November is a great month for traveling, with lots of fun festivals and events happening all over the world. If you want to plan a short-notice vacation this year, or just fantasize about where you could be going, here are some of the best places to travel in November.
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that takes place on November 2 this year. You can read more about the real(ish) history of the holiday here, but the holiday is a time to remember and honor deceased loved ones. Traditions include making altars with photos and memorabilia, decorating gravesites, and eating special foods.
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is a British holiday on November 5. You can read a quick rundown of its history here, but it commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Traditions include bonfires, fireworks displays, and effigies of Guy Fawkes being burned.
The Chaing Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival takes place on November 7-9 this year, and celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent. You can see thousands of sky lanterns being released into the air, giving an ethereal glow to the night sky.
The Iceland Airwaves music festival takes place in Reykjavik from November 3-5 and features both international and local Icelandic acts. In addition to the concerts, there are also DJ sets, performances at unique venues (like old theaters and churches), and off-venue shows in bars and restaurants.
The Cavalcade of Lights kicks off the holiday season in Toronto on November 12. The evening includes a lighting ceremony for the city’s Christmas tree, ice skating, live music performances, and fireworks.
BaconFest is on November 5-6 in Pennsylvania and, of course, celebrates all things bacon. You can sample bacon-themed dishes from local restaurants, compete in a bacon-eating contest, and listen to live music.
Niagara Falls’ Winter Festival of Lights starts November 12 and goes through February 2023 and features three million lights adorning Niagara Falls. In addition to the light displays, there are also firework shows, ice carvings, a parade, and live performances.
The Kendal Mountain Festival runs from November 18-21 and celebrates all things outdoor adventure. Attendees can watch films about climbing and adventuring, listen to talks from inspirational adventurers, and participate in workshops about outdoor skills.
The Monkey Buffet Festival is November 27 in Thailand, and sees thousands of macaques gather in Lopburi for a massive buffet set out just for them. The event draws tourists from all over the world to witness the spectacle, with more than 10,000 people—tourists and locals—flocking to see it happen.
The Pushkar Camel Fair is from November 1-9 in Pushkar, Rajasthan. It’s one of the largest camel and livestock fairs in the world, with more than 50,000 camels being traded at the event. In addition to trading, there are also camel races and other competitions, performances, and cultural events.