ibis Shares 25 Reasons to Travel in 2025 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Partnering with travel trend experts Globetrotter, ibis has identified the most exciting events, festivals, and cultural moments across the globe, inspiring travellers to explore new horizons, seize every opportunity, and experience life to the fullest.

From iconic music festivals and blockbuster TV locations to unmissable sporting events and culinary adventures, 2025 promises to be a year of unforgettable travel experiences. With ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget hotels situated close to major events, travellers are ideally positioned to experience the dynamic energy and authentic spirit of each destination.

In a rapidly changing world, the reasons people travel are constantly evolving. The recent ibis report, *Go Get It: How Gen Z/Y Will Travel in 2025*, delves into this shifting landscape, examining the motivations that will shape travel decisions in the coming years. The ibis report highlights a growing trend toward experience-led travel - whether for cultural immersion, self-discovery, attending concerts, or watching sports, travellers are increasingly driven by clear intent. In fact, new ibis research shows that 58% of people ‘think experiences are better than material possessions’ inspiring the rise of experience-led travel. Whether it’s attending a concert, immersing in local traditions, or even exploring destinations seen on screen, travellers are increasingly prioritising meaningful experiences that shape who they are. Here are ibis' 25 Reasons to Travel in 2025 to inspire travellers to Go get it. 

25 Reasons to Travel in 2025:

Yayoi Kusama Art Exhibition

15th December 2024 – 21st April 2025 - Melbourne

Stay: ibis Melbourne Central

The Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne, will showcase more than 180 artworks from the polka dot-obsessed Japanese artist’s eight-decade career. Transforming the entire ground floor, it will feature paintings, sculptures and installations, as well as never-before-seen works.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

14th February – 2nd March 2025

Stay: ibis Sydney Barangaroo

Get set for a rainbow revolution at Sydney’s Mardi Gras 2025. Expect a dazzling array of floats, costumes and performances that highlight the creativity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Beyond the iconic parade, the two-week festival offers a packed calendar of events including art exhibitions, film screenings, panel discussions and parties.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

16th February – 1st March 2025

Stay: ibis World Trade Centre Dubai

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, a prestigious ATP 500 event, attracts top-ranked players worldwide. Known for its high-quality competition and luxurious setting, the tournament offers a glimpse of tennis excellence in the heart of the UAE.

Carnival - Rio de Janeiro

28th February – 8th March 2025

Stay: ibis budget Rio de Janeiro Centro

Rio de Janeiro’s carnival, held annually before Lent, is the world’s largest festival. This vibrant celebration features elaborate parades with samba schools competing in the Sambadrome, street parties (blocos) and wild costume balls. Millions of revellers flood the city for five days of nonstop festivities, showcasing Brazil’s rich culture through music and dance.

Holi - Mumbai

15th March 2025

Stay: ibis Mumbai Vikhroli

Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, erupts every March across cities in India. This vibrant celebration of spring and love will transform Mumbai into a kaleidoscope of colour as locals take to the streets to celebrate by throwing vibrant hues into the air, creating radiant clouds of color all around. Expect a host of ticketed events too, such as parties and music performances.

Usher, Accor Arena - Paris

15th & 16th April 2025

Stay: ibis Styles Paris Bercy

R&B superstar Usher, fresh from his Super Bowl appearance with Alicia Keys, will visit Europe with his “Past Present Future” tour in 2025. The limited run includes stops in London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris. Initially scheduled for one night at Paris’s Accor Arena on April 15, overwhelming demand prompted an additional show on April 16.

Primavera Sound - Porto

12th-14th June 2025

Stay: ibis Porto Centro Mercado do Bolhão

Primavera Sound Porto brings a world-class music festival to Portugal’s vibrant coastal city. This multi-day event showcases an eclectic mix of established and emerging artists across various genres. With its dramatic location on the Atlantic coast, diverse lineup and dazzling atmosphere, Primavera Sound Porto offers an unforgettable celebration of music.

Food Zurich

12th-22nd June 2025

Stay: ibis Styles Zurich City Center

Food Zurich 2025 blends Swiss tradition with global culinary trends, featuring established restaurants and emerging chefs across unique venues in the city and surrounding region. For 11 days, more than 100 events offer diverse experiences including themed dinners, cooking courses, tastings and foodie tours, all showcasing Zurich’s varied gastronomy.

Bordeaux Wine Festival

19th-22nd June 2025

Stay: ibis budget Bordeaux Centre Mériadeck

The Bordeaux Wine Festival returns to the city’s left bank in June 2025, transforming the city’s central quays into a celebration of the region’s viticultural heritage. Highlights include a Wine Route showcasing regional appellations, a Tasting Pass for exploring diverse vintages, and legendary tall ships moored along the Garonne.

Ed Sheeran World Tour 2025 - Hamburg

4th-6th July 2025

Stay: ibis Styles Hamburg-Barmbek

Ed Sheeran, the four-time Grammy winner, continues his record-breaking “Mathematics” tour across Europe. The upcoming leg will take him to ten countries, including Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, as well as Scandinavian nations such as Norway and Sweden. This European stint follows his performances in North America and South East Asia.

Oasis UK and Ireland Tour 2025 – Manchester

11th-20th July 2025

Stay: ibis Manchester Centre 96 Portland Street

The Oasis “Live ‘25” Tour marks the Britpop sensation’s first live appearances since their 2009 split. Commemorating the 30th anniversary of their “Definitely Maybe” album in 2024, the tour includes about 20 dates across five cities in the UK and Ireland. High demand has led to music chart re-entries for six Oasis tracks.

Lollapalooza 10th Anniversary – Berlin

12th & 13th July 2025

Stay: ibis Styles Hotel Berlin Mitte

Lollapalooza Berlin will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2025, promising a special edition of the renowned festival. While lineups are yet to be announced, expectations are high; this milestone event is likely to feature a mix of international headliners and emerging artists, continuing the festival’s tradition of diverse music.

Pride - Amsterdam

26th July – 3rd August 2025

Stay: ibis Amsterdam Centre

Every August, Amsterdam is awash in rainbow hues as Pride electrifies the city with 300+ events, from thought-provoking art to pulsating parties. Expect a spectacular flotilla of 80 flamboyant boats parading the canals by day; as night falls, LGBTQ+ hotspots explode with revelry, embodying Dutch inclusivity in technicolour glory.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

1st-25th August 2025

Stay: ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square

For three unforgettable weeks each August, Scotland’s capital turns an artistic playground in an unmissable celebration of imagination. Dive into a whirlwind of laughter, drama and spectacle as more than 3,000 shows burst to life across the city, featuring thousands of performances across hundreds of venues.

Sziget Festival - Budapest

6th-11th August 2025

Stay: ibis Budapest Centrum

The Sziget Festival, one of Europe’s largest music and cultural events, returns to Budapest in summer 2025. Held on Óbudai-sziget, a 266-acre Danube island, the festival attracts up to 450,000 attendees over five days. The nonstop party runs from Wednesday until Tuesday morning – surpassing even Glastonbury in scale.

Women’s Rugby World Cup in England - Brighton (among other cities)

22nd August - 27th September 2025

Stay: ibis Brighton City Centre

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup promises to be the biggest yet, spanning six weekends across eight cities, including Brighton and Hove. With affordable ticket prices and easy accessibility (95% of the UK population live within two hours of a venue) it promises to be a spectacular moment for women’s rugby.

World Athletics Championships - Tokyo

13th-21st September 2025

Stay: ibis Styles Tokyo Bay

The 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo 2025 marks a pinnacle of global track and field competition. As one of the world’s top three sports tournaments, it will feature more than 2,000 athletes from some 200 countries, showcasing 49 disciplines across men’s, women’s and mixed events.

Oktoberfest - Munich

20th September - 5th October 2025

Stay: ibis Styles München Perlach

German “people’s festival” Oktoberfest transforms Munich into a beer-lover’s paradise for 16 days each autumn. Dating back to 1810, this Bavarian tradition sees millions of visitors don dirndls and lederhosen to enjoy litres of specially brewed beer, oompah bands and classic German cuisine.

Festival of Water - Cambodia

4th-6th November 2025

Stay: ibis budget Phnom Penh Riverside

Cambodia’s annual Water Festival (known locally as Bon Om Touk) is a nationwide celebration that dates back to the 12th century. Capital city Phnom Penh hosts the most extravagant events, all set along the Tonlé Sap river. Highlights include thrilling boat races, spectacular fireworks, live local music and delicious street food.

Loy Krathong - Thailand

6th November 2025

Stay: ibis Styles Bangkok Silom

Loy Krathong, Thailand’s Festival of Lights, is a centuries-old celebration that marks the end of the rainy season. Taking place on the full moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, the sky glows with lanterns, while traditional music fills the air as crowds release decorated baskets (krathongs) onto rivers and lakes, carrying candles, incense and wishes.

ZoukOut - Singapore

7th December 2025

Stay: ibis budget Singapore Clarke Quay

ZoukOut, Singapore’s premier electronic dance music festival, returns to Siloso Beach, Sentosa Island in 2025. Pioneered by nightclub Zouk Singapore, this annual event draws thousands of global dance music lovers for electrifying performances in a beachfront setting.

Taquería El Califa de León (Michelin star 2024) - Mexico City

Stay: ibis Styles Mexico Reforma

Taquería El Califa de León, a tiny taco stand in the San Rafael neighbourhood, made history in 2024 by earning a Michelin star. Open for over 50 years, it’s famed for its Gaonera taco, named after bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona. It is made with thinly sliced beef filet, a squeeze of lime and seasoned only with a sprinkling of salt.

Kaos (season 1) - Spain

Stay: ibis Styles Sevilla City Santa Justa

Kaos, a dark comedy reimagining Greek mythology for the Netflix generation, was primarily filmed in Andalusia, Spain. Key locations include Costa del Sol, Marbella, Cádiz, Seville, Los Montes and Velez. The series depicts a modern version of Crete, though no filming occurred in Greece (for example, Seville’s Plaza de España features as a square on Olympus).

Squid Game (season 2) - Seoul

Stay: ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong

South Korean dystopian survival thriller Squid Game returns for a highly anticipated second season at the end of 2024, featuring old friends plus new characters and games enriching the series’ narratives. What remains the same is the location; the six-part series has been filmed in Seoul, spotlighting the South Korean capital once again.

The White Lotus (season 3) - Thailand

Stay: ibis Samui Bophut

The White Lotus season 3 shifts its setting to Thailand, with filming across Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui (which is expected to serve as the main backdrop). Expect a focus on luxury resorts typical of the show’s style, while additional locations may include Phuket’s temples and exclusive villas. Themes in the new season will encompass death and spirituality.

From world-renowned festivals to must-see sporting events, 2025 is set to be a year full of travel inspiration. Whether you're looking to explore cultural hotspots, indulge in culinary delights, or be a part of history-making events, ibis is ready to welcome travellers across the globe with comfort, style, and unbeatable locations.

For more information and to book your stay, visit https://ibis.accor.com/en.html

Image Credit: © Accor