Top Festivals Around the World in November

Visit any of these annual celebrations in November for a unique insight into each region’s culture.

Cape Town International Kite Festival, South Africa

Early November 2017

In Cape Town’s beach-side suburb of Muizenberg, this celebration of kites is hosted by Cape Mental Health to raise awareness of the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. Visitors from around the world turn up to take part by taking along their own kite, buying one there or by joining one of the festival’s kite-making workshops. Food stalls, a craft market, kids’ rides and live entertainment complete the event programme.

Ficksburg Cherry Festival, South Africa

Mid-November 2017

In the Free State province of South Africa, the town of Ficksburg , named the cherry capital of the world, hosts an annual cherry festival. A packed programme of events includes the Cherry Jazz Festival, the Cherry Bowls Tournament and an array of competitions, sports and craft activities, workshops such as cooking with cherries and a main stage of live music. It also incorporates the Ficksburg Marathon and the Cherry Mountain Biking Challenge.

That Luang Festival, Laos

14 November 2017

This impressive religious festival takes place in the capital of Vientiane’s famous stupa That Luang, which is regarded as the symbol of Laos. Join thousands of monks, and tens of thousands of pilgrims from Laos and the surrounding Southeast Asian countries, to watch the festival’s processions, listen to the monks chanting at their pre-dawn gathering and see a fireworks display. Food stalls and traditional games are also a part of the festivities.

The Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand

November 2017 (exact dates TBC)

As one of Thailand’s oldest settlements Lopburi, to the north of Bangkok, was once the country’s royal capital. Now this ancient city draws tourists to the temple of Pra Prang Sam Yot, not just for it’s tenth century Khmer architecture, but for the annual Monkey Buffet Festival. Over 4,000 kilograms of fruit and cakes are laid out among the temples for Lopburi’s 3,000 resident monkeys, to thank them for bringing tourists to the town. Music, dance, people dressed in monkey costumes and donning monkey masks, plus monkey sculptures, all add to the fun.

The Open Polo Championships, Argentina

November – December 2017

With Argentinians dominating the sport of polo, and home to the most accomplished polo players worldwide, it seems natural that the most important polo tournament worldwide would take place at Palermo in Buenos Aires.

Yi Peng Lantern Festival, Thailand

November 2017 (exact dates TBC)

The Thai festival of lights is celebrated in Chiang Mai with the spectacular release of thousands of colourful candle-lit lanterns into the sky and along the river, as locals pay homage to Buddha. Watch the lanterns float into the night and see a parade along decorated streets, as well as traditional Thai dance and fireworks.