The Millennial Bucket List: 11 Festivals That Will Give You Immediate FOMO

If us millennials are going to be stuck in entry level jobs for the next four years, we might as well see the world. Instead of sobbing at the idea of the future, we have a brilliant idea: Let's start experiencing the world with our own eyes, ears, noses, mouths and feet. So, grab your travel squad, book your flights and buckle up. We've put together a definitive guide to the world's most exciting festivals and cultural celebrations across the globe.

The Tradition:
The happy and colorful Hindu holiday is celebrated mainly in India, and slowly gathering revelers around the world. Meant as a celebration of the last full moon of the lunar month of Phalguna at the end of winter, this cultural celebration is one of joy. During Holi festivities, everyone is welcome to join—think no slut shaming,  economic shaming or widow shaming. 

Why It's On The Millenial Bucket List: 
It's the OG Color Run but with less running and more Tikka Masala and naan at the end of the day.

The Tradition:
Known for over-the-top parades, circus performances and public street parties, the Rio de Janeiro holiday is, surprisingly, based in Lent and Christian traditions. With more than two million people losing their individuality behind elaborate masks, the experience is heightened by social unity. Carnival is celebrated all over the world (like Aruba, Belize, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago), but Rio's party makes all others look like your elderly aunt's Oscar party.

Why It's On The Millenial Bucket List:
Over the top partying combined with masks for anonymity! It's a Snapchat story waiting to happen.

The Tradition:
La Tomatina is held in the Valencian town of Buñol, in the east of Spain. Held on the last Wednesday of August, revelers throw tomatoes in the air and at each other just for fun. This red fest has been going on since 1945 and its origin story is just as fun as the fest itself: the story goes that rowdy young people tried to join a parade and the crowd mobbed a local market stall full of vegetables. The fruit slinging was brought back year after year by the joyous town.

Why It's On The Millenial Bucket List:
City-wide food fight? Say no more.

The Tradition:
The beer guzzling, pretzel noshing 16-day folk festival is held every year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Suds lovers belly up to 14 bars in the traditional tents and beirgartens in mid to late September to celebrate the German reunification since 1810. Other cities have started hosting their own Oktoberfest celebrations, but nothing beats the OG beer loving event.

Why It's On The Millenial Bucket List:
We don't really need an excuse to drink 7.7 million liters of beer with our 6 million new friends, but we sure do want one.

The Tradition: 
Mardi Gras, translating directly into "Fat Tuesday" is known as the last day to eat rich foods before the Lenten season. Having changed over the years, party-seekers now gather in the French Quarter of New Orleans wearing masks and costumes to overturn social conventions and general debauchery.

Why It's On The Millenial Bucket List: 
A non-stop party and located in our own backyard, Mardi Gras gives us the perfect excuse for a road trip down south and a chance to "win" some new costume jewelry.

The Tradition:
Created as an experiment in community and art, Burning Man is a Mad Max-esque world where art, unity and drugs reign supreme. Black Rock Desert in Nevada becomes a temporary artist community. People from around the world gather to celebrate art and humanism. Selfless giving is actively encouraged and unique talents are to be shared for the enjoyment of all. Hot temps, art, and drugs are the name of the game.

Why It's On The Millenial Bucket List:
Taking a break from the digital realm of social media and electronic interactions to spend time in the desert with no rules and ample drugs? Sign us up. Plus, we can finally try on our Mad 

The Tradition:
Celebrated throughout Mexico, Día de Los Muertos is a multi-day holiday focusing on praying for and remembering family and friends that have passed, and to help in their spiritual journey. Sugar skulls, marigolds and the favorite foods of the deceased are placed at altars and worldly possessions of the deceased are left at the gravesite. 

Why It's On The Millennial Bucket List:
Vibrant, rich colors and flowers combined with spooky and beautiful face paint—not to mention the delicious food and beverages floating around—make this Mexican holiday one that we're jonesing to make our way south for.

The Tradition:
From July 6th to the 14th, people from around the globe gather to celebrate the festival of Sanfermines. The festivities have become internationally known because every year runners gather to run ahead, alongside, behind and for an unlucky few, under the bulls through the old quarter to the bull ring. Since the early 14th century, young men have been trying to prove their bravado by beating the bulls to the pen using fear and excitement.

Why It's On The Millennial Bucket List:
A great excuse to go for a jog and commune with animals while being awe at the sheer power of nature. That and the insane adrenaline rush and good stories to come from it. Plus, you get to coordinate with thousands of your closest friends.

The Tradition:
Grown out of the tradition of tar barrelling and general mischief, this Scottish celebration officially made it's way into the right side of the law in 1876 when the first yule torch procession took place. In 1889, its modern iteration came about with the first designated Viking longship being burned by the revelers torches. After the ships flames die down and "The Norseman's Home" is sung, squads of guizers (participants) hop from bar to bar for a dance and a drink into the wee hours of the next morning.

Why It's On The Millennial Bucket List:
Squad goals could not roll deeper here. So, gather your pyro friends and jaunt over to Scotland for a good Viking longship burning, a group song and then a pub crawl with the rest of the nation. #SquadsBeBurning

The Tradition:
Yi Peng is a gorgeous festival that celebrates the full moon of the second month according to the Lanna (northern Thai) lunar calendar. Also adopted by Laos during the 16th century, the paper lanterns are set free in the sky, but not without harsh restrictions. Due to the damage they could cause the capital and cultural landmarks, setting these floating lanterns free outside of the guided time can result in execution, a life sentence or five to ten years in prison.

Why It's On The Millennial Bucket List:
Exploring Thailand as well as the cultural landscape is exciting enough, but going to watch thousands of rice paper lanterns float through the sky is a magical adventure that your Insta followers will totally freak over. Plus, it's a cool moment in time to look up and be in awe.

The Tradition:
Celebrated all over the world, but known in China as the "Spring Festival", this important holiday is a marking as the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Revelry goes from the day before to the 15th of the month, which is the Lantern Festival. The Chinese New Year has traditionally been a time to honor deities and ancestors with modern traditions varying by location. However, covering the door in red paper and giving money in red envelopes still hold true as well as large displays in the streets.

Why It's On The Millennial Bucket List: 
A fifteen-day bender filled with red envelopes of money and partying in the street? Sounds like a good excuse to relive your spring break days in the middle of February.