Autumn is our favorite season to travel. In top destinations in North America and Europe, the crowds have started to thin and the worst of the heat has passed, but it’s often still possible to enjoy alfresco dining. Many cultural institutions also start to fill their schedules following a summer break.

We’ve put together a selection of notable upcoming events in September and October, ranging from a floating flower-themed parade to a sumo wrestling tournament. Any one of the following, listed chronologically, could make a fine centerpiece to a fall getaway. The Andrew Harper Travel Office would be happy to help make arrangements.

Tennis in New York

The world’s top professional tennis players converge on New York City August 23 to September 13 for the U.S. Open, one of the sport’s four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments. Watch stars like Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka battle their foes at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in New York City 

Movies and Glamour in Venice

Head to La Serenissima September 2-12 for the Venice International Film Festival, one of the film world’s “Big Three,” along with Berlin and Cannes. On the Lido, watch some of the industry’s biggest names walk the red carpet in front of the Palazzo del Cinema.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Venice 

Celebración in New Mexico

In New Mexico, the 314th Fiesta de Santa Fe will commemorate the city’s resettlement by Spanish colonists in 1692. The celebration, September 5-13, includes colorful parades, religious ceremonies, arts and crafts markets, lively entertainment, traditional foods and more. 

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Santa Fe 

On Parade in Zundert

On September 6, in the small Dutch town of Zundert, about 20 miles north of Antwerp, treat yourself to Corso Zundert, touted as the world’s largest flower parade. The elaborate floats are about 60 feet long and 30 feet tall, and each one is decorated with countless dahlias in a variety of colors, most locally grown. They remain on display the following day.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Antwerp 

Wine Fest in Budapest

Hungary produces some of the world’s most compelling wines, often from unique indigenous grapes, not least Tokaji, the country’s answer to Sauternes. From September 9-12, the Budapest Wine Festival will showcase hundreds of these wines (white, red and sweet), along with some of the best bottlings from the Americas, Held at picturesque Buda Castle, the festivities will also include gourmet street food, fine-dining experiences and live entertainment.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Budapest 

Cinema in Toronto

At the Toronto International Film Festival, North America’s largest film festival, cinephiles can take in more than 300 movies from Canada and around the globe. See screenings at multiple venues around the city, September 10-20. Directors and stars often conduct question-and-answer sessions. 

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Toronto

Sumo in Tokyo

Get a firsthand look at Japan’s national sport at the Grand Sumo Tournament, September 13-27, in Tokyo. It’s the last of the three sumo tournaments the city hosts each year in its Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, the mecca for this centuries-old sport that’s deeply rooted in ancient Shinto tradition. Even before the rough-and-tumble action begins, it’s quite a sight to see the top-division wrestlers make their entrances in ceremonial silk aprons.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Tokyo 

Classic Cars in England

Rare vintage race cars by the likes of Ferrari, Alpha Romeo and Maserati — some driven by acclaimed drivers like Hélios Castroneves — will be hitting top speeds during the Goodwood Revival, September 18-20. Catch the fast-paced action, touted as the world’s most spectacular historic auto racing event, at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex. Many spectators come decked out in colorful classic attire from the track’s golden age, 1948 to 1966.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in southern England 

Music in Strasbourg

Grand concert halls, intimate churches and a variety of other venues host the Festival Musica in Strasbourg, France, September 18 to October 4. One of Europe’s top celebrations of avant-garde and experimental music by international modern composers, it showcases a range of styles and genres, from operas to electronic pieces.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Alsace 

Polo in Argentina

Every year during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring, Buenos Aires hosts the world’s best polo teams who compete in the prestigious Triple Crown. The Hurlingham Club Open runs from September 22 to October 3, followed by the Tortugas Country Club Open from October 6 to November 7. The Argentine Polo Open Championship, the sport’s crown jewel, is scheduled for November 10 to December 12. Watching a match in person is thrilling.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Buenos Aires 

Yachts in Monaco

On September 23-26, Monte Carlo glitters even more brightly than usual, with some than 125 of the newest, most opulent superyachts (and about 60 luxury tenders) floating in the waters of Port Hercules at the Monaco Yacht Show. These jaw-dropping beauties have an average length of 164 feet, and some exceed 325.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Monaco 

Revels in Barcelona

Barcelona honors Our Lady of Mercy, one of the city’s two patron saints, with La Mercè Festival, September 23-27. The lively citywide celebration includes street theater, traditional Catalan music and dancing, parades, light shows and more.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotel in Barcelona

Art in Manhattan

From September 24-27, more than 225 galleries from over 30 countries will showcase contemporary art at the Armory Show in New York City’s Javits Center. The annual event is one of the most important art shows in the country, rivaled only by Art Basel Miami Beach.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in New York City

Sailing around Saint-Tropez

On the French Riviera, some 250 of the world’s finest sailboats — from century-old classic schooners to ultramodern maxi-yachts — come together for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, September 26 to October 4. Arguably the Mediterranean’s most prestigious sailing regatta, it features exciting daily races you can watch from the shore or, better yet, on a chartered spectator boat.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels on the Côte d’Azur 

Concerts in Austin

Austin City Limits Music Festival, one of the country’s largest, returns to the Texas capital October 2-4 and October 9-11 with more than 100 performances on nine stages in Zilker Park. Headliners include Charli XCX, Skrillex, Rüfüs Du Sol and Lorde. A designated area for kids will feature child-friendly entertainment.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Austin 

Balloons Over Albuquerque

You’ll want to keep looking up during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October 3-11, at Balloon Fiesta Park. With more than 500 hot-air and gas balloons, it’s the world’s largest such festival. During the multiple mass ascensions, all the entrants float gracefully together in New Mexico’s desert sky. Just as magical are the glow nights, when burners illuminate hundreds of tethered balloons.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Albuquerque and Santa Fe 

Renoir in London

From October 3, 2026, to January 31, 2027, London’s National Gallery will stage one of the most important exhibitions of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s work in decades. Renoir and Love will feature 40 of the French impressionist’s paintings from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s, including his iconic “Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette.”

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in London

Light Shows in Berlin

Landmarks throughout Berlin will be colorfully aglow for the Festival of Lights, October 9-18. The installations should be especially spectacular at Bebelplatz, with its beautifully restored prewar architecture, and Potsdamer Platz, ringed with highly contemporary buildings. And October 13-17, the Festival of Lights in Concert combines creative illumination with ambient music at the Berlin Cathedral.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Berlin 

Truffles in Alba

From October 10-December 6, rub elbows with Michelin-starred chefs and foodies from around the globe at the International Alba White Truffle Fair, the most exciting time to visit this northern Italian city famous for the coveted gourmet fungus. Attendees can enjoy a market, cooking shows, special dinners, cooking classes and cultural events like costume parades.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Piedmont 

Rowing in Boston

Take in the world’s largest three-day rowing competition October 16-18 in Boston. The Head of the Charles Regatta attracts more than 12,000 of the world’s best scullers, who compete in 70-plus events on a 3-mile, upstream course packed with bends and bridges.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Boston 

Dining in Hawaii

Savor the creations of more than 200 renowned chefs and winemakers at the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, held over three weekends on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu between October 16 and November 8. Notable participants include Jungsik Yim, Michael Mina, Maneet Chauhan, Tyler Florence, Masaharu Morimoto, Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Hawaii 

History Comes Alive in Kyoto

On October 22, Kyoto, Japan, commemorates its heritage as the country’s former capital with its annual Jidai Matsuri celebration. An hours-long parade stretches for more than a mile from the Imperial Palace to the Heian Shrine. Roughly 2,000 locals march in period costumes representing various periods of Kyoto’s history, from the 19th-century Meiji Restoration back to the eighth century Enryaku era.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Kyoto

Formula 1 in Austin

Austin hosts a showdown of speed demons at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, October 23-25. See drivers race up Turn 1’s infamously challenging hill, which rises more than 130 feet. Off the track, Maroon 5 and Post Malone headline postrace concerts on Friday and Saturday.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Austin

Celebrating the Departed in Texas

San Antonio hosts the country’s largest Día de los Muertos celebrations, with three major events downtown on October 23-25. Muertos Fest at Hemisfair and Day of the Dead at La Villita feature altars, music and dancing, traditional food and plenty of catrinas (women in elegant skeleton costumes). On Friday night, the festivities kick off in earnest with an illuminated Day of the Dead River Parade, best viewed from the city’s famed River Walk.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in San Antonio 

Art in Taipei

From October 30 to November 2, the capital of Taiwan hosts one of the longest-running art fairs in the Asia-Pacific region. Art Taipei showcases art from more than 125 galleries at the Taipei World Trade Center. It coincides with Taipei Art Week, October 24 to November 7, which features gallery tours and museum exhibitions in multiple districts throughout the city.

» See Andrew Harper’s hotels in Taiwan