Europe
- Birmingham, United Kingdom: Security Advisory | Over 300,000 people will attend the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, United Kingdom, from August 10 to August 16. Most events will take place at Alexander Stadium, while some races will take place on streets near the city center. Authorities will implement heightened security measures, including roadblocks and access controls, around the stadium and along the race routes. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to expect travel delays in central Birmingham and plan travel routes in advance to avoid closed roads.
- Budapest, Hungary: Security Advisory | Sziget Festival will draw approximately 400,000 to 500,000 people to Óbuda Island in Budapest, Hungary, from August 11 to August 15. Sziget Festival is one of Hungary’s largest annual festivals and features musicians, theater shows, art installations, and other cultural events. The influx of visitors is expected to cause considerable strain to local public transportation, as well as increased pedestrian congestion in central Budapest. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain situational awareness in crowded areas, make travel arrangements in advance, and monitor local media for updates.
- Málaga, Spain: Travel Advisory | Roughly 1.5 to 2 million visitors are expected to attend Feria de Málaga in Málaga, Spain, from August 15 to 22, to commemorate Catholic Monarchs’ historic reconquest of the city in 1487. During the festival stretch, daytime fairs will take place throughout the city center from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, predominantly around Calle Marqués de Larios and Plaza de la Constitución, and nighttime fairs will run from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM outside the city center at the primary fairground site Cortijo de Torres. The festivities require no entry fees and will feature traditional flamenco dancing, food stalls, live music, and amusement rides. SafeAbroad travelers should expect road closures and restricted parking throughout old-quarter zones during the day fare, as well as restricted road access throughout Cortijo de Torres after 8:00 PM. Travelers are advised to utilize public buses and allot additional time for travel.
- Salzburg, Austria: Security Advisory | The 2026 UEFA Super Cup will be played in Salzburg on August 12, as Paris Saint-Germain (from France’s Ligue 1) and Aston Villa (from England’s Premier League) meet at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, with kick off scheduled for 8:00 PM. The match is the first major European club event of the season and is contested by the reigning Champions League and Europa League winners. The single-match fixture will draw a large influx of travelling supporters to the city, and bring heightened security, road closures around the stadium, and elevated activity in the city center and nightlife districts before and after the evening kickoff. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to anticipate congestion around the Red Bull Arena and central Salzburg on match day, avoid confrontations between rival fans and “ultras”, secure valuables in crowds, and follow directions from security personnel.
Americas
- Chile and Guatemala City, Guatemala: Travel Advisory | On August 15, Chile and Guatemala both observe Assumption Day, a Catholic holiday that honors the assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into heaven. Across Chile, churches will host special mass ceremonies and processions down city and town streets. The largest mass will be held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago at 11:40 AM. Due to the holiday, schools, businesses, and government offices will close in Chile. Mary is the patron saint of Guatemala City, which will host the Jocotenango Fair from August 13-21 in honor of Assumption Day and a large procession down Simeón Cañas Avenue on August 15. The holiday will result in road closures, large crowds, and increased traffic throughout Chile and in Guatemala City. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to be sensitive to cultural traditions and to expect business and government office closures in Chile. Travelers should allow for additional time for travel on Assumption Day and confirm routes are not impacted by festivities before setting out.
- Ciudad de México, México: Travel Advisory | The 2026 Feria del Mundo will take place from August 11 to August 14 at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus and Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares en Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, México. The festival will run from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily giving ample time for travelers and attendees to explore 35 out of 40 countries’ cultures and food. The main attractions will be in the oldest borough of la Ciudad de Mexico, Coyoacan. Famous for its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and Jardin Centenario, it will attract thousands of attendees. Due to la Ciudad de Mexico’s rampant pickpocketing and theft, heightened security will likely be in place to protect all travelers and attendees. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to be sensitive to the various cultural traditions in attendance throughout the festival. Travelers are advised to maintain enhanced situational awareness while attending the festival and adhere to all security measures in place.
- Montréal, Quebec: Travel Advisory | From August 13 to August 16, the 16th edition of the Orientalys Festival will take place at the Clock Tower Quay in Montreal’s Old Port. The event is a free multicultural festival featuring a variety of concerts and cultural performances that celebrate the traditions of communities from North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and more. Increased pedestrian congestion is anticipated in the Old Port and adjacent Old Montréal streets during peak programming, particularly on weekend evenings. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to be sensitive to traditional practices and allow for additional time when traversing Montréal’s Old Port. Travelers attending the event should maintain heightened situational awareness and monitor local media for updates.
- Colombia: Protest Advisory | Protests are ongoing in Bogota, Cali, and Barranquilla, as Colombia’s newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, begins his first week in office on August 10. Demonstrations were staged both by the outgoing, left-wing Historic Pact coalition and by local counter-protesters during and after the Inauguration on August 7 in Cali. Protests remain peaceful with several thousand attendees across the country and will continue throughout the week contingent on actions taken by President De La Espriella. However, heightened security will remain in place until further notice in Bogota to protect the newly elected President. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protest sites and demonstrations. Travelers should remain vigilant in crowded areas, adhere to security directives, and monitor local media for updates.
Asia & Pacific
- Tokyo and Osaka, Japan: Travel Advisory | The Summer Sonic 2026 will take place from August 14 to August 16, celebrating the festival’s 25th anniversary. Over 330,000 attendees will attend the three-day event, making it the largest edition in the festival’s history. Increased passenger volumes on rail lines serving ZOZO Marine Stadium, Makuhari Messe, and Expo ’70 Commemorative Park are expected, as well as congestion at nearby stations. Authorities are likely to implement heightened security measures, including bag checks, increased police presence, crowd-control barriers, and traffic management. Travelers are advised to allow extra time for transportation, monitor official transit updates, and arrive early for venue entry.
- Australia: Protest Advisory | On August 13, high school and university students nationwide in Australia will take part in a walkout against Pauline Hanson and her One Nation Party. The nationwide protest will see students walk out of class and march to parliament buildings and national landmarks. Some of the locations that will see large crowds gather are the Town Hall in Sydney, the State Library in Melbourne, and the Parliament House in Adelaide. All these locations will see crowds protest outside of them in the early afternoon. This walkout will impact travel and cause heightened security to be placed at many of these locations. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations. Travelers should check routes before setting off and route in travel away from the locations mentioned.
- Japan: Travel Advisory | Japan’s annual Obon holiday travel period is underway through approximately August 16, generating elevated demand for domestic rail, air, and road transportation as residents travel from major cities to their hometowns and vacation destinations. Peak outbound travel is expected around August 8 and August 11-13, with return travel increasing around August 15-16. During the peak period, Nozomi services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen operate entirely with reserved seating, increasing the likelihood of limited same-day availability on major routes connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and western Japan. The travel period also began amid disruption from Typhoon No. 13, which caused hundreds of flight cancellations, particularly affecting Okinawa-related services. Travelers should be advised to reserve rail and air travel in advance, allow additional time at transportation hubs, and reconfirm services before departure.
- Papua, Indonesia: Security Advisory | Increased security force deployments and operations are expected across Papua, Indonesia, over the coming weeks following the reported killing of five roadworkers by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), an insurgent group fighting for the independence of Western New Guinea from Indonesia. The attack comes amid ongoing militant activity targeting individuals accused of supporting the Indonesian government, with authorities expected to intensify counter-insurgency operations in Tolikara, Yahukimo, and nearby areas. Security operations and militant activity are likely to cause local travel disruptions, particularly around infrastructure projects, government facilities, and remote areas of Central and Highland Papua. Travelers are strongly advised not to travel to high-risk areas of Central and Highland Papua and maintain extreme caution elsewhere in the region.
Africa & Middle East
- Lusaka, Zambia: Security Advisory | Zambia will hold presidential, parliamentary, and local elections on August 13, with polls open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and more than 8 million registered voters expected to participate. President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking re-election amid political debate over the cost of living, constitutional reforms, and governance. Election rallies, polling activity, and the subsequent vote-counting period may prompt heightened security, localized demonstrations, roadblocks, and congestion near polling stations, government buildings, and party offices, particularly in Lusaka and other major urban centers. Travelers should avoid political gatherings and polling locations, anticipate delays around central government districts, and monitor local media as results are announced.
- Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco: Travel Advisory | The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will reach its final stages during the week, with semifinals in Rabat on August 12, World Cup qualification playoffs in Casablanca on August 13, the third-place match on August 15, and the final at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat at 8:00 PM on August 16. The expanded tournament features 16 national teams and represents one of Africa’s largest women’s sporting events. Heavy spectator traffic, increased police deployments, security screening, and congestion are expected around stadiums and major transportation corridors, particularly in Rabat during the final. Travelers should anticipate crowded rail services between Casablanca and Rabat, heavier demand for taxis and accommodations, and localized road restrictions around stadium precincts.
- Durban, South Africa: Security Advisory | South Africa will host the 46th Southern African Development Community Summit in Durban from August 16-17, culminating in the Heads of State and Government summit at the Durban International Convention Centre on August 17. Preparatory meetings begin earlier, including the SADC Council of Ministers from August 12-14, meaning delegations and security operations will build throughout the reporting week. Regional presidents, ministers, diplomatic delegations, and security details are expected to attend, likely prompting heightened police deployments, motorcade-related road closures, temporary access restrictions, and congestion around the ICC, central Durban, major hotels, and routes connecting the city with King Shaka International Airport (DUR). The summit will also occur against continuing tensions over migration and recent anti-immigrant mobilization in South Africa, adding a potential protest dimension.
- Homa County, Kenya: Protest Advisory | The Linda Mwananchi movement, a prominent opposition group to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, will hold a rally on August 16th in Homa County, Kenya. The duration and turnout are unconfirmed but previous rallies by the movement have drawn large crowds and resulted in heightened security measures. Potential clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement may prompt the use of crowd control measures and incidental risks are likely in the case of unrest. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations. Travelers should plan alternative routes and follow all official directives.
