Top Popular Festivals and Important Holidays in September around the World

Full list of festivals and holidays in September 2021 around the world. Photo: Wanderlust Travel Magazine

From well-known cultural events to quirky parties you may have never heard of, these are some of the most interesting world festivals coming up this year. Is there anything you’d add to the list?

Don’t forget to leave a comment at the bottom of this article concerning the most popular festivals and top holidays in the world in September 2021:

Teachers Day in India (September 5, Sunday)

In India, Teachers Day is celebrated annually on September 5. This day is celebrated in order to mark the birth anniversary of President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Virswami. It is said that when Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Virswami became the President, all of his friends and students would wish him “Teachers Day” in order to celebrate his birthday. Till date, this occasion is celebrated in schools and other educational institutes where teachers and children enjoy together.

Scottish Highland Games, Scotland

The Scots seem to love coming together to dance, play bagpipes and throw giant logs, but never to more fanfare than at the Braemar Gathering, which even the queen herself has been known to attend. Not simply a contest of strength (though you will see plenty of tree-trunk-tossing and stone-heaving), the Highland Games are just as much about music and dance, featuring traditional numbers like the Sword Dance of Gille Calum as well as bagpipe competitions, harp circles and Celtic singing.

Hermanus Whale Watching Festival, South Africa

Photo: The South African

Should you ever find yourself in the South African coastal town of Hermanus, let's hope your visit coincides with the annual Whale Watching Festival in late September, Wanderlust cited.

Locals and visits alike gather together to witness the migration of Southern Right Whales, and celebrate this natural wonder with talks, events and exhibits. Of course, much of the conversations are about our oceans, and how to protect them and the creatures living in them.

Burning Man, USA (August 30, Monday – September 6, Monday)

Burning Man is probably one of the most unique festivals around the world. Held every summer in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, this famous festival attracts travellers from all over the globe.

Ganesh Chaturthi, India (September 10, Friday)

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most awaited upcoming festivals in India. It is one of the largely celebrated September festivals. It is a festival that celebrates the arrival of Lord Ganesha and is marked with many people keeping clay idols of Lord Ganesh in their homes. In 2021, Ganesh Chaturthi is taking place on September 10. The festival lasts for 11 or even 21 days in some places.

Oktoberfest, Germany (Saturday, September 18 - Monday, October 4)

An enormous beer festival, Oktoberfest is now celebrated around the world. But the official festival takes place in Munich, Germany – and it’s all about Bavarian culture and beer, according to Emily Luxton.

This is one of the most popular world festivals and draws in a huge crowd. More than six million people attend the event every year, making it one of the biggest folk festivals in the world. Alongside beer stalls, you’ll find Bavarian food, parades, music, and a funfair. Definitely a must for any beer lover’s diary!

Ganesh Chaturthi, India (Friday, September 10)

Photo: India TV News

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is considered to be a symbol of wisdom and good fortune. He is also addressed as Gajanana, Ganesh, Gajadant that are among his 108 names. This is a 10-day long festival that begins weeks before Ganesh Chaturthi, with people making clay idols of Lord Ganesha and painting them. On the tenth day, Lord Ganesha’s statue is immersed in water, known as Ganpati Visarjan. People chant Ganapati Bappa Morya, paying respect to him. This is one of the most popular festivals of India that dates on 10th September, Friday in 2021, said Chimes Radio.

Regata Storica, Venice, Italy (Sunday, September 5)

Venice is famous as a bustling tourist hot spot, for its rainbow-colored sister islands, and the ebb and flow of lazy (also: expensive) gondola rides along its azure waterways.

On the first Sunday of September, the city roars into a different kind of action: rowers surround the island and rowing fans gather in the city, to watch the annual races and enjoy the bright introductory parade along the canals.

POP Montreal International Music Festival, Canada (Wednesday, September 22 – Sunday, September 26)

What started as a music festival has, 14 years later, evolved into a full-on cultural happening. More than 50,000 visitors drop in each year for visual art exhibitions, fashion shows, symposium discussions, film screenings and live musical performances, not to mention an all-night party or two.

Les Festes de la Mercè, Barcelona (Event date not yet confirmed)

Parades, street parties and free concerts are just some of the more than 600 events hosted in Barcelona’s parks, plazas, boulevards and museums during this 4-day fun-fest. Expect spectacles like folk dancing, fire runners and ‘human castles’ rising 8 stories high around every corner, so keep your camera at the ready.

Aloha Festivals, Hawaii, USA

Photo: Hawaii

Gorgeous beaches, awe-inspiring mountains, legendary hospitality and some of the world’s best surf – there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Hawaii, but every September the island state adds one more to the list. Their annual Aloha Festival is one big hula-dancing, crafts-making, lei-wearing, music-playing luau full of food, fun and live entertainment, drawing thousands of visitors and islanders out for the mostly free festivities.

Bestival, England

The UK festival season is coming to an end – and that’s as good a reason as any to have one last big blowout. Bestival presents a softer side of the festival world, as a family-friendly season closer with something for everyone, from the open-air spa to the crowdfunded artwork, dance lessons, eclectic music sets and Bestival Inflatable Church, where hundreds of couples tie the knot each year. A word to the wise: don’t even think of turning up sans costume. If inspiration is lacking, pay a visit to one of the costume workshop tents.

Hindi Day (September 14, Tuesday)

Hindi Day is the national day India and is celebrated every year on September 14. This day is celebrated every year in order to celebrate the fact that it was on this date in 1949 when Hindi was adopted as one of the official languages of the country. This decision was then agreed officially and came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Floriade, Australia (Saturday, September 11 - Sunday, October 10)

As spring spreads its green fingers across the continent, Australia’s largest flower festival reaches full bloom at Canberra’s Commonwealth Park. Aside from millions of brilliant blossoms, visitors will take in art exhibitions, musical performances, fashion shows, horticulture talks and an array of craft activities and cultural celebrations. When the sun goes down, NightFest gears up with comedy acts, DJs, light shows and lots of food and drink.

Mid-Autumn Festival, China, (September 15)

You’ve heard of Chinese New Year, but did you know that this mid-year festival is just as important on the Chinese calendar? Celebrated when the moon is at its fullest and brightest phase of the year, people across the country observe this festival with an array of different traditions and customs, from lighting lanterns to walking across bridges to pray. All, however, share in the joy of reconnecting with family, friends and loved ones, while savouring moon cakes and gazing at the beauty of the full moon.

Engineer’s Day (September 15, Wednesday)

Engineer’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world, on many different dates. In India, this occasion is also commonly known as Visvesvaraya Day and is celebrated on September 15 annually. The day is also known as Visvesvaraya Day because he was one of the finest engineers in the country.

September Equinox (September 23, Thursday)

The September Equinox is one of the most important festivals in September 2021. It is celebrated in order to mark the moment when the Sun appears to be crossing the celestial equator and goes forward heading southward. Due to the differences in calendars, the September Equinox occurs between September 21 to September 24. In 2021, the September Equinox will be held on September 23 in the country India.

2021 Calender of September 2021 Holidays