Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Festivals in Europe

Discover amazing world festivals, events and exhibitions
 
  • 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
  • Skansen Christmas Market 2025, Stockholm, Sweden

    Skansen, Djurgårdsslätten 49–51, 115 21 Stockholm Stockholm, Sweden

    Skansen’s century‑old Christmas Market brings Swedish heritage to life on Djurgården each Friday to Sunday from 28th November to 21st December 2025. Browse handicrafts and local delicacies, then warm up

    Free
  • Helsinki Christmas Market 2025, Finland

    Senaatintori (Senate Square), 00170 Helsinki Helsinki, Finland

    As winter descends, Helsinki shines with festive warmth and Nordic charm. The Finnish capital celebrates Christmas with a perfect balance of calm and joy — where candlelight, sea breeze and

    Free
  • Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt 2025, Nuremberg, Germany

    Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nürnberg Nuremberg, Germany

    Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is the archetypal German Christmas market, set across the historic Hauptmarkt beneath the gothic spires of St Sebaldus. The season opens with the appearance of the Christkind at

    Free
  • Szeged Christmas Festive Weeks 2025, Szeged, Hungary

    Dóm tér, 6720 Szeged Szeged, Hungary

    Szeged’s Festive Weeks unfold beneath the twin towers of the Votive Church on Dóm Square, with additional clusters of stalls at nearby Dugonics and Klauzál squares. Expect handicrafts, street food

    Free
  • Eger Advent 2025, Eger, Hungary

    Dobó István tér, 3300 Eger Eger, Hungary

    Eger’s Dobó Square becomes a warmly lit gathering place each Advent, with stalls, concerts and seasonal flavours set against the backdrop of the castle. With dates confirmed for 2025, it’s

    Free
  • Arras Christmas Market 2025, a Fairytale Festive Experience

    Grand’Place Arras Pas-de-Calais, France

    Every winter, Arras transforms into a glittering Christmas wonderland. Nestled in the Grand’Place, the Arras Christmas Market or Ville de Noël à Arras is one of the largest in Hauts-de-France

    Free
  • Kraków Christmas Market (Rynek Główny) 2025, Kraków, Poland

    Rynek Główny, 31‑042 Kraków Kraków, Poland

    Kraków’s main square hosts one of Poland’s most beloved Christmas markets, with wooden huts set beneath the gothic towers of St Mary’s and the Renaissance Cloth Hall. The 2025 season

    Free
  • Banská Bystrica Christmas Market 2025, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

    Námestie SNP & Námestie Štefana Moysesa, 974 01 Banská Bystrica Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

    Set between colourful townhouses and baroque monuments, Banská Bystrica’s markets occupy two adjoining squares in the pedestrianised centre. Expect Slovak crafts and food, festive concerts and a welcoming, small‑city vibe

    Free
  • Brussels Christmas Market 2025

    Different squares and streets including the Grand Place Brussels, Belgium

    The Brussels Christmas Market is no doubt one of the best in Europe for food and atmosphere. Winter Wonders – as the market is dubbed – runs over two kilometres through the Belgian

    Free
  • Wonderland Lisboa 2025, Lisbon, Portugal

    Parque Eduardo VII Lisbon, Portugal

    Lisbon Portugal is set to dazzle this festive season, with Wonderland Lisboa at the centre of its winter celebrations. From late November to early January, the city transforms into a

    Free
  • Village de Noël de Liège 2025, Liège, Belgium

    Place Saint-Lambert & Place du Marché; 4000 Liège Liège, Belgium

    The much‑loved Village de Noël de Liège takes over Place Saint‑Lambert and Place du Marché with around 200 chalets from November. The city embraces the theme with its own festive

    Free
  • Bled Winter Fairy Tale (Zimska pravljica) 2025, Bled, Slovenia

    Lakeside Promenade (Cesta svobode), 4260 Bled Bled, Slovenia

    The lakeside promenade in Bled becomes a postcard‑perfect festive market, with wooden huts, local delicacies and hot drinks served against a backdrop of the island church and cliff‑top castle. Bled’s

    Free
  • Óbidos Vila Natal 2025, Óbidos, Portugal

    Parque da Cerca (behind Óbidos Castle) Óbidos, Portugal

    Within Óbidos’ castle grounds, Vila Natal creates a family‑focused wonderland of shows, rides and seasonal fun. Expect colourful light installations, Santa’s house and themed play areas, alongside food kiosks and

    Free
  • Poblet de Nadal (Christmas Village) 2025, Andorra la Vella, Andorra

    Plaça del Poble & Centre Històric (core areas of the Christmas Village) Andorra la Vella, Andorra

    Andorra la Vella’s Christmas Village, the ‘Poblet de Nadal’, turns the capital into a festive playground with wooden stalls, family shows and glittering installations. Centred on Plaça del Poble and

    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.