October Festivals in World Tourism Cities

October vacations have a lot to offer travelers. Autumn is the ideal time to look at the vibrant red, yellow and orange leaves. Temperatures cool off in the cities at the Northern Hemisphere, inviting tourists to seek out warmer weather. Many travel cities arrange their festival in October, because it is a time of harvest festivals and celebrations of good food and drink. Let’s walk out and see.

Shows, Beers and Food

We separate celebrations in October into two sections. In the first section, you will see a lot of cultural festivals such as film, art festivals or celebrations like Oktoberfest and Day of the Dead.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is one of the “world’s most memorable festivals,” according to Fodor’s travel guide. Originally held in Munich in 1810, traditional Oktoberfest celebrations run from the end of September to the first weekend in October. The festival features traditional German foods, music, dancing, clothing, and plenty of brews. Every year for 16 days, people from all over the world celebrate the sounds, sights, and flavors of Bavaria at Oktoberfest parties and festivals. Locals wear Bavaria cloth and cook traditional food to treat guests.

During the event, large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed: during the 16-day festival in 2013, for example, 7.7 million liters were served. Visitors also enjoy numerous attractions, such as amusement rides, side stalls and games. In fact, not only in Munich, almost all cities in Germany will arrange their own celebrations during the festival. For example in Hamburg, the 10th German Car Show is hold during the Oktoberfest. Live music show is performing every day at the October Festival in Dresden, the capital city of the Free State of Saxony. Berlin has created a great Oktoberfest held annually at Zentral Festplatz am Kurt-Schumacher-Damm near Tegel Airport. Organizers also invite famous DJ to come to site to add the fun.

Filmfest Hamburg

Filmfest Hamburg is an international film festival, the third largest of its kind in Germany (after Berlin and Munich). The Hamburg Film Festival was founded in late 1991 and first held in 1992. The range of the program stretches from art house films to innovative mainstream cinema, presenting the first feature films of young unknown directors together with films by internationally established directors. The 24th edition of Filmfest Hamburg will run from 29 September until 8 October 2016. Over 11 days, the 24th Filmfest Hamburg will show a total of 165 films from 53 countries; 320 filmmakers, actors and producers will travel to Hamburg to present their films to audiences.

The Opening film of this year's festival "American Pastrol"

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's is an annual arts festival held in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Held annually, usually in November, the festival is primarily run by Queen's University Belfast. In 2015, at 50th Festival, the committee announced that the Queen’s University would not continue with the festival. However, the festival has continued with the new name of the Belfast International Arts Festival. Themed on Diversity and Variety, the new festival will continue based on the city and develop into a international influential art event.

Day of the Dead

Revelers from around the world are drawn to Mexico to witness “Dia de los Muertos” -- or “Day of the Dead.” The multi-day holiday starts at the end of October and focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. In 2008 the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. During this annual celebration, families adorn the graves of their ancestors with food, decorations and momentos. Walk through the cemeteries at night to see the elaborate candle-lit vigils people have created for their ancestors. One of the most common offerings during the festival is sweet yeast bread called Pan de Muertos. Often the loaves are oval or round and topped with bone shapes.

The Cape Town Fringe Festival

The Cape Town Fringe Festival is set to make a splash on the Mother City arts scene from 22 September to 8 October 2016. The festival is originally from Edinburght Fringe Festival, the world’s biggest and best known Fringe Festival. The concept started after World War II in Edinburgh when a group of independent artists felt excluded from the Edinburgh Festival. During this year’s festival, over 80 acts across the dance, theatre, performance art and music genres will perform their show for visitors. Compare to other fringe festivals, the Cape Town Fringe Festival is focusing on in African artists: think drama, dance, comedy, performance art, illusion, music and more. This major showcase is one of the biggest in Cape Town and is geared towards, nurturing South African creative talent and the arts.

Another famous festival holds in Cape Town during October is the International Kite Festival. The high-flying affair attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year, including some of the biggest names in kiting both internationally and locally, and is the biggest annual event of its kind in Africa. Festival-goers can expect loads of family-friendly activities and fun for kiddies, from kite-making, stunt kiting and kite-flying to food stalls and a market. This year, The Cape Town International Kite Festival will be hold from 29 to 30 October 2016 at the Zandvlei Nature Reserve in Muizenberg.

Festival Da Lusofonia

Aiming to promote cultural exchange between Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, the Macau Lusofonia Festival is known for providing a popular fair atmosphere, attracting both the Portuguese and Chinese community. This year’s festival will be hold between 23rd to 25th October in Taipa Houses Museum. In addition to singing and dancing performances by local groups, the organizer also invited a six-member band from Portugual and an eight-member one from Angola to play rock, folk and other kinds of music during the event, the daily quoted an official of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau as saying.

Apart from Lusofonia Festival, the 30th Macau international Music Festival will also be held in October. Founded in 1987, the festival plays an important role in displaying the cultural and artistic side of the city. After 30 year’s development, the festival has become an international influential music festival. Themed on “Glorious 30-The Sinophone Rhapsodies”, this year’s festival will featuring 27 performances with 20 programmes and over 18 relevant events including a two-day Macau International Music Festival Forum.

Golden and Red Leaves

In the fall, the leaves of some trees turn yellow, orange or red. This beautiful sight can be found in lots of cities at the Northern Hemisphere. The read leaves tour is so popular, that some of cities arrange special travel routes for travellers. Golden and read leaves can be also found in a lot of festivals in October.

Canadian Thanksgiving

Different from other country, thanksgiving occurred on the second Monday in October in Canada, which celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year. While the actual Thanksgiving holiday is on a Monday, Canadians may gather for their Thanksgiving feast on any day during the long weekend. Foods traditionally served at Thanksgiving include roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, various autumn vegetables, and pumpkin pie. Baked ham and apple pie are also commonly served, as well as regional dishes such as salmon or wild game.

Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a U.S. national holiday which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in and the discovery of the American Continent on October 12, 1492. In 1792, New York City and other U.S. cities celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ landing in the New World, and officially became a federal holiday in the United States in 1937. Because Christopher Columbus was an Italian, it is became a celebration for Italian descents to celebrate their tradition.

In Boston, capital of the Massachusetts state, grand celebrations will be hold during the 3-day festival. Boston Columbus Day events provide lots of entertainment throughout the 3-day holiday weekend, which always includes the 2nd Monday of October. A spectacular Columbus Day parade, fall harvest festivals, sports events, and plenty of New England foliage add up to great ways to celebrate this quintessential autumn weekend. Boston's Columbus Day Parade features an eclectic mix of marching brass bands, military units and Colonial militias, Italian-Boston organizations, Duck Boat floats, politicians, other entertainers, and even vintage autos.

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Autumn is the harvest season, and Sapporo Autumn Fest brings the best opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the benefit from nature. The fest showcases the richness of food production around Hokkaido and its capital city Sapporo. This year, Sapporo Autumn Fest will be held in Odori Park, from September 9 to October 1. At the 4-chome, visitors can find some fresh vegetables harvested in and near Sapporo, pottery works, flowers etc. A variety of ramen noodles are gathered from various places around Hokkaido at the 5-chome… Autumn is indeed the perfect time visiting Sapporo.

Fragrant Hill Red Leaves Festival

Situated in the east part of western hills, 17 miles (28 kilometers) northwest of Beijing City, Fragrant Hills Park was first built in 1186 in the Jin Dynasty and later extended to a large scale in the Yuan and Ming dynasties. In 1745, Emperor Qianlong ordered the addition of many new halls, pavilions and gardens. The most spectacular natural scenery in the Fragrant Hills Park is the red smoke tree leaves over the mountains. When autumn arrives, fiery red leaves blanket the entire mountain. Every year, thousands of tourists come to it.

Red Leaves Festival is held every Mid-October to early November. This hill is one the most famous places in China to see the red leaves. If you want to pay a visit during the time, you must be prepared to see crowded people at the mountain and jammed traffic at the high-way. Actually, there are also some other sights for autumn leaves in Beijing. For instance, Huluo Temple, Dajue Temple and Tanzhe Temple are three perfect options to visit in autumn. Hundreds or even thousands of year’s ginko trees were planted there in ancient times. Every autumn, the ginkgo leaves turn gold, and the harmonious match with the secluded, ancient temple forms a view that you will not easily forget. Another option is the Diaoyutai’s ginkgo avenue. It is located in the central of Beijing. The miniature forest is one of the capital’s most popular gingko-viewing areas and a nice place to enjoy fall colors without leaving the city center and no crowded. Besides, Nanhaizi Milu Park in the south, Olympic Green Park in the north, Baiwangshan Forest Park in the Haidian District and Jingshan Park in the center are all good options for visitor to enjoy autumn view in Beijing.