Top Events around Europe

The twinkly lights and cosy ambience of Europe’s Christmas markets provide the perfect antidote to cold, dark winter days. Berlin, Prague, Salzburg and Budapest host some of the largest and most renowned festivities at this time of year, but there are many charming alternatives to be found in cities such as Ljubljana, Krakow, Copenhagen and Reykjavik.

As the evenings become lighter and temperatures start to mellow, there are many fabulous events to be enjoyed across Europe in Spring. The iconic Cannes Film Festival takes place on the French Riviera in the second half of May. Several major sports events are happening, too, including the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, the French Open in Paris, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in Bilbao.

The summer months are when Europe’s music festivals are in full swing, from Primavera Sound in Barcelona and Hideout Festival in Croatia to Mad Cool in Madrid and Sziget Festival in Budapest. This summer will also see two monumental sporting occasions taking place, with Euro 2024 in Germany and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Due to the latter, this year’s edition of the Tour de France won’t finish in the French capital for the first time in 111 editions, instead starting in Florence and ending in Nice.

Early Autumn – typically the last couple of weeks of September and early October – is the season of Oktoberfest in Germany, especially in Munich. Millions of visitors attend each year to drink beer, eat bratwurst sausages, and revel in the jolly singing and dancing for which this event is so renowned. In early October, the Festival of Lights envelops the historic landmarks of Berlin in a spectacular array of colourful displays, while November sees the eclectic Iceland Airwaves music festival taking place in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city. Many Christmas markets also get going towards the end of November, too.

From Greece’s annual Patras Carnival (typically mid-January to mid-February) and the Copenhagen Light Festival (February) to the Venice Biennale art exhibition (20 April to 24 November 2024) and Barcelona’s vivacious La Merce festival (24 September), Europe’s cultural calendar is brimming with extraordinary events all throughout the year.

Cannes may hold the title of Europe’s most famous film festival (traditionally held in the second half of May), but there are many other worthy alternatives for film fanatics to attend. Consider the International Film Festival in Rotterdam (late January to early February), the Berlin International Film Festival (February) and the Venice International Film Festival (late August to early September).

How about a festival dedicated entirely to pizza? Few cities are quite so synonymous with a particular dish as Naples, which hosts the Napoli Pizza Village Festival from 14-23 June 2024. Another of Europe’s top foodie cities, Copenhagen, hosts its own cooking and food festival in the second half of August, featuring a huge variety of markets, workshops and tastings celebrating the best of Danish gastronomy. If a German city break is on your radar – perhaps to Munich or Berlin – then late September and early October are great times to visit, as the annual Oktoberfest celebrations are in full flow. And of course, Europe’s array of Christmas Markets are packed full of culinary delights.

If you’re a sports enthusiast, you’re in for a treat in 2024. From 14 June to 14 July, Germany will host Euro 2024 across 10 cities, including Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. This football bonanza will shortly be followed by the Olympic Games in Paris between 26 July and 11 August, with the Paralympics to follow from 28 August to 8 September. Other major sporting events include Roland Garros in Paris (20 May to 9 June), Wimbledon (1-14 July), The Open at Royal Troon (18-21 July) and the Tour de France, which will start in Florence on 29 June and finish in Nice on 21 July.