So you think you know how to party? If you're really a serious party animal, just ask yourself this. Can you dance from dusk till dawn without taking a break? Are you really sure you have the stamina to stay up all night and then carry on celebrating the next day or even the rest of the week? Can you dodge a flying tomato or run faster than a four-legged beast?
If you answered yes to all of the above, you've come to the right place. So, if you're really ready and willing to party, here are the top 10 holidays and festivals you simply must attend at least once in your life.
Make sure you don't miss out on any of these great global celebrations.
10. Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA
When Mardi Gras takes over the streets of New Orleans for a fortnight, it's the carnival to rival all carnivals. Make sure you have your best fancy dress costumes, because Mardi Gras is all about dressing up. Be as wild and as over-the-top as you can imagine, then go and have some fun. Mingle with the crowds lining the streets, follow the parades, dance for hours away to live music and brass bands, then put your best foot forward at a masquerade ball. But remember, there's only one rule to Mardi Gras and its festivities until you retire.
When: The dates of Mardi Gras change each year according to the official dates of Easter. The festivities usually start two weeks before Mardi Gras, so make a note in your diary.
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
9. San Fermín Festival, Pamplona, Spain
If you're an adrenaline junkie, you might want to consider adding the San Fermin festival in the Spanish city of Pamplona to your must-see list. The running of the bulls will really get your heart racing, but there's much more to the San Fermin festival than ruined cattle. As well as being chased by bulls through the streets of Pamplona, you can take part in the parade of giant dancing mannequins and 'The Roar', where the crowd make as much noise as possible with drums and whistles outside the local. council office. In addition, there is a huge fireworks display every night of the seven-day event.
The running of the bulls is not for the faint-hearted, as several bullfights take place during the fiesta. Running of the bulls is not something to be taken lightly either and if you intend to take part, make sure you take a good pair of running shoes with you.
When: The running of the bulls takes place every year from midday on 6 July to midnight on 14 July.
Where: Pamplona, Spain
8. St Patrick's Day, Dublin, Ireland and New York, USA
Your friends will be green with envy when you tell them you're going to a St Patrick's Day party. Whether you're in Dublin or New York on 17 March, you're guaranteed to have an amazing time. It's a bit crazy to think that the party is in honour of Ireland's patron saint and if you think you've seen a leprechaun in the parade, well, you're probably not going to hallucinate. You might think 'going green' means you're a budding environmentalist, but not on St Patrick's Day, it doesn't. You'll need to dress head to toe in the colour and face paint too, otherwise you'll stand out like a sore thumb. Don't forget to learn the Irish word for cheers, sláinte. It's a drunken party, so you might say quite a lot.
When: March 17 each year.
Where: Dublin, Ireland: Dublin, Ireland. New York, USA. Cities and towns all over the world.
7. Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you want to celebrate in a style that really sets the night alight, then you need to be at the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Lantern festivals in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Why both? They're both so different that you won't want to miss either.
During Loy Krathong, celebrated throughout Thailand in November, rivers and lakes come alive as countless tiny boats carrying lit candles are left free to float on the waters. It's a truly incredible sight rivalled only by the Yee Peng Lantern Festival, which forms part of Loy Krathong when hundreds of thousands of illuminated lanterns are released and simultaneously take to the night sky. No, it's not crazy booze, but it is an impressive sight that you should see at least once in your life.
When: November each year. However, the dates change depending on when the full moon falls in the 12th month of the Thai calendar.
Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
6. King's day, Netherlands
The Netherlands could learn a thing or two from the Netherlands about how to properly celebrate the birthday of a national dignitary. King's Day was a bank holiday (celebrated on 30 April 2013) commemorating the birth of Queen Beatrix. What if Her Royal Highness had been born at the end of January?
With the coronation of her son, Willem-Alexander, the festival became known as King's Day, or Koningsdag. It is now officially celebrated on 27 April (the King's birthday) and includes an official government ceremony followed by sports competitions and fun, family-friendly celebrations.
The favourable climate also creates ideal conditions for a massive nationwide flea market, you have to see it to believe it.
When: In April, proud Dutch people were able to don their bright orange outfits and a few drinks without having to worry about the weather.
Where: Netherlands
5. Venice Carnival, Venice, Italy
Of all the carnivals held in the world, Venice Carnival is by far the most elegant and arguably the most sophisticated. It really is a two-week celebration of absolute glamour, and very decadent too. Ball gowns, frock coats and gorgeous masks are the order of the day rather than your evening wear. When the parades take to the streets of Venice, there's really only one way to do it, and that's in a gondola. It's a magnificent sight that defies description and one you can't afford to miss.
When: Dates change each year depending on the Easter period.
Where: Venice, Italy Venice, Italy
4. La Tomatina, Buñol, Valencia, Spain
The food fight to end all food fights? If you want to take part in the world's biggest ketchup-making session, head to La Tomatina, in the town of Buñol, in the Spanish municipality of Valencia. You won't need to put on your best party gear for this one either. In fact, the older the clothes, the more grateful they'll be by the end of the event.
La Tomatina may not be the longest event, but the hour-long battle is pretty intense. First, you'll be drenched in a hosepipe and then, when the gun goes off, you'll have your hands on as many tomatoes as you can manage to throw at the enemy who might just be your best friend. Yes, the streets look like the inside of a tomato soup factory and so do you, but that's all it's about.
To find out more about this amazing event, check out our article, updated in May 2022, which tells you all about the history and origins of this really cool festival. Find out all about it here.
When is it? End of August Dates vary from year to year, so check the official website.
Where: Buñol, Valencia, Spain Buñol, Valencia, Spain
3. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you're ready for the biggest and longest Samba dance marathon, then you're ready for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Put your best foot forward and shake that booty as you follow the trail of sequins and feathers left by the world's greatest Samba street parades. You'll be completely amazed by the ginormous floats and their stunning decorations, but there's more to Rio de Janeiro carnival than samba, it's also world famous for its carnival balls. A different themed ball takes place every night of the celebration. For those who prefer to stay at home, every street in Rio de Janeiro has its own party. So whatever you do, don't go without a mask or two.
When: Dates vary each year depending on the Easter celebration.
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2. Burning Man Festival, Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA
If you loved the film Mad Max when it was on screen, don't miss the Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, USA. When you're there, you'll feel like you're walking on the set of the film. The Burning Man Festival takes place in a purpose-built temporary town (if you read the word town right) in the heart of the Black Rock Desert. The event lasts for nine whole days and could probably be considered the largest outdoor art exhibition in the world and the only one to result in the burning of huge effigies.
When: Late August to early September. Check the official website for specific dates.
Where: Black Rock Desert, Nevada, United States
1. Holi festival, India
You may have attended a replica of this incredible Indian festival of colour, but until you've been to a Holi festival in India, you've never done anything like it. At a real Holi, there are some pretty potent drinks, which we won't mention here, but which ensure that everyone is in a really good mood for the fun that lasts for one night and into the next. Get happy, soak yourself in water and then coat yourself in multi-coloured Holi powder. Everyone's a fair target, so make sure you've got plenty of ammo powder before you hit the streets.
When: Early March. Dates vary slightly each year depending on the Hindu calendar.
Where: All over India