Get ready for unforgettable global events this September 2025 with Ovago. Whether you’re drawn to bustling city festivals, spectacular sports shows, or historical celebrations, our curated selection of September events offers something for everyone.
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Regata Storica
Where: Venice, Italy
When: Sep 7
History:
The Regata Storica has long been a favorite among both Venetians and visitors. First recorded in the mid-13th century, it’s one of the oldest boat races in the world. The earliest visual depiction appears in Jacopo dé Barbari’s View of Venice, around 1500. Since then, the regatta has been a popular subject for artists capturing the city’s festive spirit. Today, the Regata Storica is an iconic annual event in Venice, drawing spectators from around the globe to enjoy the thrilling races and the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Events overview:
The Regata Storica is one of Venice’s most important and spectacular events. It features a grand parade followed by a series of races:
- The parade, typically starting around 4 pm, showcases replicas of 15th-century boats. This parade of historic boats, with people in period costumes, precedes the races along the Grand Canal, evoking the golden age.
- The boat races usually begin around 4:30 pm with children’s races, followed by different types of men’s and women’s races. Each Venetian neighborhood has its own team, with enthusiastic locals cheering them on.
General tips:
- How to Watch the Regata: Stroll along the canal until you find a great viewing spot. The area near Punta della Dogana is particularly recommended. Alternatively, follow the route of the participating boats. They start in the Castello area, then head west along the Grand Canal towards Santa Chiara, where they turn around and race back to the finish line at Ca’ Foscari Palace.
- Plan Your Stay in Advance: For affordable flights, take advantage of our unbeatable flight deals to Venice. Plan your stay in advance. Hotel Canal & Walter is a budget-friendly option with included breakfast and great views for watching the Regata Storica. Other affordable and comfortable hotels close to the Grand Canal, perfect for easy access to the regatta, include Hotel Guerrini, Hotel dalla Mora, and the slightly pricier Hotel Antico Doge, housed in a historic building.
- Plan Other Activities for a Memorable Summer Send-Off: Enjoy a day at the beach near Venice, with some of the best beaches in northern Italy including Lido Beach, Jesolo Beach, and Caorle Beach. For a quieter experience, explore lesser-known neighborhoods like the Jewish Quarter, Castello, and Dorsoduro. Make the most of the pleasant weather with an evening gondola ride, complete with a serenade and dinner. Prices for such rides can vary, so it’s worth researching and comparing options to find a package that fits within your budget.
Interesting fact: The word “Regata” originated in Venice and has been adopted by many languages, including French, English, German, and Spanish. Its exact origin is uncertain, but one theory is that it comes from the Italian word “riga,” meaning line or row. Early races had boats lined up behind a rope, released to start the race, symbolizing a row of boats.
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Medieval Ter Apel
Where: Ter Apel, the Netherlands
When: Sep 6-7
History:
In 1465, groups of travelers, primarily soldiers, mercenaries, marketers, artisans, and musicians, would gather around the Monastery, setting up camps for the annual event. This market was not merely about trade; it was a grand celebration, where disputes were often settled on the battlefield. The tradition continues today, inviting attendees to experience the historical richness and vibrant spirit of medieval times.
Event overview:
The festival takes place in a unique setting around the Ter Apel monastery, which remains open for free visits throughout the event. The festival is renowned as the most authentic medieval event in the Netherlands. With meticulous attention to detail, you’ll feel transported back to the 13th century, discovering and experiencing a variety of activities. Browse medieval merchandise, taste traditional snacks, and enjoy thrilling shows and demonstrations. Enjoy the booming of cannons, knights charging, participants in period costumes, lively medieval music, and demonstrations of ancient crafts. Children can enjoy special games and a ‘kids battle.’
The highlight is that guests are invited to become part of the festival. Participate in baking bread, whitewashing, chopping wood, or enjoying the medieval banquet on Saturday night. The banquet typically begins on Saturday at 6 pm next to the catering square, behind the monastery. Don’t miss the spectacular fire show on Saturday evening!
General tips:
- Take Care of Your Bookings: Day passes, medieval banquet tickets, and early bird tickets are available on the event’s official website. The banquet’s cost is €58.00 per person, including drinks. For children, the price is €30.00 for those up to 7 years old and €43.00 for ages 8 to 14. Note that places are limited to 50 guests, so be sure to buy medieval banquet tickets in advance.
- Consider Wearing a Medieval Costume: Although not required, we highly recommend wearing a costume for a fully immersive historical experience. The festival’s official website offers authentic medieval clothing for rent. To rent an item, contact the organizers using the form on the website to receive a suitable offer.
- Explore Beautiful Westerwolde: Beyond the festival, the Westerwolde region boasts several fantastic attractions, such as the Fortress Town of Bourtange and the Wedderborg Castle. Discover the scenic beauty of Westerwolde on its well-maintained walking trails. Visit Nature Reserve De Hoogte to enjoy stunning landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and excellent bird-watching opportunities.
Interesting fact: Before the medieval banquet, guests can wash their hands in rose-scented water, adding to the authentic experience. The buffet features a variety of dishes prepared from medieval recipes, including spit-roasted beef with red wine sauce, savory meat and vegetable pies, delectable puddings, marbled eggs in herb sauce, and much more.
La Mercè Festival
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: Sep 19-24
History
Every year since 1902, Barcelona hosts its largest street party, the Barcelona La Mercè Festival, near the end of September. This festival honors Mare de Déu de la Mercè, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The event bids farewell to summer with a spectacular celebration and welcomes the cooler autumn months.
Unlike many festivals that cater to specific age groups or demographics, La Mercè offers something for everyone. With a wide range of events happening from morning until late at night, the festival accommodates families with young children, young adults, older adults, and solo travelers alike. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy!
Event overview:
The Mercè Festival is often described as multiple festivals due to the numerous and varied activities organized throughout the celebration. These diverse events make it easy to see why Barcelona’s main festival is best described this way. Indeed, everyone can find “their own festival” within the larger celebration.
During the festival, the main attractions will include live music, with open-air concerts of various genres across the city. Traditional events feature human towers, known as “falcons” and “castells”. There are also “diables” (devils) participating in “correfocs” (fire runs), where people dressed as devils run through the streets with fireworks attached to pitchforks, creating a thrilling and fiery spectacle.
Other attractions include parades, giants, “capgrossos” (large heads), and bestiary displays. There will be light and visual shows on the streets and in Ciutadella Park, as well as projections on the facade of Barcelona City Hall and other symbolic locations. Fireworks displays, including pyrotechnic shows on Barceloneta Beach, will culminate in the highly anticipated musical-fireworks display at the Montjuïc Magic Fountains.
General tips:
- Plan Your Stay: The festival takes place throughout the entire city, offering many convenient areas to stay in Barcelona. A great choice is around Plaça de Catalunya or Urquinaona. These central locations are well-connected by foot and public transport to the airport, beach, and various festival venues. They also offer numerous budget-friendly accommodation options.
- Don’t Rent a Car to Enjoy the Festival: The streets will be bustling with events, parades, fire runs, and crowds! It’s highly advisable not to rent a car if you plan to navigate the city center during the festival.
- Take Safety Precautions: If you plan to experience the correfoc, wear protective clothing, as powerful sparkler fireworks are often sprayed into the crowds. Bring hats, protective glasses, and thick long-sleeved tops to shield yourself from the flying sparks.
Interesting fact: The festival highlights awe-inspiring human towers, where participants demonstrate incredible balance, acrobatic skills, and teamwork by building towering structures on each other’s shoulders.
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Oktoberfest
Where: Munich, Germany
When: Sep 20-Oct 5
History:
Oktoberfest began in October 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to participate in the five-day festivities held in the fields in front of the city gates, which featured horse races that became an annual tradition and the festival’s foundation. The event has been taking place at the Theresienwiese, a meadow just outside Munich named in honor of Prince Ludwig’s wife.
Over time, Oktoberfest transformed from a royal event into a public festival, incorporating agricultural shows, carousels, and swings. Beer stands evolved into large beer tents and halls, becoming a central attraction. The festival’s popularity soared, drawing visitors from around the globe. Today, Oktoberfest attracts over six million international and national visitors each year.
Event overview:
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest public festival. It celebrates Bavarian traditions with delectable food, Munich beer, and numerous rides and attractions both on the festival grounds and inside the tents. The festival brings together people from around the globe in 17 large tents and 21 smaller ones, creating a truly international celebration. Highlights include, but are not limited to:
- The grand entry of the Oktoberfest landlords and breweries, which serves as the official kick-off to the festival on September 20.
- The ceremonial beer tapping on the same day.
- The traditional costume parade on September 21.
General tips:
- Don’t Forget to Dress Up!: Locals and guests don traditional Bavarian attire. Men typically wear a shirt, bandana, lederhosen, suspenders, socks, shoes, and a hat. Women often sport a dirndl, blouse, apron, and ribbon necklace. To fit in, you can buy a basic outfit for around €50 at local stores, while high-quality lederhosen or dirndls cost about €150. Alternatively, you can rent an outfit for a few days.
- Don’t Allocate Much Time to the Festival: One or two days at Oktoberfest is plenty. Most locals only participate for a day or two before returning home. Tourists often stay longer, but realistically, there’s only so much beer and wurst one can enjoy! Booking one or two days for the Oktoberfest festivities in Munich is sufficient to experience everything.
- Enjoy Munich’s Other Attractions: Step back in time to the era of the Bavarian monarchy by visiting Nymphenburg Palace. Admire the gothic “Cathedral of Our Lady,” an iconic symbol of the city. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Munich at the world-famous St. Mary’s Square. Discover the Deutsches Museum, the largest museum of technology in the world. Stroll through the English Garden, Munich’s green oasis. Spanning 375 hectares, it is one of the largest urban parks in the world.
Interesting fact: Oktoberfest officially begins when Munich’s mayor taps the first keg at Schottenhamel Festhalle, handing the first liter stein to the Bavarian premier with the cheer “O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”). Gunshots then signal the other tents to start serving beer. Despite opening hours earlier, no beer is served until this ceremonial keg tapping.
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World Athletics Championships 2025
Where: Tokyo, Japan
When: Sep 13-21
History:
The World Athletics Championships began in 1983 and have grown into one of the most prestigious global sporting events outside the Olympics. From a modest start in Helsinki, the competition now brings together over 2,000 athletes from more than 200 nations. Celebrating human performance and global unity, each edition showcases the host city’s spirit and the power of sport to inspire. Held every two years, the championships draw millions of viewers and leave a lasting legacy of excellence.
Event overview:
The World Athletics Championships 2025 will turn Tokyo into a global stage for elite sport, uniting athletes from all over the world at the iconic Japan National Stadium. For nine days, the city will pulse with the energy of world-class competition—sprints, relays, and field events—set against a backdrop of Japanese culture and innovation.
What to expect at the World Athletics Championships 2025:
- Daily track and field events featuring the world’s top athletes
- Appearances by Olympic and world champions
- Fan zones and athlete meet-and-greets across the city
- Cultural performances and exhibits
- Interactive sponsor experiences near the stadium
- Family-friendly activities for all ages
- Evening sessions with light shows and medal ceremonies
General tips:
- Plan Your Travel: For the best economy fares to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, fly from West Coast hubs like LAX, SFO, or SEA—these routes often offer round-trip deals under $800 when booked early. Fly with ANA or Japan Airlines for top-notch service and direct routes, or choose Zipair for a no-frills, budget-friendly option. US carriers like United and American also offer competitive direct flights from hubs like LAX, DFW, and JFK.
- Skip the Pricey Hotels near Japan National Stadium and stay along the Chuo or Marunouchi lines—just a quick, affordable ride from the action. Areas like Kagurazaka, Kanda, and Monzennakacho offer quieter charm, local dining, and lower rates. For better deals, check weekly apartment rentals or guesthouses on Japanese sites like Rakuten Travel, especially for stays over five nights.
- Smart Sightseeing Tip: Plan your event schedule around morning or evening sessions to free up midday hours for sightseeing—and group attractions by subway line to save time. For example, on days you’re heading to the stadium via the Oedo Line, explore nearby gems like teamLab Borderless, Hamarikyu Gardens, or the Tsukiji Outer Market en route. Invest in a Tokyo subway ticket (24–72 hours) and use tools like Google Maps or Japan Travel app to batch activities by line or district. This helps you seamlessly combine championship excitement with Tokyo’s top spots, without wasting time in transit.
Interesting fact: The World Championships rotate host cities—Doha, Eugene,Tokyo, Budapest—giving each a chance to showcase its culture and athletic spirit. Legendary moments are made here: Usain Bolt set his 100m world record of 9.58 seconds at the 2009 Berlin edition—still the fastest legal time ever run.
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Durga Puja
Where: Kolkata, India
When: Sep 28 – Oct 2
History:
Durga Puja is an annual celebration held with grandeur, honoring the Hindu mother Goddess Durga. Durga Puja in Kolkata began in the early twentieth century and quickly evolved into a festival embraced by the general populace. Initially, the celebrations were exclusive to wealthy families, but over time, it became a community event.
Since 2016, the Durga Puja Carnival has been a highlight of the festivities, showcasing elaborate processions and cultural performances. Today, Durga Puja is the largest and most significant festival in Kolkata and has been recognized by UNESCO for its cultural importance.
Event overview:
Kolkata’s festive spirit begins with Mahalaya on September 21, 2025, when pandals (decorated marquees) start opening to the public. Durga Puja runs from September 28 to October 2, celebrated over five days—Shashti to Dashami. The city dazzles with themed pandals, artistic sculptures, vibrant lights, and nonstop festivities. The grand carnival is often held on a later date, marking the joyful end of the celebrations.
General tips:
- Plan Your Travel in Advance: Due to the high demand during Kolkata’s Durga Puja, it’s essential to book your travel and accommodation early. Hotels fill up quickly with both domestic and international tourists. Early planning ensures a comfortable stay and allows you to fully enjoy the festivities. Check out budget-friendly flight options on the Ovago website to get started.
- Consider the Unpredictable Weather: Durga Puja takes place in the Ashwin month of the Bengali Hindu calendar, during autumn. This season can be very unpredictable, with sunny mornings quickly turning into scorching hot noons and unexpected evening showers. Keep this in mind while packing for your trip.
- Prepare for the Crowds: While crowds are common in India, Durga Puja in Kolkata takes it to another level. Enormous pandals are set up in narrow lanes, attracting thousands of visitors simultaneously. To avoid the heaviest crowds, consider visiting pandals at night. Don’t worry, Kolkata is safe during the night hours of Durga Puja. However, this is a well-known tip, so you might still encounter queues even late at night.
- Travel Smart with Local Experts: Durga Puja in Kolkata can be intense without a plan. WizTrek offers curated experiences that take the stress out of festival travel—handling transport, stays near top pandals, and more. It’s the easiest way to enjoy the celebration without getting lost in the chaos.
Interesting fact: The idols of Goddess Durga displayed during the festival are meticulously crafted by skilled artisans from the community. These idols are traditionally made from clay sourced from the riverbanks of the Ganges.
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Don’t miss the excitement of these international events! Secure your affordable flight with Ovago, your trusted travel partner, and embark on your journey. Adventure is calling!
