What's On In Europe This Summer?
Our Summary of European Events & Festivals
July
The Montreux Jazz Festival on the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland makes the perfect place to chill out with some great music. Over the same period the Istanbul International Jazz Festival takes place in the exotic Turkish capital.
The Tour de France winds its way across the beautiful French countryside towards a finale in Paris.
Pamplona is the place to run with the bulls, and every year thousands do. The Festival of San Fermin runs for nine days.
British Formula 1 Grand Prix - Silverstone, England.
Berlin's Love Parade is one of Europe's biggest street parties, an outdoor rave that attracts over 1 million participants.
German Formula 1 Grand Prix - Hockenheim, Germany.
August
Amsterdam Pride celebrates all that is unique about the Amsterdam lifestyle. Prudes beware.
The Geneva Summer Festival is a hugely popular international festival of the arts - also expect funfairs, techno events, comedy, cabaret, fashion food...
The best athletes in Europe gather for the European Athletic Championships during August.
Siena's medieval horse race - the Il Palio di Siena - in the magnificent central piazza of this ancient town lasts just a couple of minutes, but is eagerly anticpated all year.
The Hossegor Rip Curl Pro surfing event (Hossegor, France) is a beach-side, sun and surf carnival like few others.
The biggest food fight in the world - La Tomatina - takes place in Bunyol, Spain as thousands descend to throw truckloads of tomatoes at each other. Why? No-one knows...
Cyprus' Festival of Ancient Greek Drama features re-enactments of ancient dramas and comedies in the Odeon at Pafos.
September
Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps.
The Fetes Des Vendages in Pessac-Leognan (France) signals the beginning of the harvest season, and kicks things off with plenty of food, music, and - of course - wine.
Ferrari return to theirspiritual homeland for the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monza.
For a taste of culture, the St Wencelas Sacred Music Festival is held throughout Prague's spectacular churches.
Bonn hosts over two week's of celebrations in honour of Germany's most-famous composer - Beethoven - in the International Beethoven Festival.
Barcelona comes even more alive as La Merced (the national holiday of Catalunya) is celebrated in a variety of ways.
October
The Northern Lights start to strut their stuff from October, and can be seen in northern regions until March. Some of the most spectacular (natural) displays of illumination, the Lights can be seen on cloudless nights in northern parts of the UK.
Oktoberfest is held from the last week of September, finishing up in the second week of October. The best way to quench your thirst German-style.
O Grove Seafood Festival in O Gove, Spain is a quasi-religious celebration of seafood and the traditions of the sea.
The annual Matchmaking Festival takes place in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland. Music, food, races, single drunk people...
Sample some great beer at the Antwerp Beer Festival in Belgium.
The Corsica Wind Festival is a unique celebration of nature, the spirit of adventure, and freedom of expression.
The Alba Truffle Festival in Italy celebrates the delicacy known as 'white diamonds' with food, drink, and of course a few truffles.
November
The ski season in Europe kicks off in November, with plenty of snow forecast and some great deals available.
Awakening of the Hoppeditz is Dusseldorf, Germany's main carnival.
The Cannabis Cup is Amsterdam's 'Academy Awards' for those that partake in a little bit of the 'happy baccy'. Another flimsy excuse for a huge party...
Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany is one of the world's premier Christmas market celebrations. The main square is a winter wonderland of food, colour, and mulled wine.
December
The Escalade in Geneva features music, bonfires, and mulled wine. Cuddle up lake-side.
The Tivoli Christmas Season in Denmark features Santa, markets, illuminations, and just a bit of alcohol as well.
25th - Christmas, we presume.
31st - Hogmanay!
More Information
Check out What's On When or general travel sites such as Rough Guide, Fodors, and Lonely Planet.
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