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.
Amsterdam Light Festival. 2 December 2021 – 23 January 2022
The Amsterdam Light Festival brightens up the winter. Over seven weeks of inspiring light artworks and beautiful installations.
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.
Sitges Carnival, Spain. 24 February – 2 March 2022
Every year, just before the commencement of Lent, the Barcelona-adjacent seaside resort of Sitges goes absolutely crazy with its carnival !!
Cologne 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.
Enjoy the famous Venice Carnival, 12 February – 1 March 2022
Enjoy the most famous carnival in Europe, Venice Carnival. Hopefully, back to full celebration again in February 2022.
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.
Medieval Market in Orihuela, Spain. Last weekend in January
Every year at the last weekend in January, Orihuela hosts a Medieval Market and festival that brings back life in the Middle Ages.
Manchester 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.
Pyrotechnic Arts Festival Courchevel, France, 2021 Cancelled
Courchevel invites to the International Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts with gorgeous sound and light shows of fireworks.
Fira de l’Aixada Medieval Festival in Manresa, Spain. 27 – 28 February 2021
In February, the historic town of Manresa is filled with masters of ancient trade and variant attractions that revive the essence of the 18th century.
Sneeuwbal Festival in Utrecht, Netherlands, Saturday 29 January 2022
Sneeuwbal Festival is an apres-ski party with snow-themed fun and takes place each year at the Transwijk Park in Utrecht. House and techno music.
Carnival in Binche, Belgium 27 February – 1 March 2022
Binche Carnival - A unique carnival worth seeing. Recognized by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”.
Up Helly Aa – Viking History in Shetland – 25 January 2022
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
Lemon Festival, Menton, France. February 2021 – Postponed to 2022
Menton Lemon Festival – is now an internationally renowned event, with over 160,000 visitors to a joyful fruity jamboree every year.
The beautiful Carnival in Nice 2021 Postponed to 2022
Carnaval Parades by day and night; Flower Battles; fireworks and the burning of an enormous King and much more and lot of fun, that's Nice Carnival
Amsterdam Chocolate festival – February 2021 Cancelled
With over 700 different flavors of chocolate Chocoa festival in Amsterdam is definitely one of the sweetest festivals in Europe.
Christmas market, the City Hall Berlin 2020 is cancelled
Outside the Red Town Hall in Berlin - A large Christmas market with everything that belongs to it and a nice skating rink and Ferris wheel
Ivrea Historic Carnival – Battle of the Oranges, February 2021 is Cancelled
The battle of oranges with around half a million kilograms of oranges. in Ivrea Italy. A well organized Carnival steeped in history.
Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival, 14 December 2021 – 6 March 2022
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
Jorvik Viking Festival – York, England, February 2022
One of the most atmospheric historical festivals of its kind. Jorvik Viking Festival explores the impact the Viking invasion had on Anglo-Saxon England.
Bruges Beer Festival, 5 – 6 February 2022
More than 70 breweries and over 300 different beers at Bruges beer festival. New beers are launched each year and it attracts over 20,000 visitors
Carnival in Cadiz, Spain
Cadiz, the big city on Andalucia´s Atlantic coast, can proudly claim to have the oldest carnival celebrations on mainland Spain
Barcelona 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
Wild street party at Tenerife Carnival
Tenerife Carnaval is going on in the weeks before Lent begins, so the start date varies each year. Main celebrations are in the capital city, Santa Cruz.
Logroño Art Festival “Actual” in January
More Festivals in Europe Around the Year
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