Festivals in October

7 of the world's notable festivals fall in October, spanning Asia and North America. Biggest draws include Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Diwali, Vegetarian Festival.

1
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Early October · Albuquerque
The world's largest hot-air balloon festival.
Diwali
2
Diwali
Oct–Nov (new moon of Kartik) · India
The five-day Festival of Lights celebrated across India and the diaspora.
3
Vegetarian Festival
Oct (9th lunar month) · Phuket
Phuket's Taoist purification festival with extreme piercings.
Jidai Matsuri
4
Jidai Matsuri
22 October · Kyoto
Kyoto's 'Festival of the Ages', a costumed parade through a millennium of history.
Golden Eagle Festival
5
Golden Eagle Festival
October · Ölgii
Kazakh eagle hunters compete in Mongolia's Altai.
Durga Puja
6
Durga Puja
Sep–Oct · Kolkata
Kolkata's UNESCO-listed festival of elaborate Durga pandals.
7
MassKara Festival
October · Bacolod
Bacolod's smiling-mask street dancing festival.