When travelling in Europe, we can often stumble upon little festivals, celebrations or markets in villages and towns that we weren’t even expecting. With a bit of research, you may be able to arrange it, so your visit coincides with these events heighten your enjoyment.
Below, I will share 9 Unique European Festivals and Celebrations, some well known and others that may surprise you.
We all know of festivals like Oktoberfest in Munich, Carnival in Venice, the Palio horse race in Sienna, the Edinburgh Fringe festival, the running of the bulls in Pamplona and Bastille day in Paris (well, all of France, really). These are just the tip of the Iceberg; somewhere at any time of year, a festival, celebration, or even village market is going on. It does not matter what you are thinking. I am sure there will be a celebration/festival to inspire you.
You can find celebrations including themes around food, drink, animals, plants, a moment in history, a hobby, fetishes or religious remembrances. Don’t hold back, have a look for a festival in the time and destination of your travels; you just may be blown away by something extraordinary.
Just a little bit of digging can go a long way.
When we travel, our travel plans are often dictated by dates; from there, we plan our itinerary; why not research your destinations before you lock in your plan to see if there is a festival to include.
Doing this could be a great way to get you in touch more with the locals and a little bit of history. Festivals and local celebrations are fun and immersive events that could make your holiday even better.
Let’s briefly look at nine unique and maybe lesser-known festivals in Europe to get you dreaming.
Check out these 9 Unique European Festivals and Celebrations
1. Netherlands Ice Sculpture Festival Zwolle, Netherlands
Let’s start with a long-running event.
Zwolle, located in Northeastern Netherlands, is a vibrant historic city with a pretty medieval core. Every year, during the Netherlands Ice Sculpture Festival, artists from all over the world transform the local convention centre (IJsselhallen) into a winter wonderland, enchanting visitors with their fantastic ice and snow creations depicting scenes from various stories.
The event will take place from December 18 2021, to March 6 2022.
2. Altitude Comedy Festival – Mayrhofen, Austria
The lovely Tyrolean ski resort of Mayrhofen becomes home to Altitude Comedy Festival. This one-of-a-kind event combines the adrenaline rush of the ski slopes with some of the biggest comedians in the world.
The world’s No.1 alpine comedy festival, aka the “Funniest Show on Snow”, runs from18 December 2021 to Sunday, March 6 2022.
3. Fête du Citron – Menton, France
Menton, a picturesque coastal town on the French Riviera, hosts the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival). A festival including exhibitions and parades featuring fabulous citrus creations.
Lemon Festival runs from February 12 to 27, 2022.
4. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – Scotland
One of the world’s most famous New Year festivals. Hogmanay sees over 140,000 revellers from all corners of the globe joining the vibrant street parties, concerts, and celebrations held each year on December 31 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
December 31
5. La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
Attending La Tomatina, the world’s largest food fight each summer in Buñol, Spain, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Join around 20,000 of your closest friends on the last Wednesday in August for this messy hour-long food fight.
Last Wednesday in August each year.
6. Fête de la Saint-Loui – Sète, Languedoc, France
Since 1666, the port of Sète, known as the Venice of Languedoc, Sete, hosts water-jousting tournaments on its canals throughout the summer. It’s during its August festival that things go into overdrive.
Standing on a platform on the stern of a boat propelled by oarsmen, the lancers try to knock each other into the water.
The end of August and lasts for six days.
7. Sankt Hans festival, Denamrk
Imagine partying on the northernmost tip of Denmark, where the sun barely sets in June.
A Christian celebration with pagan origins is held each year during Midsummer. Norwegians light large bonfires believed to increase the lands’ fertility and scare off witches.
Sankt Hans highlights include communal singing, bonfires and dancing, a wonderful occasion for families and friends to gather for a picnic, spend a joyful night close to nature, and enjoy the midnight sun.
Each year on June 23
8. Largs Viking Festival – North Ayrshire, United Kingdom
The Battle of Largs in 1263 was the last mainland confrontation between the Scots and the Vikings. The Largs Viking festival kicks off with a parade, complete with pipers and a re-enacted skirmish. The final weekend includes a torchlit procession, a full battle re-creation, longship burning and fireworks.
Saturday, August 27 – Sunday 4th Sept 2022.
9. Sagra dell’uva, Quartu Sant’Elena – Sardinia, Italy
On the middle Saturday, wine-producing families from the whole province turn out in historical costumes to celebrate the grape harvest.
Dating to around 1787, this 10-day festival of Saint Helena is a wonderful affair.
Horses, donkeys or oxen, pull carts decorated with grapes, vines, palm fronds, bells, ribbon, and tinsel. The carts wander along a two-hour route through the town.
A real highlight is the mass giveaway of bunches of home-grown grapes at the end of the parade.
(date not released yet, but likely mid-September)
Final Thoughts
When you Google events in Europe, the list is massive, so make sure you include your travel dates and your destination to keep your search concise.
Another alternative is when at a destination ask your hotel reception or Tourist Information office if there is anything local going on. You may find something going on that is small and low key, but fun, cultural and a wonderful holiday memory. Don’t forget these could include markets, dances, and regular gatherings in pubs, town halls or showgrounds and the like.
