Holiday dates to travel around in 2026

Planning your 2026 adventures? The best trips often line up with local festivals and national holidays - that’s when a place really comes alive. From India’s colour-soaked streets to winter celebrations in Aotearoa and lantern-lit rivers in Thailand, here are the dates you won’t want to miss!

Holi Festival – India

3–4 March 2026

Holi is India in full colour. Marking the arrival of spring, cities and towns across the country come alive with colour, music and shared joy as locals and travellers take to the streets to celebrate together.

Experiencing Holi in northern India - Jaipur, Delhi, and beyond - is unforgettable. Our India Experience trip lets you dive into the festival while exploring historic cities, bustling markets, and local culture.

Songkran (Thai New Year) – Thailand

13–15 April 2026

Songkran marks the Thai New Year - and yes, it basically turns the streets into a giant water fight. What starts as a cleansing ritual quickly becomes a country-wide splash-fest. It’s one of the most high-energy, social times to be in Thailand.

Loi Krathong – Thailand

25 November 2026

Loi Krathong is one of Thailand’s most iconic nights. After dark, rivers fill with candle-lit baskets covered in flowers, and lanterns rise into the sky across the country.

Late November in Thailand is a sweet spot. Cooler weather, fewer crowds, and festivals like Loi Krathong bring the atmosphere without the chaos of Songkran - especially in the north.

ANZAC Day – Australia & New Zealand

25 April 2026

In both Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC Day is a significant national day of remembrance. Dawn services and commemorations take place across both countries, offering a moment of reflection during travel in April.

Travelling through Australia or New Zealand at this time allows visitors to witness an important part of local history and identity alongside iconic landscapes and cities.

Matariki (Māori New Year) – New Zealand

Public Holiday: 10 July 2026

Matariki marks the Māori New Year and the rising of the Matariki stars. It’s a season of storytelling, reflection, food, and cultural connection, with events across New Zealand from late June into July.

Falling in the quieter winter months, it’s the perfect time to explore at a slower pace and soak up the culture without the crowds.

Día de los Muertos – Mexico

1–2 November 2026

Día de los Muertos is one of Mexico’s most meaningful celebrations. Families honour loved ones with colourful altars, music, food and parades, particularly in cities such as Oaxaca and Mexico City - both of which are highlights of our Viva Mexico tour.

Cambodia

Cambodian New Year: 14–16 April 2026
Independence Day: 9 November 2026

Cambodian New Year in mid-April is full of water blessings, traditional games, and temple visits - pure energy and colour. Independence Day in November is more formal but still widely celebrated, especially in Phnom Penh.

Visiting Cambodia during these times adds real cultural depth to Angkor and beyond, and it pairs perfectly with trips through neighbouring Vietnam.

Celebrate in 2026

Any of these iconic celebrations calling your name? Check out our trips and start planning your 2026 adventure today.