There's nothing quite like a local festival to immerse yourself in a country's culture! Armenia is home to numerous festivals, each as captivating as the last. To help you choose, we're sharing our top picks. Discover the 4 best festivals to experience on your trip to Armenia…

1. Yerevan Jazz Day

Calling all jazz enthusiasts—mark your calendars for next April's International Jazz Day. In Armenia, this event is organized by the Armenian Jazz Association and Mezzo Production and takes place in Yerevan. According to the organizers, jazz serves to foster peace, unity, and communication. In any case, it's the perfect opportunity to meet jazz legends, both national and international artists, and use this day to connect with the local community!

Next date: April 30, 2020

2. Areni Wine Festival

Wine holds an exceptionally important place in Armenian culture. The recent archaeological excavations in the caves of Areni village certainly attest to this! In fact, they uncovered the world's oldest winery, suggesting that Armenians have been cultivating grapes for over 6,000 years—impressive indeed! This is why the charming village of Areni celebrates wine year-round, especially during the October harvest season at the Areni Wine Festival. The program features a parade of Armenia's finest winemakers, wine tastings and Armenian specialties, folk songs, and traditional dances. If you're a wine lover, don't miss the Wine Days of Yerevan either!

Next dates: May 1–2, 2020 for Wine Days of Yerevan, and October 3, 2020 for the Areni Wine Festival.

3. Vardavar

This is one of the country's most beloved traditional festivals and one that Armenians eagerly anticipate! And with good reason—the entire country engages in an epic water battle! While today it's a Christian tradition celebrating the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, the origins of Vardavar are said to be pagan. It honors Astghik, the goddess of water, beauty, love, and fertility, to whom Armenians offer roses (vard meaning rose, hence the festival's name). In any case, it's a celebration with a wonderfully lighthearted atmosphere that leaves visitors with unforgettable memories.

Next date: July 19, 2020

4. Yerevan Taraz Fest

Taraz is the name of Armenia's national costume. Naturally, the patterns and colors of the Taraz vary from region to region. The Yerevan Taraz Festival celebrates this very diversity, which forms the country's cultural identity, through a fair and exhibition. You'll discover that some designs are genuine works of art. You'll also have the chance to glimpse renowned Armenian carpets and learn more about the meanings and history of their patterns. Add to that traditional dances and songs and puppet shows organized for the occasion!