St Patrick’s Day brings colour, costumes, and city-wide celebrations to Dublin and Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Get ready to see green everywhere as St Patrick’s Day takes over Ireland and the world on March 17. In Dublin, the official St Patrick’s Festival runs from March 14 to 17, building toward the world-famous National St Patrick’s Day Parade at 12pm on March 17. The parade winds through the city centre from Parnell Square to Cuffe St, featuring 12 large-scale floats and more than 3000 participants. Pageant makers, international marching bands from the United States and Scotland, and community groups create a high-energy celebration of Irish culture. No tickets are required to line the route. stpatricksfestival.ie
Closer to home, Auckland joins the global party with a St Patrick’s Festival 3 Pub Bus Crawl. One wristband saves you a spot at O’Dowd’s, Slattery’s and Danny Doolan’s, plus a hop-on bus, live bands, Irish dancers and classic food specials. Tickets are on sale at iticket.co.nz/events/2026/mar/gsh-st-patricks
Every March, Valencia explodes into colour, satire and fire as the Fallas of Valencia take over the city from March 1 to 19. Recognised as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Las Fallas transforms centuries-old carpenter traditions into towering temporary artworks known as ninots, some costing millions of euros. What began as the burning of wooden parrots to welcome spring now fills the streets with bold sculptures, sharp humour and unforgettable spectacle.
Daily mascletàs thunder through City Hall Square at 2pm, while nightly fireworks light up the Turia Garden from March 15 to 18. Locals present flowers at Plaza de la Virgen on March 17 and 18 before the grand finale, La Cremà, on March 19, when the children’s and main Fallas burn. For Kiwis who chase culture with a spark of drama, this fiery celebration offers a rare chance to witness art created to disappear. visitvalencia.com/en/events-valencia/festivities/the-fallas
Spring transforms Japan into a sea of pink as cherry blossom season takes centre stage. Across the country, locals gather beneath blooming trees to celebrate with food, music and shared traditions that date back centuries. Cherry blossoms are more than beautiful flowers here. They are a cultural icon, widely regarded as Japan’s unofficial national flower, and their arrival sparks nationwide festivities.
While there are countless viewing spots nationwide, Mt Yoshino stands apart. Around 30,000 cherry trees blanket this sacred Unesco World Heritage Site, spreading across three distinct viewing areas from the lower slopes to the summit. Temples, shrines, mountain villages and Japan’s oldest ropeway elevate the experience beyond simple flower viewing. To know more about Japan’s cherry blossom festivities, visit jal.co.jp/in/en/guide-to-japan/experiences/cherry-blossom/cherry-blossom-festivals
If your travel calendar needs more laughs, book a ticket to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Held in Melbourne, from March 25 to April 19, this event is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world, alongside Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal’s Just for Laughs. Expect a city-wide celebration of stand-up, cabaret, theatre and street performances, all rolled into one electric programme.
At the heart of the late-night action sits The Club, your one-stop shop for comedy up all night. Massive line-ups run Tuesday to Sunday with 21 brand-new shows packed with stars, surprises and chaotic good times. From 10 Comedians for 10 Bucks to Lip Sync Battle, Comedy Bonanza and circus gone rogue, every night promises something different. For more information on the festival, dates and tickets, visit comedyfestival.com.au
Preparing ahead? You might want to reserve a few days next month, as April offers a unique culinary experience in Tropical North Queensland. Think ripe mangosteen, smoked green papaya, local spirits and riverfront dining all wrapped into one month-long celebration: Queensland’s Tasting the Tropics. Led by Tourism Tropical North Queensland, this new event brings the region’s bold food story to life through chefs, farmers and creative producers.
Throughout the month, restaurants, cafes, farms, hotels and tour operators will showcase their best tropical creations, pairing standout dishes with entertainment and hands-on experiences. Expect river dining, chef masterclasses, barrel painting with live music, and local spirits and cheese. The celebration begins early at the Feast of the Senses in Innisfail, where food trails, rare fruit tastings and a River Feast highlight more than 150 tropical fruits grown in the region. To discover more Tasting the Tropics events, visit tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/tasting-the-tropics.
