Where to visit this fall
From September through November, destinations around the world come alive with seasonal festivals and traditions. From Día de los Muertos to fall foliage and Diwali, there's no shortage of experiences to be had. Some are world-renown, while others are more subtle and local. Whether you're seeking warm weather, fall festivals, or colorful trees, this is a great time to travel. Pack your bags and plan a trip around these global fall experiences.
Where: Mexico City, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Mexico
When: November 1st-2nd
What is it: Día de los Muertos is a tradition throughout Mexico honoring and commemorating the dead. The celebration takes form in music, dancing, parades, visiting and decorating gravestones. People dress as traditional "Catrinas" and "Catrines" (ornate skeletons) for Day of the Dead. Visiting Mexico during this time allows travelers to participate.
Travel Hack:
Don't forget a packable day pack for exploring once you drop your main bag off at your accommodation. Consider a BetaLock to secure your valuables. When you're braving the crowds, a lockable carabiner gives you peace of mind.
Where: Munich, Germany
When: September-early October
What is it: Check out Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer and folk festival, held annually in Munich. The celebration centers around Bavarian culture, with massive beer tents, traditional food, live music, and carnival rides. People travel from all over the world to drink and celebrate, often while wearing traditional lederhosen and dirndls.
What to bring: Electrolytes for hydration, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes. Fall temperatures in Munich can fluctuate throughout the day, so pack plenty of layers. The 24L Tote Pack switches between a tote and backpack, making it easy to go hands-free while wandering from tent to tent.
Where: New England, U.S.
When: September-late October
What is it: The Northeast states have plenty of classic fall activities to choose from, but it’s best known for its colorful fall foliage and seasonal drinks and treats. Rent a car and drive through Acadia National Park, try maple syrup in Vermont, or take a ghost tour in Boston. Autumn harvests bring fresh apples and pumpkins, making it the perfect time for apple picking, cider tasting, and exploring local orchards.
Travel Tip: Make room for duffels in your fall travel lineup. Bring a 30L Packable Duffel for all the souvenirs, seasonal treats, and gifts you’ll inevitably want to bring home. For the road trip itself, the 45L SEG Hybrid Travel Pack is the ultimate companion, with segmented compartments that keep you tidy on the road.
Where: Takayama, Japan
When: October 9-10th
What is it: The Takayama Autumn Festival is occurs annually in Japan. This festival focuses on gratitude for the harvest and preparation for the coming winter. The celebrations include parades with floats, performances, and lanterns. The ornate yatai floats showcase Takayama’s long tradition of skilled woodworking, carving, and craftsmanship.
Travel Tip: Pair Takayama with nearby Shirakawa-go or a trip through the Japanese Alps to turn the festival into a longer fall trip. A 35L Global Travel Pack and Global Travel Adapter are recommended for an easy, organized trip through Japan.
Where: Ayodhya, India
When: Between mid-October and mid-November. In 2026, Diwali takes place November 6-10th, with the festival of lights on November 8th
What is it: Diwali is a religious tradition celebrating light, renewal, and the triumph of good over evil. It’s known for its glowing diyas (oil lamps), colorful rangoli, decorated homes and streets, family gatherings, sweets, and festive celebrations that vary across India.
What to pack: Bright colors and festive attire + bring shoes that are easy to slip off when visiting homes and temples. Avoid raw vegetables and make sure your food comes directly off the heat. And admire the Ganges from the shore rather than taking a swim, evenif you see locals in it daily.
Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
When: November, around the full moon
What is it: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are two festivals of light celebrated around the same time in northern Thailand. During Yi Peng, glowing lanterns fill the night sky, while Loy Krathong is celebrated by floating decorated baskets, or krathongs, on rivers and waterways. Visit Chiang Mai to see lantern-filled temples, parades, cultural performances, and celebrations throughout the city.
Long Haul Travel: A 45L Global Travel Pack has enough space for extended international trips. Carry-on backpacks make it easy to navigate a new country on foot. For long flights, buses, and boats, you'll want to come prepared with a packable travel pillow and sleep mask + earplugs.
Where: Burgundy, France
When: September-October
What is it: Each fall, Burgundy’s vineyards come alive for les vendanges, the annual grape harvest. During this time, winemakers pick the grapes that will become Burgundy’s famous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay while the vineyards begin transitioning into their fall colors. Some wineries invite visitors into the vineyards to learn about grape picking and participate in the harvest, followed in some cases by a traditional harvest meal.
Travel Tip: Base yourself in a wine town like Beaune and explore the Route des Grands Crus, stopping at vineyards and cellars for tours and tastings.
Pro Tips for Peak-Season Fall Travel
If you’re chasing a sought-after fall festival, seasonal event, or once-a-year experience, a little strategy can make a big difference. Prices rise, accommodations fill up, and crowds can change the way you experience a destination. These tips will help you travel smarter, spend more intentionally, and get the most out of the experience once you’re there.
If you traveled specifically for an event, give yourself a buffer. Arriving at least a day early protects you from delayed flights, missed trains, weather, jet lag, and other travel chaos. For a once-a-year experience, an extra hotel night is a small price to pay compared to missing the reason you traveled there in the first place.
If a festival lasts a week, consider turning it into a longer stay. For remote workers or travelers with flexible schedules, mid-term rentals for a few weeks or even a month can sometimes offer better value than paying peak nightly rates.
You’ll also get to watch the destination transform before, during, and after the event. Arrive early, explore without the biggest crowds, and give yourself time to experience the place beyond the festival itself.
The biggest celebration isn’t necessarily the best experience. Look into surrounding towns, neighborhoods, and smaller community events celebrating the same tradition. You may find fewer crowds, more locally focused festivities, and a completely different perspective. As a bonus, you’ll have more opportunities to spend your travel dollars with local businesses.
Knowing why something is celebrated can completely change how you experience it. Spend a little time learning about the event’s history, cultural or religious significance, local traditions, and etiquette before you arrive.
Once you’re there, keep learning. Museums, walking tours, local guides, exhibitions, and community events can add context to what you’re seeing. You’ll start noticing details you might otherwise walk right past.
VIP isn’t always about getting a better view. At crowded events, the real value might be a separate entrance, shorter lines, reserved seating, bathrooms, shade, or re-entry privileges.
Before paying the premium, compare exactly what’s included with general admission and decide which perks will actually improve your experience. Sometimes VIP is an unnecessary upgrade; other times, you’re essentially paying to get hours of your vacation back.
Fall travel can mean chilly mornings, warm afternoons, rainy hikes, crowded festivals, and dinners where you actually want to look put together, sometimes all in the same trip.
Use packing cubes or organizers to keep outfits and layers easy to find, then bring the right bag for each part of the trip. A secure sling is useful in crowded events, a packable daypack gives you extra carrying capacity when you need it, and a waterproof backpack can be worth its weight when the forecast turns. Find what you need, when you need it.
Already know you want to come back? Start planning next year’s trip while everything is still fresh. You’ll know which neighborhood you liked, where you wished you had stayed, what you’d do differently, and which experiences were worth repeating.
Set reminders for when tickets and accommodations become available, and you’ll have a head start before the annual rush begins. For especially popular festivals and seasonal destinations, planning 6–12 months ahead can mean better availability, more options, and potentially better prices.
Packing For Autumn Travel
Depending on where you're headed, packing for September through November may mean cozy sweaters, boots, and multiple layers; or it could call for lightweight clothing and breathable fabric.
No matter the climate, a few travel essentials always come in handy: A reliable travel bag, toiletry cases, refillable toothpaste tubes, a packable day pack, and other useful travel accessories that prepare your for any adventure.
A small cross-body sling or Global Travel Stash is useful for keeping your essentials close while navigating busy markets, temples, and celebrations. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your valuables are secure and within easy reach.
Some of the best fall travel destinations combine seasonal scenery with festivals, cultural traditions, harvests, and outdoor experiences. Popular autumn destinations include:
For international fall travel, pack versatile layers that can adapt to changing temperatures and weather. Comfortable walking shoes, a lightweight rain layer, travel organizers, a secure daypack or sling, and a packable bag are especially useful for fall festivals, city travel, and outdoor adventures.
September through November are generally the best months for fall travel in the Northern Hemisphere, but peak timing varies significantly by destination. Fall foliage, harvest seasons, festivals, and weather patterns can peak weeks apart, so check local dates before booking your autumn trip.
For major fall festivals and seasonal events, consider booking flights and accommodations 6–12 months in advance, particularly when traveling internationally.
Oktoberfest, fall foliage season, Día de Muertos, and other popular autumn events can create high demand for accommodations and transportation, making early planning especially valuable.
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