Festivals in January

10 of the world's notable festivals fall in January, spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. Biggest draws include Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Sinulog Festival, Thaipusam.

1
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Jan–Feb · Harbin
The world's largest ice festival, with illuminated ice castles.
Sinulog Festival
2
Sinulog Festival
Third Sunday of January · Cebu City
Grand Santo Niño procession and dance parade in Cebu.
Thaipusam
3
Thaipusam
Jan–Feb (full moon) · Kuala Lumpur
Tamil Hindu festival of devotion and kavadi at the Batu Caves.
4
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
2 January (Tweede Nuwe Jaar) · Cape Town
Kaapse Klopse — Cape Town's colourful New Year minstrel parade.
Timkat
5
Timkat
19 January · Gondar
Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany with processions and mass baptisms.
6
Up Helly Aa
Last Tuesday of January · Lerwick
Shetland's Viking fire festival with a torch-lit galley burning.
Sundance Film Festival
7
Sundance Film Festival
January · Park City
The largest independent film festival in the US.
Blacks and Whites' Carnival
8
Blacks and Whites' Carnival
2–7 January · Pasto
UNESCO-listed carnival of paint and powder in Pasto.
9
Jaipur Literature Festival
January · Jaipur
The world's largest free literary festival.
Ati-Atihan Festival
10
Ati-Atihan Festival
Third weekend of January · Kalibo
The 'Mother of Philippine Festivals' with tribal dancing.