If you’re looking to take an iconic vacation in October—and you’re not centering it around Oktoberfest—we’ve got ideas that span the globe, from a popular hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque, N.M. to a literature festival in England, a fireball festival in Thailand, and the world’s largest Halloween parade. Plan a last-minute excursion, or let these ideas be inspiration for next year’s travel plans.
(Of course, if you do want to center your trip around Oktoberfest, we’ve got suggestions for that, too.)