Europe
- France: Protest Advisory | Various protest groups will combine and gather nationwide in France on October 17 to denounce the government. After weeks of ongoing student protests over education conditions and understaffing, the left-wing La France Insoumise group and CGT labor union will hold nationwide protests combining student grievances with public anger over rising costs of living and the government’s draft budget. Combining the student protests, estimated to be drawing over 250,000 young people, with the labor movement will cause more severe disruptions throughout France. Road closures and an increased security presence are expected in all major French cities. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests on October 17 and monitor local media for updates on duration, turnout, and magnitude. Practice increased situational awareness, and leave any area at the first sign of unrest.
- Rome, Italy: Protest Advisory | Over 100 groups, including La Via Maestra, Rete Italiana Pace E Disarmo, and the Italian General Confederation of Labour, will hold a march on October 17 titled “Together on the Main Road”. The march will begin at 1:30 PM at Piazza Della Repubblica and end at Piazza Del Popolo at roughly 5:00 PM. The march is in support of reforms to education, taxes, healthcare, and employment. The exact turnout is unknown, though prior protests have ranged from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand participants. The march is also in support of reduced military spending and increased peaceful international policy. Strict security is expected, with vehicle blockades and heavily armed police along the march route. The protest is expected to remain peaceful. Travel disruptions are likely, with road closures diverting vehicle and bus traffic, as well as increasing pressure on metro service. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the march and seek alternative travel routes. Travelers should monitor local media for updates.
- Brussels, Belgium: Security Advisory | The Council of the European Union will gather in Brussels, Belgium, from October 15-16. The Council, one of seven institutions of the European Union, will meet to discuss Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East, European defense, and more. This meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions in Europe as conflicts in both Iran and Ukraine cause spillover effects in European Union nations. Delegations will be escorted by security services throughout their time in Brussels, with road closures and law enforcement presence likely near the Ministry Building. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to monitor local media for updates on the conference and plan alternate routes to circumvent the Ministry. Maintain heightened situational awareness and comply with all law enforcement directives.
- Prague, Czech Republic: Travel Advisory | The Signal Light Festival will occur in Prague, Czech Republic from October 15-18 to display emerging technology capabilities through modern, abstract art. Lighting installations will be displayed in streets, public spaces, and buildings throughout the Prague 1 and Prague 6 districts, and are expected to extend to neighboring municipalities. The festival is the largest cultural event in Prague, and is held annually as a celebration of art and technology. SafeAbroad travelers should expect large crowds and travel delays near busy and main roads, such as Křižovnická, due to the presence of art installations. SafeAbroad travelers should comply with all law enforcement directives as the event is taking place.
Americas
- Guatemala City, Guatemala: Protest Advisory | Protestors will gather at the Supreme Court in Guatemala City, Guatemala, at 7:00 AM on October 12. Protestors will gather outside the Supreme Court of Justice in Guatemala City before marching to the Casa de Oliverio Castañeda de León, stopping by the Ministry of Interior and the Congress of the Republic. The Committee for Peasant Development, the Highland Peasant Committee, and the National Struggle Front organized these demonstrations to demand more effective measures to reduce the high cost of living. Expect travel delays along their protest route. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations. Travelers should also maintain a high level of situational awareness in public.
- Quito, Ecuador: Travel Advisory | Iron Maiden will give a concert at Atahualpa Olympic on October 14 at 7:00 PM. The band is including Quito on its Run For Your Lives World Tour, which will also travel to other large cities in South America. The capacity of Atahualpa Olympic Stadium is about 35,000, and tickets have almost sold out. Significant travel delays can be expected along the entirety of Quito’s single metro line, but especially at the Centro Inaquito stop near the venue. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to plan for significant delays on the Quito metro line. Maintain enhanced situational awareness when in public.
- Mexico City, Mexico: Travel Advisory | The eighth Feria de los Barrios del Centro Historico will take place at Plaza Santo Domingo in Mexico City’s historic center from October 14-18. The free event will run daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and feature food, music, dance, crafts, traditional trades, and cultural activities. Expected turnout has not been announced, however past editions have drawn in thousands. The event is expected to generate increased pedestrian activity and localized traffic congestion. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow additional time when traveling through the area and should stay vigilant when in crowded areas.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Security Advisory | From October 14-15, the Bero-American Forum on Competition, or Autoridad Nacional de la Competencia, will take place downtown at the National Commission for the Protection of Competition, hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Competition Forum. This meeting focuses on the enforcement of justice, cartels, and related topics. With high-profile speakers and officials, such as the president of OECD, and government officals, in attendance, expect heightened security in Retiro. Travelers should allow extra time in case of traffic disruptions in Retiro. Because Retiro is a gateway to central downtown Buenos Aires, travelers should stay cautious of blocked buildings and avenues if security measures are in place. A large security presence is expected; follow all local directives.
Asia & Pacific
- Bangkok, Thailand: Security Advisory | The annual International Monetary Fund & World Bank meeting will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12 to 18. The conference will host finance ministers, central bank governors, company executives, academics, and civil society representatives. A heightened law enforcement presence around the building and activity associated with event logistics are expected. Thailand has previously designated certain areas as ‘protest zones’ when hosting national and global events, and may do so for this conference as well. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the area around the conference. Comply with official directives. Monitor local news and social media for information about potential protest activity.
- Sydney, Australia: Travel Advisory | 10 Rugby World Cup games will be held in Sydney, Australia, between October 15 and November 8. All games will be held throughout the day in the Commbank and Allianz Stadiums, which hold over 30,000 people. Large crowds and travel delays will not be coordinated with usual traffic flow patterns for the city. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to monitor the official Rugby World Cup website for the time and location of each game and plan transit accordingly.
- India: Travel Advisory | Public celebrations of the major Hindu festival, Durga Puja, will begin on October 16 across several states in India. The holiday is a celebration of the Goddess Durga, and is mainly observed in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, and Tripura. It is also celebrated in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Kashmir, Karnataka, and Kerala. Celebrations in New Delhi are usually led by its Bengali communities. Festivities will include music, food, and local celebrations, and will be held in places like Chittaranjan Park and the New Delhi Kali Bari Temple. Expect crowds and localized traffic. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to monitor local news for updates on celebratory events and locations, and plan travel routes accordingly.
- Hong Kong, China: Travel Advisory | The Chung Yeung Festival will be observed on October 18, when large numbers of residents traditionally visit cemeteries to pay respects to ancestors. Authorities will implement extensive traffic restrictions around cemetery areas across Hong Kong, including Chai Wan, Aberdeen, Tseung Kwan O, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Wo Hop Shek, and parts of Lantau. Some restrictions will also be in effect on October 17 and 19, with the most extensive closures scheduled for October 18. Expect increased crowds, road closures, and localized public transport disruption near affected areas. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow additional travel time and use public transportation where possible.
Africa & Middle East
- South Africa: Protest Advisory I The “March and March” anti-immigration demonstration is expected to occur on October 15 throughout Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban. The protesters are calling for employment opportunities for local citizens, stricter border controls, and enforcement of immigration laws. Official times and expected numbers have not been announced, but previous similar protests have drawn thousands. Thousands of demonstrators are expected to march toward department and municipal buildings, causing heavy traffic jams, road closures, and elevated police presence. Official routes have yet to be published. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the protest and seek alternative travel routes. Travelers should monitor local media for updates.
- El Jadida, Morocco: Security Advisory | The Salon du Cheval will be hosted at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Park in El Jadida, Morocco, from October 13-18. The 17th annual Salon du Cheval will draw approximately 150,000 attendees, 700 riders, and over 1,100 horses. The event features the 5-star CSI5*W Grand Prix of Jumping, the Grand Prix of Tbourida with traditional gunpowder displays, breed championship cups, evening equestrian art shows on October 16-17, and scientific conferences. Large crowds and heightened security deployments will be maintained across the complex throughout the week to manage visitor volume and high-profile competitions. Monitor local media for daily schedules.Travelers are advised to expect large crowds and transportation delays near the complex. Plan transportation and accommodations in advance and monitor local media for updates.
- Johannesburg, South Africa: Security Advisory | The Fak’ugesi African Digital and Innovation Festival will take place from October 13-17 at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Johannesburg, South Africa. This sprawling digital arts and innovation hub unites hundreds of gaming developers, creative technologists, and digital artists under one roof, resulting in high-density indoor and outdoor attendance. The significant scale of localized crowds within the urban tech area naturally elevates congestion risks and creates a target environment for opportunistic crimes within large crowds. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain heightened situational awareness and coordinate private, reliable transportation when arriving or departing the tech area. Travelers should also strictly avoid carrying unnecessary valuables, keep active digital electronics stored securely, and remain vigilant against pickpocketing in crowded exhibit halls.
- Casablanca, Morocco: Travel Advisory | The Biennale Euro-Africa 2026 will be held in Anfa Park, Casablanca, Morocco from October 15-18; expect localized disruptions. The exhibition will showcase the intersection of culture between Europe and Africa, and will feature concerts, art installations, instructive workshops, movie screenings, and a block party. The exhibition is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM on October 15 and end at 9:00 PM on October 18; some nightly events and after-parties are scheduled to last until 2:00 AM. Turnout of the exhibition is currently unconfirmed, but previous editions of the Biennale in different venues drew up to 70,000 spectators. Expect crowds in and around Anfa Park for the duration of the exhibition, as well as an increased security presence. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to plan alternate routes around Anfa Park if not attending the exhibition. Plan transportation in advance and expect traffic congestion near Anfa Park for the duration of the event. Remain vigilant in large crowds.
