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.
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
Enjoy the famous Venice Carnival, 30 January – 16 February 2021
Enjoy the most famous carnaval in Europe, Venice Carnival. Dates for 2021; 30 January to 16 February 2021. Check out some tips and info here.
Pyrotechnic Arts Festival Courchevel, France. 11 February – 4 March, 2021
Courchevel invites to the International Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts with gorgeous sound and light shows of fireworks.
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.
Amsterdam Light Festival – 10 December 2020 – 3 January 2021
The Amsterdam Light Festival brightens up the winter visit to the Dutch capital. inspiring light artworks and beautiful installations
Cologne Carnival, Germany, February 2021 Cancelled
Cologne Carnival is known as the "fifth season" in this Rhineland city and the festivities culminate in a big parade on Rose Monday.
Medieval Market in Orihuela, Spain. Last weekend in January
Every year at the last weekend in January, Orihuela hosts a festival which brings back life as is was in the Middle Ages.
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.
Manchester Beer and Cider Festival
Raise a glass or three for the biggest beer festival in Northern England where a tasty selection from breweries in the Greater Manchester area are on offer.
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, 11 – 22 February 2021
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
Sneeuwbal Festival in Utrecht, Netherlands, Saturday 30 January 2021
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.
Sitges Carnival, Spain. 9 – 17 February 2021
Every year, just before the commencement of Lent, the Barcelona-adjacent seaside resort of Sitges goes absolutely crazy with its carnival !!
Snowattack Festival in the Frensh Alps 2 – 7 February 2021
Snowattack is a week-long party in the French Alps. A ski and electronic music festival in one!
Christmas Markets in Tallinn, Estonia
The Christmas Market on Town Hall Square lasts for almost two months and is a must-visit place for everyone coming to Tallinn during the holiday season.
Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival, 11 – 21 February 2021
Berlin International Film Festival "Berlinale" is one of the largest film festivals and most reputable media events. Held every year in February.
Hot Carnivals in Europe
Some of the most famous carnivals in Europe. Nice, Santa Cruz and the big one in Venice of course. Some less known and some going on til later springtime.
Check them out here !
Check them out here !
Carnival in Binche, Belgium 23 – 25 February 2020
In 2003 Binche Carnival was recognized by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”. A unique carnival worth seeing.
Let It Roll Winter, Drum and Bass Festival – Prague, 28 – 29 February 2020
The popular Drum and Bass Festival "Let it Roll" winter session, will again be held in Prague in February
Wild street party at Tenerife Carnival, 19 February – 1 March 2020
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.
Fira de l’Aixada Medieval Festival in Manresa, Spain. 24-25 February 2018
A fair perfect for those intrigued by history, culture and theatrical reenactments. In February, the historic town of Manresa is filled with masters of ancient trade, craftsman, joglars, funambulists, and variant attractions that revive the essence of the 18th century.
Logroño Art Festival “Actual” in January
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