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.
Enjoy the famous Venice Carnival, 4 – 21 February 2023
Enjoy the most famous carnival in Europe, Venice Carnival.
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 !!
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.
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.
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
Amsterdam 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.
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.
Bruges 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.
Fira 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.
Sneeuwbal 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.
Jorvik 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.
Pyrotechnic 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.
Lemon 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.
The 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.
Carnival 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.
Up 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.
Ivrea 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.
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.
Amsterdam Chocolate festival
With over 700 different flavours of chocolate Chocoa festival in Amsterdam is one of the sweetest festivals in Europe.
Medieval 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.
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.
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".
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
