As the air turns crisp and pumpkins start appearing on porches, people around the world celebrate the arrival of fall with a variety of unique and amazing traditions. From the lively Oktoberfest in Germany to the beautiful Mid-Autumn Festival in China, fall can be a great time for communities to come together and take in the beauty of the season.

Oktoberfest in Germany is one of the more well-known fall traditions in the world. This 16 to 18 day festival is held in Munich and is the world’s largest celebration of Bavarian culture, with traditional German music, food, and beer. Millions of people from around the globe travel to Munich’s Oktoberfest to experience the cheerful atmosphere and to get a taste of German culture.

In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a time for families to gather and give thanks for the harvest. It is celebrated with colorful lanterns, mooncakes, and the beautiful sight of the full moon. People long ago used to worship the moon so it could bring a good harvest, nowadays the festival is just a symbol of family reunions.

Thailand’s Loy Krathong, or “Festival of Lights,” takes place on the full moon night in the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. During this festival, people release decorated baskets, or “krathongs,” into rivers and canals as a way to worship various gods, lords, and monks along with paying respects to ancestors. The making of krathongs reflects the longstanding understanding of the natural materials that are intertwined with the culture of Thai craftsmanship.

In Cambodia, the Bon Om Tok, or “Water Festival,” observes the change in the flow of the Tonle Sap River and is celebrated with boat races, fireworks, and vibrant festivities. It’s celebrated so Cambodians can honor the importance of water in their culture and give thanks for the harvest it provides.

These fall traditions from around the world show the diversity and richness of global cultures and remind us of the beauty and significance of the autumn season. Whether it’s floating krathongs in Thailand, or cheering on boat races in Cambodia, fall traditions bring communities together in celebration of the changing seasons.