People travel for countless reasons – from family vacations, cultural immersion, and educational opportunities to sports, religious journeys, business trips, and more. One of the increasingly popular motivations for traveling is global events. Quite often, traveling to these events (including flights, hotel accommodations, event tickets, etc.) can cost less (or just a little more) than the admission or ticket price alone would cost in the US – plus you’ll get a whole trip out of the experience instead of just a few hours. Whether it’s music festivals and concerts, sporting events, culinary festivals, cultural events, or natural phenomena – global events inspire many people to travel every year.

Music festivals and concerts attract music lovers and travelers from around the world. It gives people the opportunity to participate in something they’re passionate about, while also exploring somewhere new. You may have heard that many Americans have traveled to European cities to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in recent months. Adele, BTS, Elton John, and many more artists regularly sell out venues across different continents. People also travel from around the world to come to U.S. music festivals, like Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA and Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL.

Another common reason for traveling is to attend sporting events and visit stadiums. This year the 2024 Summer Olympics are being held from July 26 – August 11 in Paris, and local authorities have spent years getting ready for the almost 2 million international visitors expected to attend. Fans also travel to see the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, F1, and many more sporting events each year. If there’s a particular sports team someone loves, they may even take a trip just to see that team’s home stadium. These events are not only about sports, but they also bring fans together to experience excitement and camaraderie.

Some of the world’s biggest global events attract travelers from around the world. Nearly a million foreign tourists go to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for Rio Carnival each year. Venice Carnival (or Carnevale di Venezia in Italian) is a two-week celebration that is known for elaborate costumes and masks. Oktoberfest in Germany draws beer enthusiasts from around the world to Munich to enjoy traditional Bavarian beer, food, music, and cultural festivities. In India, Diwali (also known as the Festival of Lights) is a significant Hindu festival where travelers go to see colorful decorations, dazzling fireworks, and the cultural richness of the festival. Global events offer the opportunity to be immersed in local traditions, cuisine, music, and celebrations that highlight the cultural diversity and heritage of different regions around the world.

This year we saw millions of Americans travel to “the path of totality” to see the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8. The Northern Lights (aka Aurora Borealis) attract travelers who want to witness the beautiful ribbons of light dancing in the night sky – mainly in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, though people have spotted the light display in parts of the US this year as well. The annual Great Migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other wildlife across the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya entices wildlife and photography enthusiasts alike. And the blooming cherry blossoms across Japan in spring are always a top pick for travelers. These types of natural phenomena captivate travelers with their beauty, uniqueness, and often ephemeral nature.

Ultimately, the reasons we travel are as varied as the events that shape our world. Travelers attending global events can enrich their lives in diverse ways. From adventure and exploration to honoring heritage and pursuing passions, traveling for these types of events contributes to a tapestry of shared experiences that can help foster global understanding and appreciation.