Where to go in November 2026
177 events around the world in November 2026, with their dates. Open one to see fares from your city for those days, and we'll alert you when they drop.
North America: 37 events in November
EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert SeriesOrlando, Florida, United StatesAugust 27 to November 16, 2026Nightly concerts at EPCOT's America Gardens Theatre during the Food & Wine Festival, by name artists and local acts.
EPCOT International Food & Wine FestivalLake Buena Vista, Florida, United StatesAugust 27 to November 21, 2026Eat and drink around the world at EPCOT's global marketplaces from late summer into November.
Arribada at OstionalPlaya Ostional, Guanacaste, Costa RicaUsually early July to late DecemberUp to a hundred thousand olive ridley turtles come ashore over a few nights on one Pacific beach.
Feria de TlaxcalaTlaxcala, Tlaxcala, MexicoOctober 22 to November 16, 2026Mexico's long-running state fair in Tlaxcala runs from late October into November, with a palenque, a people's theater and Day of the Dead.
Chilkat bald eagle gatheringHaines, Alaska, United StatesUsually late October to early DecemberThe largest concentration of bald eagles on earth, thousands on the cottonwoods above a late salmon run.
Dominican Republic Jazz FestivalCabarete and Puerto Plata, Dominican RepublicUsually late October to mid NovemberFree jazz on the sand at Cabarete, with kites on the water by day and Latin jazz on the beach by night.
Bryant Park Winter VillageNew York, New York, United StatesOctober 28 to January 3, 2027A holiday market of about 180 kiosks and a free-admission ice rink in the middle of Midtown Manhattan.
Divali in TrinidadChaguanas, Trinidad and TobagoOctober 30 to November 7, 2026The largest Diwali outside India, with a week-long Divali Nagar fair and a million clay deyas lit at once.
Pirates WeekGeorge Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman IslandsOctober 30 to November 21, 2026A mock pirate landing takes the George Town harbour, then the whole island dresses up for a week.
Todos Santos Cuchumatán horse raceTodos Santos Cuchumatán, Huehuetenango, GuatemalaNovember 1, 2026Mam Maya riders in red striped trousers gallop a muddy track all day on All Saints, and only the drunk fall.
Monarch butterflies at Pacific GrovePacific Grove, California, United StatesUsually early November to late JanuaryThousands of monarchs cluster in a eucalyptus grove in a seaside town that calls itself Butterfly Town.
New York City MarathonNew York, New York, United StatesNovember 1, 2026The TCS New York City Marathon runs through five boroughs on the first Sunday of November, and most runners enter by drawing or charity.
Fiestas PatriasPanama CityNovember 2 to 5, 2026Every school drum corps in Panama marches on November 3 and 4, and the streets belong to the bands.
WurstfestNew Braunfels, Texas, United StatesNovember 6 to 15, 2026Ten days of sausage, polka and Texas German beer halls on the banks of the Comal River.
Distillery Winter VillageToronto, Ontario, CanadaNovember 12 to January 3, 2027Toronto's Christmas market on the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District, with a 50-foot tree and more than 40 food vendors.
Christkindlmarkt BethlehemBethlehem, Pennsylvania, United StatesNovember 13 to December 20, 2026One of the biggest Christmas markets in the U.S. at SteelStacks, with artisans, German food and St. Nicholas.
Montreal Christmas MarketsMontreal, Quebec, CanadaNovember 13 to January 3, 2027The Great Christmas Market in the Quartier des spectacles and the free Christmas Village near Atwater Market.
Festival Internacional del GloboLeon, Guanajuato, MexicoNovember 13 to 16, 2026About 200 hot air balloons lift off at dawn in Leon each November, with evening concerts and a drone show.
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of LightsNiagara Falls, Ontario, CanadaNovember 14 to January 10, 2027Millions of lights along the parkway, the falls lit in color every night, and fireworks over the gorge.
Snow geese liftoff at Bosque del ApacheSocorro, New Mexico, United StatesUsually mid November to late JanuaryTens of thousands of snow geese explode off a desert wetland at sunrise.
Bald eagle gatheringSquamish, British Columbia, CanadaUsually mid November to late JanuaryThousands of bald eagles crowd riverbank trees to feast on a late salmon run.
Marabana, the Havana marathonHavana, CubaNovember 15, 2026Run the Malecón at dawn with thousands of Cubans, past the Capitolio and back along the sea wall.
Manatee season at Crystal RiverCrystal River, Florida, United StatesUsually mid November to late MarchHundreds of manatees crowd into warm springs on cold mornings, in the one place you may swim with them.
Vancouver Christmas MarketVancouver, British Columbia, CanadaNovember 16 to December 24, 2026A German-style Christmas village of wooden huts on the Vancouver waterfront, with Glühwein, a pyramid and a carousel.
Garifuna Settlement DayDangriga, BelizeNovember 18 to 19, 2026At dawn on November 19 dugout canoes land on the beach re-enacting the Garifuna arrival, to drums and song.
Quebec City German Christmas MarketQuebec City, Quebec, CanadaNovember 19 to December 23, 2026Wooden chalets and mulled wine inside the walls of the only fortified city north of Mexico, under real snow.
Las Vegas Grand PrixLas Vegas, Nevada, United StatesNovember 19 to 21, 2026Formula 1 races at night down the Las Vegas Strip, past the Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the Sphere.
Christkindlmarket ChicagoChicago, Illinois, United StatesNovember 20 to December 24, 2026A Nuremberg-style market of wooden stalls and gluhwein in Daley Plaza, from mid November to Christmas Eve.
Seattle Christmas MarketSeattle, Washington, United StatesNovember 20 to December 27, 2026A European-style Christmas village at Seattle Center, with wooden huts, Glühwein and timed-entry tickets.
Atlanta Christkindl MarketLawrenceville, Georgia, United StatesNovember 20 to December 24, 2026A German-style Christmas market in the Atlanta area, with a Ferris wheel, wooden booths and a new second site in Senoia.
Denver ChristkindlmarketDenver, Colorado, United StatesNovember 20 to December 23, 2026 (expected)A German-style holiday market with Glühwein, craft vendors and free live entertainment on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver.
Natchitoches Christmas Festival of LightsNatchitoches, Louisiana, United StatesNovember 21 to January 6, 2027Louisiana's oldest town lines its river with 300,000 lights and fires fireworks over the water each Saturday.
Carmel ChristkindlmarktCarmel, Indiana, United StatesNovember 21 to December 24, 2026A German-style Christmas market with more than 60 huts, a skating rink and free admission, just north of Indianapolis.
Christmas Village in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesNovember 21 to December 27, 2026A German-style Christmas market at LOVE Park and City Hall with a Ferris wheel, a carousel and free entry.
Toronto Santa Claus ParadeToronto, Ontario, CanadaNovember 22, 2026The oldest Santa parade in the world, running through downtown Toronto since 1905.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeManhattan, New York, United StatesNovember 26, 2026Giant balloons over Central Park West on the fourth Thursday of November, and the inflation the night before.
Carnaval de San MiguelSan Miguel, El SalvadorNovember 28, 2026Central America's biggest one-night street party, dozens of stages down one avenue on a November Saturday.
Europe: 54 events in November
White truffle season in IstriaMotovun and the Mirna valley, Istria, CroatiaUsually mid September to late NovemberCroatia's forests yield white truffles to rival Alba's, hunted with dogs at dawn and shaved by noon.
Aurora season in LofotenReine and Svolvaer, Lofoten, NorwayUsually early October to late MarchThe northern lights over granite peaks that drop straight into the sea.
Alba International White Truffle FairAlba, Piedmont, ItalyOctober 10 to December 6, 2026The world's most expensive fungus is sold by the gram in a Piedmont town during the Barolo harvest.
Autumn colour at PlitvicePlitvice Lakes, Lika, CroatiaUsually early October to early NovemberSixteen terraced lakes running turquoise between beech woods turning copper.
ViennaleVienna, AustriaUsually mid to late OctoberTwo weeks of serious cinema in Vienna's grand old picture palaces, with the coffee houses as the lobby.
Common crane migration at Lac du DerLac du Der-Chantecoq, Champagne, FranceUsually mid October to late NovemberTens of thousands of cranes lift off a Champagne lake at dawn, the largest crane roost in western Europe.
Basel Autumn FairBasel, SwitzerlandOctober 24 to November 8, 2026Switzerland's oldest fair opens with a bell at noon and scatters rides and stalls across seven squares.
Polar night on SvalbardLongyearbyen, Svalbard, NorwayUsually mid November to late JanuaryThe only town where the northern lights can appear at noon: three months of full dark at 78 degrees north.
Donna Nook grey seal puppingDonna Nook, Lincolnshire, United KingdomUsually early November to mid DecemberTwo thousand grey seal pups born on a beach you can walk along, a few metres from the fence.
St Martin's lantern processions in the RhinelandDüsseldorf and the Lower Rhine, GermanyNovember 4 to 14, 2026 (expected)On the nights around 11 November, thousands of children carry handmade lanterns behind a man on a horse.
Iceland AirwavesReykjavík, IcelandNovember 5 to 7, 2026 (expected)Three November nights of new music in Reykjavík's bars and churches, with aurora on the walk home.
Lewes BonfireLewes, East Sussex, United KingdomNovember 5, 2026Flaming crosses, burning barrels and effigies of the year's villains in England's most unhinged bonfire night.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas MarketBirmingham, West Midlands, United KingdomNovember 5 to December 24, 2026 (expected)A long-running German-style market through Victoria Square and New Street, with a big wheel and ice rink in Centenary Square.
Tallinn Black Nights Film FestivalTallinn, EstoniaNovember 6 to 22, 2026Northern Europe's biggest film festival, held when the nights are longest and the old town glows.
Feira Nacional do CavaloGolegã, Ribatejo, PortugalNovember 6 to 15, 2026A village of riders drinks aguardente in the saddle for ten days of Lusitano horses around St Martin's day.
Manchester Christmas MarketsManchester, England, United KingdomNovember 6 to December 22, 2026Ten market sites across Manchester city center, with a Ferris wheel on Albert Square and an undercover ice rink.
Vienna Christmas MarketsVienna, AustriaNovember 6 to December 26, 2026Over 20 markets on Vienna's historic squares, from Rathausplatz and Stephansplatz to the palaces at Schonbrunn and Belvedere.
Galway Christmas MarketGalway, Connacht, IrelandNovember 6 to December 31, 2026 (expected)Over 50 wooden chalets, a big wheel and a beer tent in Eyre Square, right beside Galway's bus and train stations.
Somerset Carnival (Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival)Bridgwater, Somerset, United KingdomNovember 7 to 21, 2026Giant illuminated carts parade through Bridgwater and a circuit of Somerset towns each November, ending with a line of fireworks squibs.
Longleat Festival of LightLongleat, Wiltshire, United KingdomNovember 7 to January 17, 2027More than 1,000 hand-crafted lanterns on an after-dark trail through Longleat's grounds, with a winter safari by day.
St Martin's croissant day in PoznańPoznań, PolandNovember 11, 2026A city eats a million poppy-seed croissants in one day, with a parade led by the saint on horseback.
York Christmas MarketYork, North Yorkshire, United KingdomNovember 12 to December 21, 2026 (expected)Alpine chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square in York, with more than 80% of traders from Yorkshire.
Copenhagen Christmas MarketsCopenhagen, Capital Region, DenmarkNovember 13 to January 3, 2027Tivoli Gardens and free street markets at Nytorv, Hojbro Plads and Nyhavn, with a free ice rink.
Budapest Christmas MarketsBudapest, HungaryNovember 13 to January 1, 2027Two big markets in central Pest, Vörösmarty Square and the Basilica, that stay open through New Year.
Valkenburg Christmas MarketValkenburg, Limburg, NetherlandsNovember 13 to January 3, 2027A Christmas market inside marlstone caves in South Limburg, billed as Europe's largest underground market.
Innsbruck Christmas MarketsInnsbruck, Tyrol, AustriaNovember 13 to January 6, 2027 (expected)Seven Christmas markets in an Alpine city, from the Golden Roof to a hilltop market reached by funicular.
San Miniato White Truffle FairSan Miniato, Tuscany, ItalyNovember 14 to 29, 2026Tuscany's answer to Alba: a hilltop town between Pisa and Florence sells white truffles three weekends in November.
Belfast Christmas MarketBelfast, Northern Ireland, United KingdomNovember 14 to December 22, 2026A Christmas market in the gardens of Belfast City Hall, with international food, crafts and late hours on weekends.
Edinburgh Christmas MarketEdinburgh, Scotland, United KingdomNovember 14 to January 3, 2027Markets, a Big Wheel, an ice rink and the Polar Ice Bar fill Princes Street Gardens and the center beneath Edinburgh Castle.
Sinterklaas arrival in AmsterdamAmstel river and Maritime Museum, Amsterdam, NetherlandsNovember 15, 2026The saint sails into Amsterdam on a steamboat in mid November and rides a white horse through the city.
Cologne Christmas MarketsCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyNovember 16 to December 23, 2026Several Christmas markets under and around the Gothic cathedral, from a harbor village to a gnome-themed old town fair.
Paris Christmas MarketsParis, Ile-de-FranceNovember 16 to January 5, 2027Around 20 chalet markets across Paris, from the Tuileries Garden to La Defense, Montmartre and Saint-Germain.
Les Sarmentelles de BeaujeuBeaujeu, Beaujolais, FranceNovember 18 to 22, 2026The new wine is uncorked at midnight in its home village, with torches, drums and barrels rolled through the streets.
Chester Christmas MarketChester, Cheshire, United KingdomNovember 18 to December 22, 2026Over 70 wooden chalets in Town Hall Square, beside Tudor buildings and Chester's two-tiered medieval Rows. Free entry.
Lille Christmas MarketLille, Hauts-de-FranceNovember 18 to December 30, 2026About 90 chalets around Place Rihour, plus a Ferris wheel and giant tree on the Grand Place, a short walk from two train stations.
Salzburg ChristkindlmarktSalzburg, AustriaNovember 19 to January 1, 2027One of the oldest Advent markets in the world, set under the cathedral and fortress in Salzburg's Old Town.
Zurich Christmas MarketsZurich, SwitzerlandNovember 19 to December 24, 2026Several Christmas markets across Zurich, from the Old Town to the main station, plus the Singing Christmas Tree.
Dusseldorf Christmas MarketsDusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyNovember 19 to December 30, 2026Seven themed Christmas markets across Dusseldorf's Old Town and shopping streets, with a 50-meter Ferris wheel.
Hyde Park Winter WonderlandLondon, England, United KingdomNovember 19 to January 3, 2027A 350-acre Christmas funfair in Hyde Park with ice sculptures, a rink, circus shows and markets.
Winchester Christmas MarketWinchester, Hampshire, United KingdomNovember 20 to December 22, 2026More than 100 wooden chalets in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, free to enter, in an English cathedral city.
Gdansk Christmas MarketGdansk, Pomerania, PolandNovember 20 to December 23, 2026A free Christmas market around Targ Weglowy and the Royal Route, with amber, handmade gifts and Old Town lights.
Bruges Christmas MarketBruges, West Flanders, BelgiumNovember 20 to January 3, 2027Wooden chalets and an ice rink on the Markt beneath the 83-meter belfry, part of the Winter Glow season.
Munich Christmas MarketsMunich, Bavaria, GermanyNovember 20 to December 24, 2026The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, a nativity market, a Krampus run and a dozen neighborhood markets across Munich.
Dublin Christmas MarketsDublin, IrelandNovember 20 to December 31, 2026TwinkleTown at Smithfield Square, a Ferris wheel and ice rink, plus smaller craft markets and light trails across Dublin.
Tallinn Christmas MarketTallinn, EstoniaNovember 20 to January 6, 2027A fairytale market in Town Hall Square around a Christmas tree that has stood there since 1441.
Montreux NoelMontreux, Vaud, SwitzerlandNovember 20 to December 24, 2026A lakeside Christmas market on Lake Geneva with over 150 chalets, a Ferris wheel and Santa flying over the water.
Rothenburg ReiterlesmarktRothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, GermanyNovember 20 to December 23, 2026A Christmas market with 500 years of tradition inside a walled medieval town in Bavaria.
Aachen Christmas MarketAachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyNovember 20 to December 23, 2026A month-long market around the cathedral and town hall, known for Aachener Printen gingerbread.
Zibelemärit onion market in BernBern, SwitzerlandNovember 23, 2026Bern wakes at five to fifty tonnes of onions braided into garlands and a confetti fight all day.
Colmar Christmas MarketsColmar, Alsace, FranceNovember 23 to December 29, 2026Six small Christmas markets among half-timbered houses and canals in the old town of Colmar, in Alsace.
Berlin Christmas MarketsBerlin, GermanyNovember 23 to January 3, 2027Dozens of Christmas markets across Berlin, from the Gendarmenmarkt to Charlottenburg Palace, some open past New Year.
Frankfurt Christmas MarketFrankfurt, Hesse, GermanyNovember 23 to December 22, 2026 (expected)Over 230 stalls winding from Hauptwache to the Römerberg and the River Main in one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets.
Hamburg Christmas MarketsHamburg, GermanyNovember 23 to December 23, 2026 (expected)Dozens of Christmas markets across Hamburg, from the big Rathausmarkt to the adults-only Santa Pauli on the Reeperbahn.
Heidelberg Christmas MarketHeidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, GermanyNovember 23 to December 22, 2026About 140 stalls across six Old Town squares under Heidelberg Castle, with an ice rink and a walk-in wine barrel.
Asia: 41 events in November
Bryde's whales of the upper GulfBang Tabun, Phetchaburi, ThailandUsually early September to late NovemberTwo hours from Bangkok, whales lunge-feed with mouths agape as anchovies boil at the surface.
Everest base camp autumn windowNamche Bazaar, Khumbu, NepalUsually early October to late NovemberThe clearest skies of the year on the classic trek, after the monsoon has washed the dust out of the Khumbu.
Raja Ampat manta seasonRaja Ampat, West Papua, IndonesiaUsually early October to late AprilThe richest reefs on the planet, and from October the mantas arrive at cleaning stations you kneel beside.
Deepavali in Little IndiaLittle India, SingaporeUsually mid October to mid NovemberSerangoon Road hangs a mile of light arches and the bazaars fill with jasmine before the festival of lights.
Cloud sea season at ZhangjiajieWulingyuan, Hunan, ChinaUsually early October to mid NovemberThousands of sandstone pillars standing out of the cloud after rain.
Nikko Autumn ColoursIrohazaka and Lake Chuzenji, Nikko, JapanUsually early October to early NovemberThe 48-hairpin road up to Lake Chuzenji is Japan's most famous autumn drive, and it turns in October.
Jiuzhaigou AutumnJiuzhaigou National Park, Sichuan, ChinaUsually mid October to early NovemberTravertine lakes so clear they look fake, framed for three weeks in red maple and yellow birch.
Ajloun olive harvestAjloun hills, JordanUsually mid October to late NovemberFamilies beat the olives from the trees on Jordan's greenest hills and press them the same day.
Hunza autumn coloursHunza Valley, PakistanUsually mid October to early NovemberPoplars and apricot orchards turn gold and scarlet beneath Rakaposhi in the Karakoram's brief autumn.
Naejangsan Autumn LeavesNaejangsan National Park, Jeongeup, South KoreaUsually late October to early NovemberKorea's best-known maple mountain, a horseshoe of peaks that turns red in early November.
Khorasan saffron harvestTorbat-e Heydarieh and Gonabad, Razavi Khorasan, IranUsually mid October to late NovemberPurple crocus fields picked at dawn in the region that grows most of the world's saffron.
Riyadh Season openingBoulevard Riyadh City, Saudi ArabiaOctober 21 to December 30, 2026A city-wide entertainment season opens with a parade and fireworks and runs all winter.
Rann UtsavGreat Rann of Kutch, IndiaNovember 1 to February 28, 2027 (expected)Tents on a moonlit salt desert that turns white to silver.
Seoul Kimchi FestivalSeoul Plaza, Seoul, South KoreaUsually early NovemberKimjang season in front of City Hall: thousands salting and stuffing cabbages for winter, and you can join.
Tachuan AutumnTachuan Village, Yi County, Anhui, ChinaUsually early to late NovemberRed tallow trees over white Huizhou villages, the autumn every Chinese landscape painter goes to paint.
Istanbul Marathon15 July Martyrs Bridge to Sultanahmet, Istanbul, TurkeyUsually early NovemberThe only marathon that starts on one continent and finishes on another, over a bridge closed for the day.
Crane gathering in the Hula ValleyAgamon Hula, Upper Galilee, IsraelUsually early November to late JanuaryTens of thousands of common cranes settle on one small lake for the winter, loud from dusk to dawn.
Bundala migratory bird seasonBundala National Park, Sri LankaUsually early November to late FebruaryFlamingos, spoonbills and thousands of northern waders on a south-coast lagoon, crocodiles for company.
Bua Tong sunflower bloomDoi Mae U-Kho, Mae Hong Son, ThailandUsually early November to mid DecemberHillsides near the Myanmar border turn yellow with wild Mexican sunflowers for six weeks of cool season.
Hampi UtsavHampi, Karnataka, IndiaUsually early NovemberA three-day Karnataka government festival of music, dance and a light show among the ruins of the Vijayanagara capital.
Karatsu KunchiKaratsu, Saga, JapanNovember 2 to 4, 2026Fourteen lacquered floats shaped like lions, sea bream and samurai helmets hauled through a castle town.
Diwali in JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaNovember 6 to 10, 2026The pink city's bazaars strung end to end with lights for a week, a competition each market takes seriously.
Tori no Ichi Rake FairOtori Shrine, Asakusa, Tokyo, JapanNovember 7 to 19, 2026On November's days of the rooster, Tokyo buys next year's luck as a rake covered in gold and rice bales.
TiharKathmandu, NepalNovember 7 to 11, 2026Nepal's five day festival of lights, where crows, dogs and cows each get a day of garlands before people do.
Autumn leaves in KyotoKyoto, JapanUsually mid November to early DecemberThe temples turn red for three weeks in late November, and the whole country comes to look.
Orchard Road Christmas light-upOrchard Road, SingaporeNovember 14 to January 3, 2027 (expected)A three-kilometre shopping street lit end to end through a tropical Christmas, ending in a street party.
Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo AvenueIcho Namiki, Aoyama, Tokyo, JapanUsually mid November to early DecemberTokyo's 300-metre tunnel of pruned ginkgo turns pure yellow, and then paves the street with it.
Poyang Lake Winter CranesWucheng, Poyang Lake, Jiangxi, ChinaUsually mid November to mid FebruaryAlmost every Siberian crane alive winters on one Chinese lake, with half a million other birds beside them.
Maolin Purple Butterfly ValleyMaolin National Scenic Area, Kaohsiung, TaiwanUsually mid November to early MarchOne of only two mass butterfly overwintering sites on earth: a million purple crows in a mountain valley.
Pushkar Camel FairPushkar, Rajasthan, IndiaNovember 17 to 24, 2026Tens of thousands of camels, horses and herders camped in the dunes beside a holy lake for a week.
Loy Krathong in SukhothaiSukhothai Historical Park, ThailandNovember 20 to 24, 2026 (expected)The festival of floating lights returns to the ruined capital that claims to have invented it.
Cherry Blossom Festival ShillongShillong, Meghalaya, IndiaNovember 20 to 21, 2026Two days of live music, food and art while Himalayan cherry trees bloom pink across the hills of Shillong each November.
That Luang FestivalPha That Luang, Vientiane, LaosNovember 21 to 24, 2026Laos's national stupa is circled by candlelight as monks from across the country gather for its great day.
Rash Mela at Dublar CharDublar Char, Sundarbans, BangladeshNovember 22 to 24, 2026A three day pilgrimage by boat to a fishing island at the edge of the world's largest mangrove forest.
Higantes FestivalAngono, Rizal, PhilippinesNovember 22 to 23, 2026Three-metre papier-mache giants parade through the art town of Angono to mock the old landlords.
Ok Om Bok moon festivalSoc Trang, VietnamNovember 23 to 25, 2026 (expected)The Khmer of the Mekong Delta thank the moon with sticky rice, lanterns and boat races rowed by sixty men.
Dev Deepawali in VaranasiVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaNovember 24, 2026A million oil lamps on the Ganges ghats for one night, the gods' own Diwali, fifteen days after ours.
Sonepur MelaSonepur, Bihar, IndiaNovember 24 to December 23, 2026Asia's oldest livestock fair, a month of horses, buffalo, birds and wrestling at the meeting of two rivers.
Yi Peng lantern festivalChiang Mai, ThailandNovember 24 to 25, 2026Thousands of paper lanterns lift into the November sky over the old walled city on the full moon.
Dubai Rugby SevensThe Sevens Stadium, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesNovember 28 to 29, 2026The Sevens series opener, three days of fast rugby and a fancy-dress crowd in the desert.
Beirut MarathonBeirut, LebanonNovember 29, 2026The city runs along its seafront and through its scarred centre together for one Sunday.
South America: 14 events in November
Southern right whales at Praia do RosaPraia do Rosa and Imbituba, Santa Catarina, BrazilUsually mid July to early NovemberRight whales nurse their calves so close to the beach you can watch from a surf town's headland.
Caño Cristales in full colourLa Macarena, Meta, ColombiaUsually early September to late NovemberThe river of five colours turns crimson when an aquatic plant blooms, for only a few months a year.
Magellanic penguins return to Punta TomboPunta Tombo, Chubut, ArgentinaUsually mid September to late MarchHalf a million penguins walk back to the same burrows on a Patagonian beach, and you walk among them.
Southern right whale season closingPeninsula Valdes, ArgentinaUsually early November to mid DecemberThe last weeks to watch southern right whales nurse calves in sheltered Patagonian bays.
Jacaranda season in Buenos AiresRecoleta, Palermo and Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaUsually early to late NovemberFor a few November weeks the city's avenues turn violet, and the pavements underneath match.
Fiestas de Independencia de CartagenaCartagena, Bolívar, ColombiaNovember 1 to 16, 2026Cartagena's carnival before Carnival: cumbia, foam, flour fights and a pageant the whole country watches.
Mama Negra of LatacungaLatacunga, Cotopaxi, EcuadorUsually early to mid NovemberA rider in drag on horseback, huacos in white, and roast pigs carried whole: Ecuador's strangest parade.
Penguin season on Isla MagdalenaIsla Magdalena, Strait of Magellan, ChileUsually early October to late MarchA treeless island in the Strait of Magellan holds sixty thousand penguin pairs, and you walk among them.
Puno Week and the arrival of Manco CápacPuno, Lake Titicaca, PeruNovember 1 to 7, 2026 (expected)The first Inca rises from Lake Titicaca on a reed boat and is carried through Puno by hundreds of dancers.
São Paulo Grand Prix at InterlagosAutódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos, São Paulo, BrazilNovember 6 to 8, 2026 (expected)Formula 1's loudest crowd on one of its last old-school circuits, with a rainstorm never far off.
Diwali in GeorgetownGeorgetown, GuyanaNovember 7 to 8, 2026 (expected)South America's only Diwali motorcade: lit floats, diyas on every wall and a whole coast glowing after dark.
Día de las ÑatitasCementerio General, La Paz, BoliviaNovember 8, 2026 (expected)A week after All Souls, families bring their household skulls to the cemetery, crowned with flowers.
Feria de la ChinitaMaracaibo, Zulia, VenezuelaNovember 12 to 19, 2026 (expected)Maracaibo greets its Virgin with gaita music all night, fireworks over the lake and a blazing basilica.
Fiestas de QuitoQuito, EcuadorNovember 15 to December 6, 2026 (expected)Quito celebrates its founding with chiva buses in the streets, serenades, canelazo and a week of concerts.
Africa: 19 events in November
Carmine bee-eater coloniesSouth Luangwa National Park, ZambiaUsually late August to mid NovemberThousands of crimson bee-eaters nest in the Luangwa riverbanks, exploding into the air at any passing raptor.
Whale sharks off Nosy BeNosy Be, MadagascarUsually mid September to mid DecemberWhale sharks feed on the surface off Madagascar's holiday island from September to December.
Jacaranda seasonPretoria, South AfricaUsually early October to mid NovemberSeventy thousand jacarandas turn the capital purple for a few weeks each spring.
Tozeur date harvestTozeur oasis, TunisiaUsually mid October to mid NovemberThe Sahara's oldest oasis brings in its deglet nour dates under a hundred thousand palms.
Kasanka bat migrationKasanka National Park, ZambiaUsually mid October to mid DecemberTen million fruit bats fill the sky at dusk from a patch of swamp forest the size of a few football pitches.
Whale sharks off Mafia IslandKilindoni, Mafia Island, TanzaniaUsually mid October to early FebruaryA resident population of whale sharks feeds off a quiet island south of Zanzibar from October to March.
Hawksbill nesting on Cousin IslandCousin Island, near Praslin, SeychellesUsually mid October to late JanuaryThe only place hawksbill turtles nest in daylight, on a nature reserve island the size of a few city blocks.
AbissaGrand-Bassam, Ivory CoastOctober 25 to November 8, 2026The N'Zima new year: a week of public confession, dancing and drumming in a UNESCO colonial town.
Lamu Cultural FestivalLamu Town, KenyaUsually mid to late NovemberDhow races, donkey races and Swahili poetry in a car-free stone town on the Indian Ocean.
Turtle nesting at iSimangalisoSodwana Bay, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South AfricaUsually early November to late JanuaryLeatherbacks and loggerheads come ashore on empty South African beaches to lay under the summer moon.
Whale sharks in the Gulf of TadjouraGulf of Tadjoura, DjiboutiUsually early November to late FebruaryJuvenile whale sharks feed in a Red Sea gulf so reliably that some days you swim with a dozen.
HogbetsotsoAnloga, Volta Region, GhanaNovember 7, 2026The Anlo Ewe re-enact their escape from a tyrant king by walking backwards, in a lagoon town near Togo.
Ficksburg Cherry FestivalFicksburg, Free State, South AfricaUsually mid to late NovemberSouth Africa's oldest crop festival: cherry picking, a country fair and the Maluti Mountains as backdrop.
Cape Cross seal puppingCape Cross, Skeleton Coast, NamibiaUsually early November to mid DecemberA hundred thousand fur seals and their newborn pups pack a rocky headland on the Skeleton Coast.
Cairo International Film FestivalCairo Opera House, Zamalek, EgyptNovember 11 to 20, 2026The Arab world's oldest film festival, ten days of premieres on the Nile island of Zamalek.
NgondoWouri river, Douala, CameroonUsually early DecemberThe Sawa people consult the water spirits of the Wouri with a diver who returns with a message for the year.
Nyege Nyege FestivalJinja, source of the Nile, UgandaNovember 19 to 22, 2026Four days of underground East African electronic music on the banks of the Nile.
Marrakech International Film FestivalPalais des Congres and Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech, MoroccoNovember 20 to 28, 2026International cinema and free open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fna under the winter stars.
Great Ethiopian RunAddis Ababa, EthiopiaNovember 22, 2026Africa's biggest road race: 45,000 people in matching shirts singing through Addis at 2,400 m.
Oceania: 12 events in November
Whitebait season on the West CoastHaast and Hokitika, West Coast, New ZealandSeptember 1 to November 14, 2026Tiny translucent fish run up the rivers and the whole coast stands in the water with a net.
Fest'NapuanPort Vila, Efate, VanuatuUsually mid October to mid NovemberFour free nights of string bands, reggae and island music on a seafront park in Port Vila.
Red crab migration on Christmas IslandChristmas Island, AustraliaUsually mid October to mid JanuaryTens of millions of red crabs march from the rainforest to the sea, closing roads and carpeting the island.
Sculpture by the SeaBondi to Tamarama coastal walk, Sydney, AustraliaOctober 22 to November 8, 2026 (expected)A hundred sculptures set along two kilometres of clifftop between Sydney's best beaches, free to walk.
Grafton Jacaranda FestivalGrafton, New South Wales, AustraliaOctober 23 to November 7, 2026A river town goes purple as thousands of jacarandas bloom over its streets, celebrated since 1935.
Taranaki Garden FestivalNew Plymouth, Taranaki, New ZealandOctober 30 to November 8, 2026Dozens of private gardens open under a snow-capped volcano at the peak of rhododendron season.
Melbourne CupFlemington Racecourse, Melbourne, AustraliaOctober 31 to November 7, 2026 (expected)The race that stops a nation, run on the first Tuesday of November on a rose-lined track.
Coral spawning on the Great Barrier ReefOuter reef off Cairns and Port Douglas, Queensland, AustraliaUsually early November to mid DecemberFor a few nights after the November full moon, the reef releases a pink snowstorm of eggs and sperm.
Triple Crown of SurfingNorth Shore, Oahu, United StatesUsually mid November to mid DecemberThe winter swell arrives and the world's best surfers gather at Pipeline, Sunset and Haleiwa.
Toast MartinboroughMartinborough, Wairarapa, New ZealandNovember 14, 2026A one-day wine walk between pinot noir vineyards in a village laid out like a Union Jack.
Queenstown MarathonQueenstown, Otago, New ZealandNovember 14, 2026A lakeside marathon through vineyards and along the Shotover, with the Remarkables as the backdrop.
Vaka EivaRarotonga, Cook IslandsNovember 20 to 27, 2026A week of outrigger canoe racing around Rarotonga, open to visiting paddlers as much as locals.