Six Can't Miss Festivals Happening In September 2024

When September rolls around, the post-summer blues hit a lot of people hard. It’s the last month of warm weather in many parts of the world, and it's typically the time when the shoulder season starts in many of the best places to travel in September. However, the best September travel destination can provide many unique benefits and exciting activities. 

After all, it’s still warm enough to enjoy most outdoor activities, multiple late-summer festivals occur during the month, and great travel deals are starting to pop up all over. Even better, the best travel destinations in September often save you money because fewer people will be traveling, and accommodation prices are often lower than normal, including at The Parking Spot.

Let’s review several of the best places to travel in September, whether you need to pack cold weather clothes, what kind of events you will experience at each destination, and other travel tips that will help you prepare for your September travel experience.

We’re covering places to visit in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and beyond; it’s particularly important to read on if you’re trying to decide where to travel abroad in September and want to find tips on the best times to fly, cultural differences, and even common topics like tipping etiquette.

1. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – Rock in Rio

Brazil is typically still pretty warm in September, even though its weather is the opposite of what you’d expect in the Northern Hemisphere. The rainy season won’t have started yet (it will soon, though), and you can expect temperatures of about 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, outdoor festivals like Rock in Rio are typically quite comfortable and easy to enjoy.

Rock in Rio lasts over a week and includes multiple concerts throughout tents, stages, and much more. Expect music as diverse as pop, jazz, rock, samba, heavy metal, and electronic dance beats. Beyond tunes, there are also daily fireworks, a circus, art exhibitions, and even an amusement park that will provide your kids with a fun and unforgettable experience. 

Travel Tips for Rio in September 

If you decide Rio is one of the best places to travel in September this year, it’s important to understand that English isn’t widely spoken in the nation, even now. Instead, Portuguese is the most common language, so make sure you have a guidebook with you. You’ll also need a universal adaptor for your phone plugs to ensure they get the electricity they need.

2. Vancouver, Canada – Vancouver International Film Festival

Vancouver in British Columbia is one of the largest and most popular cities in Canada with lots of amazing activities. It’s a great place to travel in September because its temperatures are mild (between 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the month) and accommodations aren’t as expensive as in the summer, even with events like the Vancouver International Film Festival.

The Vancouver International Film Festival takes place late in September into early October and is a fun and unforgettable experience. You’ll see independent films, major blockbusters, and more across a week or more of festivities. There are also speakers who will discuss film history, particularly Canada’s unique and often unheralded impact on the movie world. 

Travel Tips for Vancouver in September 

Public transportation is your best friend in Vancouver. Renting a car is expensive and frustrating because there aren’t many parking garages and traffic gets crazy due to the city’s population density. If you want to stay active, you can even rent a bike or walk to get around this amazing city. Try staying in the popular West End district for the best accommodations, but expect to pay.

3. Berlin, German – Festival of Lights 

If you want to know where to travel in Europe in September, try out Berlin. As one of the best places to travel in September, this fantastic city has lots to do. Temperatures here should be a very comfortable 70 degrees, making this one of the best travel destinations in September if you want a comfortable experience. You’ll also be rewarded with the Festival of Lights.

The Festival of Lights (held in late September into early October) fuses ancient and modern art traditions to highlight beautiful light installations and more. People deciding where to travel in September are often pulled into the beautiful light displays of this festival, as well as easy access to some of the most popular and delicious German foods available in the country.

Travel Tips for Berlin in September 

The cliche of German engineering excellence is on full display in Berlin, particularly in its amazing public transportation system. It’s not only spread widely throughout the city but intelligently designed to make travel easier. Try out the 24-hour day pass to get unlimited travel throughout the day or the Berlin Welcome card to get discounts to transport and attractions.

4. Sydney, Australia – Sydney Contemporary 

You might think that traveling to Sydney in September would be extremely hot. However, Sydney is technically in its early spring with temperatures between about 50-65 degrees. That makes it one of the best places to travel in September, particularly if you’ve always wanted to check out the land down under but were always worried about desert-like heat.

With all that said, the Sydney Contemporary is what truly makes this city among the best travel destinations in September. Here, you’ll experience an amazing contemporary art festival, one that highlights local and international art. You’ll see amazing paintings, mind-boggling sculptures, and much more. If you’re an art lover, don’t miss this amazing opportunity.

Tip for Traveling in Sydney in September 

Buy or download Sydney’s bus route map to understand the blue and red lines – they cover different parts of the city. Don’t worry about language hurdles; most people in Australia speak English. Most people in the country are very welcoming, but hotel and restaurant employees will expect tips – typically between 10-20%, depending on the quality of the place.

5. Venice, Italy – Venice International Film Festival

Knowing where to travel in September is challenging enough but deciding where to travel in Europe in September is particularly tough because the many countries on this continent have plenty of fun and engaging things to do in September. Italy is a particularly great option because, as a Mediterranean country, it has mild temperatures between 65-80 in September.

Even better, Venice hosts its International Film Festival from late August to early September. During this event, dozens of great movies debut and international film stars will walk the red carpet. Tickets here are not cheap and often sell out quickly, so it’s critical to immediately buy them if you’re interested in this event and want to ensure you get in at a reasonable price.

Tips for Traveling in Venice in September 

Bring along extra money for tipping and a translation guide when visiting Venice. It’s customary to tip servers, hotel clerks, and even tour guides in Italy and they can get a little angry if you don’t – understandably. English isn’t widely spoken here (people below 40 usually know some), so make sure you have a guide book when traveling the canals of Venice.

6. Chichen Itzá, Mexico – Autumn Equinox Festival

Looking for an idea of where to travel in September that’s a bit off the beaten path? Mexico is a great option because its temperatures are surprisingly reasonable (between 70-80 degrees) throughout the month. What makes this one of the best travel destinations in September, though, is the Autumn Equinox Festival. It provides a unique look at Mexican culture. 

Celebrated at Chichen Itza, this event occurs on September 21 or the Autumn Equinox. It’s on this date that day and night are equal in length: 12 hours each. During this celebration, you’ll enjoy traditional music, folk dances, rock bands, and theatrical performances and enjoy learning more about Mexico’s unique traditions, some of which stretch back thousands of years. 

Tips for Traveling in Mexico in September

Practice your Spanish when visiting Mexico – while many residents do speak good to fluent English, it’s not guaranteed. You should also pack some comfortable travel accessories, such as sunscreen and great walking shoes. You’ll be on your feet a lot during the Autumn Equinox Festival, so make sure that you bring strong and supportive hiking shoes to keep your feet safe during your trip.

Travel Tips and Preparations for September From The Parking Spot

Now that you’ve chosen the best travel destinations in September for yourself or your family, it’s important to follow a few basic tips to keep everyone comfortable and safe. Though the sections above-highlighted tips for each section provided by The Parking Spot, the following general guidelines can provide you with a fantastic holiday experience no matter where you go:

• Packing for the Weather: Bring along shorts, t-shirts, sandals, sunscreen, sun hats, and other summer gear on your trip – the weather in most spots highlighted here will be quite warm. That said, it’s a good idea to bring along sweatshirts and even spring jackets because September weather has a nasty habit of shifting towards cool and even cold temperatures unexpectedly.
• Identifying Great Travel and Accommodation Deals: Most of the best places to travel in September will be very busy (shoulder season isn’t quite here yet), so you’ll have to book ahead and use accommodations websites. Try to use location-specific variations, such as Expedia’s European site to find sales and discounts you might not identify otherwise.
• Traveling Through Each Destination Safely: Once you know where to travel in September this year, don’t just book your flight and jump on the plane without a little planning. Find maps of your destination, examine its streets, check out its public transportation, and learn more about how to get around. Many European cities are very old and have confusing street layouts.
• Downloading Travel Apps: The best travel phone or tablet apps let you track your spending, find high-quality deals on accommodations and transportation, and help you decide where to travel in Europe in September by providing access to coupons. You don’t have to base your trip on your apps but should use them to save yourself money on your vacation.
• Budgeting Smartly: Whether you’re traveling by yourself or with your family, you need to make sure that you budget your trip wisely to minimize any complications. For example, you could stay at a super nice hotel or a hostel – the latter is available at a fraction of the cost. You can also buy local food and cook instead of eating out to save yourself even more money.

Other tips to consider include buying all-inclusive train packages in Europe, as many countries provide inexpensive travel options that can make your trip easier and cheaper. It’s also best to alternate very busy days with slight reprieves to minimize your exhaustion. There’s nothing worse than turning your vacation into a slog, so give yourself and your family a little break from time to time.

In Conclusion

The best places to travel in September are just as amazing as the other travel options reviewed in other blogs. Before choosing where to travel in September, make sure you understand the unique demands of each city and country, such as the differences between Global Entry and TSA Precheck, the languages spoken there, and what you can expect for food. 

Now that you know where to travel in Europe in September and feel comfortable planning your trip, make sure you start it right by booking with The Parking Spot. With 70+ locations in close to airports around the nation, The Parking Spot provides fairly priced parking options that will keep your vehicle safe and give you peace of mind while you travel this September.