Europe
- London, United Kingdom: Travel Advisory | Unionized bus drivers will conduct recurring strikes across London through October 20 over working conditions during periods of high temperatures. The Unite union organized the action to demand improved air-cooling systems on buses amid concerns about excessive heat in drivers’ cabs. Strikes are scheduled for August 18–21 and 25–28; September 4–5, 7–8, 18–19, and 21–22; and October 2–3, 5–6, 16–17, and 19–20. Each walkout will begin at 4:00 AM and continue until 4:30 AM the following day. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to anticipate recurring public transportation disruptions in London. Travelers should check Transport for London updates before departure, allow additional travel time, and plan alternate transportation during strike periods. Travelers should expect greater disruption on August 18-20 and 25-27 due to concurrent Piccadilly line closures.
- Biddinghuizen, Netherlands: Security Advisory | Lowlands music festival will take place at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen from August 21-23. The large-scale festival is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors, resulting in increased traffic and congestion on roads approaching the festival site and surrounding areas. Travelers should anticipate delays on routes to and from Biddinghuizen, particularly during peak arrival and departure periods. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow additional travel time, consider alternate routes or public transportation where available, and monitor local traffic and festival-organizer updates before traveling.
- Stuttgart, Germany: Travel Advisory | Stuttgarter Weindorf, a multi-week wine festival, will occur in Stuttgart, Germany, from August 20 to September 5. The festival attracts over one million visitors each year and will run from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM from Sunday to Wednesday and 11:30 AM to midnight from Thursday to Saturday. Spanning across Stuttgart’s historic Marktplatz, Schillerplatz, and Kirchstrasse, the event offers guests the chance to sample over 500 different wines from 125 contributing vineyards from the Württemberg and Baden regions. The opening evening on August 20 as well as weekend evenings are expected to draw the biggest crowds, causing U-Bahn and S-Bahn transit networks to experience heightened congestion. SafeAbroad travelers attending the event are advised to avoid driving due to limited and high-cost parking availability. Travelers should ride the U-Bahn light rail to Schlossplatz or Charlottenplatz or take the S-Bahn to Stuttgart Stadtmitte in the early afternoon to avoid peak transit congestion.
- Hasselt, Belgium: Travel Advisory | The Pukkelpop festival will occur in Kiewit, Hasselt, Belgium, from August 20 to 23. The lineup features globally popular artists across the rock, electro, pop, house, hip-hop, indie, and techno genres, attracting approximately 66,000 visitors each day and totalling over 180,000 to 200,000 attendees. Gates to the event open on Thursday, August 20 at 5:00 PM for multi-day and Friday ticket holders and at 11:00 AM from Friday to Sunday, and campsites are open day and night from 9:00 AM on August 20 to 12:00 PM on August 24. The Kempische Steenweg access route, located near the festival site, will be closed to all motorized traffic from 2:00 AM on August 20 to 4:00 PM August 24. SafeAbroad travelers attending the event are advised to arrive by public transportation to Kiewit Station, by bike, or by free shuttle buses from Hasselt station. Travelers not attending the event are advised to avoid the Kempische Steenweg and plan alternate routes in advance.
Americas
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Protest Advisory | The March for Jesus 2026 will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina on August 17 beginning at 2:30 PM. Organizers expect 10,000 to 25,000 people from various faith communities to attend the march, which will begin at Plaza de Mayo and end with a rally at Plaza de dos Congresos. Road closures will be in place along the march route, and heightened security is expected to accompany the event. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to plan alternate travel routes in advance and monitor local media for updates.
- Toronto, Canada: Security Advisory | More than 1.5 million people will attend the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, Canada, between August 21 and September 7. The CNE features performances, games, shopping markets, and the Canadian International Air Show. Road closures and significant congestion on pedestrian walkways and public transportation are expected in the vicinity of the exhibition. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain situational awareness in crowded areas, plan travel arrangements in advance, and expect delays.
- South America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay): Security Advisory | Knockout rounds of South America’s premier club football tournaments, the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, will take place this upcoming week after a postponement due to the earthquake in Colombia. The Copa Libertadores: Round of 16, has its second legs played between August 18–20, featuring major clubs such as Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, and Estudiantes. Additionally, the second legs of the Copa Sudamericana: Round of 16, also fall on August 18–20, involving Atlético Mineiro, Botafogo, São Paulo, and River Plate among others. These matches draw massive, passionate crowds to stadiums in numerous major cities, causing associated road closures and transport surges. Additionally, heavy alcohol consumption, and a heightened risk of crowd disorder and clashes between rival fans and “ultras” are also present in these matches. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to anticipate congestion and road closures around stadiums, avoid rival-supporter gatherings and/or confrontations, secure valuables when in dense crowds, and follow directions from security personnel.
- Bridgetown, Barbados: Security Advisory | CARIFESTA XV: The Caribbean Festival of Arts, opens in Bridgetown, Barbados on August 22 and runs through August 31. The region-wide festival brings together artists and over 2,500 delegates from across the Caribbean. The event features music, theater, visual arts, and cultural events staged at venues across Bridgetown and the rest of the island. The festival draws large crowds, straining accommodation and transport, as well as causing pedestrian congestion at event sites; attendance is usually its highest on the opening weekend. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to anticipate congestion and transport demand around Bridgetown and any other festival venues, book accommodation in advance, secure valuables in dense crowds, and maintain situational awareness in crowded areas.
Asia & Pacific
- South Korea: Security Advisory | The Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise will take place from August 17 to 27 throughout South Korea. Around 18,000 South Korean personnel are expected to participate in the exercises. While U.S forces in Korea stand at 28,500 strong, it is unknown how many personnel will take part in the exercises. Most of the exercises will take place in the Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces and the Pocheon complex near the DMZ. Multi-domain operations against drones, cyberattacks, and GPS disruptions will take part of the exercises. North Korea has denounced the military exercise as pre-invasion preparation and will likely attempt to disrupt the exercises via a missile test. Road closures are likely due to military mobilization from both U.S. and R.O.K military bases. South Korean cyberspace is likely to experience delays due to heavy online military presence attributed to cyber exercises. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all military operation locations throughout South Korea. Travelers are advised to plan their routes in advance and expect delays due to military mobilization.
- Vietnam: Travel Advisory | The 81st Anniversary of the August Revolution, when Ho Chi Minh led the Viet Minh in rebellion against Japanese occupation forces, will be recognized on August 19. Official ceremonies and parades will take place across Vietnam in honor of the holiday. Celebrations will continue throughout until September 2, Vietnam National Day. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to remain sensitive to cultural traditions and public celebrations. Travelers should monitor local media for specific information regarding celebratory events near them and relevant road closures and large gatherings.
- Philippines: Weather Advisory | The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) anticipates that the southwest monsoon will bring moderate to heavy rain across the Philippines through August 23, particularly western and northern Luzon and parts of the Visayas. Following deadly floods and landslides last week, which killed at least 19 people and displaced nearly 95,000, further rainfall will likely worsen flooding and landslide risks in affected areas. The following areas are vulnerable for severe, localized thunderstorms and flash flooding: Benguet, Visayas, Mindanao, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Ilocos, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Calabarzon. SafeAbroad travelers should expect possible road closures and transport delays in affected areas. Travelers should reconfirm routes and anticipate flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and mountainous areas.
- New Delhi, India: Security Advisory| From August 17 to 23, tens of thousands will attend the 30th Badminton World Championships (BMF) at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stage in New Delhi, India. The event welcomed over 350 athletes from 52 countries and attracted around 30,000 spectators across last year’s event period. Increased pedestrian congestion, traffic, and heightened security measures are likely around the venue access points and Mahatma Gandhi Road during peak arrival and departure periods. Additional disruption is likely as public transport increases capacity and demand in Central New Delhi. SafeAbroad travelers should allow additional time for journeys and reconfirm routes in advance. Travelers attending the event should follow directions from event security personnel and monitor local media for updates.
Africa & Middle East
- Durban, South Africa: Protest Advisory | Security forces have tightened security in Durban ahead of planned demonstrations coinciding with the 46th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit on August 17. Anti-immigration and economic protests are expected, with participating groups calling for stricter immigration controls and action against undocumented foreign nationals. Authorities have increased police deployments and warned that disruptive or unlawful activity will face enforcement. Travelers are advised to anticipate an increased security presence, localized road closures, and traffic disruptions near demonstrations and summit-related venues. They should avoid protest areas and allow additional time for travel.
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Travel Advisory | The Esports World Cup is expected to draw significant crowds to Boulevard Riyadh City, on August 17, following more than 3 million physical visitors during the 2025 event. More than 2,500 professional players and club staff participate directly in the multi-week competition. Large crowds and increased activity are expected around tournament venues and surrounding entertainment districts. Travelers are advised to anticipate heavier traffic, increased demand for transportation, and congestion near Boulevard Riyadh City during major matches and events.
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Travel Advisory | From August 18-19 the Middle East Event Show (MEES) will take place in Dubai. The event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center. Thousands of participants across the event and entertainment industry will gather for this two-day event. This event is said to be the biggest in the region, so there will be travel delays and heightened security in the area. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to anticipate travel delays. Travelers should monitor any announcements in the impacted area and expect some road closures.
- Livingstone, Zambia: Travel Advisory | The Economic Commission for Africa will host a consultative NLCS meeting on August 18-19. The conference will draw in representatives from private sectors, academic institutions, and federal sectors. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to anticipate heightened security measures near and surrounding event venues.
