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Revellers participate in ‘Huranga’ celebrations, a day after Holi, the Hindu spring festival of colours, at Dauji temple in Baldeo village of India’s Uttar Pradesh state (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
While no one would turn their nose up at a few days in Greece or Spain, there are endless kinds of trips out there for the taking if you’re looking to try something new.
Holiday trends are shifting towards experiential, connection-focused events, with ‘runcations’ and festival-style gatherings replacing late-night boozing at fly-and-flop resorts.
Travel writer Deborah Cicurel sat down with Metro to share her pick of alternative holiday inspiration for this year, from a Japanese snow festival to a masked carnival in Venice.
Here are six of the best party breaks to kickstart your year in style.
Sapporo Snow Festival, JapanWrap up warm and charge your camera because you’re in for a visual treat at Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival.
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The winter extravaganza sees millions of people visiting Hokkaido’s capital to catch a glimpse of truly remarkable snow and ice sculptures created by artists from around the world as part of the International Snow Sculpture Contest.
Women pose in front of a snow sculpture during the 75th Sapporo Snow Festival in February 2025 in Sapporo (Picture: Christopher Jue/Getty Images)
These enormous sculptures are beautifully lit up well into the evening, and there’s plenty of food, concerts and events going on to add to the atmosphere.
Plus, when you’re not drinking in the joyous festival fun, skiers and snowboarders can make the most of Hokkaido’s superb snow conditions: win-win.
Before you book, check out our Travel Editor’s guide to the things nobody tells you about travelling in Japan.
Dates: February 4 – 11
Getting there: Fly to Sapporo from London Gatwick with China Eastern (stopover in Shanghai) from £525 return.
More alternative Japanese destinations to visit in 2026 Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras, USAAs well as some of the world’s most dizzying rollercoasters and incredible themed lands, Universal Orlando Resort has its very own Mardi Gras celebration between February and April.
Every evening, the resort comes alive with a vibrant parade inspired by New Orleans’ famous festival.
Come for the showstoppingly glitzy floats and energetic street performers, stay for the live performances from big-name stars and your chance to hop onto a float yourself, waving to the whooping crowds.
NOLA-inspired madness (Picture: Universal)
While you’re there, swing by the new Epic Universe theme park. Our Lifestyle Editor, Kristina Beanland, was there for the opening. Her favourite part was the queue (you can read all about that here).
Dates: February 7 – April 4
Getting there: Fly direct to Orlando from London Gatwick with British Airways from £413 return.
Rio Carnival, BrazilIf you don’t do things by halves, throw yourself into the colourful chaos of the world’s biggest party, Rio Carnival.
Up to two million revellers descend on Rio de Janeiro each day, where the samba music thumps like a rhythmic heartbeat, the costumes are impossibly elaborate, and the dazzlingly enormous floats have to be seen to be believed.
All expenses paid, where are you going?Sapporo Snow FestivalCheck
Universal Mardi GrasCheck
For even more unmissable travel news, features and inspiration in your inbox each week, sign up to Metro's The Getaway newsletter.Officially deemed the world’s largest carnival by Guinness World Records, Rio Carnival offers true sensory overload in the best possible way: you’ll want to go back every year to experience the raucous fun again and again.
Dates: February 13 – 21
Getting there: Fly direct to Rio de Janeiro from London Heathrow with British Airways from £1,129 return.
Venice Carnival, ItalyWe never need an excuse to visit Venice, but the Venice Carnival, the city’s biggest party, is always a particular draw, attracting around three million people every year.
Gawp at the extravagant masks and costumes, feast your eyes on the colourful water parades and beg, steal or borrow an elusive ticket for access to one of the carnival’s exclusive masked balls.
Venice, the unwilling poster child of overtourism, attracts some three million tourists just for carnival each year (Picture: Universal Images Group Editorial)
Even if your very own fairy godmother doesn’t appear on command to bedeck you in your very own mask and costume and get you access to the most VIP of Venetian balls, there are plenty of free activities to enjoy: join the throngs to applaud at street entertainment, watch dramatic live performances and soak in the delightfully theatrical atmosphere.
Dates: January 31 – February 17
Getting there: Fly direct to Venice from London Luton with Wizz Air from £42 return.
Italian travel inspiration for 2026 Tomorrowland Winter, FrancePicture the scene: it’s snowing, you’re surrounded by the Alps, you’ve got a mulled wine in your gloved hand, and tens of thousands of people are dancing in their ski boots as the world’s biggest electronic music acts pump out pulsating music.
This is Tomorrowland Winter, which takes place yearly in the French ski resort of Alpe d’Huez, and it’s a party you won’t forget, with over 150 mega music acts taking to seven stages over a week to get the crowds partying around the clock, flanked by the most magnificent of snow-capped Alpine scenery.
Dates: March 21 – 28
Getting there: Fly direct to Chambery from London Gatwick with Jet2 from £208 return (this is a discounted fare down from £260 at the time of writing).
Holi, IndiaImmerse yourself in a riot of joy, colour, dance and song during the Hindu festival of Holi.
Revellers smeared with gulal (colour powder) celebrate Holi, the Hindu spring festival of colours, at a temple in Ahmedabad (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
It’s celebrated around the world, with the largest parties taking place across India and South Asia to mark the end of winter.
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Holi is known as the festival of colours, represents the triumph of good over evil, and is a time for fun and joy, with millions of people lighting symbolic bonfires and taking part in playful (and seriously messy) battles that involve throwing powder paint and coloured water over each other.
Dates: March 4
Getting there: Fly from London Heathrow to Ahmedabad with Kuwait Airlines (stopover in Kuwait City) from £517 return.
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