While we often say you never need a reason to travel, planning a holiday that coincides with events worldwide will always make your trip extra special. Aside from must-visit cultural festivals, here are 7 events around the world you cannot miss in 2025.
7 Events Around the World You Cannot Miss in 2025
Amsterdam 750, The Netherlands
Photo by UVA.nl
Mention the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and thoughts of its picturesque canals and uniquely crooked homes immediately come to mind. And as it turns out, this capital of the Netherlands will be celebrating its 750th anniversary in 2025.
In commemoration of this historic year, the city has launched a year-long event in 2025 aptly named Amsterdam 750. With exciting activities across their calendar, visitors looking to learn more about the city will not want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event. After all, it’s not every day that an entire city turns 750 years old.
One of the highlights of this celebration is the 24 Hours Amsterdam, where different suburbs come to life, and you get to enjoy the different cultures or tap into the hidden gems that the locals have to enjoy. With free entrance to attractions such as cinemas and boat tours as well as exclusive access to the control room of the Amsterdam ferry, this is the time when you can truly say you’ve seen the city inside and out.
Photo by Amsterdam 750
The biggest activity of the celebration, however, has to be the Op de Ring festival that will be held on the 21st of June. This is as the city will be closing off their Ring A10 motorway for a variety of festivities including music and theatre attractions. For the first time ever, 20 lucky couples selected via a lucky draw will also get married at a designated area of the motorway on this day.
To learn more about Amsterdam 750, you can check out their official website.
SAIL Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Photo by Flagship Amsterdam
Originally organized to celebrate Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary, SAIL Amsterdam is an event that only happens once every 5 years. Happening across the rivers IJ and Amstel, the city is set to welcome massive fleets of large ships and a variety of vessels from all over the world. These fleets will then dock by the Amsterdam IJhaven docks. The event commences from the 20th to the 24th of August 2025. Coincidentally, this is also SAIL Amsterdam’s 10th anniversary.
If you’re hoping to see the vessels up close, SAIL Amsterdam will also be featuring special cruise trips on tour boats or private sloops. Setting off from the Amsterdam Centraal Station and following a special Orange Ocean route, these special tours will allow you to admire the fascinating fleets from the waterway. For travelling families, you’ll be glad to know that discounted tickets for children aged 5 to 12 are available, while little ones aged 0 to 4 ride for free.
Photo by SAIL.nl
But being on the waters isn’t the only activity you can expect during SAIL Amsterdam. On land, a variety of attractions await visitors of all ages. Thematic events can be found across the city, including concerts held by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the SAIL Music Marina. Come evening, you’ll want to make your way to the waters again to end your day with spectacular fireworks shows and more.
As the last SAIL Amsterdam event scheduled in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many ship spotters are extremely excited to see this event in 2025 make a return. You can also stay updated via the official website to discover even more activities the celebration is set to bring.
King’s Day, The Netherlands
Photo by Abhay Rautela on Unsplash
An annual affair that you cannot miss in the Netherlands in 2025 is King’s Day or Koningsdag according to the locals. Evident from its name, this is the day the nation celebrates the birth of its monarch, King Willem-Alexander.
But this isn’t just like any ordinary birthday celebration. Instead, you’ll find locals and tourists alike clad in orange clothing – the official colour of the royal family as they bear the name Huis van Oranje or “House of Orange”. That said, if you’re caught unaware and don’t have an orange top during your travels, you’ll easily find one for sale on days leading up to the main celebration on the 27th of April.
On this day, you’ll find everyone taking to the streets to party to their heart’s content. Many private boats and sloops will also flood the canals, though we recommend going on foot to truly soak in the party atmosphere. You can also expect impromptu DJ shows in city centres such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and even Rotterdam.
Are you a fan of vintage items or clothing? Then be sure to drop by any of the flea markets known as the vrijmarkt or “free market”, where you can find locals selling anything from used home items to vintage toys and even homemade delicacies that are sure to satisfy.
Photo by George Diama on Unsplash
This is because King’s Day is the only day when the government allows for sales on the streets without a permit, so you’ll often find goods at extremely knocked-down prices. Some hotspots for these markets include the Vondelpark in Amsterdam and Poelenburg in Zaandam.
However, many public transportation options like trams and metros may encounter disruptions and some stations may be closed during this day for crowd control. It’s therefore advisable to pre-plan where you’d like to go to experience King’s Day or opt for a stay in the middle of the city to avoid disappointment.
Vivid Sydney, Australia
Photo by Mark Thompson on Unsplash
If you want to experience an event in 2025 that truly comes to life at sundown, then you absolutely wouldn’t want to miss out on Vivid Sydney. Happening between the 23rd of May to the 14th of June, this annual light and music festival brings forth their theme of “dream” for their 15th anniversary.
Across Sydney, you can expect a variety of activities including 3D illuminations over the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Art installations along The Rocks down to Circular Quay can also be found, while music lovers can dance their evenings away at the festival’s Vivid Music section.
For a taste of the local Australian delicacies, you’ll want to also pop down the Vivid Food experience. With food markets and dining experiences you can explore, this is the best way to draw your time in Sydney to a perfect close. Extra details about show line-ups and establishments you can expect at the event can be found on Vivid Sydney’s official website. This is frequently updated for ease of planning.
Finally, don’t forget to visit the Vivid Sydney Information Booth if you’re travelling with little ones to Vivid Sydney. This will allow you to request a free ID band for your child, so you can crowdsource for help in case you lose sight of them in the excitement of the festival.
Jubilee, Rome
Photo by Catholic News Agency
One truly unforgettable event in 2025 is the 2025 Jubilee happening in Rome. Although better resonating with Catholic and Christian communities, this event which is held only once every 25 years offers a unique perspective on the religion.
Through the year, many famous basilicas will open their Holy Doors – a symbolic gesture that only happens during a Jubilee year – to welcome the faithful who wish to take a pilgrimage to Rome. One of the notable locations is the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican where you’ll see a selection of Michelangelo’s artworks and statues such as The Pieta. This is also one of the largest papal basilicas in Rome.
Photo by Trafalgar
It’s good to note that Rome may be extra crowded during the 2025 Jubilee celebration. For travellers who don’t mind a humble stay, you’ll find that many convents and abbeys have been temporarily provisioned as accommodation options across the city. However, this is still a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to stay overnight in such places of worship, and we do recommend trying it out should the opportunity strike.
More information regarding the 2025 Jubilee can be found on the official website, including an interactive church map to find places of worship and mass times. Pilgrims hoping to partake in special Jubilee events or want to visit the Holy Door are also encouraged to sign up for a mandatory Pilgrim’s Card via the web portal.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025
If you’re a football fan, then the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is one you’ll definitely need to add to your match calendars. Not to be confused with the FIFA World Cup, this event features top professional teams instead of country teams and is held once every 4 years. It’s often seen by football enthusiasts as a prelude to the excitement of the FIFA World Cup. This year’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025 also marks the 21st edition of the tournament organized by FIFA.
2025 sees the first time that the tournament is expanding to accommodate 32 professional teams instead of 7. This includes the defending champion, Manchester City and new additions such as Inter Miami who have been granted a host nation spot. The addition of Inter Miami could mean the opportunity to see Lionel Messi take the field, so fans of this Argentine football star wouldn’t want to miss it.
Photo by Ticketmaster.com
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be held in 12 different venues across the United States of America, with the highly anticipated final being at the MetLife Stadium on the 13th of July. Matches will begin on the 14th of June and are the perfect event in 2025 to attend if you’re a football fan who can’t wait to scream for goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026!
Taean Tulip Festival, South Korea
Mention tulip watching and the gorgeous fields of Keukenhof in the Netherlands would come to mind – but what if we told you that you didn’t have to fly halfway across the world for a glimpse of a sea of flowers? Located 3 hours from Seoul in Taean County, the Taean Tulip Festival is South Korea’s pride as it is the largest flower festival in the country. It was also named one of the Top 5 World Tulip Festivals.
Home to over 1.5 million buds of 300 flower varieties including tulips, lilies, and marigolds, you’ll be engulfed in a sea of blooms in every colour imaginable. The plantation process of the flower buds is also meticulously planned, creating unbelievable art displays as they bloom.
Photo by Korea Travel Pages
This festival which lasts approximately 20 days from early April to early May is often accompanied by clear blue skies as it’s spring, so you’ll have plenty of photography opportunities. For couples looking to pop the question, the Taean Tulip Festival can also be a romantic hotspot as you take the next step into your relationship.
Tickets to the Taean Tulip Festival go for 14,000 KRW (RM 42.75) for adults while groups and senior citizens can enter for 12,000 KRW (RM 36.64). Discounted tickets for children up to 18 years old are also available for 11,000 KRW (RM 33.59) and can be purchased at the entrance.
A bonus: Revolution Express, Vietnam
Photo by Trade Travel Journal
Over in Vietnam this year, two heritage steam trains are set to ferry visitors on a sightseeing trip from Da Nang to Hue daily. Named the Revolution Express, this experience is set to open in 2025, so we recommend keeping an eye out if you’d like to be one of the first to experience this ride through history.
Originally built in the 1960s, these Vietnamese steam locomotives have since been painstakingly restored to working conditions. Featuring 2 retro-styled passenger carriages, the Revolution Express can accommodate up to 57 passengers each. There is also a custom-fitted vintage kitchen carriage alongside a baggage carriage.
Once on board, you’ll be served light refreshments by staff members clad in period costumes – an elegant touch that will take you back in time through this heritage ride.
The trains are planned to pull away from Da Nang at 9 AM each day, taking visitors through the breathtaking coastal mountain ranges of Hai Van. You will then arrive at the Lang Co Station for a 15-minute break, where breathtaking lagoon and beach sceneries await visitors looking to stretch their legs. The end destination for the Revolution Express is set to be at Hue by lunchtime. Visitors can then explore this formal royal capital before embarking on their return journey to Da Nang at 2 PM.
As you can see, there are many events in 2025 that you cannot miss. To help make your trips come true, don’t hesitate to reach out to our holiday advisors and plan your escapade today!