Holi
India and Nepal
3-4 March 2026
This vivid, ancient Hindu celebration may have taken the world by storm, with spin-off events held everywhere from London to New York, but there’s truly nothing like experiencing the Festival of Colours in its native India or Nepal.
More than just a highly Instagrammable affair, Holi is rooted in sincere religious traditions and values. The underpinning Hindu stories – one about an evil king failing to kill his devout son, and another about the blue-skinned god Krishna painting his fair-complexioned soulmate, Radha, in colours to match – emphasise inclusivity, equality, togetherness and the triumph of good over evil. Each region observes its own unique traditions, such as the singing of spiritual songs in Kumaon or the playful ‘beating’ of townsmen by the townswomen in Barsana, but the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh are known for their particularly fervent and authentic festivities – the former is Krishna’s birthplace, the latter a prominent location of his childhood. For a more modern to-do, complete with international DJs and epic dance parties, Pushkar is the place to be.
Charleston Wine + Food
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
4-8 March 2026
Ambitious chefs like Kevin Johnson, Mike Lata, Jason Stanhope and BJ Dennis have transformed humble Southern staples into high-dollar dishes – and charming Charleston into a city for connoisseurs. Catch them and a host of other famed culinary names in action at this celebration of local tastes, tipples and traditions.
Much like Southern life itself, Charleston Wine + Food revolves firmly around good eats – and this is a prime chance to savour the best of the best. Browse the Culinary Village, the festival’s beating heart, to enjoy tastings, samples and chef demos accompanied by live music. Get spiffied up for multi-course Signature Dinners, or join more casual daytime events like oyster shuckings, fish fries or bourbon tastings. As 2026 marks the festival’s 20th anniversary, there’ll be even more brunches, lunches, cocktail workshops and educational excursions than ever, plus plenty of chances to get up close and personal with producers and epicurean powerhouses from far and near. So straighten your bowtie, strap on your Croakies and don your pearls – it’s time to get a slice of the South.
Moomba Waterfest
Melbourne, Australia
5-9 March 2026
Looking to start the Australian autumn on a high note? This beloved Melbourne festival promises wholesome fun for the entire family, and it’s entirely free to attend.
Now more than 70 years old, Moomba is among the longest-running community festivals in Australia, attracting upwards of a million visitors each year. Go to take in the buffet of complimentary events and activities, like musical performances, watersports and grand fireworks displays — and to see what all the fuss is about. The main unmissable attractions include a carnival on the banks of the Yarra River with a Ferris wheel and adrenaline-pumping rides; a line-up of sporting events in wakeboarding, waterskiing and more; an array of immersive activities, like a dodgeball party, silent disco and dance workshops; and the highly anticipated Moomba Festival Parade. The festivities reach their apex on Sunday with the famous Birdman Rally, a Moomba tradition in which plucky competitors wearing man-made flying devices jump into the Yarra River, attempting to get as much air time as possible. A hilarious and charitable event, the fundraiser adds the amount of money each contestant has raised to his/her distance jumped, in order to produce the final scores and determine who takes home the Birdman title.
Starkbierzeit
Munich, Germany
6-29 March 2026
Referred to locally as “the fifth season”, Munich’s Starkbierzeit is like the little brother of Oktoberfest – but with fewer tourists and significantly stronger beer.
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Starkbier (“strong beer”, so named for its high percentage of solids) has been brewed since the 17th century, when Paulaner monks would make and drink hearty Doppelbock beer to ease their hunger pangs as they fasted during the austere Lent season. Today, the tradition is observed in a much more festive manner, with beer lovers and revellers gathering at the city’s major breweries for live Bavarian music, traditional food and litre-sized ceramic steins of robust suds that clock in at a knee-buckling 7% alcohol or more. The first keg is tapped at Paulaner am Nockherberg, with other popular breweries like Löwenbräukeller and Augustiner-Keller hosting their own festivities.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Cape Town, South Africa
27-28 March 2026
Jazz is as much at home in Cape Town as it is in New Orleans – and every year, the city pulls out all the stops to celebrate its rich musical heritage, support homegrown talent and keep those smooth tunes rolling.
Often called “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”, the Mother City’s annual jazz festival dazzling star power and a whole lot of soul. This year, international chart-toppers – like seven-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier and iconic jazz fusionists Yellowjackets – join South Africa’s most stirring voices and accomplished instrumentalists – from Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse to Nduduzo Makhathini and Lordkez – for two days of concerts, parties and master classes, not to mention plenty of all-around groovin’. Highlights include free community concerts, an impressive main-stage line-up of more than 40 performers, a laid-back Rosies Stage venue featuring shows in a relaxed atmosphere, and a photography exhibition that showcases the global diversity of jazz.
