Your Ultimate 2026 Global Travel Calendar: Where to Go, When, and Why

To help you plan unforgettable journeys, here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the biggest global events, India-specific festivals, and travel opportunities—along with tailored Voye suggestions for every major destination.

January 2026 – Starting the Year with Culture and Colors

Key events:
• New Year celebrations worldwide
• Republic Day in India (26 January)

The first month of the year is perfect for travelers looking to ease into 2026. India’s Republic Day Parade in New Delhi is one of the most spectacular displays of national pride, precision, and culture. Pair the parade with winter escapes to Kashmir, the Northeast, or Rajasthan’s desert festivals.

Where to travel:
• India – national celebrations, winter landscapes, cultural fairs.

February 2026 – Winter Glory in the Italian Alps

Key global event:
• Winter Olympics – Milano–Cortina 2026 (6–22 February)

Italy becomes the global centerpiece as Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo co-host the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sports lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and culinary travelers all have a reason to be here. Explore Milan’s urban design and fashion districts, then venture to Cortina for alpine landscapes and Olympic magic.

Where to travel:
• Italy – Milan, Cortina, Venice, Lake Como, Dolomites.

March 2026 – Festivals, Football, and Holi-Tinted Adventures

Key events:
• Holi in India (4 March)
• AFC Women’s Asian Cup – Australia (1–21 March)
• Id-ul-Fitr (21 March), Ram Navami (26 March), Mahavir Jayanti (31 March)

March blends sports and spirituality. Attend Holi in Vrindavan or Mathura for vibrant color play, then fly to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. This is also a strong festival month in India, offering diverse cultural immersion.

Where to travel:
• India – Holi destinations, pilgrimage routes
• Australia – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast

April 2026 – Spring Breaks and Mountain Sunlight

Key events:
• Good Friday (3 April)

April is travel-perfect nearly everywhere. In India, it is an excellent time to hike in Himachal or Sikkim before peak summer crowds. Internationally, Europe blooms into spring, making cities like Paris, Prague, and Amsterdam irresistible.

Where to travel:
• India – Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim
• Europe – France, Czech Republic, Netherlands

May 2026 – Culture, Coastlines, and Perfect Weather

Key events:
• Buddha Purnima (1 May)
• Id-ul-Zuha (27 May)

May is excellent for coastal travel. In India, the Andaman Islands, Goa (pre-monsoon), and Kerala’s backwaters shine. Globally, Japan’s late-spring season and the Mediterranean’s shoulder season create ideal conditions for relaxed explorations.

Where to travel:
• India – Goa, Andaman Islands, Kerala
• Japan – Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima
• Greece/Turkey – beaches and heritage circuits

June 2026 – Football Fever and Summer Escapes

Key global events:
• FIFA World Cup 2026 (11 June – 19 July)
• World Environment Day (5 June)

The biggest sporting event of the year kicks off across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Stadium cities like Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, and Mexico City will be buzzing with fan zones, concerts, and cultural programs.

This is also a strong month for northern hemisphere travel—think national parks in Canada or road trips across the American West.

Where to travel:
• USA – LA, San Francisco, New York, Miami
• Canada – Vancouver, Toronto, Banff, Calgary
• Mexico – Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mexico City

July 2026 – Summer Peaks and Global Gatherings

Key global event:
• Commonwealth Games – Glasgow (23 July – 2 August)

July is high summer in Europe, perfect for festival hopping, island escapes, or pairing the Commonwealth Games with broader Scottish or British adventures. India’s monsoon creates lush greenery, ideal for Western Ghats getaways.

Where to travel:
• UK – Scotland, London, Edinburgh
• India – Kerala, Maharashtra’s monsoon trails, Meghalaya

August 2026 – Independence Celebrations and Mediterranean Heat

Key events:
• Independence Day (15 August)
• Milad-un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad (26 August)

August is a month of national pride in India, while Europe offers beach-perfect weather. It’s also a great time for Nordic countries or Iceland, with long daylight hours and outdoor festivals.

Where to travel:
• India – heritage circuits, independence-themed trips
• Spain, Italy, Croatia – coastal escapes
• Iceland/Norway – summer wilderness

September 2026 – Asia Lights Up with the Asian Games

Key global events:
• Asian Games – Aichi–Nagoya (19 September – 4 October)
• International Day of Peace (21 September)

Japan becomes Asia’s sports capital in late 2026. Aichi and Nagoya offer state-of-the-art venues, but travelers can easily combine the Games with Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Tokyo, or even Hokkaido.

In India, weather improves considerably post-monsoon, making it ideal for travel nationwide.

Where to travel:
• Japan – Aichi, Nagoya, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
• India – Rajasthan, Ladakh, South India

October 2026 – Festive India and Fall in Full Bloom

Key events:
• Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
• Dussehra (20 October)

October marks the start of India’s festival high season. From Durga Puja in Kolkata to Dussehra in Mysuru to the post-monsoon beauty of the Western Ghats, it’s one of the best months to explore the country. Globally, autumn colours turn Europe and North America into painterly masterpieces.

Where to travel:
• India – Kolkata, Mysuru, Varanasi, Himachal
• Canada – Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec
• Europe – Germany, Switzerland, Austria

November 2026 – Diwali and Global Observances

Key events:
• Diwali (8 November)
• Guru Nanak Jayanti (24 November)

Diwali lights up India with grandeur, markets, food, and tradition. It’s also a popular wedding and travel period. Internationally, November is shoulder season—perfect for budget-friendly travel in Europe, warm escapes in Southeast Asia, or cultural routes in the Middle East.

Where to travel:
• India – Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Amritsar
• UAE/Qatar – desert adventures
• Thailand/Vietnam – tropical escapes

December 2026 – The World’s Favourite Travel Month

Key events:
• Christmas (25 December)
• Human Rights Day (10 December)

December is peak global travel season. From European Christmas markets to snowy escapes to tropical winter-sun trips, the month offers something for every traveler. In India, December is ideal for Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, and the Northeast.

Where to travel:
• India – Goa, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Kerala
• Europe – Germany, France, Austria
• Southeast Asia – Bali, Singapore, Malaysia

Ready to Plan Your 2026 Adventures?

With global sports spectacles, rich cultural festivals, and diverse weather windows across continents, 2026 offers endless travel opportunities. Whether you dream of watching football in North America, celebrating Holi in India, skiing in Italy, or discovering Japan during the Asian Games, this year is made for explorers.

Start shaping your 2026 journeys with Voye—your gateway to curated global travel experiences across every season, country, and celebration.