Songkran
Thailand
13-15 April 2026
Mid-April marks the coming of a new year in Thailand, but you won’t see much in the way of fireworks and Champagne. Here, it’s all about the H2O.
13 April is the traditional Thai New Year, originally observed by dousing Buddha statues and other religious figures in water as a means of symbolic purification, thus washing away evil spirits and bringing luck for the new year. Modern Songkran festivities still involve these spiritual traditions, but have also acquired a more secular tone, as the whole country takes the combination of national holiday and hot weather as an excuse to start a massive water fight. Old and young, friends and strangers – everyone is fair game in what might be the world’s biggest splash fest. To join the action, head to Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai; the latter is the most popular Songkran destination, with festivities held along the city’s 700-year-old moat. Enjoy the parades of exquisite floats, savour the local street food, and prepare to get soaked wherever you go.
BaliSpirit Festival
Bali, Indonesia
15-19 April 2026
Are you taking a break from head-banging music festivals and seeking a deeper, calmer, healthier experience – one that’s more Pilates than parties, more “om” than “omg”? Perhaps BaliSpirit is your cup of (herbal) tea.
Seeking to rejuvenate, invigorate and enlighten participants, BaliSpirit emphasises exploration and renewal through wellness (yoga, dance, nutrition and health workshops), activities (music lessons, art classes, excursions to temples and spiritual sites) and genuine connection with fellow travellers. Learn capoeira, join a drum circle, experience sound alchemy, or simply take in the awe-inspiring music by artists from around the world. Above all, get ready to participate and transform: BaliSpirit is a mind-expanding experience that eliminates the need for mind-expanding substances.
Vancouver Fashion Week
Vancouver, Canada
8-12 April 2026
The movers and shakers of avant-garde fashion showcase their talents at this stylish event that’s increasingly catching the eye of the global beau monde.
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Less legacy and luxury, more innovation and inclusivity: Vancouver Fashion Week trains a progressive lens on the style industry, spotlighting cutting-edge establishment creators alongside designers-on-the-rise from underrepresented regions across Asia, Africa and South America. Emphasising inclusion and diversity, the catwalks feature fashion and garments for every body type, gender identity, ethnicity and sartorial aesthetic. Snag a ticket, and expect to catch over 50 designers – from Canada and more than 25 countries around the world – display their latest looks in intimate shows designed for maximum creative impact.
King’s Day
Amsterdam, Netherlands
27 April 2026
When the Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, celebrates his day of birth, he doesn’t party alone – the whole country erupts into a festive fury, donning their orange-est outfits and taking to parks, streets, canals and city squares for a full day of merrymaking.
In the Netherlands, King’s Day is basically ‘national street party day’, in which citizens of all ages head outdoors – rain or shine – to enjoy a range of free and open-air events, from flea markets to street music, large-scale concerts, LGBT+ parties and some good old-fashioned canal boat revelry. Amsterdam is, of course, the epicentre of the celebrations and host to the biggest flea markets and most crowded waterways you’ll ever see. To escape the hordes (and the commercialisation), head a bit south to Apollolaan and Sarphatipark, where the festivities have retained more of their traditional spirit. Don’t forget to wear orange, the Dutch national colour, and sharpen your haggling skills for the best street market bargains.
Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata
Valledupar, Colombia
29 April – 2 May 2026
Even in a country rife with cultural riches, vallenato music stands out as one of Colombia’s proudest traditions. Catch it live at the Vallenato Legend Festival, the largest folk music event in the country.
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Combining merengue, puya, paseo and son rhythms, vallenato originated in the Caribbean area of northeastern Colombia, where the songs of the region’s cattle herders, the chants of African slaves, and the music of people indigenous to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains blended together across generations. The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata has been celebrating this vibrant tradition since 1968 with concerts and cultural events, encompassing exhibitions, panel discussions, debates, storytelling and symposia. Don’t miss the Piloneras Parade, which sees groups compete and perform a traditional local dance, as well as the vallenato musical contest, in which the best musicians take home coveted titles – and lifelong bragging rights.
