The Most Colorful Celebrations and Destinations

The world is full of diverse cultural, religious, and celebratory festivals. Whether you’re dancing the night away at a Belgian music festival or painting the streets during Holi, there are many bright and beautiful destinations to visit.

But which are the most popular, and what are their signature color palettes? 

We analyzed Google search volumes and Instagram hashtags to identify the world’s most popular celebrations and destinations. We also created a color palette for the top five celebrations and destinations using a color dropper tool. 

The most colorful celebrations in the world 

With so many festivals, parades, and celebrations around the globe, we wanted to explore which ones are the most popular and which have the most stunning color palettes based on event images.

1. Holi, India

Holi, a Hindu festival celebrated predominantly in Northern India, takes the crown for the most colorful celebration. Also known as the “festival of colors,” it's no wonder Holi claims the top spot.

Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Millions of people take to the streets around this time each year and throw powdered paint and colored water, covering everything (including each other!) in rainbow colors. The festival celebrates spring, love, and new life and has roots in the story of the Hindu Gods, Radha and Krishna. 

The world seems more curious about Holi than any other festival, as it’s the most searched-for celebration of all we analyzed. Receiving just over 4M monthly global searches, it tops the list for this metric. The celebration also ranks sixth for the number of Instagram posts tagged with the hashtag #holi, demonstrating its popularity with over 3M posts.

2. Tomorrowland, Belgium 

Tomorrowland—one of Europe’s biggest music festivals with 400K+ annual visitors— takes the second spot. It’s an electronic dance festival full of crazy costumes, eclectic sets, and massive stages that host hundreds of DJs and performers. 

The festival is globally recognized for its fantastical themes with elaborate, creative backstories and bursts with color every year.  For those wanting to experience the festival in 2024, a one-day pass costs €129, while those who want to experience the entire festival will need to pay €5,460.

The celebration ranks second for the number of Google searches, with around 1.2M global monthly searches. It also takes fourth place for the number of Instagram posts tagged with #tomorrowland.

3. Chinese New Year, China

In third place is Chinese New Year, predominantly celebrated in China but also enjoyed by many other countries worldwide. The festival celebrates the beginning of the new year in the Chinese calendar. It features fireworks, dancing dragons, and vibrant street parades with splashes of red, gold, and yellow. No wonder it’s in our top three for the most colorful festivals!

The festival has the second-highest number of Instagram posts tagged with #ChineseNewYear—approximately 6M altogether—and the third-highest number of monthly Google searches, amounting to 823K on average.

4. Oktoberfest, Germany 

Germany’s world-famous Oktoberfest takes fourth place. Around 6 million people attend the two-week-long beer festival each year. Attendees dress in traditional Bavarian clothing and enjoy locally brewed beer and traditional foods like pretzels and pork knuckles.

The festival’s popularity is reflected in the 823K monthly searches. It also makes the top five for the most Instagram posts, with approximately 4.3M.

5. Burning Man, USA 

The Burning Man event in Nevada, USA, rounds off the top five celebrations on our list. Taking place in the Black Rock Desert, this festival is all about self-expression and creativity. Artists and over 60K attendees come together to experience interactive sculptures, art, and community events. The festival sees an impressive 823K monthly Google searches and 2M+ Instagram posts.

The most popular colorful destinations in the world 

By analyzing the average monthly Google searches and the number of Instagram posts for 55 of the world’s most popular locations, we’ve also compiled a list of the world’s top colorful destinations.

1. London, United Kingdom

London ranks as the top favorite colorful destination, thanks to its astounding Instagram popularity and high Google search volume. From the iconic red phone box to the bright blue and white colors of Tower Bridge and the city’s famous black cabs, it’s easy to see why people from all over the world love to post pictures of London.

Visitors can dive into history at the British Museum, marvel at the Tower of London, and witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace. Art lovers can enjoy the Tate Modern art gallery and West End theater, while curious minds can explore the wonders of the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum.

Data shows that London has the most Instagram posts, with an impressive 166M tagged #london. The capital also receives the second-highest number of visitor queries on Google, with 22.2K monthly searches for “visit London.”

2. Jodhpur, India

Jodhpur, often called India’s “Blue City,” claims second place on our list. The nickname stems from the city’s houses painted in varying shades of blue. 

While explanations for why the buildings are painted this way vary, one theory suggests that the blue paint helps keep residents cool during the summer. Another says the color honors the deity Lord Shiva, whose body is said to have turned blue according to Hindu mythology. 

With this mystery likely adding to the intrigue, Jodhpur receives the most global Google searches of any destination in our study, with 49.5K monthly queries. Plus, though nowhere close to London’s Instagram popularity, it still impresses with around 6.3M posts tagged #jodhpur.

3. Chicago, USA

Chicago, known as “The Windy City,” takes third place. The city’s visitors can explore iconic landmarks like the Willis Tower and Millennium Park—home to the famous Cloud Gate sculpture. Explorers can wander through Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods, savor the famous foodie scene, and enjoy lively festivals. With so much to offer, Chicago is a must-visit destination for creative travelers. 

The city has one of the highest numbers of Instagram posts, with 57M overall, and the fourth-highest number of global Google searches—4.4K per month. Clearly, it makes Chicago a high-demand travel destination.

H3: 4. Las Vegas, USA

Las Vegas ranks fourth on our list. With a vibrant nightlife, entertainment options, and attractions, there’s plenty for visitors to discover. For example, you can walk down the iconic Las Vegas Boulevard, lined with some of the world’s most famous casinos and resorts. Or, head to Downtown and Fremont Street, known for its vintage charm. 

The “Entertainment Capital of the World” secures fifth place for Google searches, with 3.6K global searches for “visit Las Vegas” each month.

Its bright and unapologetic color palette attracts lots of attention on social media. On Instagram, it holds the fourth position, with 41M posts tagged with #lasvegas. Famous for its vibrant nightlife, luxurious casinos, and world-class shows, Las Vegas offers an unforgettable experience.

5. San Francisco, USA 

San Francisco rounds off our top five. Home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks—the Golden Gate Bridge and the infamous Alcatraz Island—San Francisco offers much for visitors to discover. This iconic city is fourth in global searches, with 4.4K monthly searches, and boasts nearly 34M Instagram posts tagged with #sanfrancisco.

How can visiting new places spark creativity?  

Traveling to new places and experiencing a country’s celebrations is a great way to gain inspiration, whether you’re an artist, designer, or musician. Agnese Bite, Head of Design at Printful, shares how exploring new places can inspire creatives.  

1. Experiencing new cultures 

Engaging with different cultures not only opens you up to new ways of thinking and living but also exposes you to new sensory experiences. Trying exotic foods and exploring different landscapes can stimulate your brain and spark creative thinking. Stepping out of daily routines and comfort zones can help disrupt your habitual patterns, allowing you to come up with fresh and innovative ideas.

2. Environmental influence

As we’ve seen, each place and celebrations in different places have a vast palette of colors and distinctive attributes. Exposure to these settings, as well as different forms of art, architecture, and design, can inspire creativity through their unique atmospheres and aesthetics.

3. Interaction and networking 

While traveling, interacting with different people from all walks of life can lead to gaining knowledge, learning new skills, and exchanging ideas. Conversations with locals and fellow travelers can offer new insights and inspirations, and forming connections around the world can be really inspiring.

4. Psychological benefits

Traveling can help you reduce stress and improve your mental well-being, creating a better state for creative thinking. Whether you’re a graphic designer, an artist, or a musician, being relaxed is always beneficial when it comes to creativity.

Sources and methodology 

Using a seed list of the world’s most popular celebrations and destinations, we analyzed Google search and Instagram hashtag volumes to reveal the most popular ones. 

We then used a color dropper tool to create a color palette for the top five celebrations and destinations.