A lot has come out of Europe - from delicious food to iconic musical groups. They also gave the world festivals. From movies to beer to food fights, Europe celebrates just about everything. Many travel a long way to experience and attend these events and celebrations, but, let’s face it, Europe has a lot of festivals. With most of them taking place in the summer and in opposite ends of the continent, it’s quite hard to keep up. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best and highly anticipated events in the region. So, take a look and you just might be in town for the most popular festivals in Europe!
1. Oktoberfest - Munich, Germany
Considerably one of the most popular and globally influential festivals to come from Europe, Oktoberfest is a German folk festival that celebrates the Bavarian culture and of course, beer. The festival is one of the largest festivals in the world, drawing crowds of millions of locals and tourists. Celebrations of Oktoberfest include parades, food, music and a lot of beer. Known as ‘The Wiesn’ by locals, festival-goers can expect to indulge in local German cuisine and dance it out to Bavarian-style music, as well as watch and enjoy the festival’s numerous parades.
Oktoberfest
Address: Munich, Germany
Website: Oktoberfest
Takes place: Late September to Early October
2. Carnival of Venice - Venice, Italy
Carnival of Venice is an annual festival that is held in Venice, Italy. Drawing in huge crowds of both tourists and locals, this festival has become one of the biggest celebrations in the whole of Italy. Masks are a prominent aspect of the festival. Called ‘Venetian Masks’, people started wearing these heavily decorated masks as a way to hide any indication of social or class differences, allowing people to solely enjoy one another’s company and have fun. Today, the Carnival of Venice is as strong as ever. With masked and costumed people laughing, dancing and parading through the streets of the city, the carnival turns Venice into a magical and enchanting land.
Carnival of Venice
Address: Venice, Italy
Website: Carnival of Venice
Takes place: February
3. St. Patrick’s Day - Ireland
Originally a religious celebration for Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has now become a global celebration that celebrates all things, Irish. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations usually include street parades and several festival happenings, as well as a lot of green. On this particular day in March, the streets of Ireland are transformed into a sea of green attire and shamrocks. People also indulge in traditional Irish food, such as corned beef and cabbage, and beef and Guinness pie, and enjoy a pint or two of beer at the local pub.
St. Patrick's Day
Takes place: March 17
4. Cannes Film Festival - Cannes, France
The Cannes Film Festival is considered one of the largest and most prestigious international film festivals out there. Held annually in Cannes, France, the festival showcases a number of films from all around the world of all genres. In its history, the Cannes Film Festival has premiered some of the greatest films of all time and have paved the way for a number of famous movie directors. Founded on the principle to showcase masterful cinematic creations, the festivals hold screenings for dozens of selected films, ranging from a number of genres. It serves as a platform to showcase, promote and exchange creativity. The festival also holds public screenings for a selection of films on the beach.
Cannes Film Festival
Address: Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
Website: Cannes Film Festival
Takes place: May
5. Lord Mayor's Show - London, England
Spanning over 800 years, the Lord Mayor’s Show in London is one of best-known annual events in the region. Dating all the way back to the 16th century, the show is an annual parade to welcome and celebrate the new Lord Mayor. It mainly centres around a loud and cheerful street parade that witnesses over 6000 people, with marching bands, dance troupes, floats and military marches. The parade has taken many forms through the years, but today, it is a combination of carnival traditions, British heritage and ceremonial displays. It also includes a festival space that boasts numerous delicious food stalls and live entertainment.
Lord Mayor's Show
Address: London, England
Website: Lord Mayor’s Show
Takes place: November
6. Suma Flamenca Madrid - Madrid, Spain
Every year in June, the delicate art of Flamenco descends upon Madrid and douses the city in passion and intensity, through a festival called Suma Flamenca Madrid. Recognised as one of the finest celebrations of Flamenco in Spain, the festival attracts some of the best Flamenco dancers and performers into the city to showcase the beloved Spanish tradition. Held in various locations throughout Madrid, Suma Flamenca creates a lively atmosphere and reignites locals’ passion for Flamenco. From small neighbourhood theatres to grand art centres, you can catch the Flamenco fever anywhere in the city.
Suma Flamenca Madrid
Address: Madrid, Spain
Takes place: Usually held in June
7. Bristol Harbour Festival - Bristol, England
Beat the English summer’s heat by partying at the 2024 Bristol Harbour Festival, a celebration of the city’s maritime history and culture. Expect the finest entertainment and excitement Bristol has to offer, spanning an expanse of seven different stages and zones.
Jump into the fray, dancing and grinding in party pits for live musical performances. Bring the kids for some memorable entertainment of high-flying acrobatics and fun games at the Circus Playground. Make sure to keep an eye on the River Avon for on-water acts such as jet ski stunts and other activities.
Bristol Harbour Festival
Address: Bristol, England
Website: Bristol Harbour Festival
Takes place: July
8. The Bath Festival - Bath, England
The Bath Festival is a grand event celebrating the beauty and richness of Bath’s literary and music scenes and communities. Established in 1948 and held every early summer, the festival invites and welcomes figures and personalities from all over, including influential writers, musicians, and cultural icons.
The 2024 Bath Festival will be held on May 17 until May 26, promising packed performances at venues all over the city. Libraries and bookstores will host seminars and talks by famous authors, poets, and philosophers. Music halls and churches will be filled by the melodies and tunes of musical performances both from local artists and famous stars. Lovers of both music and books should definitely not miss out.
The Bath Festival
Address: Bath, England
Website: The Bath Festival
Takes place: May
9. La Tomatina Festival - Buñol, Spain
Labelled as the ‘World’s Biggest Food Fight’, the La Tomatina Festival is an annual event where attendees engage in an hour-long war with tomatoes. The festival has grown in popularity, attracting participants from all over the world. After the immensely fun fruit battle, there is also an after-party that’s just as enjoyable as the actual fight. With music, drinks and a lot of dancing, it’s exactly what you need after an intense food fight. Filled with fun and hilarity (and of course, tomatoes), you are guaranteed an experience you will never forget.
La Tomatina Festival
Address: Buñol, Spain
Website: La Tomatina Festival
Takes place: Last Wednesday of August
Price: EUR 25 (USD 27.80) onward
10. Wattolümpiade (Mud Olympics) - Brunsbüttel, Germany
Locally known as ‘Wattolümpiade’, Mud Olympics is an annual sporting event dedicated to helping cancer patients in Germany. The event draws in a significant crowd of both competitors and spectators every single year. Competitions inMud Olympics consists of muddier versions of regular sports, as well as a specific mud-centric sport called sledge racing. Competitors come from all around Germany and other neighbouring countries, such as Denmark, Italy, Belgium and so much more. It’s also a great watch for anyone visiting the area. With fun sports competitions and a great cause, what’s not to love about Germany’s Mud Olympics.
Wattolümpiade (Mud Olympics)
Address: Brunsbüttel, Germany
Website: Wattolümpiade - Mud Olympics
Takes place: July
Price: EUR 5 (USD 5.50)
11. San Fermin - Pamplano, Spain
Considered one of the ‘greatest fiestas’ in the world, San Fermin is a city-wide party filled with good vibes and a lot of fun. The festival includes bullfights, trade fairs, loud music, drinks and a lot of dancing. Bullfights are a popular part of San Fermin. In fact, there is a festival event called the Running of the Bulls, where the public can take part in a race where they run in front of six tamed bulls. Festival-goers also follow a simple dress code consisting of an all-white outfit and a red scarf around your neck. Guaranteed to be one of the greatest parties you’ll ever attend, San Fermin is the one festival you can’t miss.
San Fermin
Address: Pamplano, Spain
Website: San Fermin
Takes place: July
12. Flower Carpet - Brussels, Belgium
Considerably one of the most beautiful festivals in the whole world, everyone should experience Belgium’s Flower Carpet at least once in their life. Dating back to 1971, Flower Carpet is a biennial affair that consists of thousands of beautiful begonias sprawled out in the coveted Grand Place in the Belgian capital, Brussels. Arranged by hundreds of volunteers only within 8 hours, begonias are laid out in a beautiful tapestry of colours and patterns that span 70 metres (230 feet) long and 24 (79 feet) metres wide. Turning the Grand Place into an ethereal display of colours, you’ll definitely stop to smell the roses or in this case, the begonias.
Flower Carpet
Address: Grand Place, Brussels, Belguim
Website: Flower Carpet
Takes place: August
13. Water Jousting - Sète, France
Water jousting is a popular competitive sport in France that keeps audiences on the edge of their seat. Water jousting competitions are held all throughout France, but more commonly seen during the annual St. Louis Festival in the little town of Sète. The sport involves two competitors holding a shield and a lance whilst trying to balance on a platform on the edge of a boat. The objective of the sport is to knock the opponent into the water. Besides water jousting, the St. Louis Festival also includes various street performances that liven the streets and canals of little Sète. So, if you’re looking for a fun time and want to get carried away in an intense competition, this yearly water jousting tournament is just for you.
Water Jousting
Address: Sète, France
Takes place: August
14. Lavender Festival - Provence, France
Known as the ‘lavender capital’ of Southern France, Provence is home to the most beautiful lavender fields you’ll ever see. During the summer, lavender fields are in full bloom and Provence hold fairs and festivals to celebrate the ethereal flower. The lavender festival is a free, all-day celebration that includes several activities and festive practices. Festival-goers can expect to engage in lavender cutting and learn how to distil lavender oil. The festival also includes parades, live music, delicious food stalls, farmers markets and a petting zoo. Truly a wholesome day out for people of all ages, Provence’s lavender festival is worth visiting.
Lavender Festival
Address: Sault, Provence, France
Takes place: August 15
15. Air Guitar World Championship - Oulu, Finland
Every August, hundreds of people flock to Oulu, Finland for the Annual Air Guitar World Championship Contest, where people compete in playing the air guitar. The competition consists of individuals engaging in exaggerated guitar strumming, sometimes coupled with lip-syncing. Competitors travel from all over the world in hopes of being the next Air Guitar Champion. Considered the grandest stage for masters of invisible instruments, this Finnish competitions definitely provides a wonderful platform for self-expression. So, if you’re ever in Oulu in August and looking for a good time, make sure to catch the Air Guitar World Championship.
Air Guitar World Championship
Address: Oulu, Finland
Website: Air Guitar World Championship
Takes place: August
16. Rock im Park - Nuremberg, Germany
The Rock im Park is an annual rock music festival that takes place in Nuremberg, Germany. The festival runs simultaneously with another rock music festival, Rock am Ring. What was planned to be a one-time event soon became a yearly festival that draws in tens of thousands of people. Held every June, this music festival is the perfect place for anyone to let go, enjoy and relish in rock music and fawn over their favourite musicians. Through the years, the festival has gained international success and popularity, and have attracted people from all across the world. So, if you’re looking to have a good time and listen to good music, it’s probably time to head to the Rock im Park festival.
Rock im Park
Address: Campo Zeppelin, Nuremberg, Germany
Website: Rock im Park
Takes place: June
Price: EUR 244 (USD 271)
17. Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival - North Yorkshire, UK [Last event in 2019]
The Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival brings in fun, delicious treats and cheers that’s sure to brighten anyone’s summer. For nine days, the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festivals brings in an army of scarecrows into every crevice of the little English town of Kettlewell. From A-list celebrities to quirky television characters, you can find so many types of scarecrow absolutely everywhere.
Operating for 25 years, this festival brings the community together and allows them to indulge in their creativity. Serving as a great summer’s day for families, the festival also includes bake sales and potlucks put on by members of the community, as well as carnival games and prizes.
Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
Address: Kettlewell, North Yorkshire, England
Website: Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
Takes place: August
18. Golden Retriever Festival - Tomich, Scotland
For all you dog lovers out there, this is for you! Every single year, the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland throws a Golden Retriever Festival, and it is just as amazing as you can imagine. Dubbed as the ‘Guisachan Gathering’, the festival boasts outdoor picnics with local Scottish delicacies, as well as training sessions for the dogs. However, the main event of the festival has got to be the Championship Show, where cheery Golden Retrievers parade around to compete to be the most beautiful of them all. Drawing in hundreds of Golden Retrievers, this festival is truly a dog lover’s paradise. Held in the ancestral home of the wonderful dog breed, you can enjoy the gorgeous scenic views and eat some good food all while playing with cute dogs. Honestly, what’s not to love.
Golden Retriever Festival
Address: Tomich, Scotland
Takes place: July
19. Ultra Europe - Split, Croatia
Considered one of the largest stages for EDM in Europe, Ultra Europe is a highly anticipated EDM festival that brings in people from all across the world. Ultra Europe is a multi-venue music festival that is held in Split, Croatia. Running since 2013, the music festival plays EDM, house and techno music that’s guaranteed to get anyone dancing. Geared with pyrotechnics, smoke cannons and elaborate firework displays, this will be an experience you won’t ever forget. Besides being a music festival, Ultra Europe also hosts a number of beach and boat parties. Truly a party that the entirety of Europe waits for, you won’t want out on this killer music festival.
Ultra Europe
Address: Split, Croatia
Website: Ultra Europe
Takes place: July
Price: EUR 159 (USD 177) onward
20. World Bodypainting Festival - Klagenfurt, Austria
The World Bodypainting Festival or WBF, for short, is an annual festival and competition that showcases and celebrates visual arts and bodypainting. Visitors can view and step into surreal exhibits and presentations that all centre around this unique art form. Whilst artists can enter competitions where they will be given several themes to work on through the festival duration. Established in 1998, WBF was created as a way to promote the visual arts and showcase how the human body can be an art object. WBF served as an important component in the bodypainting movement; it provided artists with a platform to showcase their work. The festival also exposed the public to unconventional art pieces and allowed them to enter a space that encourages creativity and imagination.
World Bodypainting Festival
Address: Klagenfurt, Austria
Website: World Bodypainting Festival
Takes place: July
Price: EUR 22 (USD 25) onward
21. Edinburgh Fringe Festival - Edinburgh, Scotland
Considered the largest art festival in the world, Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a three-week celebration of arts and culture. With over tens of thousands of performers and thousands of shows, there is no better place to explore the arts than through this festival. During the time of the festival, the city of Edinburgh turns into an explosion of arts, with performance on literally every corner you turn. From musical acts to stand-up comedy to magic shows to dance pieces to theatre shows, there are literally thousands of things to watch and revel in during the Fringe Festival.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Address: Edinburgh, Scotland
Website: Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Takes place: August
22. Battle of the Oranges - Ivrea, Italy
Much like La Tomatina Festival in Spain, this event also involves a messy fruit. The Battle of the Oranges is an annual event held in the Northern Italian city of Ivrea, where attendees go into ‘war’ against friends and strangers, all armed with oranges. While it may not be as big as Spain’s La Tomatina, the Battle of Oranges also uses a considerable amount of 'ammunition’, sometimes going over 200,000 kg (500,000 lbs) of oranges per year. During the festival, participants are divided into nine teams and assigned uniforms. Throughout the three-day festival, teams are to attack each other with nothing else but oranges. After the fruitful and considerably exhausting battle, the festival ends with a 'funeral’ for those who have 'fallen’. An actor who plays the General would also bid farewell to the soldiers and hopes to see them in the next battle.
Battle of the Oranges
Address: Ivrea, Italy
Takes place: February and March
23. Maslenitsa - Ukraine
A festival of many names, Maslenitsa is a Slavic religious and folk holiday that involves a lot of food. Also referred to as Butter Week, Crepe Week, Cheesefare Week and Pancake Week, Maslenitsa is celebrated in the week before the Christian holiday of Lent. The week of Maslenitsa is a way for people to indulge in various foods and social activities before going through Lent. However, in older times, the holiday was used to celebrate the end of winter. According to archaeological research, Maslenitsa is the oldest Slavic holiday, with origins dating back to the second century. Besides decadent food, the holiday also entails visiting friends and family, as well as the main rite, where a huge straw effigy is burnt to symbolise the end of winter.
Maslenitsa
Takes place: February to March
24. Glastonbury Festival - Somerset, England
Held annually in the city of Somerset, Glastonbury Festival is a five-day music festival that hosts an array of contemporary musical performances. From musical theatre to dance, this festival has got it all. Glastonbury also invites leading pop and rock artists to perform. Considered one of the biggest events in British culture, Glastonbury Festival brings in hundreds of thousands of people every year. Besides concerts and various musical performances, the festival also raises millions of dollars to help various charity organisations such as Oxfam and Wateraid. So, if you’re looking to jam to some good music while contributing to some worthy causes, this is definitely where you need to be.
Glastonbury Festival
Address: Pilton, Somerset, England
Website: Glastonbury Festival
Takes place: June
Price: GBP 265 (USD 344)
25. New Year in August - Bérchules, Spain
The quaint village of Bérchules in Spain celebrates the new year in August. With music, shiny hats, food, champagne, friends and family, this village’s celebration of New Year is much like anyone else’s. The only difference is that it takes place in the middle of the year, rather than the end. This has been an occurrence since 1994 when the town couldn’t celebrate the holiday due to an unfortunate electricity blackout. In an attempt to compensate for the lost holiday, they moved New Year’s celebration to August and has been celebrating in that manner ever since. Every year in August, Bérchules’ streets go rampant with screams and laughter all ready to ring the new year. With incredible parties and parades under the summer night breeze, nothing can beat New Year in August.
New Year in August
Address: Bérchules, Granada, Spain
Takes place: First week of August
26. Beer Floating Festival - Vantaa, Finland
Locally known as ‘Kaljakellunta’, Beer Floating Festival is an annual summer event where participants float down the Vantaa River on a small raft, equipped with nothing but paddles and beer. Operating since 1997, the festival is an unofficial event put together by members of the community. The event still draws in thousands of participants and has even been adopted by other cities in Finland, and even by Amsterdam. To keep in the theme of the event, Beer Floating Festival has no official route or path. It is simply a relaxing way to spend a rare summer day in Finland. Filled with boats, beers and one another’s company, there’s no better way to spend your summer.
Beer Floating Festival
Address: Vantaa, Finland
Takes place: Last weekend of July or first weekend of August
27. Near Death Festival - As Neves, Spain
Near Death Festival or more locally known as ‘Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme’ is an annual festival to celebrate those who had a near-death experience. Held in the westernmost region in Spain in a town called As Neves, participants would lay in a coffin and pretend to be dead whilst their friends and family would carry them through the streets. While it may be a little morbid to climb into a coffin, this festival is all about the celebration of life. Besides, after the whole ceremony, there is a grand feast that consists of decadent food, cheery music and a whole lot of dancing.
Near Death Festival
Address: As Neves, Spain
Takes place: July 29
28. Psy-Fi Psychedelic Music and Arts Festival - Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Psy-Fi Psychedelic Music and Arts Festival or just Psy-Fi, for short, is an open-air psychedelic music festival held yearly in the Netherlands. The festival includes a concert of DJs and various musical performances, as well as numerous art displays. Truly different from most music festivals, Psy-Fi is all about creating an experience that exudes peace, love and unity among all festival attendees. The first edition of the festival garnered so much success and support from not only the local community but also among international markets. Its success transcended through the years and Psy-Fi continues to be one of the most anticipated music festivals every single year.
Psy-Fi Psychedelic Music and Arts Festival
Address: De Groene Ster Mountsjewei, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Website: Psy-Fi Psychedelic Music and Arts Festival
Takes place: August
Price: EUR 120 (USD 133) onward
29. Zagreb's International Folklore Festival - Zagreb, Croatia
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Zagreb’s International Folklore Festival is an annual festival that celebrates all things Croatian. The festival includes workshops, seminars, performances and concerts that all showcase the diverse culture, rich heritage and various ethnic groups of Croatia. The festival serves as a way to preserve traditional Croatian culture and promote it to the younger generation. Attendees can expect to see parades, an array of musical acts and costumed dance performances done by local communities from various regions in Croatia. Truly an unforgettable experience, be prepared to be taken on a cultural journey like never before.
Zagreb's International Folklore Festival
Address: Zagreb, Croatia
Takes place: July
30. Sziget Festival - Budapest, Hungary
Recognised as one of the largest cultural festivals in Europe, Sziget Festival is a music and cultural festival held in Northern Budapest, Hungary. Labelled as the European counterpart of the US’ Burning Man festival, Sziget features musical acts from a number of different genres - from pop to rock all the way to hip hop. Attracting almost half a million people every year from all corners of the world, Sziget has grown to be one of the biggest festivals in Europe. The festival also has art installations, museums, circus displays and theatre shows, in addition to the concerts. Guaranteed to give you one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life, you will definitely regret not attending the Sziget Festival at least once. So, book that flight, get that ticket and enjoy yourself.
Sziget Festival
Address: Budapest, Hungary
Website: Sziget Festival
Takes place: August
Price: EUR 249 (USD 277) onward
When in Europe...
Europe is known for its rich heritage and culture, and with these festivals, you can see just that. With celebrations for everyone, you can be guaranteed a great time, no matter what you’re into. If it’s beer, food, music or art, there’s a festival for you. So, what are you waiting for? Catch the next flight out and head up to one of these events. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
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