Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Festivals in Europe

Discover amazing world festivals, events and exhibitions
 

Turner Prize 2019 at the Turner Contemporary

Margate Rendezvous, Margate, United Kingdom

The prize and the gallery that were both named for artist J M W Turner will be brought together in 2019, when the Turner Contemporary Gallery...

Transgrancanaria 2020, Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain

Fitness fanatics should head to the Canary Islands this February for Transgrancanaria. Held on Gran Canaria since October 2003, the race that will test your levels of endurance. Staged from 4 to 8

CAMRA Derby Winter Ale Festival 2020

Derby Roundhouse Roundhouse Road Pride Park, Derby, United Kingdom

February is the perfect time to visit the city of Derby, regardless of the state of the local football team Derby County’s fortunes. The 16th CAMRA Derby Winter Ale Festival

£3 – £6

Andy Warhol Art at Tate Modern, London

Tate Modern Bankside, London, United Kingdom

London’s first retrospective of Andy Warhol art in almost 20 years has re-opened at the Tate Modern with special measures in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak...

Andy Warhol Art at Tate Modern, London

Tate Modern Bankside, London, United Kingdom

London’s first retrospective of Andy Warhol art in almost 20 years has re-opened at the Tate Modern with special measures in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak...

Festival Verdi 2020, Parma and Busseto, Italy

Parco Ducale Palazzo Ducale, Parma, Italy

To mark its 20th anniversary the Festival Verdi 2020 is taking to the streets of Parma and Busseto in Emilia Romagna, Italy. The festival celebrates the music of Giuseppe Verdi,

Arctic: Culture and Climate at the British Museum

British Museum Great Russell Street, London, United Kingdom

A major new exhibition opened 22 October at the British Museum. Arctic: culture and climate looks at the whole circumpolar region to reveal how its Indigenous Peoples have adapted to

EFG London Jazz Festival, 2020

london London, United Kingdom

A highlight in UK capital’s music calendar, the EFG London Jazz Festival is held each November. This year’s festival pays homage to the Windrush Generation...

Travel Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Travel the world without leaving London by viewing the latest winning images from the international Travel Photographer of the Year awards (TPOTY). From 12 May to 10 June, 160 images will

Free

Whitby Fish and Ships Festival, 2021

Whitby Whitby, United Kingdom

The North Yorkshire town of Whitby is famed for its fabulous fish and chips, that and a nautical traditional that includes Captain Cook. So, why not combine the two together

Cecil Beaton Celebrating Celebrity, Blenheim Palace

Blenhem Palace Woodstock, Oxford, United Kingdom

If you are looking for things to do around and about London, then why not go for a trip to Blenheim Palace this spring or summer. Starting when the interior of the stately home reopens to the public...

Free

The Royal Ballet, 21st Century Choreographers

The Royal Ballet will return to the Royal Opera House in May after a five-month hiatus with a programme to celebrate the best international choreographers – 21st Century Choreographers. It will include works by...

£3 – £90

Interested in Festivals in Europe?

Given the diversity of the continent, it will come as little surprise that there is a breadth and diversity amongst the festivals in Europe celebrated each year. Some of our European Festivals are world-renowned, but others featured in our pages, such as the White Nights Festival in St Petersburg and the Dour Festival in Belgium might need an introduction.

Music Festivals in Europe

Each summer, the whole continent seems to explode into a festival of music, with everyone taking to the outdoors to enjoy the music. One of the largest and most popular European music festivals is the Sziget Festival in Hungary, held each August. Other events include Tomorrowland Europe, Pukkelpop in Belgium and Zurich Tanzt, a celebration of music and dance. If you are a fan of jazz, then Jazz Brugge or Vinterjazz in Copenhagen could be just the ticket for you. Or, why not try the Tallinn Music Week in Estonia?

Beer, Wine and Food Festivals

If you wish to want to avoid the crowds at Oktoberfest then perhaps you should head to Belgium for either the Bruges Beer Festival or Zythos Bier Festival. Wine lovers looking for something a bit different could try the National Wine Day Moldova in the capital city of Chisinau, or for a food festival with a twist then how about the Onion Market in Weimar, in Germany, or Spain’s Gran Festa de la Calçotada, if spring onions are your thing.
Carnivals in Europe
While you might be forgiven for associating the carnival with South America, Europe has many a carnival that predates Rio. One of the oldest is the Venice Carnival, although the Nice Carnival and Cologne Carnival (Fastelovend) are also well worth a visit. Or if you like your carnival descending into a historical food fight then the Battle of Oranges in Italy is a must. Alternatively, try the typically Belgium quirky Carnaval de Binche.

Christmas Markets and Winter Festivals

In the build up to Christmas, most of Europe is a frenzy of Christmas Markets and Winter Festivals. Salzburg Christmas Market provides a typically Austrian take on the festive occasion, while Dresden Christmas Market and Vienna Christmas Market are equally steeped in tradition. Alternatively, if you are not in a festive mood then you can always visit the Amsterdam Lights and watch the capital of the Netherlands major winter festival turn the city on.And don't worry, we haven't forgotten that the UK is part of Europe, as we have a separate page for Festivals in the UK.