Capture Festivals around the World
One of the most exciting ways to experience a destination is through festival tours. These immersive journeys offer a unique blend of culture, tradition, and celebration, making them a dream for photographers. Festivals around the world are vibrant, extravagant, and deeply rooted in history, offering incredible opportunities to capture stunning visuals and stories.
During festivals, people come together, often returning home to celebrate with loved ones. They adorn their best ethnic attire, prepare traditional cuisine, and embrace their heritage through music, dance, and rituals.
If you love photography and cultural exploration, festival photo tours provide the perfect opportunity to witness and document these rich traditions.
Festivals Across Continents
The world is full of incredible festivals, each offering a unique cultural experience. We’ve handpicked some of the most unique and unforgettable experiences that deserve a spot on your travel bucket list and turned them into unforgettable festival photo tours.
Whether it’s witnessing dazzling lantern displays, immersing in centuries-old rituals, or joining lively street parades, these festivals offer a once-in-a-lifetime chance to celebrate with locals and embrace the spirit of a destination.
South America
South America boasts an array of festivals year-round. The Oaxaca Day of the Dead in Mexico is a profound celebration honoring ancestors, filled with masquerades, intricate face paintings, and deeply emotional moments. This festival transcends photography, offering a deeply personal experience of love, remembrance, and connection.
In Guatemala, the Semana Santa Photo Tour takes you deep into Antigua’s 500-year-old Holy Week festival leading up to Easter. The processions, vibrant carpets of sawdust art, and contrasting moments of solemnity and celebration make it a photographer’s paradise.
Asia
Thailand’s spectacular Lantern Festival continues to captivate the world, drawing travelers eager to capture its mesmerizing glow. The Yi Peng festival in Chaing Mai takes place under the full moon of the final month of the Buddhist calendar, where thousands of lanterns ascend to the heavens, like ethereal flame-colored sprites against the black night sky. Find your camera drawn to this spellbinding spectacle like a moth to a flame.
Meanwhile, Bhutan’s Punakha Festival brings Buddhist traditions to life, offering rich storytelling through culture and ritual. With vibrant festivals happening year-round, each with its own unique charm, Bhutan is a treasure trove for cultural photography. PWA offers exclusive private trips to these destinations, providing unparalleled opportunities to capture the magic of these once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.
India
India, with its countless festivals, is a photographer’s dream. Celebrations take place year-round, with each region offering unique cultural spectacles.
Holi Festival of Colors and Diwali, the Festival of Lights, are among the most famous, with celebrations expanding beyond India’s borders.
If you join our Gujarat + Mumbai Tour in 2026, you’ll witness the grand festival celebrating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary, an event full of history, pride, and pageantry.
For an even deeper cultural experience, PWA’s Theyyam Festival Tour in Kerala introduces you to this ancient and sacred ritual dance. With over 456 variations, Theyyam is an intense and visually stunning dance-drama that narrates myths of gods, goddesses, and legendary heroes. It is a rare and breathtaking festival for photographers seeking authentic cultural storytelling.
Europe
The Venice Carnival is one of the world’s most famous masquerade festivals. Dating back to 1162, the festival was banned in 1797 before being revived in 1979. Today, it is an opulent and mesmerizing event filled with elaborate costumes, intricate masks, and a magical old-world charm.
The festival is as refined as Rio’s Carnival is raucous, offering an unparalleled opportunity for photographers to capture timeless elegance and theatrical splendor.
Photography Tips for Festival Tours
Vibrant Atmosphere – Capture the energy, colors, and decorations.
Expressions & Emotions – Candid shots of joy, excitement, and interactions.
Crowd & Movement – Wide shots to show scale, close-ups for intimacy.
Performances & Traditions – Document key acts, cultural rituals, and artistic displays.
Lighting Conditions – Adapt to changing light from day to night.
Street & Details – Focus on outfits, food, signage, and festival props.
Behind-the-Scenes – Capture setup, preparations, and quiet moments.
Location & Environment – Showcase the festival’s connection to its surroundings.
Timing & Storytelling – Document different phases of the festival for a complete narrative.
Gear Prep – Bring fast lenses, extra batteries, and ample memory cards.
Beyond the Festival
At PWA, we ensure that festival tours go beyond the main event. Our itineraries blend festival experiences with explorations of nearby villages, landscapes, and cultural landmarks, making your trip more adventurous and immersive.
These tours offer a rare chance to see a destination in its most authentic and celebratory form while capturing unforgettable photographic moments.
Are you ready to embark on a festival photography adventure, where every frame tells a story, every face reveals a tradition, and every moment brings you closer to the heart of culture?
Check our SCHEDULE page for 2025/2026/2027
