Travel seasons
A season is a thing you travel for (cherry blossom, whales, the aurora), the state of a place (monsoon, ski season, sea warm enough to swim), a holiday that swamps it, or a hazard worth knowing about. Each page shows where the season is on, month by month, with SeasonMap's climate score beside every place — so you can see both when it happens and whether the weather is any good while it does.
Things to travel for
Blossom, foliage, whales, the light itself — the short windows worth booking a month around.
- Cherry blossom61 placesThe week the trees go pink, and the crowds with them.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Autumn colour163 placesFoliage at its peak — usually a fortnight, never the whole month.On in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Jacaranda14 placesStreets under purple for a few weeks.On in Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Wildflowers & blooms188 placesLavender, tulips, wisteria, lotus — a short window that moves with the spring.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Dive season47 placesMantas on the cleaning stations, whale sharks, the sunfish months, the weeks the water is clear.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Whale season137 placesThe months the whales are in the bay.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Turtle nesting71 placesNesting and hatching on the beaches, mostly at night.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Birdlife season80 placesPuffins on the cliffs, cranes on the marsh — the weeks the birds are in.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Dark-sky season31 placesStar parties, the Milky Way core, a firefall — the nights the sky is the attraction.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- High water48 placesThe falls or the river at full flow — spray, thunder, and closed viewpoints.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Wildlife season67 placesThe wildebeest crossing, the cranes, the monarchs, the pups on the beach, the bears at the river — timed by the rains and the food.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Rutting season9 placesStags roaring, elk bugling, moose on the road — the autumn weeks the big animals are loud and close.On in Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct
- Fireflies5 placesA few weeks of lights in the trees after dark, and the nights the paths are closed to headlamps.On in Apr, May and Jun
- Aurora30 placesDark enough to see the northern (or southern) lights, cloud permitting.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
The state of the place
Monsoon, dry season, lifts open, sea warm enough — what the weather is actually doing.
- Sea warm enough169 placesThe months the sea is comfortable without a wetsuit.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Surf season62 placesThe swell arrives; the calm beaches move to the other coast.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Ski season159 placesLifts open, base building.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Dry season276 placesThe rains have stopped; the roads and trails reopen.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Monsoon213 placesThe wet season proper — heavy, daily, and the reason prices fall.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Harvest208 placesGrapes, olives, rice, saffron — the countryside at work and at table.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Foraging season54 placesMushrooms, berries, calçots, hamsi — what the market sells for a few weeks only.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Trail season194 placesHuts, passes, high roads and trails open — the summer window at altitude.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Fog season75 placesThe weeks the view disappears — low cloud, marine layer, garúa.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Wind season144 placesThe named wind arrives most afternoons; sailors and kites love it, café tables do not.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Ice season48 placesIce caves, frozen falls, skating on the canal, dog sleds and ice roads — the weeks the cold is the attraction.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov and Dec
- Winter-sun season47 placesThe northern winter is this place's high season: full, sunny, and booked from October.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Altiplanic winter3 placesThe high-desert storm season of the southern summer; roads to the lagoons shut for a day at a time.On in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec
- Off-season shutdown296 placesHotels, ferries and lifts close between seasons; quiet, cheap, and half of it shut.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Summer season opens176 placesBeach clubs, lake steamers, the funicular, the cave tours and the open-air cinema — what runs for the season only.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Trade-fair week10 placesThe fair or congress that doubles hotel prices and fills every room, weather aside.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov
Festivals & culture
The festivals a place is known for, and the weeks the streets belong to them.
- Carnival205 placesThe week before Lent, and the biggest party of the year where it counts.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Pride44 placesThe parade weekend; hotels in the centre go early.On in Feb, Mar, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov
- Film festival109 placesScreenings, red carpets and a fortnight of full hotels.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Motorsport weekend37 placesGrand Prix weekend: road closures, engines from dawn, the year's dearest rooms.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Music festival283 placesJazz, opera, rock or electronic — the weekend the town is a stage and the rooms go with it.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Sporting event302 placesThe marathon, regatta, rodeo or tournament the city closes its roads for.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Religious feast279 placesSaints' days, temple festivals and processions — devotion first, spectacle second.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Arts festival209 placesTheatre, dance, books and the fringe — a fortnight of programmes and full bars.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Food & drink festival85 placesWine, beer, seafood and the dish the town is known for, served in the street.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Lights & fire138 placesLanterns, bonfires, fireworks and light installations — the nights the sky is the programme.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Major festival476 placesThe festival the place is known for.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
Holidays that swamp a place
Mass holidays: full trains, closed shops, the year's dearest fortnight.
- Day-tripper crush33 placesCoach parties from ten to four; the town is yours before and after.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Cruise season54 placesThe days the ships are in, the old town belongs to them until four.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Lunar New Year97 placesThe largest annual migration on Earth; closures and full trains.On in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec
- Water-festival New Year41 placesSongkran, Thingyan, Pi Mai, Chaul Chnam: three days of water in the streets and a week of shut offices and full buses.On in Apr
- Ramadan & Eid186 placesDaytime closures during the fast; the Eid holidays after.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Pilgrimage season26 placesThe weeks the shrines, passes and hill towns fill with pilgrims: book far ahead or come after.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Muharram & Ashura10 placesTen days of mourning processions ending on Ashura, and the Arbaeen walk forty days later; the country closes, then moves.On in May, Jun, Jul and Aug
- Easter & Holy Week464 placesProcessions, closures, and the first crowds of spring.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr and May
- Diwali42 placesThe festival of lights — and, in the north, the smoke that follows.On in Oct and Nov
- Jewish holidays5 placesRosh Hashanah to Sukkot, Passover: the country shuts, then fills.On in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Golden Week59 placesA country on the move; book everything early or go elsewhere.On in Apr, May and Oct
- School holidays381 placesFamily season: full, expensive, lively.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- National holiday717 placesThe long weekend the whole country travels: full trains, closed offices, the coast and the mountains booked out.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Christmas & New Year644 placesMarkets, closures and the year's dearest fortnight.On in Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
Hazard seasons to know about
Not forecasts — the seasons in which the risk exists. Most weeks pass quietly.
- Hurricane season105 placesStatistically quiet most weeks, occasionally catastrophic.On in May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov
- Typhoon season66 placesA system a summer stops the trains for a day; it rarely ruins a week.On in May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Cyclone season63 placesThe southern-hemisphere storm season.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Smoke season115 placesBurning fields or forests; the air, not the weather, is the problem.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Dust season66 placesSpring dust and sandstorms; sensitive lungs stay in.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Nov and Dec
- Flood season112 placesThe river comes into the streets most years.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Extreme heat183 placesThe weeks the city lives indoors.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Algae & red tide10 placesBlooms that close beaches and clear the water of fish for a few weeks; not the Caribbean weed.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Volcanic activity14 placesEruption alerts, ash clouds and closed summits — irregular, but the place plans around it.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Avalanche season20 placesBackcountry and passes on forecast; the weeks the road closes after a dump.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Sargassum season24 placesThe months the seaweed comes ashore on Caribbean and Gulf beaches.On in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct
- Winter smog38 placesCoal smoke and a valley inversion; the air, not the cold, is the problem.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Storm season41 placesTornadoes, derechos, hail — the afternoons to watch the sky.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Extreme cold52 placesThe weeks the city stops going outside — dzud, ice storms, minus thirty.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Insects & disease55 placesMidges, mosquitoes and stingers at their worst, and the malaria or dengue months; nets, repellent and the right pills.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Pollen season11 placesCedar, olive, birch — the weeks allergy sufferers plan around.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep and Dec
- Rip currents & big surf9 placesRed flags for weeks at a time; the calm-looking water is the one that pulls people out.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Landslide season24 placesThe hill roads slip and shut for days; getting there, not being there, is the problem.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Winter storms & gales20 placesA gale or a named storm stops the ferries and the flights for a day or two; leave slack either side.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov and Dec
- Winter road closures13 placesChains, snow gates and passes shut after a storm; check the road authority before you drive.On in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec