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Global Calendar: The Top 5 Events In October
From motorsports to music festivals and a monstrous Halloween parade, these events around the world usher in autumn with energy and spirit
Rocking the Daisies
Cape Town, South Africa
3-5 October 2025
Come for the rocking indie and EDM beats emanating from the nine stages, stay for the sense of camaraderie, the ultra-laid-back vibes and the scenic location.
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Hosted by a picturesque wine estate in the, well, darling town of Darling on South Africa’s Western Cape, Rocking the Daisies is one of the largest events of its kind on the African continent, drawing free spirits from all over the world who come together to dance, swim, enjoy delectable cuisine and take part in the talks and workshops that complement the jam-packed line-up. Expect cutting-edge local fashion, soothing wellness activities, immersive art installations and a dreamlike atmosphere that feels light years away from real life. The event’s world-class production is truly incredible, and gets bigger and better every year.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin, Texas, USA
3-5 and 10-12 October 2025
Great tunes, big talents, tasty Tex-Mex and Texan charm – ACL Music Festival combines red-hot headliners with the best of the Lone Star State.
[Photo at left: © Charles Reagan Hackleman for ACL. At right: © Levi Thompson for ACL]
The event’s 24th edition is set to commandeer Zilker Park across two rockin’ October weekends, presenting festival-goers with a choice of nine stages and hundreds of performances by some of the most prominent names in popular music. Think: Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, The Killers, Luke Combs, T-Pain, Empire of the Sun, Doechii, The Strokes, John Summit, Feid, Cage the Elephant – we could go on. Rounding out the experience are a food court serving local fare, an Austin Kiddie Limits family zone, and an array of sponsor lounges and stalls (look for the Amex Experience to cool off while you play darts, make personalised merch, and enjoy exclusive Card Member perks). When the main festival grounds power down for the day, it’s time for ACL Fest Nights to shine with a roster that sees DJs and performers raise the roof at venues all around the city.
Jidai Matsuri
Kyoto, Japan
22 October 2025
One of the country’s most magical cities, Kyoto comes to life for this grand occasion hailing the long and fabled history of Japan.
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Held at the Heian Jingu Shrine, Jidai Matsuri follows the Ari Matsuri in May and the Gion Matsuri in July to form the last in a triad of major Kyoto cultural celebrations. The main event is the Jidai Gyoretsu, or ‘historic pageant’, in which a mikoshi (portable shrine) is followed by a procession of 2,000 people decked out in handmade costumes that represent different eras in the city’s 1,200-year history. The parade covers a distance of 4.6 kilometres, starting at the Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace) at noon and ending at Heian Jingu Shrine around 2:30pm. As the procession passes, spectators can take in the meticulously handcrafted ensembles and accessories from times long ago – a sight which, together with the ancient streets and traditional houses as a backdrop, will transport visitors to another era. Our tip: Come nightfall, a lively fire festival lights up the nearby mountainous village of Kurama, about an hour from central Kyoto. Catch the train after the Jidai Matsuri festivities, and arrive in Kurama in time to witness an impressive parade of giant flaming torches followed by a bonfire.
Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix
Mexico City, Mexico
24-26 October 2025
High-octane motorsport meets Mexican flair: for one weekend this October, the heart-pounding drama of Formula 1 seizes Mexico’s most dynamic city.
[Photo at left: Rivera0997/Wikimedia Commons]
Take your seat in the legendary Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a historic track whose 4.3km laps screech around the hair-raising Peralta corner and wind through the old Foro Sol baseball stadium for race vistas like nowhere else. Between the high-speed practice sessions, qualifying runs and electrifying main race, spectators will be breathless from excitement – or perhaps from the circuit’s noteworthy elevation at 2,238 metres above sea level. Away from the track, look for F1 fan zones in central plazas across the capital offering big-screen race viewings and a ton of activities for all ages, from go-kart tracks to wrestling matches, race simulators and interactive games. Be sure to soak up the city’s many cultural and culinary attractions when you’re not busy cheering on your favourite driver.
The Village Halloween Parade
New York City, USA
31 October 2025
Take the spectacle that is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then add New Yorkers in all manner of creative costumery for an event that unites the city in lighthearted revelry.
[Photos courtesy The Village Halloween Parade]
New York’s annual Halloween parade features professional bands, dancers and puppeteers, but its real beating heart is the tens of thousands of costumed denizens and visitors who simply show up to join the parade – this is, after all, the city’s largest public participatory event. Just report to Sixth Avenue at Canal Street to get a slice of the fun; the only rule for walking in the parade is that you must wear fancy dress. While this is a free event to attend, you can lock in a stress-free parade-watching experience by grabbing a skip-the-line ticket or securing VIP access through Eventbrite.
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