Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Festivals in Europe

Discover amazing world festivals, events and exhibitions
 
  • Tallinn Christmas Market, Estonia 2025

    Kesklinna linnaosa, Raekoja plats Tallinn, Estonia

    Tallinn Christmas Market runs from 21 November to 28 December in the Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) right in the heart of the medieval lower Old Town of Tallinn. This

    Free
  • Noël à Metz (Christmas Markets Metz) 2025, France

    Places de la République, Saint‑Louis, Saint‑Jacques, d’Armes J‑F Blondel & de la Comédie; 57000 Metz Metz, France

    Noël à Metz delivers one of France’s most inviting Christmas experiences, with chalets and attractions spread across five handsome squares. Shop for hand‑crafted gifts beneath the cathedral’s golden stone, ride

    Free
  • Cluj‑Napoca Christmas Market 2025, Cluj‑Napoca, Romania

    Piața Unirii Cluj‑Napoca, Romania

    Cluj-Napoca Christmas Market Every winter, the Transylvanian city of Cluj-Napoca comes alive with festive cheer as the Cluj-Napoca Christmas Market takes over Piața Unirii (Union Square). Running from late November

    Free
  • Winter Glow (Christmas Markets) 2025, Bruges, Belgium

    Markt & Simon Stevinplein; 8000 Brugge Bruges, Belgium

    Bruges becomes storybook pretty during Winter Glow, with Christmas markets on Markt and Simon Stevinplein and a city‑wide Light Experience Trail. Browse Belgian crafts, sample waffles and hot chocolate, then

    Free
  • Luxembourg Christmas Markets 2025, Luxembourg

    Place d’Armes, Place de Paris, Place de la Constitution & Kinnekswiss; L‑1136 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

    Luxembourg Christmas Markets include Luxembourg City’s Winterlights which strings together several markets and attractions: Wantermaart at Place de la Constitution with a Ferris wheel and rides, food‑focused stalls at Place

    Free
  • Trento Christmas Market 2025, Trento, Italy

    Piazza Fiera & Piazza Battisti Trento, Italy

    Set across Piazza Fiera and Piazza Battisti, Trento’s Christmas Market is one of northern Italy’s most atmospheric. Wooden chalets brim with alpine crafts, locally cured meats and cheeses, and Trentino

    Free
  • Český Krumlov Christmas Market 2025, Český Krumlov, Czechia

    Náměstí Svornosti (Svornosti Square), 381 01 Český Krumlov Český Krumlov, Czechia

    Few towns feel as wintry‑storybook as Český Krumlov. The Christmas Market on Svornosti Square forms the heart of a broader Advent programme that includes carols, concerts and candlelit processions, with

    Free
  • Aosta Marché Vert Noël 2025, Aosta, Italy

    Piazza Chanoux & historic centre sites Aosta, Italy

    Aosta’s Marché Vert Noël transforms Roman‑era streets and squares into a winter village dotted with timber chalets. You’ll find woollens, woodcarving and mountain flavours, along with hot chocolate and mulled

    Free
  • WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt (Berlin) 2025, Berlin, Germany

    Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin Berlin, Germany

    Berlin’s WeihnachtsZauber brings a refined touch to the festive season with artisanal crafts and gourmet kitchens set beneath the domes of the French and German Cathedrals. After a temporary move,

    Free
  • Žilina Christmas Market 2025, Žilina, Slovakia

    Mariánske námestie & Námestie Andreja Hlinku, 010 01 Žilina Žilina, Slovakia

    Žilina’s markets spread across two neighbouring squares in the historic centre, combining crafts and food with a local cultural programme. With everything compact and walkable from the train station, it’s

    Free
  • Advent u Zadru (Zadar Advent) 2025, Zadar, Croatia

    Petar Zoranić Square & surrounding Old Town venues Zadar, Croatia

    Nestled in the historic heart of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the city of Zadar comes alive each winter with the vibrant celebration of Advent u Zadru, a magical seaside Christmas market where holiday

    Free
  • Colmar Christmas Markets – La Magie de Noël 2025, Colmar, France

    Six markets incl. Place des Dominicains, Place de l’Ancienne Douane & Petite Venise; 68000 Colmar Colmar, France

    Colmar’s old town becomes a glowing maze of six themed markets, from gourmet treats near Saint‑Martin to children’s delights in Petite Venise for Colmar Christmas Markets. Illuminated churches and canals

    Free
  • Reims Christmas Market (Marché de Noël) 2025, Reims, France

    Promenades Jean‑Louis Schneiter & city centre; 51100 Reims Reims, France

    Reims Christmas Market is one of France’s biggest markets along the Promenades, a short stroll from the Gothic cathedral. Expect rows of chalets with regional crafts and gourmet treats, plus light

    Free
  • Festive Maribor (Magical December) 2025, Maribor, Slovenia

    Trg Leona Štuklja, 2000 Maribor Maribor, Slovenia

    Slovenia’s second city turns its main squares into a stage for concerts, light installations and a lively Christmas market. Stalls cluster on Trg Leona Štuklja, with more events a short

    Free
  • Bratislava Christmas Market 2025 Slovakia

    Hlavné námestie & Františkánske námestie, 811 01 Bratislava Bratislava, Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

    The Bratislava Christmas Market, held annually in the heart of Slovakia's capital, transforms the historic Main Square (Hlavné námestie) into a festive wonderland. What to Expect at the Bratislava Christmas

    Free
  • Amsterdam Light Festival 2025

    Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands

    The streets and canals of Amsterdam will once more host the tenth Amsterdam Light Festival this winter, from 27 November, 2025 to 18 January, 2026. The theme of the 2025

    Free
  • 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.