Listen, we’re not judging. Sometimes you need an excuse to travel. And we’re here to help you out. We’ve looked at our six 2016 Travel Hacker lists and found the top events happening in each #1 city. So, not only can you be armed with the where, when, and how much of planning your trip, but also with the why. Regardless of your preferences, each of our 2016 Travel Hacker Guide destinations has something to offer. Go ahead and book it and tell your friends you’re going for La Mercè or La Feria de Las Flores to pack on the culture points.
Most Popular: Break out the temporary tats and glow sticks for the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada. For three days in June, over 300,000 ravers and electronica fans unite to shake their tailfeathers to 100 world-class acts in electronic music. While the music goes on all day, at night the festival’s eight stages turn into neon “dreamscapes,” transforming the whole experience into a tricked-out circus. And, in classic Vegas fashion, you can even book your wedding at the event.
Top Trending: What brings nearly 2 million people to Barcelona every year? If you guessed the delicious tapas, then you’re wrong (but we like your thinking). It’s La Mercè, a week-long celebration in September that highlights Barcelona’s Catalan culture through a series of parades, street parties, demonstrations, and performance art. Catalonians are incredibly proud of their unique heritage, and this festival is perhaps the fullest expression of that pride. Most everything happens on the street, so no need to book tickets to fancy, crowded venues. Just show up and get down.
Top Deal: Over 1 million people attend the Hong Kong Book Fair each year, which draws the top names in contemporary literature to Hong Kong in July. In celebration of its diverse audience, the fair’s planners have included specialized pavilions for English language readers and international publishers. With tickets only HK$25 (around USD$3.25/day or HK$10/$1.30 if you go before noon), there will be plenty of cash left over to pick up a thrilling vacation read.
Top Trending Beach: Hang ten with the top female surfers at the Maui Women’s Pro Surfing Championship. Part of the Vans Triple Crown, it’s the only surfing competition of the series held in Maui, while the remaining five events are on Oahu. The event, which spans from November to December, draws all the top names in surfing to the state and is a fantastic display of #girlpower.
Top Family: MegaCon looks like something out of a seven year old’s wildest dreams. Like other toy and character-focused conventions (think: ComicCon), this annual event draws the top names in toys and brings in around 40,000 people to Orlando in May. Schedule the kids for an arts-and-crafts workshop and bring out your inner child at the LEGO play station.
Luxury for Less: Horse-drawn carriages. Cable car rides up sloping mountain sides. And flowers absolutely everywhere. No, it’s not a fairy tale, it’s an average August day in Medellin. The month celebrates La Feria de Las Flores, a full-fledged cultural event that celebrates –what else– flowers. While the intensity of the festival is localized to one week, extravagant floral displays can be found all month long. Show your romantic side with a stroll through the city’s impressive flora and snag an exotic bouquet for pocket change.
Still yearning for more? Check out our full 2016 Travel Hacker Guide to see all of our top destinations and explore the travel tips and trends that will help you make the right decisions in 2016.
