Fireworks over Busan, Deepavali lights in Singapore, Kyoto’s autumn boats, Tokyo’s lucky-rake fair, a river of light in Bangkok and Taiwan’s giant flower carpet: six festivals near major international airports.
1. Busan Fireworks Festival — Busan, South Korea
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026 (evening show).
Korea’s largest fireworks show is staged over the sea at Gwangalli Beach, with the lit-up Gwangan Bridge as the backdrop and the fireworks set to music. The show lasts about an hour, and crowds also watch from points along the coast such as Haeundae and Igidae.
Nearest airport: Gimhae International (PUS), about 20 km / 35–45 minutes by taxi without traffic.
Getting there: Take the Busan–Gimhae Light Rail to Sasang, then Metro Line 2 to Gwangan or Geumnyeonsan. Roads around Gwangalli close on the day, so a taxi won’t get you close.
Good to know: Paid beach seats are ₩70,000–₩100,000. Free viewing spots fill 3–4 hours early, and November nights are cold.
More info: busanfireworks.com
2. Deepavali in Little India — Singapore
When: Festival Village runs nightly October 10 – November 8, 2026. Deepavali is Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9 is a public holiday.
Little India’s streets glow with festive decorations every night. On Campbell Lane, the Festival Village bazaar sells traditional clothing, festive snacks, handicrafts and decorations, and the final weekend before Deepavali is the busiest and most colourful time to go.
Nearest airport: Singapore Changi (SIN), about 20 km / 25 minutes by taxi.
Getting there: Take the MRT from Changi (change at Tanah Merah and Expo) and ride the Downtown Line to Little India station, about 45–50 minutes.
Good to know: The Festival Village is free and open 7 p.m.–midnight. Expect very heavy crowds on November 7–8.
More info: deepavali.sg
3. Arashiyama Momiji Matsuri (Maple Festival) — Kyoto, Japan
When: Saturday–Sunday, November 7–8, 2026, 11:30–17:00.
Decorated boats float on the Oi River just upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge, carrying performers in Heian-period costume who play court music, sing, dance and stage kyogen comic theatre, celebrating the autumn leaves on Arashiyama and Mt. Ogura.
Nearest airport: Kansai International (KIX), about 100 km / 1 hour 45 minutes by train. Osaka Itami (ITM, domestic) is about 55 minutes by bus to Kyoto Station.
Getting there: From KIX, take the JR Haruka to Kyoto Station, then the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama (about 15 minutes) and walk 10 minutes to the bridge.
Good to know: Free to watch from the bridge or riverbank. It is cancelled if it rains, and Arashiyama is packed on autumn weekends.
More info: arashiyamahoshokai.com
4. Tori-no-Ichi (Rooster Market) at Ootori Shrine — Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
When: First fair day Saturday, November 7, 2026 (the second is November 19).
One of Tokyo’s liveliest year-end traditions: stalls around Ootori Shrine near Asakusa sell kumade, decorated bamboo rakes bought to “rake in” good fortune for the coming year. When a sale closes, sellers and buyers seal it with rhythmic hand-clapping, and the fair runs late into the night with food stalls lining the streets.
Nearest airport: Tokyo Haneda (HND), about 20 km / 40–50 minutes by train. Narita (NRT) is about 70 minutes by Keisei Access Express to Asakusa.
Getting there: From Haneda, take the Keikyu Line through to Asakusa, then walk about 15 minutes, or change to the Hibiya Line to Iriya and walk about 7 minutes.
Good to know: Free to visit. Evenings are very crowded; go early in the day for an easier look at the rake stalls.
More info: LIVE JAPAN guide
5. Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 — Bangkok, Thailand
When: Nightly November 13 – December 13, 2026 (covers November 14–15).
For 31 nights, 13 spots along both banks of the Chao Phraya River are lit with light-and-sound shows and projection mapping on landmarks including Wat Arun, Wichai Prasit Fort, Memorial Bridge and Rama VIII Bridge, with drone shows, fireworks and cultural performances on certain nights.
Nearest airport: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), about 30 km / 45–60 minutes by taxi to the riverside. Don Mueang (DMK) is a similar distance.
Getting there: From BKK, take the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, then the BTS to Saphan Taksin and catch a river boat from Sathorn Pier.
Good to know: Viewing from public piers, parks and riverside walkways is free; a dinner cruise gives the best view from the water.
More info: tatnews.org
6. Xinshe Sea of Flowers and Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival — Taichung, Taiwan
When: Daily October 31 – November 22, 2026, 08:30–16:30 (both weekends).
Huge fields of flowers surround this year’s main flower carpet, a 19-metre “dessert castle” with moving parts and mist, bubble and snow effects. The 2026 theme, “Dessert Kingdom,” spreads across seven zones featuring Sanrio characters, plus a walk-in flower kaleidoscope.
Nearest airport: Taoyuan International (TPE), about 170 km / 2 hours by high-speed rail and shuttle. Taichung International (RMQ, mostly regional) is about 25 km away.
Getting there: From TPE, take the Airport MRT to HSR Taoyuan, the HSR to Taichung, then a local train to Fengyuan; free shuttles run to the site from Fengyuan and Songzhu stations.
Good to know: Weekend shuttles leave every 15–20 minutes. On-site parking is limited.
More info: flowercarpet.tw
Dates, prices and schedules can change. Check the official event site before you travel.
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