Tourexpi
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
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