Food stalls galore, peeks into once-intimate cultural celebrations, and mesmerizing moments in the world’s amazing national parks. Whether you’re saving farewell to the final days of summer or kicking off your autumnal adventures, set your sights on these nine September events around the world.
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1. Regata Storica, Venice, Italy
Date: September 7, 2025
Regatas are a longtime part of Venetian history, likely held long before its first historical recording around the middle of the 13th century during the annual Festa delle Marie celebrations. The Regata Storica continues to draw a crowd today, composed of both casual spectators visiting for the elaborate water pageant and fans of the Voga alla Veneta rowing competitions. Consider it a perfect seasonal contrast to Carnival: a September event where Venetian culture washes over everyone in the city.
Our Contrasts of Italy tour arrives in Venice on September 7th, 2025, after visiting Rome, Vatican City, and Florence.
2. Mistura Culinary Festival, Peru
Dates: September 7 – 17, 2025
If you’re hungry, Peru’s Mistura Culinary Festival will keep your stomach full for ten flavorful days. It’s the largest food festival in the country, and despite being less than a decade old, the Mistura Food Festival draws huge crowds. Food stalls galore lure you in with the lingering scents of Pisco, tamales, ceviche, causa, and picarones. Culinary competitions, food demonstrations, classes, and interviews with chefs create an optimal opportunity to taste Peru’s bounty from the Andean mountains to the Pacific coast beaches.
Check out our In the Footsteps of Incas and Land of Incas tours departing from Lima on September 8th, one day following the city’s Mistura Culinary Festival.
3. The Great Migration’s Mara River Crossing, Kenya & Tanzania
Dates: Late-August through Early-September
Though not limited to September, The Great Migration is one of the most astounding wildlife events on the planet. It’s the largest mammal migration on Earth that sees wildebeest move from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. September isn’t the “prime” time to witness the migration, but that’s what actually makes it an ideal month for a visit. With much of the herd split on either side of the Mara River, meandering in both Kenya and Tanzania, it’s an excellent opportunity to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara without contending with the crowds that flock to the Serengeti.
Spend part of our African Safari Adventure tour witnessing the tail end of the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania.
4. Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival, South Dakota
Dates: September 25-27, 2025
One of the best September events in South Dakota is equal parts exciting and easy-going, at least for the festival goers. The Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival at Custer State Park grants a wild look into the cowboy culture of the Dakotas. Each year, cowpokes round up over 1,000 buffalo. Onlookers are encouraged to pop a squat and watch them corral the beasts before spending time perusing the Western and Native American artisan crafts and food for sale.
End our Western Frontiers tour in Rapid City on September 25th and see the Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival in nearby Custer State Park.
5. Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest, Ontario, Canada
Dates: September 26 – October 18, 2025
Thirsty for Bavarian beer but don’t want to mingle with the crowds in Munich? There’s a bierstein with your name on it at the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. The annual Bavarian Festival located just west of Toronto has half-a-century of experience putting together a multi-day celebration full of polka dancing, delicious German dishes, and liters upon liters of cold beer.
End our Best of Eastern Canada tour in Toronto on September 27th just in time to take a short drive over to Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
6. Imilchil Marriage Festival, Morocco
Dates: September 19 – 21, 2025
Love is in the air during the Imilchil Marriage Festival. Held in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, this cultural celebration sees thousands of singles descend on the village of Imilchil with hopes of marriage. The Imilchil Marriage Festival was originally a private event for Berber tribes only, offering a safe space for women and men to meet with the intention of becoming engaged. The tradition was based on the romantic tale of two lovers who, similar to the story of Romeo and Juliet, felt that they were starcrossed lovers yet their tribes disagreed. Today, the festival is open to the public to attend, offering a unique glimpse into the conservative culture of Berber tribes.
End our Best of Morocco tour in Casablanca on September 15 then extend your visit with a trip into the Atlas Mountains for the Imilchil Marriage Festival.
7. Owara Kaze no Bon Festival, Japan
Dates: September 1 – 3, 2025
The annual Owara Kaze no Bon Festival takes place annually during September’s first three days. A folk festival held in Toyama City’s Yatsuo district, the festival’s origin goes back centuries as an act to bring favorable weather conditions for the harvest season. Today, you’ll see street processions with performers dressed in colorful costumes and straw hats. Get a good night’s rest for this trio of festival dates: the festivities continue well into the moonlight.
End our Classic Japan tour in Osaka on September 1st then extend your visit with a bullet train ride to the Toyama prefecture for the Owara Kaze no Bon Festival.
8. Åland Harvest Festival, Finland
Dates: September 19 – 21, 2025
September events often coincide with harvest festivals and the Finnish island region of Åland is no exception. The Åland Harvest Festival takes place on the second-to-last weekend in September, inviting hungry globetrotters to taste the raw bounty of its rural countryside. It’s a deliciously appetizing opportunity to taste the agriculture of the archipelago. Family-friendly activities like petting zoos and hayride accompany the festival’s traditional produce market, farm tours, and cooking demonstrations.
End our Capitals of Scandinavia tour in Helsinki on September 16th then extend your visit with a weekend celebrating the Åland Harvest Festival.
9. Dark Sky Festival, Sequoia National Park, California
Dates: September 12 – 14, 2025
The American West is one of the best places for stargazing and September’s celestial celebrations don’t get any better than the Dark Sky Festival. Occurring throughout Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, this free event encourages travelers curious about the cosmos to turn their eyes to the sky and learn about the constellations, planets, and arm of the Milky Way Galaxy that hang overhead.
Our California’s Great National Parks tour includes stops in Sequoia National Park for a Make Travel Matter September stargazing session.
Don’t miss out on these September events – book your next trip in our September Sale and see them for less.