The Most Popular Holidays & Festivals in October in America

List of festivals and holidays in October around the world. Photo: Pinterest

October is best known for its Halloween festivities, but it's also a month loaded with national and global celebrations.

The best world festivals can be the top way of experiencing somewhere new. Go to a world festival and you get to sample the local cultural traditions in one place, you can mingle with the locals, and see their twist on the festival fun.

Full Calendar of Most Important Holidays in October From Around the World

Here is the list of the important festivals in October 2021:

Oktoberfest, Germany, September 18 - October 4

Photo: Mass Brew Bros

Millions of liters of Oktoberfest beer are just the beginning of this 15-day Bavarian fair, which takes over Munich every year. Having started in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, the event is still held on the original site, dubbed Theresienwiese (“Theresa’s fields”). As well as your fill of Löwenbräu pints, there are also amusement rides, market stalls, games, and a bounty of traditional food to sample from pretzels, dumplings, and cheese noodles to all manner of sausages and roasted meats.

Golden Eagle Festival, Mongolia (October 2 to 3)

During the Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia (Shutterstock)

Another competitive festival in Mongolia, though this time without all the arrows buzzing around. Instead, it'll be golden eagles flying in high during this two-day tradition in early October.

Eagle hunters – not actual hunters, but those adept at falconry (training the eagles themselves to hunt) – from across Bayan-Ölgii, the most westerly region of Mongolia, come together to test their skill, by comparing the birds' accuracy.

In such a remote part of the world, you'll be able to witness the Golden Eagle Festival as part of a tailor-made tour to Mongolia.

Balloon Fiesta, USA, Saturday, October 2-10

Every year, more than 500 hot air balloons soar into the clear blue skies above Rio Grande Valley in Alburquerque, New Mexico. The Mass Ascension, as it's known, is quite an unforgettable sight: an explosion of rainbow colors, funky patterns, and awe-inspiring design, according to Wanderlust.

Events also take place at night, and you don't need to have your own hot air balloon to join in. You can buy a ticket, rock up and simply enjoy the view.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Thailand, October 5-15

Photo: Mass Brew Bros

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival isn't necessarily a straightforward celebration of all things vegetarian. It's also known as The Nine Emperor Gods Festival, and it's actually one of the most bustling – and some might say brash – festivals in Thailand.

It's raucous, busy, and a little bit 'out there for a religious festival. Participants follow strict diets, give up sex and avoid alcohol for the duration, and wear white outfits to denote their purity. Then, it all kicks off: chants, firecrackers, and some strange stunts from performers. You may spot someone walking on nails or even piercing their cheeks with their swords. Needless to say, this festival is best witnessed from a distance.

Lord of the Miracles, Peru, October 18

Lima residents parade through the capital in honor of Señor de Los Milagros, quite literally translated to Lord of the Miracles. Everyone wears purple to signify their loyalty and devotion to the Lord (some throughout the entire month of October).

There are usually thousands taking part in the procession, which follows the painting of Señor de Los Milagros carefully propped on a large float, all singing religious songs and saying prayers.

Undeniably, it's one of South America's biggest festivals. Again, if you're not one of the locals, one best seen from the sidelines.

Dia de los Muertos, Mexico, November 2

Photo: AFAR

One of my favorite world festivals is the Dia de los Muertos in Latin America, and particularly Mexico. Recently, movies like Spectre and Disney’s Coco have given the festival worldwide fame. But while the colorful costumes and skull face paints are an eye-catching part of Day of the Dead, the festival is about much more than that, Emily Luxton reported.

It’s a three-day holiday in which families gather together to remember and pray for loved ones who have died. Many visit the cemeteries to make offerings, decorating the graves with marigolds and candles. Some families even hold parties in the cemeteries, and the atmosphere is generally one of joy and celebration rather than sadness. There are a vast amount of traditions and beliefs surrounding this festival, so take the time to really understand the events when you visit. But of course, don’t miss the parades and parties as well!

Gandhi Jayanti, India, October 2

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also well-known as Mahatma Gandhi was born on the 2nd of October in Gujarat, Porbandar. He heavily contributed to India’s Independence movement. Not only did Gandhi just contributed to India’s freedom struggle but also stood up to bring changes in society. He believed in the path of “Ahimsa” and thus his birthday is celebrated to remember his principle of non-violence and to secure peace, tolerance in the nation. Mahatma Gandhi is the greatest and famous Indian personality and for his contributions to the Indian independence struggle, he earned the title of “Father of the nation”.

Navratri, India, October 7-15

Photo: The Prevalent India

Navratri, also called Durga Puja, is one of the major festivals in India. It is held in honor of the divine feminine. The festival is of nine days and nine nights is accompanied by dance, music, sweets, and worship of the most powerful goddess. The festival ends with Dussehra (also called Vijayadashami) on the 10th day.

Dussehra is a time to celebrate the triumphs of good over evil. It is associated with the victory of Rama over the Ravana, from Ramayana. In North India, the Ram Lila is the highlight of the festival. This series of holy and popular festivals of India falls on the month of October, with Dussehra on 15th October, Chimes Radio cited.