(Image viaThere's no better way to explore a culture than by experiencing its national days. These celebrations bring communities together and highlight traditions, stories, and histories that make each culture unique. Often filled with local food, music, and festivities, such occasions offer a beautiful blend of pride and connection. Whether it’s savoring spicy curries in India or dancing to samba rhythms in Brazil, these festivals serve as vibrant invitations to explore the hearts of cultures worldwide. You don’t need to be from the country to participate. Many of these events are celebrated globally or can be recreated in your own home. From mouthwatering feasts to dazzling parades, here are some standout celebrations and everything you need to know to join in the fun.
Carnival
- Where It’s Celebrated: Brazil
- Dates: February or March
Carnival is the heartbeat of Brazil, a lively festival that takes place just before Lent. It’s all about samba dancing, colorful parades, and letting loose for one last celebration before the period of fasting and reflection begins.
The Food Scene
Carnival encourages indulgence, and the food reflects that spirit. Feijoada, a savory black bean and pork stew, a favorite dish. You’ll also find pão de queijo (chewy cheese bread) and brigadeiros (sweet chocolate truffles) at nearly every celebration. Street vendors sell snacks like grilled corn and pastel, a deep-fried pastry with various fillings.
How to Celebrate
If Brazil isn’t on your travel list, don’t worry. Cities worldwide celebrate Carnival with samba workshops, street parties, and costume parades. Bring the energy home by streaming Brazilian music and trying your hand at making feijoada.
Bastille Day
- Where It’s Celebrated: France
- Date: July 14th
Celebrated with grandeur across France, Bastille Day honors the storming of the Bastille in 1789, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. The festivities are characterized by patriotic pride, with plenty of food and flair.
What’s on the Table?
Celebrations showcase the best of French cuisine. Croissants, baguettes, charcuterie, and cheese platters are common staples. For dessert, éclairs and fruit tarts are crowd-pleasers. Bastille Day celebrations are also known for their wine, with French reds and whites flowing freely.
How to Celebrate Like the French
Host a French-inspired picnic with fresh pastries and cheese, or tune in to the famous military parade on the Champs-Élysées. Finish with a toast saying “Vive la France!” under a sky lit with fireworks.
Lunar New Year
- Where It’s Celebrated: China
- Date: Around January to February (Dates Vary)
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the start of the Chinese lunar calendar. It’s a 15-day celebration centered on family, food, and fresh beginnings. Festivities often include parades with dragon dances, fireworks, and red decorations symbolizing good luck.
What’s on the Menu?
Everything served during the Lunar New Year has symbolic meaning. Dumplings are said to bring wealth, spring rolls symbolize gold bars, and long noodles represent longevity. Families often prepare whole fish to signify abundance and sticky rice cakes (nian gao) for rising prosperity.
Join the Festivities
Find a nearby Lunar New Year celebration featuring food markets, cultural performances, and traditional crafts. At home, try making dumplings or decorating your space with red and gold lanterns for good fortune.
Songkran
- Where It’s Celebrated: Thailand
- Date: April 13-15
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is one of the most exciting water festivals in the world. Celebrated in the peak of summer, Songkran involves water fights, rituals, and feasting to welcome the new year.
What to Eat
Food is a major part of Songkran, with street stalls offering dishes like som tum (papaya salad), pad Thai, and mango sticky rice. Spicy curries and herbal soups are also popular, as Thais gather with family for festive meals.
Get in on the Fun
If you’re in Thailand, water fights in places like Chiang Mai or Bangkok are unforgettable. Outside Thailand, you can host a Songkran-inspired day by enjoying Thai food and holding a “water blessing” ceremony, which traditionally symbolizes cleansing and renewal.
Oktoberfest
- Where It’s Celebrated: Germany
- Date: September and October
Oktoberfest in Munich is the world’s largest beer festival, lasting up to 16 days. What started as a royal wedding celebration in 1810 is now a global phenomenon, filled with traditional music, dancing, and, of course, hearty German cuisine.
The Food Spread
Oktoberfest brings Bavarian classics like pretzels, bratwurst, roast chicken, schnitzel, and potato pancakes. For dessert, indulge in apple strudel or lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies). Beer lovers won’t want to miss sampling authentic German lagers.
How to Celebrate
Cities around the world now host their own Oktoberfest events, complete with beer gardens and folk music. If that’s not an option, recreate the festival vibe at home with traditional dishes and drinks. You might even try wearing a dirndl or lederhosen!
Diwali
- Where It’s Celebrated: India
- Date: Usually October or November (Dates Vary)
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a multi-day celebration of light triumphing over darkness. Homes glow with oil lamps and candles, while fireworks light up the skies. Families exchange gifts and enjoy feasts together.
Diwali Foods
Sweet treats like ladoos, jalebi, and gulab jamun are staples during Diwali. Savory dishes such as samosas, paneer curries, and biryanis are common at festive meals. Every dish is rich in flavor and tradition.
How to Participate
Join in by cooking up an Indian-inspired meal and lighting some candles in your home. Many cities with Indian communities hold Diwali fairs with dance performances, food stalls, and firework displays open to the public.
Nowruz
- Where It’s Celebrated: Iran
- Date: March 21st
Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, celebrated on the first day of spring. It’s a symbolic time for renewal and rebirth, with families coming together to share meals and gifts while honoring traditions that date back thousands of years.
Flavors of Nowruz
Traditional dishes like sabzi polo (herbed rice with fish), kuku sabzi (herb frittata), and ash reshteh (noodle soup) are commonly served. Sweet treats like baklava and Persian tea always add to the festive atmosphere.
How to Celebrate
Set up your own Haft-Seen table (a traditional Nowruz arrangement honoring specific symbols of life and renewal). You can also attend public Nowruz festivals in many cities, featuring music, dancing, and Persian food tastings.
