Best festivals in North America
Best festivals in North America
Historic regional parades and major creative arts gatherings in North America
North America's festival calendar ranges from centuries-old traditions to events built entirely within living memory. Some sit between the two, representing older religious traditions that have grown into some of the continent's biggest annual parties.
The festivals on this list range from major music festivals with international lineups and significant infrastructure to cultural and religious celebrations rooted in specific communities and histories. Some last a single weekend, while others span weeks.
Booking flights and accommodation early matters enormously for the continent's biggest events, where host cities see prices multiply in the weeks before. Local visitor bureaus typically publish detailed planning guides each year. Checking official event calendars well ahead of time tends to reveal smaller, related celebrations worth building into the same trip.
Lists by region
City
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
Begun in 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brings giant balloons and marching bands to the streets of this city. The Tribeca Festival shows new films and hosts talks each June. The Village Halloween Parade fills Sixth Avenue with costumes and puppets on October 31.
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