Top 20 Most Popular Holidays and Festivals Around the World in 2025
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Holidays and festivals are powerful ways to unite people across different cultures, religions, and regions. Each holiday holds its own special traditions, drawing communities together to celebrate, reflect, and honor heritage.
From joyous festivities and grand parades to sacred rituals and quiet moments of gratitude, these events reflect a rich tapestry of human culture.
Each entry includes the estimated number of participants, the significance, and the celebration activities that make each holiday unique.
Learn more: Top 10 Major Religious Festivals Worldwide in 2025
Top 20 Biggest Holidays and Festivals Worldwide 2025
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| Top 20 Biggest Holidays And Festivals 2025. Image: KnowInsiders.com |
1. Christmas
Date: December 25
Estimated Participants: Over 2 billion globally
Significance: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, central to Christian faith, symbolizing peace, joy, and generosity.
Celebration Activities: Decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, attending church services, singing carols, and gathering for family meals with festive foods.
2. New Year's Day
Date: January 1
Estimated Participants: Over 1 billion worldwide
Significance: Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year, symbolizing renewal and fresh starts.
Celebration Activities: Countdown parties, fireworks displays, gatherings with family and friends, special meals, and making New Year’s resolutions.
3. Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)
Date: January 29
Estimated Participants: Over 1.5 billion, especially in China and Southeast Asia
Significance: Celebrates the new lunar year, honoring family and tradition.
Celebration Activities: Fireworks, dragon and lion dances, family reunions, giving red envelopes (lai see) with money, and decorating with red and gold symbols for good fortune.
4. Eid al-Fitr
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| Muslims pray during Eid al-Fitr |
Date: April 20 (subject to moon sighting)
Estimated Participants: Over 1.6 billion Muslims
Significance: Marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, symbolizing gratitude and community.
Celebration Activities: Community prayers, charity donations, feasting with family, wearing new clothes, and exchanging gifts among family and friends.
5. Easter
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| Easter egg hunts |
Date: April 20
Estimated Participants: Over 2.3 billion Christians worldwide
Significance: Commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing hope and renewal.
Celebration Activities: Church services, Easter egg hunts, family meals, decorating Easter eggs, and participating in parades.
 Top 20 Major Religious Holidays Worldwide 2025: Origins, Significances, and Celebrations |
6. Diwali
Date: October 21
Estimated Participants: Over 1 billion, particularly in India and South Asia
Significance: Known as the Festival of Lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
Celebration Activities: Lighting oil lamps (diyas), bursting fireworks, decorating homes with rangoli, exchanging sweets and gifts, and visiting family.
 Happy Diwali 2024: 15 Best Wishes, Messages, and Quotes |
7. Ramadan
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| Ramadan Kareem |
Date: March 30 - April 28
Estimated Participants: Over 1.6 billion Muslims
Significance: A holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, observed by Muslims worldwide.
Celebration Activities: Fasting from dawn to sunset, performing additional prayers, and breaking the fast with family and friends in the evening (iftar).
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8. Thanksgiving
Dates: November 27 (U.S.), October 13 (Canada)
Estimated Participants: Over 350 million, primarily in North America
Significance: A day of gratitude for the harvest and blessings received.
Celebration Activities: Family feasts centered around turkey, watching parades, expressing gratitude, and sometimes engaging in volunteer work.
9. Holi
Date: March 13
Estimated Participants: Over 900 million, particularly in India and South Asia
Significance: The Hindu Festival of Colors, celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.
Celebration Activities: Throwing colored powders, singing, dancing, and sharing festive foods with friends and family.
10. Oktoberfest
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Dates: September 20 – October 5
Estimated Participants: Over 6 million in Munich, Germany, with similar events worldwide
Significance: Celebrates Bavarian culture, known for its beer traditions and festive spirit.
Celebration Activities: Drinking beer in large tents, dressing in traditional Bavarian clothing, enjoying German food, and dancing to folk music.
11. Carnival
Date: February 24
Estimated Participants: Over 2 million in Rio de Janeiro, with millions more worldwide
Significance: A festival of celebration before Lent, known for its vibrant, joyous spirit.
Celebration Activities: Parades, samba music, elaborate costumes, street parties, and dancing.
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12. Halloween
Date: October 31
Estimated Participants: Over 400 million, primarily in the U.S., Canada, and Europe
Significance: A holiday with ancient roots in Samhain, Halloween celebrates themes of mystery, horror, and fun.
Celebration Activities: Dressing in costumes, trick-or-treating, decorating homes with spooky themes, and visiting haunted houses.
13. Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)
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| Day of the Dead |
Date: November 1 - 2
Estimated Participants: Over 25 million, primarily in Mexico and among Mexican communities
Significance: A Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones.
Celebration Activities: Creating altars with photos and offerings, decorating with marigolds, making sugar skulls, and visiting cemeteries.
14. Bastille Day
Date: July 14
Estimated Participants: Over 67 million in France, with celebrations by French communities globally
Significance: Marks the beginning of the French Revolution and is France’s National Day.
Celebration Activities: Military parades, firework displays, concerts, and communal gatherings. The most famous celebrations occur in Paris, featuring a parade on the Champs-Élysées and fireworks by the Eiffel Tower.
15. Mardi Gras
Date: February 11
Estimated Participants: Over 1 million in New Orleans, with celebrations worldwide
Significance: Known as “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras is the final day before Lent begins in the Christian calendar.
Celebration Activities: Parades with floats, colorful costumes, bead-throwing, masked balls, and lively street parties, especially in New Orleans and parts of the Caribbean.
16. Hanukkah
Date: December 12 - 20
Estimated Participants: Over 14 million, particularly in Jewish communities
Significance: Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
Celebration Activities: Lighting the menorah, playing dreidel games, giving gifts, and eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes.
 Happy Hanukkah - Jewish Holiday: Meaning, History and Celebration |
17. Navratri
Date: October 2 - 10
Estimated Participants: Over 800 million, particularly in India and among Hindu communities globally
Significance: A nine-day Hindu festival honoring Goddess Durga, representing the triumph of good over evil.
Celebration Activities: Traditional dance events like Garba and Dandiya, fasting, temple visits, and wearing colorful attire. This festival is especially prominent in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
18. Songkran (Thai New Year)
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| Songkran New Year holiday in Thailand. Photo: Livinglocal |
Date: April 13 - 15
Estimated Participants: Over 30 million in Thailand, with celebrations among Thai communities worldwide
Significance: Celebrates the traditional Thai New Year, marking a time of renewal and water blessings.
Celebration Activities: Water fights, splashing water on each other as a blessing, temple visits, cleaning homes, and giving alms to monks. The festivities are lively, with Bangkok and Chiang Mai as popular celebration spots.
 Songkran Festival: Top 100+ Best Wishes, Quotes and Messages |
19. Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Date: October 3 - 5
Estimated Participants: Over 14 million, particularly in Jewish communities
Significance: Marks the Jewish New Year and a period of reflection and renewal.
Celebration Activities: Synagogue services, blowing of the shofar, and family meals.
20. Boxing Day
Date: December 26
Estimated Participants: Over 60 million, particularly in Commonwealth countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia
Significance: Traditionally a day for giving gifts to those in need and to service workers, now also known as a major shopping holiday.
Celebration Activities: Shopping for post-Christmas sales, attending sporting events, giving to charity, and spending time with family and friends.
In Conclusion
The top 20 holidays and festivals in 2025 reflect humanity's rich diversity, unity, and shared values. These events draw millions across the globe, connecting people through themes of gratitude, renewal, remembrance, and celebration. By participating in these traditions, people from all backgrounds find common ground and joy, highlighting the power of culture to unite us all.
This revised list ranks the top 20 holidays and festivals in 2025 based on global participation and cultural impact, showcasing the celebrations that bring people together worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What defines a holiday or festival as “popular”?
Popularity is based on the number of participants, cultural impact, and international recognition, along with the scale of celebrations and media coverage.
How can travelers experience these holidays authentically?
Participating respectfully in local celebrations, learning about the traditions, and engaging with locals are great ways to experience holidays authentically.
Are all these holidays public holidays in their respective countries?
Not all festivals are public holidays, as some celebrations may be cultural or religious events not officially recognized by the government.
Why do certain holidays like Halloween or Christmas have global appeal?
Their secular aspects, unique themes, and widespread media portrayal contribute to their appeal, making them popular beyond their cultural or religious origins.
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