What to see Where by Month – The Year in Festivals and Natural Phenomena

January: Monarch Butterfly Migration, Mexico

Between January and March, millions of Monarch butterflies transform the Oyamel fir forests of Michoacán into a living mosaic of orange and black. After an epic 2,800-mile migration from Canada and the United States, these remarkable insects gather in their millions to rest, reproduce, and prepare for their spring journey back north, a migration that spans five generations.

While most head to popular reserves, our favourite is Senguio, where you will have the spectacle largely to yourself. Reaching it means following a rugged, three-hour trail through streams, waterfalls, and towering trees. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views and the quiet magic of witnessing these delicate travellers in a tranquil, lesser-known setting.

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February: New Life in Southern Tanzania

While Northern Tanzania is in peak tourist season, brave a few short showers and head to the South. Wildflowers are in bloom, landscapes are green and flocks of migratory birds decorate the skies. This time of year is calving season as the migration passes through the Serengeti in the south, offering plentiful views of bandy-legged zebra and antelope and their tentative first steps. It also provides a theatre for the circle of life, with the vulnerable newborns becoming prime targets.

While walking tours are off due to the long grasses, and wildlife is more dispersed than in drier months, the landscapes, birdlife and gaming make this a great time to visit.

March: Carnival in Olinda, Brazil

Carnival in each part of Brazil is a completely different experience. While Rio shimmers with the flamboyant parades through the ‘Sambodromo’, and Salvador pulsates to a cavalcade of sound systems, the atmosphere in Olinda is more intimate. The colourful colonial cobblestoned streets are packed with merrymakers, showcasing the distinctive culture of the North East: energetic frevo dancing, the acordeons of forro music, warlike maracatu drumming, and the shimmering tassled headdresses of folkloric ‘caboclos’. Irreverent effigies are carried high above the crowds. Here carnival is not a spectator sport – everyone is part of the parade.

If you don’t make it for the exact dates of carnival, fear not: pre- and post- carnival parades and celebrations extend for several weeks before and afterwards.

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April: Cherry blossom in Akita, Japan

Cherry blossom season arrives later the further north you go in Japan. While this floral spectacle attracts a lot of visitors, most flock to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in the first week of April. Avoid the crowds and head further north to hidden Akita in mid-April. Walk down quiet streets of Samurai mansions, hike plummeting gorges traversed by red-framed bridges, and bathe in the oldest milky-blue onsens, all framed by a confetti of pink petals.

May: Waisak Day, Borobodur, Indonesia

A thousand lanterns illuminate the ancient stone stupas of the world’s largest ancient Buddhist temple, Borobodur. Waisak Day, the holiest celebration in the Buddhist calendar, honours the birth, life and passing of Buddha in an atmospheric three day ritual. Pilgrims carry holy fire and water in procession between temples adorned with flowers and humming with chanting. Dress in white and join them to experience the spiritual heart of Java.

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June: Inti Raymi, Cusco, Peru

Step into the heart of the Incan Empire as Cusco erupts in a blaze of gold and crimson for Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun God. Held on June 24th, this ancient solstice celebration marks the rebirth of the sun and the promise of longer days. The city transforms into a stage for dazzling processions, ancestral rituals, and theatrical re-enactments performed by hundreds of costumed artists. A festival of fire, faith, and tradition, Inca Raymi brings the historical setting to life.

July: Ólavsøka, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

Ólavsøka, the Faroe Islands’ biggest holiday, transforms the capital Tórshavn into a whirlwind of tradition, music, and revelry. The Faroese unite in traditional dress to celebrate their history and culture. Fierce rowing races cross the harbour, more sedate knitting workshops teach this local craft, and live performances showcase haunting, powerful folk music. Watch the grand procession of parliamentarians, hear ancient Faroese ballads sung in unison, and join in the traditional chain dance. As midnight falls, voices rise together in song, uniting the crowd in a stirring finale.

And while the Faroese weather always keeps you on your toes, July offers the longest days of the year. Golden light stretches late into the evening, illuminating emerald cliffs and misty fjords. July is a magical time to explore these jaw-droppingly rugged isles, where unpredictable conditions are part of the adventure.

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August: Perahera, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Each August, the Esala Perahera transforms Kandy into a swirling vision of Sri Lankan heritage. Drummers pound hypnotic beats, dancers twirl in a blur of silk and gold, and mighty tusker elephants parade, draped in glowing lights. This ten-day procession honours the sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, winding its way through the city in an intoxicating display of reverence and revelry. Incense thickens the air, flames flicker from oil lamps, and the streets pulse with ancient tradition.

September: Humpback Whales, Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama

July to October is peak season for one of nature’s greatest spectacles: the migration of humpback whales through the warm waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí. These ocean giants travel thousands of miles to breed and birth their calves in Panama’s tranquil Pacific. Glide across the glassy sea, scanning the horizon for the telltale burst of a spout. Then, the moment of magic: the slap of a fin on the water, a flick of a colossal tail, or even a spectacular full-body breach. And with few crowds and lush islands as your backdrop, your trip to Panama won’t stop here.

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October: Rajasthan International Folk Festival, India

Music rings through ancient winding alleyways of blue-hued Jodhpur at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival.  Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Mehrangarh Fort, the  festival is as much about place as it is about performance. As you wander through its majestic courtyards and ancient ramparts, the desert air is filled with the sounds of traditional Rajasthani folk music.

November: Turtle nesting, Ostional Beach, Costa Rica

Time it right and you can witness a natural spectacle on a rare scale. Ten days before the new  moon, four times a year, thousands of Olive Ridley turtles clamber up the shore of Ostional Beach to dig their nests and lay their eggs. Flippers flail and sand flies as more and more expectant mothers arrive on their single-minded mission. Join volunteers who help protect the eggs from predators.

December:  Flamingos, Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

In December, the flamingos at Laguna Colorada are a striking sight. While these magnificent birds are present year-round, the rainy season (December to April) brings an influx of flamingos to the lagoon. The deep crimson of the lagoon’s shallow waters, coloured by the red algae that gives the flamingos their blush, contrasts with the sandy peaks of the mountains behind. Visit also the vast Bolivian salt flats nearby: going at this time of year, the rains transform the Salar de Uyuni into a natural mirror – a breathtaking sight.