The festival spirit in Europe is alive as well over the winter months.
Winter festivals have a charm of their own and work with the cooler temperatures and shorter days.
Below is a selection of what you’ll find happening across Europe in January and February.

Hot Carnivals in Europe – The most popular and some not so well-known.
Some of the most famous carnivals in Europe. Nice, Santa Cruz, the giant Venice Carnival and some lesser-known.
January 29, 2023/by Roger
Enjoy the famous Venice Carnival, 4 – 21 February 2023
Enjoy the most famous carnival in Europe, Venice Carnival.
January 29, 2023/by Roger
Sitges Carnival, Spain. 16 – 22 February 2023
Every year, just before the commencement of Lent, the Barcelona-adjacent seaside resort of Sitges goes crazy with its carnival !!
January 28, 2023/by Roger
Wild street parties at Tenerife Carnival, 17 – 26 February 2023
Tenerife Carnaval main celebrations are in the capital city, Santa Cruz. An extravaganza of dance, colours, lights and music.
January 26, 2023/by Roger
Taste Florence Food Festival, 4 – 6 February 2023
If you love Italian food, it's a good idea to come and explore new tastes and ideas at the Taste Florence food festival.
December 1, 2022/by Roger
Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival, 17 December 2022 – 5 March 2023
Experience the Ice Sculpture Festival in Zwolle, 120 km. from Amsterdam. Over 100 ice and snow sculptures made by the world's best ice artists
November 2, 2022/by RogerAmsterdam Light Festival, 1 December 2022 – 22 January 2023
The Amsterdam Light Festival brightens up the winter. Over seven weeks of inspiring light artworks and beautiful installations.
November 2, 2022/by Roger
Christmas Markets in Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn Christmas Market on Town Hall Square is wonderful to visit for everyone coming to Tallinn during the Christmas season.
November 1, 2022/by RogerBruges Beer Festival, 10 – 11 June 2023
More than 80 breweries and over 500 different beers at the Bruges beer festival, and it attracts over 20,000 visitors.
August 21, 2022/by RogerFira de l’Aixada Medieval Festival, Manresa, Spain. 26 – 27 February 2022
In February, the historic town of Manresa is filled with masters of ancient trade and attractions to revive the essence of the 18th century.
February 11, 2022/by RogerSneeuwbal Festival in Utrecht, Netherlands, Saturday 28 January 2023
Sneeuwbal Festival is an apres-ski party with snow-themed fun each year at the Transwijk Park in Utrecht. House and techno music.
February 6, 2022/by RogerJorvik Viking Festival – York, England, (New Dates) 28 May – 1 June 2022
An atmospheric historical festival. Jorvik Viking Festival explores the impact the Viking invasion had on Anglo-Saxon England.
February 3, 2022/by RogerPyrotechnic Arts Festival Courchevel, France, 10 February – 3 March 2022
Courchevel invites you to the International Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts with gorgeous sound and light shows of fireworks.
February 3, 2022/by RogerLemon Festival, Menton, France. 12 – 27 February 2022
Menton Lemon Festival – is now an internationally renowned event, with over 160,000 visitors to a joyful fruity festival every year.
February 2, 2022/by RogerThe beautiful Carnival in Nice 11 – 27 February 2022
Nice Carnival with Parades by day and night. Flower Battles, fireworks, the burning of an enormous King and much more, and a lot of fun.
February 2, 2022/by RogerCarnival in Cadiz, Spain. 2 – 12 June 2022
Cadiz, the big city on Andalucia´s Atlantic coast, can proudly claim to have the oldest carnival celebrations on mainland Spain.
February 2, 2022/by RogerUp Helly Aa – Viking History in Shetland – 31 January 2023
One of Europe's largest fire and Viking festivals, Up Helly Aa, has run almost every year since 1880 in Shetland the last Tuesday of January.
January 29, 2022/by RogerIvrea Historic Carnival – Battle of the Oranges, February 2022 is Cancelled
The battle of oranges with around half a million kilograms of oranges in Ivrea, Italy. A well-organized Carnival steeped in history.
January 28, 2022/by RogerManchester Beer and Cider Festival
Due to the situation with the pandemic, Manchester Beer and Cider Festival has been cancelled, and some new events are held.
January 21, 2022/by RogerAmsterdam Chocolate festival
With over 700 different flavours of chocolate Chocoa festival in Amsterdam is one of the sweetest festivals in Europe.
January 14, 2022/by RogerMedieval Market in Orihuela, Spain. The first weekend in February.
Every year at the last weekend in January, Orihuela hosts a Medieval Market and festival that brings back life in the Middle Ages.
January 12, 2022/by RogerCologne Carnival, Germany, 24 February – 2 March 2022
Cologne Carnival is known as the "fifth season" in this Rhineland city, and the festivities culminate in a big parade on Rose Monday.
April 28, 2021/by Roger
Carnival in Binche, Belgium 27 February – 1 March 2022 (Cancelled)
Binche Carnival is a unique carnival worth seeing. UNESCO recognizes it as a "masterpiece of humanity's oral and intangible heritage".
January 3, 2021/by RogerBarcelona NYE – New Years Evening in Barcelona
Spending New Year’s Evening in Barcelona is a great option and experience. Enjoy the street NYE celebrations at Plaça d’Espanya and later in the clubs
July 9, 2020/by Roger