher risk factor.

Barbados

Celebrate all things reggae at the weeklong Barbados Reggae Festival. Djs and live performances from local and international artists (Shaggy and Wyclef Jean have headlined in the past) take place over four main events including a beach party, vintage reggae night, a party cruise and a concert at Farley Hill National Park.

South Walton, Florida

Florida’s Panhandle beaches are some of the prettiest in the state and the weather is a near-perfect 70 degrees in April. Plan your getaway the same weekend as the Sandestin Wine Festival to try hundreds of domestic and international wines, and sample local restaurants at the Savor South Walton food tents.

Grand Bahama Island

Compete in coconut bowling and coconut-tart-eating contests at the Pelican Point Coconut Festival. Or just chill with a Gully Wash (a killer combo of coconut water, gin, and condensed milk) while you feast on coconut fried shrimp.

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Just imagine yourself floating down a river in Tokyo, Japan, as you are flanked by a seemingly endless number of cherry-blossom trees in full bloom. Or have you ever considered celebrating Holi, arguably the world’s most colorful and sociable religious holiday, in Fiji? Go off the beaten path, and travel to the Galapagos Islands off the shores of Ecuador. Enjoy jazz? Travel to South Africa for “Africa’s Grandest Gathering,” the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

No matter what you’re looking for, read on for our list of the best places to travel to in March.

Aruba

Flag and Anthem Day celebrates the country’s “status aparte” every year on March 18. A folkloric production takes place at Plaza Betico Croes in Oranjestad, as well as cultural and sporting events around the island.

Bali

The Hindu New Year’s Eve is more raucous than Times Square. Using cymbals, gongs, drums and fireworks, the Balinese scare away monstrous ogoh-ogohs: huge papier-mâché figures representing evil spirits. Everyone keeps very quiet the next day so the spirits can’t find their way back.

The Balinese Hindu New Year, also known as Hari Raya Nyepi, takes place on March 25, 2020.

St. Maarten

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta takes place in March. Not only is this the chance for world-class competition, it’s also time for the biggest nightly after-parties, plus culinary events; however, this is within the island’s peak season, so don’t expect a discount on rooms.

The 2020 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta takes place from March 5, 2020, to March 8, 2020.

Galapagos

In the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador, March sees the flattest seas and warmest water. It’s not peak season, so rates are down, but it is the rainy time of year, a bonus if you prefer an in-bloom landscape to an arid one. Note to wildlife photographers: This month, land birds mate, as do sea lions; you’ll also see their pups.

Montserrat

The island of Montserrat is the only place besides Ireland, Northern Ireland and parts of Canada where St. Patrick’s Day is an official government holiday. While traditional St. Patrick’s Days are Christian-based and celebrate Irish heritage, Montserrat celebrates the holiday to commemorate a quelled slave uprising. It’s a 10-day festival that puts Montserratian culture at the center while honoring the 18th-century rebellion.

Locals wear their national dress, predominantly dawning green and orange. Bars serve Guinness, green Heineken and traditional rum punch cocktails. You’ll also get a shamrock stamp in your passport and a chance to try the national dish: goat water. Really, it’s delicious.

Tokyo, Japan

In Japan, it’s a sure sign that spring has arrived when the country’s national flower starts to bloom. Since the famed pink blossoms can only be viewed for two weeks, “hanami” (blossom viewing) is a big deal throughout the country.

Time a trip to the country’s capital of Tokyo, and attend one of its many cherry-blossom festivals scattered throughout March and early April. Some of the best viewing spots include Ueno Park, Inokashira Park, Sumida Park and along the Meguro River. Temperatures range from the 40s to 50s during this time of year, so come prepared.

Fiji

Don’t wear your finest threads in Fiji during Holi, the Festival of Colors, when the Indo-Fijian locals toss colored powder at one another to celebrate the arrival of spring. Dancing, singing and bonfires are also part of the late-March party, which is the least religious and most social of the Hindu holidays, making Fiji one of the best places to travel to in March.

Holi lasts for one day and one night, taking place on March 9, 2020, and March 10, 2020.

Exumas, Bahamas

These 365 cays lie just 35 miles south of Nassau. On Staniel Cay, the yacht club has a handful of bungalows on stilts at the water’s edge, as well as obliging kitchen staff who’ll give you scraps to take to nearby Big Major Cay. This one is uninhabited, except for feral but friendly swimming pigs who live on the beach and dog-, er, pig-paddle out to greet visitors and beg a snack. Help them celebrate National Pig Day on March 1, 2020. Hint: They’re fond of watermelon rinds.

National Pig Day is a U.S. holiday that started in 1972. It celebrates the pig as one of the smartest of the domesticated animals. Apart from the Bahamas, this holiday is mostly celebrated in Midwestern America.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Take a day trip inland to Chichén Itzá to celebrate the Spring Equinox. During this time, the sun creates the astonishing illusion of a snake slithering up El Castillo pyramid. Tip: It’s also visible a week before and after the Equinox, and crowds are smaller then.

The Spring Equinox is on March 20, 2020.

St. Croix

St. Croix is one of the few islands in the Caribbean where St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated from sun-up to long after sunset in Christiansted with a street parade and live bands. Also, all month long, migrating whales can often be spotted along the north shore. Creative types will appreciate the Starving Artists Day at Whim Estate when pieces are priced to move. (Note: March is one of the driest months.)

South Africa

If you like jazz and want to travel to another continent, South Africa could make for one of the best vacations in March. Cape Town, the country’s capital, hosts “Africa’s Grandest Gathering,” the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Enjoy photography? The festival also hosts a jazz-photography workshop.

Come for the jazz, but stay for the many other events Cape Town has to offer. There’s a popular free community concert with thousands of attendees and some big names. The main jazz festival, however, is still the main attraction, as it hosts nearly 40,000 fans over the two days.

The 2020 Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place from March 27, 2020, to March 28, 2020.

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Running from the cold? The Caribbean is heating up with full-blown Carnival celebrations happening on several islands. Maybe you want to see snow. If so, head to where snow sculptures rival the marble works of Michelangelo in Japan. Or ring in Chinese New Year at one of the world’s largest extravaganzas in Hong Kong.

Wherever you decide to go for your winter vacation, here are our suggestions for the best places to travel in February.

Trinidad

For the Caribbean’s biggest Carnival, head to Trinidad just before Ash Wednesday for two days of in-the-streets debauchery fueled by steel-pan music. It’s the island’s dry season, so there’s no threat to body paint. But be forewarned: between hotels, flights and costumes, it takes six months to plan.

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago takes place Feb. 24, 2020, to Feb. 25, 2020.

Japan

Not everyone feels the need to escape winter. The Sapporo Snow Festival turns the city into a winter wonderland, with extraordinary snow and ice sculptures. These aren’t your everyday snowpeople — they build full-size temples from the white stuff here — but you can add your own mitten-made creation to the Snowman Labyrinth. Trust us: The football-field-long snow-tubing runs and ice slides are definitely more fun than the sledding hill back home. Hot chocolate, anyone?

There are three locations for the 71st iteration of the Sapporo Snow Festival: The Tsudome site goes from Jan. 31, 2020, to Feb. 11, 2020, and the Odori and Susukino sites run from Feb. 4, 2020, to Feb. 11, 2020.

Barbados

Just north of celeb hangout Sandy Lane Beach, small Holetown turns into boomtown during the Holetown Festival, celebrating the island’s settlement in 1625. Sure, there’s local food (like Bajan fish cakes and macaroni pie), crafts, and music. But most popular is the Police Tattoo. Not what you’re thinking: This tattoo is a tightly choreographed show by the Royal Barbados Police Force — featuring the police band, mounted police, and even the canine unit.

The 2020 Holetown Festival is tentatively scheduled from Feb. 9, 2020, to Feb. 16, 2020.

Martinique

Get the feel of summer in the south of France sans crowds and jetlag: fine French cooking, first-class croissants, and a joie de vivre fed by perfect weather, glorious white-sand beaches and local rhums.

New nonstop flights via Norwegian Air Shuttle from New York, Boston and Washington D.C. make it easier to get here than in seasons past. And Carnival, celebrated with French-Creole flair, is a reason to book tout de suite.

Carnival in Martinique lasts from Feb. 23, 2020, to Feb. 26, 2020.

Easter Island

Monumental stone heads and summer weather aren’t the only draws to Easter Island. Tapati Rapa Nui is a pull-out-all-the-stops celebration of Polynesian pride, with feasts and dances. But it’s no tourist luau. Islanders compete in traditional activities, such as spear-fishing, body decorating and tobogganing down the slope of an extinct volcano. On a two-man banana-tree trunk. Wearing nothing but a traditional loincloth. Spills can be, uh, painful.

2020 Tapati Rapa Nui takes place from Feb. 1, 2020, to Feb. 15, 2020.

Aruba

Parades swarm the streets of Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital, the day before Ash Wednesday: In fact, Carnival events bring together most of the island’s residents in the four weeks leading up to Carnival, with the Lighting Parade, Children’s Parades and the Pajama Party. The island also burns an effigy of King Momo at midnight to mark the end of Carnival season.

Carnival in Aruba starts Feb. 24, 2020.

Carriacou

Grenada’s small sister island to the north dishes up Carnival with a literary twist: Shakespeare Mas. Pairs of costumed Kayaks (as natives of Carriacou are called) recite sections of Julius Caesar to each other from memory. When one of them flubs his or her lines, the other one strikes him or her with a stick (the costumes are padded). Even school kids pair off for this fascinating tradition, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Carnival in Carriacou takes place from Feb. 24, 2020, to Feb. 25, 2020.

Kauai

A rodeo in Hawaii? See the paniolo (cowboy) traditions in action — bronco roping, bull riding and barrel racing — at the Waimea Roundup Rodeo. It’s part of the Waimea Town Celebration, the island’s oldest and largest annual festival. The cultural event also includes a film festival, a long-distance canoe race, hula celebrations and more.

The Waimea Town Celebration takes place from Feb. 15, 2020, to Feb. 23, 2020.

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