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Beyond its castles, chocolate, and churches, Europe is also home to wild parties, colourful parades, as well as unforgettable festivals! From pink-haired mobs in the Netherlands to tomato fights in Spain, Europe knows how to celebrate with style.
These events will make your Europe holiday really special, whether you are backpacking with friends, planning a romantic honeymoon, or checking off a list of dream places. You can dance, eat, watch fireworks, or listen to music. Set your calendar aside, prepare your best costume, and prepare to join the chaos. So, here are the ten best festivals in Europe which you must experience.
1. Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland in Belgium is an event you cannot miss if you like electronic music. One of the largest EDM festivals in the world, Boom hosts it every July and attracts 400,000 people from more than 200 nations. With more than 15 stages as well as hundreds of internationally renowned DJs, the excitement is unbeatable.
The main stage is redone every year with magical or fairy tale themes. You can enjoy mind-blowing music systems, fireworks, and lights. Moreover, beyond music, Tomorrowland lets you enjoy top-notch production, a wide range of sounds, and a lively crowd that loves electronic dance music as much as you do.
When: July
Where: Boom, Belgium
2. Venice Carnival
One of the most well-known festivals in Europe, the Venice Carnival in Italy skillfully combines festivity and history. It started in 1162 following Venice’s triumph over the Patriarch of Aquileia and is held every February. You can witness street performances, masked parades, and traditional dances in St. Mark’s Square throughout the celebration.
Get dressed up for fancy events, watch costume contests, and listen to live music outside. The highlight is sporting or admiring Venetian masks embellished with gold, feathers, and jewels. Forbidden in 1797, the carnival came back in the 1970s and now has millions of tourists every year.
When: February-March
Where: Venice, Italy
3. Oktoberfest
Germany’s Oktoberfest in Munich is one of the biggest festivals in and one of the best things to do in Europe which expertly merges tradition, cuisine as well as fun. It started in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, but today more than seven million people come to see it every year. At Oktoberfest, you can look around huge beer tents, try six kinds of specially made Munich beer, and eat Bavarian food like pretzels, sausages, roast chicken, and dumplings.
Ride carousels, Ferris wheels, and roller coasters, and watch groups of people dressed up in traditional costumes. Oktoberfest is a party for people of all ages, with live music, games, as well as culture shows.
When: Mid September- October
Where: Munich, Germany
4. La Tomatina
La Tomatina in Buñol, Valencia, is one of the craziest festivals in Europe which mixes chaos, fun, and tradition in a very smooth way. It takes place every August and is the main event of a week-long celebration celebrating the town’s patron saints. To start the battle at 11 AM, you can spot trucks dump over 300,000 pounds of overripe tomatoes.
Then, you can begin crushing tomatoes and throw them in all directions while wearing masks as well as old clothes. Indulge in a paella competition alongside the well-known greased pole challenge for a ham before the battle. After the fight, you can wash up by the river and spend the evening eating, dancing, and listening to music.
When: August
Where: Buñol, Spain
5. Sziget Festival
Budapest’s Sziget Festival is one of the most exciting festivals in Europe which is held on Óbuda Island and perfectly combines music, art, as well as community. It started out as a small meeting of students in 1993 and has grown into a huge six-day event with more than 1,000 shows on 60 stages.
In this festival, you can dance to artists from around the world at ArtFusion Field. Watch theatre and circus shows at FutureGrounds, talk about ideas at PlayGrounds, or play games at FutureGrounds. Fan pits, welcome zones, and green efforts are some of the new features of this festival.
When: August
Where: Budapest, Hungary
6. The Tulip Festival
Holland’s Tulip Festival, one of the most colourful festivals in Europe which beautifully displays the country’s passion for its national flower. Mid-March to mid-May is the time when you can witness the tulip fields in full bloom, as well as attend this annual spring event.
You can explore the 32-acre Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, one of the biggest flower gardens in the world. Observe the famous flower parade, admire the stunning displays, and take part in activities with a floral theme here. You can also see some parts for free, take a guided tour, or explore surrounding fields in Noord-Holland.
When: April 2025 (Exact dates vary depending on bloom)
Where: Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, and surrounding areas in Holland
7. Glastonbury Festival
England’s Glastonbury Festival is one of the most famous festivals in the world. It’s a five-day cultural celebration. Here, you can see global names like Ed Sheeran as well as Radiohead on the famous Pyramid Stage, or see new acts on stages like the John Peel Stage.
In the peaceful Green Fields, you can witness immersive art spaces, unique places like the Underground Rabbit Hole other than attending free classes on yoga or massage. You can buy handmade, ethical goods in the Greencrafts Village or listen to talks about sustainability at the Green Futures Field. Moreover, foodies can relish a diverse range of cuisines from vegan sushi wraps to Spanish churros, Indian dosas, and Canadian poutine.
When: June
Where: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, England
8. Bastille Day
Every year on July 14, France celebrates Bastille Day, also known as La Fête Nationale. As a historic event, it commemorates the 1789 Bastille Day and the 1790 Fête de la Fédération. On this day, the President watches over a big military parade along Paris’s Champs-Élysées.
Around the Eiffel Tower, you can appreciate street dance performances, outdoor music, and fireworks. Attend parties with the locals or unwind in city parks with a picnic. At this bright summer festival, you can also taste traditional French delicacies including baguettes, cheeses, and crepes, all accompanied by wine.
When: July
Where: Paris, France
Also Checkout: Places to Visit in Europe
9. Halloween Festival
One of the most exciting and terrifying festivals in Europe is Halloween in Transylvania, which combines spooky landscapes with Dracula stories. The festival, which is held in October, is held in a mountain cabin among forests and historic castles deep within the Transylvanian Alps.
In addition to dancing at midnight parties and dressing up as a monster, you can follow Dracula’s journey through medieval villages, Bran Castle, and haunting resorts. Explore gothic churches, take part in ghost tours, as well as listen to scary folktales. With foggy mountains and lots of folklore, the atmosphere is both spooky and exciting, making it perfect for thrill-seekers.
When: October-November
Where: Transylvania, Hungary & Romania
10. Pinkpop Festival
Pinkpop is one of the biggest and oldest music festivals in Europe which takes place every summer. Huge numbers of people from all over the world come here to enjoy great music, tasty food, as well as fun activities. The event features music in a variety of genres, including electronic, rock, and pop.
As part of the festival, you can attend live performances by well-known performers including Pearl Jam, Bruno Mars, and the Foo Fighters. Visit food trucks, neighborhood booths, and art exhibits in addition to the concerts. Additionally, you can camp with other fans or stay in hotels in the area.
When: June
Where: Landgraaf, Netherlands
Conclusion
Prepare to party throughout Europe with everything from crazy music festivals and tasty food fairs to flower parades and scary stories. You can meet new people, immerse yourself in culture, dance all night apart from creating lifelong memories. At Europe’s events, you can have a great time whether you’re interested in history, or music. So, get ready to experience the magic and join in on the fun!