At the end of October, many people around the world wear costumes and masks depicting ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings. READ MORE
A Mexican holiday where participants wear skull masks and create altars for deceased relatives. READ MORE
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
This is one of the largest and most famous carnivals in the world, where participants wear bright and colorful costumes and masks. READ MORE
Venetian Carnival
Known for its exquisite and traditional masks, which are often handcrafted. READ MORE
Mardi Gras
This festival, especially popular in New Orleans, is also known for its masks and parades.
Guy Fawkes Night
In the United Kingdom, November 5th is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires to commemorate the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, and some participants wear Guy Fawkes masks.
Purim
A Jewish holiday where people wear costumes and masks to celebrate the salvation of the Jewish people from genocide in Persia.
Carnival (Fastnacht, Fasching, Karneval)
In Germany and some other European countries, carnivals involve people wearing masks and holding parades.
Dodekaimeron
In Greece, especially in Crete, this winter carnival is celebrated with masks and costumes.
Setsubun
A Japanese festival where people wear demon (oni) masks and throw soybeans to drive away evil spirits.
Zulu
In South Africa, many traditional holidays and ceremonies involve the use of masks, especially among the Zulu people.
Lunar New Year
In China and many other Asian countries, traditional mask performances, especially lion and dragon dances, are often part of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
J’ouvert
Celebrated in many Caribbean countries as the start of Carnival, J’ouvert festivities often include masks, painted bodies, and mud to conceal participants’ identities.
Obon Festival
In Japan, people sometimes wear masks representing different characters or spirits during Obon, a Buddhist event for commemorating one’s ancestors.
Yamayaki
In Japan, participants wear demon masks during the Nara Yamayaki to scare away evil spirits.
Krampusnacht
In some European countries, people dress as Krampus—a half-goat, half-demon creature—wearing masks and costumes during early December.
Calabar Carnival
In Nigeria, this event features vibrant and elaborate masks and costumes, celebrating African culture and heritage.
Inti Raymi
In Peru, this Incan festival of the Sun includes participants wearing traditional masks representing various Incan spirits and deities.
Gangneung Danoje Festival
Held in South Korea, this festival features various traditional masks used in shamanistic ceremonies asking for blessings and good fortune.
Phi Ta Khon Festival
In Thailand, this Ghost Festival involves participants wearing colorful and elaborate ghost masks made from carved coconut-tree trunks, topped with wicker work, and clothed in patched-together rags.
Nyepi (Day of Silence)
In Bali, Indonesia, ogoh-ogoh (demonic statues made of richly painted paper-mache) are paraded through the streets before being burned, representing the purification of the environment from evil spirits.
Diablada
In Bolivia and Peru, the Diablada Festival involves dancers wearing elaborate devil masks to depict the struggle between good and evil.
Chhau Dance
In India, this traditional dance form involves the use of vibrant masks representing gods, goddesses, demons, and animals to narrate stories from epics.
Poi Sang Long
Celebrated by the Shan people in Myanmar and northern Thailand, this festival sees boys dressing as princes with elaborate headgear, mimicking Buddha’s time as a prince before attaining enlightenment.
Kukeri
In Bulgaria, this tradition involves men dressing in elaborate costumes featuring masks and large bells, performing dances to scare away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
The Boujloud Festival
In Morocco, this is also known as the “Festival of Fur.” Participants wear sheepskins, masks, and disguises and roam the streets, making noise and dancing.
Bhuta Kola (India)
Ekpe Festival (Nigeria)
Gai Jatra (Nepal)
Jonkonnu (Jamaica)
Yoruba Egungun Festival (Nigeria)
Kifwebe (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Yam Festival (Ghana)
Nuo Opera (China)
Moros y Cristianos (Spain)
Gule Wamkulu (Malawi)
Sani Remo (Italy)
Rouketopolemos (Greece)
Malanka (Ukraine)
Fasnacht Day (Pennsylvania, USA)
Agonalia (Ancient Rome)
Fête de l'Escalade (Switzerland)
Hadaka Matsuri (Japan)
Sadeh (Iran)
Candlemas (France)
Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (Taiwan)
Fête de la Musique (France)
Up Helly Aa (Scotland)
Losar (Tibet)
Pasola (Indonesia)
Magh Bihu (India)
Thaipusam (Malaysia)
Pongal (India)
Tinku (Bolivia)
Eyo Festival (Nigeria)
Marzanna (Poland)
Meskel (Ethiopia)
Lopburi Monkey Banquet (Thailand)
Bacchanalia (Ancient Rome)
Galungan (Bali)
Panafest (Ghana)
Fiesta de la Candelaria (Mexico)
Ngondo Festival (Cameroon) Timkat (Ethiopia) Hogmanay (Scotland) Kumbh Mela (India) Waisak (Indonesia) Dance of the Devils (Guatemala) La Tirana (Chile) Jidai Matsuri (Japan) Saturnalia (Ancient Rome) Enkutatash (Ethiopia) Fiesta de San Fermín (Spain) Nadaam (Mongolia) Tet Trung Thu (Vietnam) Sinulog (Philippines) Chuseok (South Korea) Kurentovanje (Slovenia) Las Fallas (Spain) Alilo (Georgia) Sikh Vaisakhi (India) Paro Tsechu (Bhutan) Ma’nene (Indonesia) Nebuta Matsuri (Japan) Santacruzan (Philippines) Ommegang (Belgium) Mummers Parade (USA) La Calavera Catrina (Mexico) Holi (India) Fiesta de Santa Fe (USA) Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Hong Kong) Kanda Matsuri (Japan) Qoyllur Rit’i (Peru) Midsummer (Sweden) Wodaabe Gerewol Festival (Niger) Loy Krathong (Thailand) Aoi Matsuri (Japan) La Tomatina (Spain) Gion Matsuri (Japan) Candombe (Uruguay) L’Ardia di San Costantino (Italy) Asalha Puja (Thailand) Palio di Siena (Italy) Awa Odori (Japan) Tawaangal (Senegal) Circumcision Ceremony (Turkey) Fiesta de San Juan (Spain) Aranmula Boat Race (India) Bisket Jatra (Nepal) Ananda Pagoda Festival (Myanmar) Feast of St. George (Ethiopia) Hudoq Festival (Indonesia) Songkran (Thailand) Garifuna Settlement Day (Belize) Naadam Festival (Mongolia) Jūrmala Festival (Latvia) Kinetic Sculpture Race (USA) Tribal War Dances (Papua New Guinea) Vesak (Sri Lanka) Semana Santa (Spain) Pingxi Lantern Festival (Taiwan) Frozen Dead Guy Days (USA) Easter (Various countries) Boryeong Mud Festival (South Korea) Dia de los Muertos (Mexico) Thimithi (India)
