Festivals and Travel to Exotic Places in January

January weather should be good in:
Myanmar, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand [not east coast], Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe

Exotic Heritage Festivals | Destination Finder

For good weather and festivals, early January:

Sri Lanka [Colombo] Duruthu Perahera, at full moon.

India [Ahmedabad] Kite Festival
[Kerala] Elephant March | India Tours

Thailand [Chaiyaphum] Elephant Roundup, Jan 10-12. Thailand Pictures | Thailand Tours

Mexico [Chiapas State] January Fiesta, 14 days from 9th. Mexico Pictures | Mexico Tours

For good weather and festivals, late January:

India [all Tamil Nadu] Karnataka Pongal harvest festival, 3 days
[Madurai] Float festival, late Jan/early Feb.
[Jaisalmer, Rajastan] Desert Festival. Touristy but terrific location, under the full moon. Dance, music and camel riding if you must. Nearest airport is at Jodhpur, 280kms away. India Pictures | India Tours

Vietnam [Nationwide] Tet [new year] Jan/Feb 1 month. Vietnam Pictures | Vietnam Tours

Malaysia [Kuala Lumpur] Thaipusam [masochism fest]
[Penang] Chor Soo Kong [snakes], 6 days after Chinese new year. Malaysia Pictures

Philippines [Panay Island] Ati-Atihan, kind of Mardi Gras, 1 week

Guatemala [Esquipulas] El Cristo, 1 week around 15th. Guatemala Pictures | Guatemala Tours

Canada, Quebec City, Carnaval de Québec, 10 days of parades, themed parties, ice sculptures and winter sports of every description, in a pretty Francophile city. Late Jan- mid Feb. Canada Pictures

Or go for festivals only, not the weather! i.e. this is not the best season:

Turkey [Selcuk, Ephesus] Camel Wrestling, 3rd weekend of January every year. One day only. Turkey Pictures | Turkey Tours

Bolivia [Copacabana] Candlemas. Late Jan-Feb

Peru [Puno, Cuzco+] Candlemas. Late Jan/early Feb. 2 weeks.
[Cusco] Dia de los Reyes, Jan 6. Peru Pictures

China [Harbin] Ice Lantern fest. All Jan & Feb. Very cold! China Pictures | China Tours

Ecuador [San Lorenzo] Santos Reyes, painted kids. Jan 6.
[Cuenca] New Year, up to Jan 6.

Nepal [Khatmandu Valley] Basant Pancha festival, 1 day. Nepal Pictures | Nepal Tours

Japan [Osaka] Toka Ebisu, Jan 9-11. Japan Pictures | Japan Tours