New York, Dec 5 (IANS): Diwali and Kumbh Mela have featured on an American news website's list of must attend festivals across the globe.

Huffingtonpost.com has come out with the following list of not-to-be-missed festivals celebrated across the world:

- Diwali - Celebrated in India, it is also known as the festival of lights. Celebrants play with firecrackers, share sweets and snacks, and participate in traditional ceremonies. People also light small clay lamps filled with oil to honour the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

- Kumbh Mela - Every three years, millions of visitors gather to bathe in one of India's sacred rivers like Ganga and Godavari, for Kumbh Mela. The pilgrimage is said to be the largest peaceful gathering in the world, and is held in different locations around India according to Hindu tradition. Visitors can participate in religious discussions, singing, and assemblies, or selfless acts with holy men and women.

- Carnival - Helo in Brazil, more than two million people flood the streets of Rio de Janeiro for Carnival. The four-day celebration includes street parties, masquerades, and samba parades.

- Oktoberfest - Celebrated in Germany. Grab a beer and pull up a seat at Oktoberfest, one of the world's most spirited parties. In addition to beer, visitors can sample traditional food like sausages, pretzels, and potato dumplings.

- La Tomatina: Goggles are recommended at La Tomatina, one of the world's biggest food fights that takes place in Spain. A firing of water cannons signals the beginning of the fight, as thousands of visitors throw squashed tomatoes at one another.

- Carnival of Venice: Masks and costumes are standard attire at Italy's Carnival of Venice. Every mask has its own story, and symbolises a different Italian theatre character. Visitors parade their finery at parties and masquerade dinners, or end the night at one of the city's lavish costume balls.