It was a pleasant coincidence that I booked my trip to Halifax during Canada Day celebrations. I also visited Montreal last year during a fireworks festival that I discovered while searching for things to add to my itinerary. Sometimes celebrations are more of a surprise on trips. 
In 2008, I went with my parents for a few days in Bangkok. I convinced them to meet in Malaysia, but they also wanted at least a short trip to Thailand. When we arrived in Bangkok, we discovered that it was Queen Sirikit’s 76th birthday. We had no idea we’d be in Thailand for a celebration like that, and we were pleasantly surprised.
Has anyone else traveled to country only to find themselves in the midst of a national celebration?
