Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Festivals in Europe

Discover amazing world festivals, events and exhibitions
 

Isle of Wight Literary Festival, 2024

Isle of Wight isle of wight, United Kingdom

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival is a major literary event in the south of England, that draws leading writers and thinkers from around the UK. This year, CLARE BALDING, GYLES BRANDRETH,

Cheltenham Literature Festival, 2024

cheltenham 109-111 Bath Road, Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Could there be a more appropriate setting for The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival than the historic Regency spa town of Cheltenham ? Originally held in

Birmingham Comedy Festival 2024

Various Birmingham, United Kingdom

Taking place from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 October 2024, the Birmingham Comedy Festival returns with a stellar line-up of over 150 performances. This award-winning festival promises to deliver an

Ilkley Literature Festival, Yorkshire, 2024

Ilkley Ilkley, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Actors, writers, poets and even a few journos will descend upon the West Yorkshire Victorian spa town of Ilkley in October for the Ilkley Literature Festival, which celebrates its 50th

Malton Harvest Food Lovers Festival 2024

Malton Yorkshire, United Kingdom

The Malton Harvest Food Lovers Festival, an autumnal counterpart to the Spring Food Lovers Festival, celebrates Yorkshire's finest produce and culinary delights, focusing on seasonal autumn offerings. Anticipate a bounty

Free

National Wine Day Moldova Wine Festival

Great National Assembly Square Great National Assembly Square, Chisinau, Moldova, Republic of

The Wine Day Moldova will see hundreds of wines from some 90 producers on display over the two-day Moldova wine festival celebrating the country’s centuries-old winemaking...

Frieze Art Fair London, 2024

The Regent's Park London, United Kingdom

Frieze Art Fair London is one of the most influential contemporary art fairs in the world. It is held in October in The Regent’s Park. It only focuses on living artists and contemporary art....

BFI London Film Festival, UK

london London, United Kingdom

The BFI London Film Festival sponsored by American Express is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world along with alongside the Cannes Film Festival, the Berlinale, Venice International Film Festival. It is held in the UK capital

Derby Folk Festival 2024, Derby, UK

The Old Bell Pub Derby, Derbyshire

This autumn will see Derby buzz with the Derby Folk Festival held in the city centre. Held from 29 September to 1 October, the festival will include a host of folk musicians. The festival is...

The Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival 2024

Settle Settle, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

The Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival held in October is a celebration of Yorkshire cheese and its recent revival. Events include: a 5.5 mile guided walk through the countryside ...

Lincoln Sausage Festival 2024

Lincoln Castle Lincoln Castle, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

October is the month that the merry folk of Lincoln tuck into more than 30,000 bangers at the Lincoln Sausage Festival, held in the glorious setting of the medieval Lincoln

£2

Wildscreen Festival, Bristol, UK, 2024

Bristol Bristol, United Kingdom

Supported by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the Wildscreen Festival is the leading natural world storytelling event. This year marks the 42th anniversary of the biennial festival, with the theme

£81

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.