European Festivals and Events Month by Month
The multitude and variety of festivals on offer in Europe have long provided a trail for Aussies keen on living it up after a few months work in London, or just on a short visit to one particular festival. While there’s plenty on any time of year, the majority of the popular festivals light up over summer.
A popular option is a Contiki or Top Deck tour that takes in one or two of the following festivals. Busabout’s hop on hop off service is also a popular way to get to festival towns over summer. Doing it by yourself is just as easy (as long as you book early) and will leave you with more options should you want to stay after the carnival is over.
Check out the guides we have written for La Tomatina and Oktoberfest..there’s video, maps and heaps of info on getting there and around.
January
See in the New Year in Edinburgh, Scotland. (www.edinburghshogmanay.com) A festival (29Dec-1 Jan) that will have you enjoying New Years again.
Venice Carnival, Italy (http://www.carnivalofvenice.com/). A massive street party that starts kicks off ten day before Ash Wednesday.
Celebrate a second (Orthodox) Christmas. Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine. January 7th sees massive feasts for those celebrating Orthodox Christmas (or if you just want to celebrate twice).
Febuary
Valentine’s day in Paris, France (http://www.paris.fr/) Celebrate on the 14th of Feb in the world’s most romantic city.
March
St.Patricks Day, Ireland (http://www.stpatricksday.ie/) A massive excuse for a drink, with parades and frivolity in the name of the countries patron saint.
Las Fallas, Spain. In mid March, a 7 day party in Valencia, drinking, fireworks, dancing.
April
Queen’s birthday, Amsterdam. Held on the 30th April, over a million pack the streets to celebrate the Monarchs birthday. It’s Amsterdam; less flag waving and lamingtons. Think strret performers, bands, booze and good times.
May
Fes Festival, Fes, Morocco (http://www.fesffestival.com/) Just a short hop from London in late May is a 10 day world music festival in one of the world’s more interesting cities.
June/July
Athens Festival, Greece. A more civilised series of events than some on this list; an opera, ballet and classical music feast with events from mid June to November.
Glastonbury music festival, England (http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/) One of the world’s busiest, best and possibly muddiest music festivals, usually in late June.
Roskilde music festival, Denmark (http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/). Alternative music festival with funk, soul, reggae, grunge, rock. Growing every year. Early July.
Bastille Day, France (http://www.paris.fr/) On July 14 a country wide celebration of the nations independence centred in Paris with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.
Love Parade, Germany (http://www.loveparade.net/) A dance music festival once at home in Berlin and now over several cities. Parades, music. Great if you’re still into techno or house music
Run with the bulls, Pamplona, Spain (http://www.sanfermin.com/). A life experience getting chased by raging bulls down narrow streets. A must see!
Baltica festival, Estonia, Lativa and Lithuania. International folk festival held in mid July.
Exit Festival, Novi Sad, Serbia (http://www.exitfest.org/) now one of Europe’s most popular music festivals. Held in a fortress overlooking the Danube river, with stages linked by underground tunnels. Very cool.
Castle Party, Poland. Annual Goth music party held in a castle, of course.
Il Palio, Italy. A cracking horse race held in Sienna in July and August
August
Street Parade, Zurich, Switzerland (http://www.streetparade.ch/) a massive street party and one of the biggest techo parties in Europe
Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland (http://www.edfringe.com/) The world’s best comedy festival held in August.
La Tomatina, Spain. August festival of tomato throwing in the little town of Bunol, near Valencia: check out our guide!!
Notting Hill Carnival, England (http://www.thecarnival.tv/) Held in London in the last weekend of August its one of the world’s biggest street parties.
September
The Northern lights (September – October), Finland, Norway and Sweden. Most will leave at least a week to catch this fleeting night time lightshow, one of nature’s finest.
Oktoberfest, Munich Germany, The famously loose beer drinkin fest that actually starts in late September. Check out our guide!!
October
The cows come home, Switzerland and Austria. In early October local herds of cows, decorated with bells and ribbons, are led down from high pastures, cheered on by locals (??).
November
Guy Fawkes, England. November 5th sees a celebration with bonfires and fireworks to celebrate the failed attempt to blow up British parliament.
December
Christmas. A white Christmas will make the hardships of travelling around Europe this time of year worthwhile. London usually has more snow in February, but a trip to Prague might be the most picture perfect Christmas in Europe (though I’m half Czech and a little bias).
