A Journey Through January: Festivals Around the Globe to Kickstart Your Year

Published 2 days ago on January 04, 2025

by Jonas DuPont

The start of a new year brings a chance to explore the unique and vibrant celebrations happening across the globe. From colorful cultural traditions to mouthwatering feasts and breathtaking spectacles, January offers travelers a fascinating glimpse into how different communities welcome the year ahead. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting festivals to experience this January.

Three Kings Day: Epiphany in Europe and Latin America

When: January 6, 2025
Where: Europe and Latin America

Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany or Día de Reyes, commemorates the journey of the Three Wise Men to visit the infant Jesus. In Spain, the celebration comes alive with grand parades where costumed kings shower candy onto cheering crowds. Children eagerly place their shoes outside the door, hoping to wake up to gifts, while families gather to enjoy the traditional Three Kings Cake, a sweet bread often containing hidden surprises. Across Latin America, this festival is marked by joyful church services, house blessings, and carol singing that echo the festive spirit.

This January, plan your Latin American adventure with Around Travel for a first-hand experience of the festive spirit of the Three Kings Day. 

Chinese New Year: A Lunar Celebration

When: January 29, 2025
Where: China, Southeast Asia, and Chinese communities worldwide

Marking the start of the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year is a time of renewal and hope. The 15-day festival is packed with spectacular traditions like dragon and lion dances, stunning firework displays, and the illumination of red lanterns that symbolize prosperity. Families unite for reunion dinners, exchange red envelopes filled with money (hongbao), and thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away bad luck. The celebration culminates with the Lantern Festival, where thousands of glowing lanterns fill the night sky, creating an unforgettable visual spectacle.

Let Around Travel handle all the logistics of your China trip and witness the magic of the Chinese new year. 

Harbin Ice Festival: A Frozen Wonderland

When: January 5 – March 2025
Where: Harbin, China

The Harbin Ice Festival transforms northern China into a glittering wonderland of intricate ice sculptures and snow art. Artists craft massive installations from blocks of ice sourced from the Songhua River, which are then illuminated with vibrant LED lights. Visitors can partake in winter activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling or marvel at the glowing sculptures after sunset. For the adventurous, there’s even a daring winter swimming competition.

Find the cosiest stay in Harbin with Around Travel for the most magical time in this winter wonderland. 

Makar Sankranti and Pongal: India’s Harvest Celebrations

When: January 14, 2025
Where: India

India ushers in the harvest season with two vibrant festivals: Makar Sankranti and Pongal. Makar Sankranti celebrated across the country under different names, marks the sun's transition into Capricorn and the arrival of longer days. The celebration in the state of Gujarat is called Uttarayan, during when the skies are filled with colorful kites, while in Punjab its called Lohri and is celebrated with bonfires and folk dancing.

In southern India, Pongal is a four-day harvest festival named after the signature dish of sweet rice cooked with milk and jaggery. Families decorate their homes with intricate kolam patterns and offer prayers of gratitude for nature’s bounty. These festivals are a testament to India's diverse yet unified cultural tapestry.

India is a vast country to explore, and January is one of the best times to do so. Whether you choose to celebrate Makar Sakranti with the North Indian states or share in the Pongal feasts in South India, let Around Travel take care of your hotel reservations and flight details. 

Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival: Gambia’s Cultural Heritage

When: January 24–26, 2025
Where: Janjanbureh, Gambia

In the heart of Gambia, the Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival celebrates the rich Mandinka cultural heritage. The event revolves around the Kankurang, a masked figure draped in bark and leaves who is believed to ward off evil spirits and maintain social order. Rituals and performances showcase traditional music and dance, and wisdom-sharing sessions where young men learn ancestral hunting and medicinal practices. This festival offers an authentic immersion into Gambia’s deep-rooted traditions.

Start planning your Gambia trip with Around Travel and experience the unique festival of Kankurang. 

Trujillo Marinera Festival: Peru’s National Dance

When: January 20–30, 2025
Where: Trujillo, Peru

Trujillo comes alive in January with the Marinera Festival, a spirited celebration of Peru’s national dance. The Marinera, an elegant courtship dance blending Spanish, African, and indigenous influences, is performed by couples in traditional attire—women in lace dresses and men in ponchos and hats. Highlights include parades, live music, and equestrian exhibitions featuring Peruvian Paso horses. The National Marinera Contest at the Gran Chimú stadium draws thousands of spectators eager to witness the captivating performances.

Find the cosiest stays in the Peruvian city of Trujilo this January with Around Travel and participate in the grand celebration of the country’s national dance. 

Cave Creek Fine Art & Wine Festival: Desert Elegance

When: January 15, 2025
Where: Stagecoach Village, Arizona

Against the stunning backdrop of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, the Cave Creek Fine Art & Wine Festival is a feast for the senses. Over 100 artists showcase a diverse range of works, from paintings to sculptures, while visitors sample fine wines from local vineyards. Live music and gourmet food add to the atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for art lovers and wine enthusiasts alike. Proceeds from the festival support local charities, adding a heartwarming touch to this cultural event.

Head on down to Arizona for this cool desert festival after booking your hotel on Around Travel. 

Saint-Vincent Tournante: A Wine Lover’s Dream

When: January 25–26, 2025
Where: Burgundy, France

Burgundy’s Saint-Vincent Tournante is a celebration of winemaking heritage, rotating annually between picturesque villages. In 2025, Ladoix-Serrigny will host the festivities. The event begins with a ceremonial mass and a procession through vineyards, where winemakers carry effigies of Saint Vincent, the patron saint of winemakers. Visitors can enjoy exclusive wine tastings in cellars adorned with floral decorations, savoring Burgundy’s finest vintages in a setting rich with tradition.

Book your stay in this charming French village with Around Travel before heading over to Burgundy at the end of this month for two days of wine tasting and merriment. 

Tết Nguyên Đán: Vietnam’s Lunar New Year

When: January 29, 2025
Where: Vietnam

Vietnam welcomes the Lunar New Year with Tết Nguyên Đán, a festival rooted in family and community. Families gather to prepare symbolic dishes like bánh chưng (sticky rice cakes) and exchange red envelopes containing lucky money (lì xì). The festivities also include fireworks, lion dances, and visits to relatives, fostering a sense of unity and renewal. Homes are decorated with peach blossoms and kumquat trees, which symbolize prosperity and happiness.

Let Around Travel find you the best stays in Hanoi, or any other Vietnamese destination for this magical festival. 

Steamboat Springs Music Festival: Tunes in the Snow

When: January 7–12, 2025
Where: Colorado, USA

Set amidst the snowy slopes of Colorado, the Steamboat Springs Music Festival is a dream for music and ski enthusiasts. Featuring over 50 bands, this six-day event showcases Americana music in both ticketed venues and free outdoor concerts at Gondola Square. Between performances, visitors can hit the slopes, explore the scenic trails, or relax in natural hot springs. For an unforgettable experience, consider a hot air balloon ride over the stunning winter landscape.

Book your flights and hotels now on Around Travel and don’t miss out such a memorable festival in the heart of this majestic state. 

January offers a treasure trove of festivals that showcase the diversity and vibrancy of cultures around the world. From the icy splendor of Harbin to the lively dances of Trujillo and the heartwarming family gatherings of Tết, each celebration invites travelers to immerse themselves in traditions that resonate with joy and renewal. So pack your bags, book your reservations on Around Travel, and start your year with unforgettable experiences that connect you to the world.

Jonas DuPont

An avid traveler and seasoned writer who has journeyed across more than 40 countries, sharing his unique experiences and insights with a growing audience of adventure seekers and travel enthusiasts. With a passion for discovering hidden gems and immersing himself in diverse cultures, Jonas's travel blog combines practical tips, stunning photography, and captivating storytelling. Whether he's navigating bustling city streets or exploring remote landscapes, Jonas offers readers an authentic glimpse into the world's most fascinating destinations, inspiring them to embark on their own unforgettable journeys.