Vacation Destinations That Are Best Experienced in October

It’s impossible to start off any list about October travel without mentioning Munich’s Oktoberfest, arguably one of the most famous festivals in the world. But there’s more to the festival than the “liquid gold” tents. It’s a celebration of Bavarian culture, which means there’s also plenty of braids, brauts, and brezl (that’s pretzel to you).

Melbourne has a lot more culture than just coffee. Every October, the Melbourne International Arts Festival highlights a diverse range of music, visual and performing arts. The acts you discover here are likely to be on the world stage sooner rather than later. (Basically you’ll have ultimate “I knew them back when” bragging rights if you attend.) 

When the rest of the country is cooling down, Austin stays hot for October and the Austin City Limits festival. It takes place over two weekends in downtown Zilker Park. One of the best parts of this festival is that it’s easy to get around Austin when the gigs let out for the day, so you don’t need to choose between the festival and sightseeing. 

Whether you’re a Verdi aficionado or a complete newbie, there’s something to appreciate at Parma’s Verdi Festival. The famous composer was born in Parma so the entire town comes together every October to honor their hometown hero. In addition to Opera, you’ll be able to check out the city’s vibrant architecture, art, and, of course, delectable Italian cuisine. 

October is the pinnacle of peak season at the Great Barrier Reef. It’s beautiful with clear waters and lovely temperatures, but the hordes of visitors are starting to thin out. The nights can get cold, though, so be sure to pack plenty of layers. 

Regular visitors often consider October one of the best months for visiting Osaka. The leaves change into a vibrant red and provide a stunning backdrop for the city. It’s still sunny and warm in the day, perfect for exploring Osaka’s nature. But come night, you’ll want to curl up, perhaps with a soul-affirming bowl of ramen. 
 

The desert isn’t for everyone—not even the people who live there. During the summer, citizens of Dubai tend to hide indoors. But come October, when temperatures cool off, everyone comes back outside, clubs reopen, and life breathes back into Dubai. But, because this is desert country, you’ll likely still consider the temperatures a tropical vacation. 

There’s something spooky about New Orleans that goes perfectly with October. It’s the perfect time of year to visit the Saint Louis Cemetery, one of New Orleans’ most popular attractions. Visit the House of Voodoo and if you get too spooked, you can drink away your horrors at Oktoberfest afterward.