10 animal fairs and festivals from across the world worth travelling for

Animals are honoured and adored around the world. In some cultures, animals are worshipped as divine beings, and others honour them with parades, races, feasts, and even fashion shows. While these traditions are interesting and heartwarming, they also remind us how deeply humans and animals are connected, not just as pets or livestock, but as cultural symbols.

Over the years, some animal festivals in the world have become a part of the culture. These animal fests carry a far deeper meaning. On this note, let’s have a look at 10 interesting animal festivals from around the world worth travelling for.

Date: 18 Oct, 2025 – 23 Oct, 2025

Tihar is a colourful five-day Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and in India’s Sikkim region and parts of West Bengal or places with a large Nepalese population. Each day is dedicated to different animals like, crows, dogs, cows and oxen. Dogs, believed to guide souls to heaven, are honored with flower garlands, food, and sacred tilak. Cows symbolise wealth and are worshipped.

Date: 30 Oct, 2025 to 5 Nov, 2025

Pushkar Fair is probably one of the biggest animal festivals held annually in the holy town of Pushkar, Rajasthan. The festival not only attracts animal lovers but tourists and photographers too from across the globe. The camels are the biggest draw though. The decorated camels compete in races, dances, and beauty contests too. Originally a gathering for traders, the event now blends commerce, culture, tourism and faith.

Date: Last Sunday of November, 30 Nov, 2025

Every November, the town of Lopburi in Thailand throws a grand vegetarian buffet for over 3,000 monkeys. The long-tailed macaques are invited to feast on fruits, rice, desserts, and even soda. The festival started in 1989 to boost tourism. It takes place near ancient temples, creating a playful yet reverent atmosphere.

Held in Fukushima Prefecture, Soma-Nomaoi re-enacts a 1,000-year-old samurai tradition where warriors capture wild horses as a form of training. Today, the three-day festival sees over 400 participants dressed in traditional samurai gear riding and racing horses. Events include horseback flag-chasing, parades, and shrine ceremonies. The third day ends with teams capturing horses to offer to shrine deities.

Date: Oct 16-19, 2025

Festival de Aves de Chile began in 2008 to raise awareness about Chile’s rich birdlife. It is organised in Viña del Mar. With over 500 bird species, including 11 found nowhere else, the festival allows guided birdwatching tours, photography sessions, and nature excursions, including kayaking in the Pacific. On the whole, this event brings together bird lovers, scientists, and locals to appreciate and protect the r

Date: Sep 20, 2025

Swiss farmers lead their flower-crowned cows down from mountain pastures during the Alpabzug, also known as Désalpes. The festival is all about traditional music, yodeling, or singing. Cows wear massive bells, and the entire community joins the celebration, which often shows goats and donkeys too

Kattenstoet, held every three years in Ypres, Belgium, honours the town’s medieval past, where cats were tragically thrown from towers. Today, the festival has changed and grown into a full-blown joyous celebration with over 2,000 participants, 30 floats, and massive cat puppets. A jester symbolically tosses toy cats from the Cloth Hall tower, and various performances fill the streets.

Started in 2014, the Edmonton International Cat Fest is Canada’s first cat-dedicated festival, aiming to raise money for local rescues. Held annually in Alberta, the event features adoptable cats, expert talks, cat-themed shopping, and meet-and-greets with internet-famous felines like Lil BUB and Suki the Adventure Cat. Run by volunteers and by the love for animals, this “Caturday” event combines community love for cats with meaningful support for animal welfare.

The main Woofstock festival in Canada, which is North America's largest dog festival, is held in Woodbine Park, Toronto. Since 2003, the festival has hosted costume contests, dog fashion shows, events that compete about dogs’ flexibility, and races. Dogs even enjoy high tea with themed outfits, like celebrity costumes or ‘60s peace looks.

Date: Oct 18-19, 2025

Since 1978, Banner Elk, North Carolina, has hosted the Woolly Worm Festival to predict winter. The woolly worm, a fuzzy caterpillar, is believed to forecast the upcoming winter based on the colour bands on its 13 segments. The darker the bands, the harsher the winter. During the event, these caterpillars race up strings, and the winner gets to “predict” the season and earns a $1,000 prize.