6 Autumn Festivals Worldwide Dedicated to Celebrating Animals

Animals play an indispensable role in our lives. From chickens and cows supplying us with eggs and milk to horses and water buffalo aiding in labor, they are vital to our survival. Pets, too, bring joy and companionship into our homes. To honor their contributions, here are six global fall festivals that pay tribute to animals.

1. Kukur Tihar

Tihar, a five-day Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal during late autumn, dedicates significant time to honoring animals. The first day is for crows, seen as messengers of death, while cows and oxen are revered on the third and fourth days. The second day, however, is reserved for dogs, humanity's loyal companions. In Hindu scriptures, dogs are praised for their ability to sense danger and even death. During Kukur Tihar, both pet and stray dogs are adorned with flower garlands, marked with a red tika on their foreheads, and showered with treats as a gesture of gratitude and reverence.

2. Transhumance Festival

Known as Fiesta de la Trashumancia in Spanish, this Madrid-based festival celebrates the seasonal migration of livestock to new grazing lands. Since its official inception in 1994, the event has featured thousands of sheep parading through Madrid's streets. Dressed in traditional attire, participants sing and dance, paying homage to the age-old practices of shepherding.

3. Monkey Buffet Festival

While tourists in Thailand are often warned against feeding temple monkeys due to their mischievous nature, the residents of Lopburi break this rule on the last Sunday of November. On this special day, elaborate fruit towers and banquet tables laden with tons of food, including Coca-Cola, are prepared at a 13th-century temple. Once the feast is revealed, thousands of macaques quickly descend to enjoy the offerings. This tradition stems from Thailand’s ancient reverence for monkeys, inspired by the legendary monkey king Hanuman, and today, they are seen as symbols of good fortune.

4. Woolly Worm Festival

In Banner Elk, North Carolina, the woolly worm holds the same predictive status as the groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Local lore suggests that the colors of this fuzzy caterpillar can forecast winter’s severity. Its 13 body segments are believed to represent the 13 weeks of winter, with black indicating cold and snow, and brown signaling milder conditions. The Woolly Worm Festival, founded in 1978, celebrates this tradition every third weekend of October. The highlight is a worm race, where the fastest climber earns its coach $1000 and the honor of predicting the winter. Past contenders include “Patsy Climb” and “Dale Wormhardt.”

5. Pushkar Camel Fair

Rajasthan, India, is a land of vibrant colors, boasting the Pink City, Blue City, and Yellow City. Each November, it hosts the Pushkar Camel Fair, a dazzling cultural event held on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar calendar. This fair, one of the largest of its kind globally, is a hub for traders to showcase camels and livestock while celebrating local heritage. Both camels and attendees don vibrant outfits, engage in competitions, and enjoy lively music. (There’s even video evidence of a camel “dancing,” though the term is used loosely.)

6. Birds of Chile Festival

The Festival de Aves de Chile, held annually in Viña del Mar along Chile’s Pacific coast, highlights the beauty and diversity of the nation’s birdlife. Attendees can spot Chile’s national bird, the majestic Andean condor, one of the world’s largest flying birds, alongside other species in their natural habitats. The festival features guided excursions and expert-led talks, offering a deeper appreciation for these feathered wonders.