Celebrate in style: A guide to Autumn festivals
Want to celebrate Autumn in style? Head to India for Diwali, hop over to Mexico for Dia de Los Muertos and stay closer to home to celebrate Bonfire Night.
The experts at Busuu have looked at the different festivals celebrated across the globe during the Autumn months.
They’ve researched traditional events like Diwali or the Festival of Lights which originates in India and Loi Krathong celebrated in Thailand.
And those, which despite having their origins in history, have become fun, family events like Halloween and Thanksgiving.
An expert from Busuu said: “Autumn is a time to pack away the summer and cosy down for a few months of chilly weather and dark nights.
“But it’s also a time to celebrate. There are some really fascinating festivals across the world including Diwali, Dia de Los Muertos and Halloween. If you’re lucky enough to experience them, especially in their country of origin, that memory will certainly last with you forever.!”
Here is Busuu’s guide to the best Autumn festivals around the world:
Bonfire Night, UK
Bonfire night marks Guy Fawkes’ failed attempt to blow up the House of Lords in 1605. Britons celebrate on 5th November with big fireworks displays, burning effigies of Guy Fawkes and huge bonfires.
Diwali, India
Diwali or the ‘Festival of Lights’ is celebrated across the globe and is a five-day festival celebrating the victory of light over darkness. It happens between October and November depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. If you’re visiting India, then you’re in for a true experience. People decorate their homes with lanterns, lamps and rangoli which are colourful patterns on the floor, usually at the entrance to the house.
Oktoberfest, Germany
What’s not to love about Oktoberfest, it’s the world’s largest beer festival. The 18-day festival is held every year in Munich with millions visiting from all over the globe. Its origins date back to 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
Dia de Los Muertos, Mexico
This celebration, also known as Day of the Dead, takes place on 1st and 2nd November and honours the life of those that have passed away. Altars are built-in memory of loved ones, the deceased’s favourite food and drinks, flowers, candles, clothing and sugar skulls are placed around it.
Thanksgiving, USA and Canada
This is a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and is based on the colonial Pilgrims’ 1621 harvest meal. It’s rich in legend and symbolism with the traditional meal including turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie.
Loi Krathong, Thailand
Loi Krathong is a festival of light to honour the goddess of water. Thai people release candles on small floating vessels called krathongs on rivers, lakes and ponds in celebration of hope and light. The festival takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar.
Halloween, Worldwide
Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The day marked the end of the summer and the harvest, and the beginning of winter. On the night of 31 October, it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to the earth. Halloween is now celebrated across the globe and has turned into a day of costumes, trick or treating, lanterns, parties and lots of sweets.
