The Most Popular Festival in the World, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the festival you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 11, 2024 06:38
Festivals bring people together from all corners of the globe, celebrating everything from music and film to food and culture. But with so many vibrant and diverse gatherings taking place yearly, finding the top festivals can be a daunting task. A ranking system that scrutinizes public opinion can shine a light on which events truly resonate with attendees, helping festival-goers decide where they might want to venture next.
This site offers you the chance to cast your vote on festivals you've attended and loved, directly influencing the live rankings you see. By participating, you not only contribute to a global community of festival enthusiasts but also guide others in discovering impactful and cherished festival experiences. Each vote helps ensure the rankings reflect current trends and popular opinions.
What Is the Most Popular Festival in the World?
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145votesThe carnival in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and biggest festivals in the world, attracting millions of people every year. The festival is known for its colorful parades, samba dancing, and elaborate costumes.The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a vibrant and festive celebration that is considered one of the most popular festivals in the world. It is a colorful and dynamic event filled with music, dance, parades, and elaborate costumes.
- Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Duration: Approximately one week
- Date: Occurs annually in February or early March
- Main Events: Samba parades, masquerade balls, street parties
- Samba Schools: Numerous samba schools participate in the parades, showcasing their music, dance, and costumes
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229votesThe Oktoberfest in Munich is the world's largest beer festival, attracting more than 6 million visitors every year. The festival is known for its traditional German food, music, and of course, beer.Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is an annual beer festival held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the most popular festivals in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. The festival runs for about 16 days, starting in late September and ending in the first weekend of October. Originally, it was a celebration of the marriage of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese in 1810. Since then, it has grown into a major event with cultural and historical significance.
- Duration: 16 days
- Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- Start Date: Late September
- End Date: First weekend of October
- First Held: 1810
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312votesHoli is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal, known for its colorful powder and water fights. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.Holi in India is one of the most popular and vibrant festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across the country. It is also known as the 'festival of colors' or the 'festival of love'. During Holi, people come together to mark the arrival of spring and bid farewell to winter. It is a time when people forget any differences and celebrate in a spirit of unity. Holi is primarily celebrated by throwing colored powders and water at each other. The festival is accompanied by music, dance, singing, and traditional sweets. People also gather around bonfires on the eve of Holi to pray for their well-being and the triumph of good over evil.
- Origin: India
- Date: Varies each year but typically in March
- Duration: Usually lasts for two days
- Meaning: Celebration of the arrival of spring, love, and unity
- Traditions: Throwing colored powders and water, bonfires, music, dance, and singing
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420votesMardi Gras in New Orleans is a carnival celebration that takes place before the Christian season of Lent. The festival is known for its parades, costumes, and traditional Cajun and Creole food.Mardi Gras in New Orleans, USA is a lively and iconic festival known for its vibrant parades, elaborate costumes, and energetic celebrations. It is a historic tradition that dates back centuries and has become one of the most famous festivals in the world.
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Duration: Multiple weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday
- Date: Varies yearly, falling between February and March
- Parades: Numerous parades featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and throwings
- Costumes: Elaborate and creative costumes worn by participants and revelers
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510votes
Myrabella · CC BY-SA 4.0Chinese New Year is a festival celebrated in China and other countries with significant Chinese populations. The festival is known for its dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and traditional Chinese food.Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in China. It is celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide, marking the beginning of the lunar calendar year. The festival usually lasts for 15 days, starting from the first day of the lunar month and ending with the Lantern Festival.- Date: It falls between January 21 and February 20 (based on the Gregorian calendar).
- Length: 15 days
- Traditions: Reunion dinners, red envelope gifting, lion and dragon dances, firecrackers, and lantern festivals.
- Zodiac Animal: Each year is associated with one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals. It cycles through Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
- Festive Decorations: Red lanterns, couplets, paper cuttings, and traditional New Year paintings are commonly used to decorate homes and streets.
Chinese New Year in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular winter holiday
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618votes
Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan) · CC BY-SA 3.0La Tomatina is a festival held in the town of Buñol, Spain, where participants engage in a massive tomato fight. The festival attracts thousands of people every year and is known for its messy and fun atmosphere.La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain is a unique and exciting festival that involves a massive tomato fight. It is held annually on the last Wednesday of August and attracts participants from all around the world. The festival is a massive spectacle where participants throw tomatoes at each other, resulting in a colorful and messy celebration.- Location: Buñol, Spain
- Date: Last Wednesday of August
- Participants: Thousands of people from around the world
- Duration: Around one hour
- Tomato Quantity: Approximately 150 metric tons of tomatoes
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79votesDiwali is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and other countries with significant Hindu populations. The festival is known for its lights, fireworks, and traditional Indian sweets.Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by millions of people across the country and around the world. Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival typically lasts for five days and is filled with joyful celebrations, vibrant decorations, delicious food, and various religious rituals.
- Significance: Victory of light over darkness and good over evil
- Duration: Five days
- Celebrations: Lighting oil lamps, bursting firecrackers, exchanging gifts, cleaning and decorating homes, preparing special meals, performing religious rituals
- Date: Varies each year, typically falls between October and November
- Symbolism: Light, colors, sweets, new beginnings
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88votes
ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เทวประภาส มากคล้าย · CC BY 3.0Songkran is a traditional Thai festival that marks the Thai New Year. The festival is known for its water fights, where participants throw water at each other to wash away bad luck and sins.Songkran in Thailand is the traditional New Year festival celebrated annually from April 13th to April 15th. It is also known as the Water Festival, as water plays a significant role in the celebrations. Songkran marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of the Thai traditional New Year.- Duration: April 13th to April 15th
- Origin: Thailand
- Tradition: Water festival and New Year celebration
- Significance: Symbolizes purification and the washing away of sins and bad luck
- Water-related activities: Water fights, splashing water on others, and pouring scented water on Buddha images for blessings
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95votes
Czampal · CC BY-SA 4.0Glastonbury Festival in the UK
Michael EavisGlastonbury Festival is a music festival held in Somerset, England, attracting thousands of music fans every year. The festival is known for its diverse lineup of artists and its sustainable and eco-friendly approach.The Glastonbury Festival in the UK is a world-renowned music and performing arts festival that takes place annually at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England. It attracts thousands of music fans, artists, and performers from across the globe.- Location: Worthy Farm, Somerset, England
- Year of First Festival: 1970
- Duration: 5 days
- Music Genres: Various genres including rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic, folk, and more
- Capacity: Approximately 135,000 attendees
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106votes
Mike Q Victor · CC BY-SA 3.0Burning Man is an annual festival held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, known for its art installations, music, and self-expression. The festival is based on the principles of radical self-reliance and community, and attracts tens of thousands of people every year.
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Ranking factors for popular festival
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AttendanceOne of the main factors to consider is the number of attendees the festival draws each year. A high attendance rate is an indicator of popularity.
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Global recognitionThe festival's fame and reputation in different countries play a crucial role in ranking its popularity. A festival known and celebrated worldwide is likely more popular than one restricted to a local audience.
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Economic impactA popular festival often has a significant economic impact on its host city or country, including increased tourism, business for local industries, and additional revenue for the government.
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Media coverageThe amount of media coverage a festival receives, both locally and internationally, is an essential factor in gauging its popularity. Increased visibility indicates higher popularity.
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Cultural significanceThe historical and cultural importance of a festival can contribute to its overall popularity. Festivals that have a strong cultural connection or celebrate a specific tradition are more likely to be popular among locals and tourists.
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Duration of the festivalLonger festivals tend to have a higher number of attendees over time, which could be an indicator of popularity.
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Star power and performancesFestivals that attract big-name performers and artists are likely to be more popular as they can draw larger crowds and media attention.
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Online presence and social media engagementA significant online following and high engagement on social media platforms are indicators of a popular festival. Positive reviews, hashtags, and discussions about the festival can help gauge its global popularity.
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Awards and accoladesFestivals that have received awards or commendations from industry organizations or media outlets may be more popular as they have been recognized for their excellence.
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Accessibility and inclusivityA festival that is accessible and inclusive to a wide range of audiences, including people of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities, is likely to be more popular than one that caters to a specific demographic.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular festival in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Festival is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1723 views
- 159 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Festival once every 24 hours. The rank of each Festival is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular festival in the world
Festivals are an integral part of human culture and have been celebrated for thousands of years. From music to food to religious celebrations, festivals bring people together to share in a collective experience. With so many festivals taking place around the world, it can be difficult to determine which one holds the title of "most popular." However, there are a few that consistently draw in large crowds and capture the attention of people from all over the world. Let's take a closer look at some of the most beloved festivals on the planet.
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