Introduction
Ah, summer! The perfect time to escape the city and explore the countryside. But where do you go? How about a European festival? These events take place all over Europe throughout the warm-weather months, giving travelers plenty of opportunities to explore new countries and discover hidden treasures along their journey. Of course, there are hundreds of festivals to choose from so we narrowed it down to our absolute favorites:
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is the capital of Austria and it’s the country’s largest city. It has a lot of history and culture, so it’s no wonder that they have festivals all year round! If you’re looking for a European summer festival that has music, dance, drama and opera then Vienna should be your first choice.
The best time to visit Vienna is during July-August because there are many musicals being performed at this time. There are also many museums where you can see artwork from artists like Gustav Klimt who was born in Vienna or Wassily Kandinsky whose paintings were influenced by his time living there as well!
Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao is a city in the Basque region of Spain, known for its architecture and beaches. The city has hosted many festivals throughout its history, including the San Sebastián International Film Festival and several music events.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is one of the most popular attractions in this vibrant port city on Spain’s northern coast. The museum was designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 1997; it features paintings from Pablo Picasso along with sculptures from artists like Alexander Calder and Joan Miro.
Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland and it’s also home to some great festivals. The Lucerne National Theatre Festival (Seespiele) is one of the best, with performances taking place on boats that sail along Lake Lucerne. This festival features everything from ballet to musical theater and even cabaret acts, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
It runs from June through July every year, so be sure to check out this incredible event if you’re visiting Switzerland during those months or plan on staying somewhere nearby like Interlaken or Bernalpina–it won’t disappoint!
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is home to some of Europe’s biggest festivals, and it’s no wonder why. With a long history of hosting events, the city has become a center for art, culture and entertainment in Scotland.
The city’s Hogmanay celebration is one of its most famous events–it’s actually considered one of the biggest festivals in Europe! During this New Year celebration (which takes place on December 31), people gather at midnight along Princes Street to watch as bagpipers march down from Calton Hill while fireworks go off overhead. Afterward they party into the wee hours at various locations across town until morning arrives again with another round of festivities including parades through Edinburgh Castle grounds before heading back down towards Princes Street where they’ll kick off another year by drinking champagne out of plastic cups while watching more fireworks explode over their heads as everyone cheers together joyfully under clear skies full moonlight shining brightly upon all those below who have come together today…
Bergen, Norway
- Bergen International Festival
- Bergen International Jazz Festival
- Bergen International Film Festival
- Bergen International Art Festival
- Bergen International Theatre Festival and more.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It has a rich history, culture and nightlife, making it an ideal place for festivals in the summer. Some of its most notable festivals are listed below:
- Festival NOS Alive (June) – A music festival that attracts some big names to perform on stage such as The Killers, Kings Of Leon, Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys among others.
- Lisbon Pride (June) – A parade held annually since 1997 in honor of gay rights across Europe; it takes place over three days with various events throughout this time period including concerts by international artists like David Guetta or Ellie Goulding at MEO Arena which holds up to 20 000 people per day!
Versailles, France
- Versailles is a town in Yvelines, France, west of Paris. It is the seat of the Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University and home to the Palace of Versailles.
- The chateau at Versailles is famous for its architecture, including its extensive gardens designed by Andre Le Notre (1613-1700), who also designed much of what you see today when you visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many other attractions nearby as well; it’s worth taking some time to explore them all!
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a city on the Adriatic Sea known for its architecture and old town. The festival takes place in July and is a celebration of music, art, dance and theatre.
The 16 Best European Festivals In The Summer
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, and it’s also one of the oldest cities in Europe. It’s located in southwestern Bulgaria, near the country’s border with Greece. Plovdiv has been inhabited since at least 4000 BC and was founded by Thracians as an ancient city called Eumolpia–meaning “honeybee”–which gives you some idea of just how long people have been coming here!
The modern day city is home to more than 250,000 residents and serves as a major economic center for southeastern Europe. It’s got plenty going on when it comes to culture too: Plovdiv has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its many museums and distinctive architecture; there are also plenty of historical monuments worth checking out if you’ve got some spare time on your hands (like these Roman baths).
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a great city to visit in the summer. There are many festivals in Bruges, including a festival of light that takes place in August. The best time to visit Bruges is during this festival because it has fireworks and music, as well as parades with people dressed up as medieval soldiers carrying lanterns.
Lucerne National Theatre Festival (Seespiele), Switzerland (June-August)
Seespiele is a festival of theatre, dance and music held on Lake Lucerne in the summer. It’s been running since 1956 and has become one of Switzerland’s most popular cultural events.
The festival takes place between June and August each year, with performances taking place at venues around Lake Lucerne including several large open-air amphitheatres. Seespiel includes both international stars as well as local talent – there are over 100 shows during its fortnightly season (June 21st-August 18th).
There are so many great European festivals to choose from in the summer.
There are so many great European festivals to choose from in the summer. If you’re looking for a way to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new, here are some suggestions that will be sure to satisfy!
- The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is one of Europe’s largest theater festivals. It runs from August 5th through August 28th this year and features thousands of performances by hundreds of companies from all over the world. The festival offers comedy shows as well as drama productions, dance pieces, cabaret acts and more! You can also find fringe events happening around town throughout most days during the festival period at various pubs or cafes (including some free ones).
- The Venice Biennale has been held since 1895 every two years with an exhibition featuring contemporary art installations curated by different artists each time around–past curators include David Bowie (2016), Ai Weiwei (2014) & Walter De Maria (1980). In 2019 it will run from June 12th through November 24th so there’s plenty of time left if you want to go check it out before then!
Conclusion
There are so many great European festivals to choose from in the summer.
