Europe
- Barcelona, Spain: Travel Advisory | Football rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will compete in Barcelona, Spain on October 25 at 9:00 PM. The teams will play at Camp Nou and are expected to draw tens of thousand visiting fans to the stadium. Anticipate a heavy police presence around the stadium given the large crowds and the rivals’ tension. Crowding and traffic surrounding the stadium is expected in the hours leading up to and after the game. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow for extra travel time if going through the surrounding area, and expect crowding on public transport. Stay alert for pickpockets on transit and in crowds.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: Security Advisory | On October 21 the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) will kick off across various venues in Amsterdam, Netherlands, drawing an anticipated record turnout of 500,000 global electronic music fans. This event is scheduled to take place throughout the week of October 21. Large crowds, high density at nightlife venues, and heavy pressure on local transit systems is expected. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain heightened situational awareness, keep a close eye on personal belongings to prevent pickpocketing, and pre-plan all late-night transportation routes back to their accommodations.
- Vienna, Austria: Travel Advisory | The Viennale Film Festival will occur in Vienna, Austria, from October 22 to November 3; expect large crowds and travel disruptions. The Viennale Film Festival serves as a platform that premieres over 300 new films to a wide variety of audiences. The majority of the new films will be shown at various theaters in Vienna’s Historic Center. Guest speakers are expected to attend different film showings and conduct audience discussions. Expect large crowds and heightened security in the Vienna Historic Center. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to exercise caution when traveling throughout the Historic Center. Comply with all law enforcement directives. If traveling within or near the Historic Center via train or bus, expect travel delays and large crowds.
- Paris, France: Protest Advisory | Truckers and coach drivers will plan a major road blockade in Paris, France, on October 26; expect significant gridlock and disruptions. The OTRE transport federation and the FAI (Fédération des Autocaristes Indépendants) will organize the protest to denounce rising fuel costs and demand direct fiscal aid and fuel subsidies from the government. Truckers may conduct Opération Escargot protests, driving hundreds of trucks at 10-`20 km/h across major highways toward Paris, creating traffic congestion and long delays. Organizers have warned that protests may involve slow-moving truck convoys, rolling blockades, and logistics chokepoints in and around Paris, causing major traffic delays that could persist for several days beyond October 21. Travelers are advised to avoid traveling near The Boulevard Périphérique, and plan commuter time accordingly. Monitor local media for updates and information on changes to routes.
Americas
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Protest Advisory | A new wave of student and faculty protests will occur at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) from October 19, after recent negotiations between union officials and the Milei administration failed to reach an agreement on fair wage increases for university faculty. The protests are being organized by the Association of Professors of the University of Buenos Aires (ADUBA) and the Association of UBA Staff (APUBA). Events are planned on and nearby various UBA campuses, with a different department or speciality striking for 24 hours. The Faculty of Agronomy will protest on October 19. Students and staff from several medical schools and clinics within the UBA network will also protest, with members of the Alfredo Lanari Institute and Cetrán Vaccarezza Institute striking on October 20, the Angel H. Roffo Oncology Clinic on October 21, and the Hospital de Clínicas ‘José de San Martín’ on October 22. These protests are a continuation of organized events from late September, which led to traffic disruptions across the city and sporadic clashes with police. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the protests and seek alternative routes. Travelers should monitor local media and UBA sources for updates on disruptions to travel, classes, medical appointments, and other information.
- San Jose, Costa Rica: Protesr Advisory | Costa Rica’s five public universities have called for the “Great National March in Defense of Education” to occur in San Jose on October 20. This march is to protest proposed 2027 budget cuts to higher education funding. The University of Costa Rica has officially authorized students and faculty to join, suspending certain activities to facilitate greater participation. The marches will have two official starting points: one at the University of Costa Rica entrance, and one at the Fuente de la Hispanidad in San Pedro, to start at 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM respectively. The demonstrators will march towards the Plaza de la Democracia, in front of the Legislative Assembly building. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests. Expect traffic congestion, road closures, and general disruption along the protest route. Allow for extra travel time around San Jose on October 20.
- Mexico City, Mexico: Protest Advisory | Protestors will gather in Mexico City on October 21 to demand higher wages and the dismissal of a union leader. Members of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguaro Social (IMSS), the Mexican social security office, are demanding a 10% wage increase, better working conditions, and the dismissal of National Union of Social Security Workers general secretary Raphael Olivos. The exact details on the location and turnout for the protest are unknown, but will likely be similar to protests held for the same reasons on October 13. The protest is expected to gather several thousands workers near the Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI and will march to either the IMSS Central Offices or the Palacio Nacional. Travel on streets such as Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Cuauhtémoc, and Avenida Insurgentes will likely be delayed by protestors and congestion. An elevated police presence is expected to limit gridlock and prevent protestors from blockading roadways. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the protests and seek routes to avoid the affected streets. Travelers should monitor local media for updates on travel disruptions and more information on protest events.
- Guatemala: Travel Advisory | Guatemala celebrates Revolution Day annually on October 20. This day celebrated the 1944 revolution that overthrew the dictator Jorge Ubico. The years following saw new democratic procedures, labor rights, and a new constitution. Guatemalans celebrate across the country with ceremonies, demonstrations, and parades, especially concentrated in Guatemala City. There will likely be large gatherings in public areas, educational exhibitions, various union and human right group marches, and public festivities, including fireworks. SafeAbroad travelers should monitor local news sources for the specific events in their area, and make sure to follow all official directives. Exercise increased situational awareness in large crowds. Expect travel delays across the country, including increased traffic and busy public transportation.
Asia & Pacific
- Sydney, Australia: Travel Advisory | The Parramatta Lanes Festival will take place in Sydney, Australia, from October 21 through October 24. The festival will span more than 20 locations across Parramatta’s central business district. It will feature food, music, art, and entertainment drawing in approximately 200,000 attendees. Transport for NSW has announced temporary road closures affecting George Street, Macquarie Street, and Phillip Street. The L4 rail services between Westmead and Parramatta Square will stop from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM on October 21-22 and from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM on October 23-24; replacement buses will be in operation along the affected route. Large crowds are expected to cause road congestion and high demand for public transport SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain situational awareness in large crowds. Travelers should continue to monitor local media for updates on the festival and information on transportation services.
- Kyoto, Japan: Travel Advisory | The Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) and the Kurama Fire Festival will both take place in Kyoto, Japan, on October 22. The Jidai Matsuri is a daytime costume procession of roughly 2,000 participants in historical dress, starting around 12:00 PM at the Kyoto Imperial Palace and ending at Heian Jingu Shrine, with a rain date of October 23. The procession is one of Kyoto’s three major festivals. The Kurama Fire Festival begins at 6:00 PM at Yuki Shrine in the mountain village of Kurama, north of central Kyoto, where participants in traditional dress carry burning pine torches through the village. The festival continues past midnight. Heavy crowds are expected along the Jidai Matsuri route in central Kyoto and in the narrow streets of Kurama, with localized congestion and transport delays. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain situational awareness in dense crowds and keep a safe distance from open flames and torch-bearers.
- Surat Thani, Thailand: Travel Advisory | The Chak Phra Festival will take place in Surat Thani, Thailand, from October 23 through October 31, marking the end of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa on October 26). Provincial authorities have announced a nine-day program, with the main land and river processions on Tuesday, October 27. During the land procession, decorated floats carrying Buddha images are hauled through the streets by ropes held by the crowd. On the Tapi River, wooden barges carrying monks and sacred images are towed slowly by smaller boats, accompanied by music and offerings. Traditional long-boat races will also be held on the Tapi River on one or two days of the festival. Large crowds are expected along riverbanks, particularly on October 27 and on race days. Localised congestion and delays are likely near the waterfront, and the night market that runs concurrently will also be busy. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain situational awareness in dense crowds and near the water.
- Seoul, South Korea: Security Advisory | The Global AI and Digital Summit will be held from October 19 to October 22 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. Organized by the World Bank Group and South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Science, the forum focuses on practical AI applications that may help farmers and small businesses, emphasizing AI implementation in countries with limited infrastructure. Many high-ranking African and Asian government officials, CEOs of various AI companies, and the presidents of multiple international organizations will appear, including the World Bank president, Ajay Banga. A high-security presence is expected around Seoul. Travelers should account for localized traffic disruption near the Grand Hyatt
Africa & Middle East
- South Africa: Protest Advisory | Demonstrators may hold a nationwide strike in South Africa on October 19 to protest high fuel prices. The organizers, Concerned Citizens of South Africa, have called for workers to remain at home and keep students out of school. In Pretoria, participants of the demonstration will march from Church Square to the Union Buildings. Expect traffic disruptions and increased security presence in the area. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid any protest locations and monitor local media for updates.
- Rabat, Morocco: Protest Advisory | Preschool educators are scheduled to demonstrate outside the Parliament building in Rabat, Morocco, on October 19, beginning at 2:00 PM. Organized by the National Coordination for Preschool Education, the demonstration will protest poor working conditions, increased workloads, and inadequate professional protections. Organizers have announced plans for an open-ended sit-in and overnight occupation outside Parliament. Expect increased security presence, crowds, and localized traffic disruptions near Parliament and surrounding streets. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the demonstration area, plan alternate routes, and monitor local media for updates.
- Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey: Security Advisory | Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey, from October 21 to 24 for meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and local business leaders. The visit will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, defense, and security. Heightened law enforcement activity, additional security checkpoints, and localized traffic restrictions are possible near official meeting venues and accommodation facilities. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow additional travel time, exercise increased situational awareness near government buildings and official venues, comply with law enforcement directives, and monitor local media for updates.
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Security Advisory | The Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience will host its third-season opening event on October 24, featuring South African DJ Black Coffee at Dubai Harbour. Previous performances by the artist at the venue reportedly attracted more than 15,000 attendees, and the upcoming event is expected to draw significant crowds. Expect increased pedestrian activity, traffic congestion, and potential transportation delays near Dubai Harbour and surrounding access roads during the evening. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow additional travel time, avoid crowded areas near the venue when possible, and follow instructions from local authorities and event security personnel. Monitor local traffic advisories for updates.
