31 Festivals In Europe To Experience In 2025
Europe, in many ways, is the cultural powerhouse of the Western world. With its many languages, people, and a long and rich history, the continent is the dream place to be for globetrotters. Places such as Paris, Italy, Prague, and Vienna have long been centers of art, music, theatre, and dance. It is no real wonder that festivals in Europe are the world’s largest! Everything from folk art to metal music and modern art to natural beauty is the focus of celebrations in the various European music festivals. With a promise to be bigger and better in the coming year, these festivals will surely blow your minds! Make sure to visit them all. Be it food, music, nature or something entirely different that is your calling, Europe has something for everyone.
Top Festivals In Europe In 2025
It is a great idea to include these 31 famous festivals in your Euro trip itinerary. Here is a list of festivals in Europe 2025 that are literally the best kind of celebration you’ll ever encounter across the continent. You must attend these European festivals at least once in your life.
- The Carnival Of Venice: 14 February to 4 March 2025
- St. Patrick’s Day: 17th March 2025
- Maslenitsa: 24 February – 2 March 2025
- Dutch Carnaval: March 2nd-4th 2025
- Cannes Film Festival: May 13th to 24th, 2025
- Glastonbury Festival: June 25th to 29th 2025
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe: August 1st to 25th 2025
- San Fermin: July 6th to 14th, 2025
- Oktoberfest: September 20th to October 5th 2025
- Rock Im Park: June 6th to 8th, 2025
- Water Jousting: Mid-to-late August 2025
- Klapa Music Festival: July 4th to 6th, 2025
- La Tomatina Festival: 27 August 2025
- The Carnival Of Ivrea: February 9th to 11th, 2025
- Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival: August 9th to 17th, 2025
- Lavender Mob: February 3rd to 15th, 2025
- Feria de Abril: January 30th to February 2nd 2025
- Dead Good Fun: To Be Announced
- Fête des Vendanges: Typically takes place in September or October
- Sziget Festival: August 6th to 11th 2025
- European Pizza Show: November 26th to 27th, 2025
- La Tamborrada: January 20th 2025
- Creamfields: August 21st to 24th 2025
- Up Helly Aa: January 28th 2025
- Amsterdam Light Festival: November 28, 2024 – January 19, 2025
- Dimensions Festival: Most likely in August
- Reading & Leeds Festival: August 21th to 24th 2025
- Bratislava Music Festival: April 24th to 26th 2025
- Tomorrowland: July 18-20 and July 25-27 2025
- Colours of Ostrava: July 16th to 19th 2025
- Sound Waves: July 5th 2025
1. The Carnival Of Venice
If you are looking for famous festivals in Europe featuring elaborate masks, the Carnival of Venice is one of the best festivals in Europe to be a part of. Although the festival has millennium-old roots, the modern version only began in 1979 as an effort to revive the culture of this great city. Today, almost 3 million people attend this 20-day-long biggest festival in Europe in March of endless parties and events across the city. There is a water parade, competitions inspired by old Venetian traditions, a grand ball, and a popularity contest for best mask design.
- Location: Venice, Italy
- Dates: 14 February to 4 March 2025
- Highlights: Traditional mask festival with a grand ball
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2. St. Patrick’s Day
The Day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of the Catholic nation of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has old roots. It is celebrated on 17th March every year as it marks the arrival of Christianity into Ireland and is considered one of the best spring festivals in Europe. Over time, it has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture. Marked most distinctly by the color green of the shamrock, the Feast of Saint Patrick includes parades and other revelries, particularly in Dublin where the Irish Volunteers march. One of the most popular, it is also often called the festival of alcohol as the Lentil prohibitions on alcohol end on this day.
- Date: 17 March 2025
- Highlights: Marks the arrival of Christianity in Ireland
3. Maslenitsa
Maslenitsa is one of the best festivals in Europe and involves religious carnivals from the Slavic traditions of Eastern Europe. Celebrated eight weeks before Eastern Easter, it has been one of the oldest festivals in Europe in March. During the week of the festival, meat, cheese, and other dairy are permitted for Orthodox Christians, the traditions of the festival are centered so much around this relaxation of the ban that the festival is often called the Cheesefare week or the Crepe Week. One of the largest festivals in Europe, the preparation of crepes in this fest creates a buzz all around the town.
- Maslenitsa dates: 24 February – 2 March 2025
- Highlights: Carnival reflecting the Slavic traditions
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4. Dutch Carnaval
Celebrated in the southern regions of the Netherlands, this is one of the largest festivals in Europe, which is marked by its theme of role reversals. Most homes have a grand feast from Saturday through Tuesday, and Bonte Avonden, meetings, balls, and parades are held everywhere in the cities. The Motley Storm, or the D’n Optocht, is the most visible face of one of the largest festivals in Europe in March, with these parades full of colourful floats. There is also a lot of traditional dance and music at various events of the festivals, with Carnaval being one of the foremost dance festivals in Europe. Any tourist caught in its hailstorm will not come out unamazed!
- Location: The Netherlands, particularly the city of Maastricht, Europe
- Dates: March 2nd-4th 2025
- Highlights: Vibrant parades, costumes, live music
5. Cannes Film Festival
Cannes is a small village in France and the site of one of the largest festivals here. A complete by-invitation-only event, Cannes is the world’s premier film festival and witnesses the screening of almost all genres of the most brilliant movies of the year for a select audience. Held at the beautiful Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the festival has swayed the film world’s attention from the Venice Film Festival, which had developed a fascist streak. Every year, the festival also honours the best film with the famous Palm d’Or, which is often regarded as a more prestigious recognition than the Oscars. Owing to its elegance, it is one of the best festivals in the continent of Europe. So, be a part of the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival or International Film Festival in 2025.
- Location: Cannes, France
- Dates: May 13th to 24th 2025
- Highlights: World-renowned film festival
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6. Glastonbury Festival
Of all the famous European music festivals, the Glastonbury Festival has a special place. Held in Somerset, England, since the 1970s, the festival has been a major part of British culture. Prominent pop-act performers in contemporary music are invited to perform and headline. The festival sees as many as 175,000 people in attendance and is the world’s largest greenfield festival. Beyonce, Dave Grohl, U2, Coldplay and almost all other pop stars have performed at the festival, and it is truly one of the most popular music festivals in Europe 2025.
- Location: Near Pilton, Somerset, England
- Dates: June 25th to 29th 2025
- Highlights: Contemporary music and pop dancers
7. Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Called the Fringe, it is among the most essential August festivals in Europe 2025. It is also the world’s largest art festival, and in 2017, it was held over 25 days and had 53,232 performances during 3398 shows spread over 300 venues across the Scottish city. Most events, which cover theatre, dance, cabaret, opera, music, and exhibitions, are not judged so that anyone can participate. The comedy shows during the festival have a higher profile due to the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, which are given to the best shows. The Edinburgh festival is set to be the European performance arts festival in 2025. In 2025, the festival’s theme is ‘The Truth We Seek’. So, get the preparations done with zeal and enthusiasm.
- Location: Edinburgh, Europe
- Dates: August 1st to 25th 2025
- Highlights: Theatre, Dance, Cabaret and opera music
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8. San Fermin
This is one of the more traditional festivals in Europe in July, and it is also a grand festival in the city of Pamplona, Spain. Over the course of the week, almost a million people come to the city to participate in the various festivities such as the San Fermin procession, the strands (when people gather to play the drums, pots, and pans), and the closing sombre ceremony of Pobre De Mi. However, the festival is renowned for the running of the bulls, held at 8 AM from July 7th to 14th. The event is broadcast live on TV, and Spain fixates on matadors for the week.
- Location: Pamplona, Navarre, Spain
- Dates: July 6th to 14th 2025
- Highlights: Running of the bulls
9. Oktoberfest
One of the top festivals of European beer, Oktoberfest Germany is Bavaria’s most crucial period of celebration and one of the top festivals in Europe in September. Mainly held in Munich, Germany, the festival is a folk celebration of Bavarian culture, first instituted in 1810. The city comes to a standstill for much of the festival, with food and beer stalls coming up everywhere. Parades in traditional costumes held by restaurateurs and riflemen are highlights of one of the biggest upcoming festivals in the European continent.
- Location: Theresienwiese
- Dates: September 20th to October 5th 2025
- Highlights: Beer stalls, food and people wearing traditional costumes
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10. Rock Im Park
Set to be one of the most popular European rock festivals 2025, Rock Im Park takes place in Nuremberg and has been headlined by the most famous international rock acts since 1985. Held at Zeppelinfeld, the festival has seen rock legends as David Bowie, Eddie Van Halen, Guns n Roses, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, and Foo Fighters perform here. In combination with the Rock Im Ring, the festival sees a footfall of 150,000 and is one of the upcoming festivals in Europe.
- Location: Zeppelinfeld, Nuremberg, Germany
- Dates: June 6th to 8th 2025
- Highlights: Music festival which has hosted legends like Guns n Roses and David Bowie
11. Water Jousting
This is one of the best summer festivals in Europe, celebrated since 1666, majorly at the port of Sete in the town named the Venice of Languedoc. Celebrating its patron saint in boisterous style, the town stages water jousting tournaments on its canals, which can be seen throughout the summer. However, it is during August that things go overdrive in the region. One of the world’s most popular youth-centric summer festivals, Water Jousting, or Festival de Saint-Louis, is celebrated on a grand scale with 70-plus events, which include street parades, pop-up bars, and concerts.
- Location: Sète, France
- Dates: Mid-to-late August 2025
- Highlights: Street parades, Concerts, Pop-up bars
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12. Klapa Music Festival
The incredible view of the canyon in the background and the Cetina River flowing beside makes an excellent setup for the Klapa Music Festival, one of the traditional European music festivals. This festival brings out the best group of singers who expressively sings at the Capella. Meanwhile, the towns of St. Mihovil and Stjepan Radic squares stage a multi-part style of singing. The love and longing sound hauntingly beautiful as the singers sing in unison during the celebration. It is touted as the most popular festival in Eastern Europe.
- Location: Torino, Italy
- Dates: July 4th to 6th 2025
- Highlights: Music festival held by the riverside
13. La Tomatina Festival
Held in Buñol, La Tomatina is one of the biggest European food festivals. It is all about the food fight, especially involving tomatoes. Tons of over-ripe tomatoes are used in the town streets to smash at each other, and you can surely witness the exciting tinge of red being painted throughout the place. What’s more, it isn’t just the locals; people from all over the world get to participate in this surprisingly messy yet enjoyable festival in Spain, and only 20,000 lucky ones get a ticket to this one! This is one of the most popular European food festivals, and you can learn more about it with this La Tomatina Festival tour guide.
- Location: Buñol, Spain
- Dates: 27 August 2025
- Highlights: The famous tomato smash fight
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14. The Carnival Of Ivrea
The Carnival Of Ivrea, or the Battle of Oranges, is held in Ivrea in Italy in the third week of February. The festival stems from the 19th century when rebellious commoners threw away food the feudal lord had given them. The game now represents a war between the thousands of commoners on the ground and the guards that throw oranges from carriages. It is counted among the weirdest festivals in Europe. This is one of the biggest European food festivals.
- Location: Ivrea, Italy
- Dates: February 9th to 11th 2025
- Highlights: The orange fight among commoners
15. Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
The Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival, which lasts nine days, was first celebrated twenty years ago. Its primary purpose is to raise money for the local school, the village hall, and the church. In Yorkshire Dale village, many straw-stuffed mannequins or scarecrows are put up all across town. Some of them resemble real-life people. Last year, the scarecrows of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were put up. It is one of the biggest and weirdest festivals in Europe.
- Location: Kettlewell, Yorkshire Dales, England
- Dates: August 9th to 17th 2025
- Highlights: Straw-built mannequins or scarecrows installed in the town
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16. Lavender Mob
The lavender mob festival of France begins with a dazzling firework display over the river, followed by a 4-days lavender-themed festival. The festival includes parades, marching bands, boats covered with mauve flowers, and a nightly ball at the city’s main square. It is one of the most famous festivals in Europe. One of the most loved experiences here is the Digne’s lavender festival parade, which has been running since the Second World War. This is one of the most loved festivals in Europe that attracts fun lovers from across the globe.
- Location: France
- Dates: February 3rd to 15th 2025
- Highlights: The beautiful lavender theme
17. Feria de Abril
The Flamenco Fair of Spain is the feast of Saint Matthew that is widely celebrated across the place. It is one of the best festivals in Europe in summer as it is the last big party of the prolonged summer. The festivals showcase electrifying dancing and drinking hours with a fair by night. Apart from shopping and grabbing local delicacies, you can also indulge in traditional horse riding sessions here.
- Location: Seville, Spain
- Dates: January 30th to February 2nd 2025
- Highlights: Famous summer festival with horse riding sessions
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18. Dead Good Fun
This festival makes you witness something entirely different from what you usually see in festivals. The festival is organized in rural Galicia, and the devout Spaniards who survived a near-death experience in the past year are paraded in coffins through the streets. this is one of the traditional European festivals. It is believed to be a thanksgiving procedure of the locals to God and Santa Marta. The coffins are followed by relatives and friends, following the rules of Spanish funerals.
- Location: Europe
- Dates: To Be Announced
- Highlights: Costume contests, Live music performances with a spooky vibe, Themed food and drinks
19. Fête des Vendanges
Fête des Vendanges, or Grape Harvest Festival, is a 10-day Saint Helena festival celebrated since 1787. This is one of the best wine festivals in Europe. On Saturdays, wine-producing families from across the province gather in their historic costumes to celebrate their auspicious grape harvest. You can witness the stunning carts here decorated with grapes, vines, palm fronds, ribbons, tinsel, and bells.
- Location: Various regions of France
- Dates: Typically takes place in September or October, depending on the grape variety and the region’s harvest schedule
- Highlights: Grape harvesting and historic costumes
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20. Sziget Festival
This one is amongst the most exclusive festivals here, and it is known for celebrating folk music from all over Italy. Sziget Festival is flooded with bands, buskers, dance troupes and their electrifying performances. This is a perfect place to celebrate traditional music as you will find all types of native Italian musicians here in Mad for the folk festival.
- Location: Budapest, Hungary
- Dates: August 6th to 11th 2025
- Highlights: Traditional folk music from various regions, Dance troupes
21. European Pizza Show
Join zillions of people on this fine night of September when the village of Naples gears up to make and consume more than 100,000 pizzas of every kind, ranging from 50-odd historic versions, including classics Napoletana, Margherita, and Marinara! No wonder it’s among the best food festivals in the world for pizza lovers! It is, no doubt, one of the most famous cultural festivals in Europe for foodies.
- Location: ExCeL London
- Dates: November 26th to 27th 2025
- Highlights: Culinary techniques, Ingredients
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22. La Tamborrada
La Tamborrada, or Drum Festival is counted among the famous festivals in Spain and is certainly the noisiest one in the country and may even come across as one of the most bizarre yet upcoming music festivals in Europe. But, if you’re a drum lover or have always wanted to try your hands on one, this fiesta will be the best European festival in 2025. Huge parades of men, women, and kids come out on the streets and bash drums throughout the night and day for 24 hours. While one side of this festival has organized processions, the other has free-for-all drum bashing,w hich you can easily join and become part of the fun.
- Location: San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque), Spain
- Dates: January 20th 2025
- Highlights: Drum bashing and Spanish traditions
23. Creamfields
Creamfields is a one-of-a-kind dance music festival series. It was founded and organized by British club promoter Cream. The festival, which began as a one-day festival, is now one of the biggest music festivals in Europe that lasts for four days and even gives camping options to visitors. One of the most prestigious dance festivals on the planet has everything you could ask for, regardless of whatever flavour of electronic music you’re into.
- Location: Cheshire, England
- Dates: August 21st to 24th 2025
- Highlights: Dance festival and camping accommodations
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24. Up Helly Aa
Up Helly Aa is one of the best winter festivals in Europe. The most dazzling fire festival is held in Lerwick, Shetland’s island of Scotland, to celebrate Shetland’s Viking Heritage. It is believed to be one of the European cultural festivals. The festival involves a procession of 1000 costumed guizers and ends with the burning of a Viking longship.
- Location: Lerwick, Shetland
- Date: January 28th 2025
- Highlights: Burning of a replica Viking galley, Torchlit procession
25. Amsterdam Light Festival
During the Amsterdam Light Festival, the city lights up and comes to life with national and international light artists showcasing their work throughout the city centre. Designers and architects make hundreds of submissions, and the selection committee chooses 30 artworks. To see the festival in its best light, you can follow suggested routes for boats, bikes, or walking or make your own way through the installations. The hip and youthful vibe make this one of the most awaited European festivals in 2025.
- Dates: November 28, 2024 – January 19, 2025
- Highlights: Boats/cruises, bikes and walking-through installations
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26. Dimensions Festival
One of the most exciting festivals in Croatia and a grand celebration of music and dance in Croatia, Dimensions Festival is one of the most famous European festivals. The festival happens at the very beautiful Fort Punta Christo, and its excellent experience entices visitors. A kind festival, this one focuses on electronic music and produces a blend of funk, soul, techno, drum and a lot more.
- Location: Croatia (expected)
- Date: Most likely in August
- Highlights: Electronic music, including techno, house, downtempo
27. Reading & Leeds Festival
One of the most popular European music festivals, the Reading & Leeds Festival, is one of the most happening festivals in Leeds. This festival happens annually on the August Bank Holiday weekend. It is all about fun and includes camping and a lot more. If you are planning a summer trip to Leeds, then make sure you attend this one!
- Location: Richfield Avenue in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds
- Dates: August 21th to 24th 2025
- Highlights: Fun activities and camping
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28. Bratislava Music Festival
Chances are that you might have heard about Slovakia, but have you heard about one of the most popular festivals in Europe? Now you might be wondering what we are talking about! Well, we are talking about the Bratislava Music Festival, which is one of the Bratislava Festivals that is known worldwide because it has is the sole representative from Slovakia in the European festivals Association since the year 1973 and has played some of the top foreign and native groups, solo performers, music producers and a lot more.
- Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
- Dates: April 24th to 26th 2025
- Highlights: Music festival featuring solo performers, music producers, and many more
29. Tomorrowland
For the music lovers, Tomorrowland is definitely not a new name. This is one of the largest electronic music festivals which takes place in Belgium. The festival is hosted in Boom, Belgium, which is located 16 kilometres from the south of Antwerp. First organized in 2005, this festival has become an annual tradition visited by people from far and wide.
- Location: De Schorre in Boom, Belgium
- Dates: July 18-20 and July 25-27 2025
- Highlights: Largest electronic music festival
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30. Colours of Ostrava
Colours of Ostrava is a unique concept that brings the contemporary and the classic performers together on one stage,, making it one of the best European festivals. Spread across a dozen unique outdoor and indoor stages, visiting this place will be an extravagant experience. There are around 350 events, which range from various bands, DJs, films and workshops. Additionally, the visitors can also enjoy some easy accommodation options, including camping at the event ground.
- Location: Dolní Vítkovice area
- Dates: July 16th to 19th 2025
- Highlights: Workshops, DJ’s and bands
31. Sound Waves
The iconic TECHNO festival, Sound Waves, is another famous European festival on the surreal Croatian coastline. This “unique European boutique festival” is visited by many music enthusiasts every year. This festival is the perfect reason to enjoy a long weekend amid all the vibrant festive vibes.
- Location: Portugal
- Dates: July 5th 2025
- Highlights: Open-air festival featuring traditions of Croatia
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This list of the upcoming holidays and festivals in Europe 2025 is not exhaustive, and there are many other fiestas that you can take part in. Each one of these festivals in Europe will be a unique experience for you and provide you with unlimited memories. Mark these dates in your calendar and plan a trip to Europe to witness its culture through these lively celebrations!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In Europe
Are there any beer festivals in Europe?
Apart from the Oktoberfest, there are other beer festivals like the Berlin International Beer Festival, Belgian Beer Weekend, Pilsner Fest, and Great British Beer Festival which are quite famous in Europe.
Which are the famous festivals in Europe in October?
Oktoberfest, Pitfork Music Festival, Amsterdam Music Festival are some of the vibrant and famous festivals in Europe in October.
Which is the biggest festival in Europe?
Tomorrowland and Creamfields are two of the biggest music events in Europe where music lovers from all over the world come to enjoy their shared interest for EDM. You can even find the world’s best DJs performing at these events.
Which holidays are celebrated in Europe?
St. Patricks’ Day, Bastille Day, San Gennaro Feast Day, and St John’s Day are some of the holidays celebrated in Europe.
Is Glastonbury the biggest festival in Europe?
In a way, yes. Glastonbury is known to be the biggest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the whole world.
Is Halloween celebrated in Europe?
Yes, it is celebrated in some parts in Europe, though not with as much enthusiasm as in the United States.
What countries in Europe celebrate Halloween?
Some of the best places to celebrate Halloween in Europe are: Corinaldo Amsterdam London Monsters Park Bratislava Dracula Castle Edinburgh
What is the biggest music festival in Europe?
Glastonbury Festival is the biggest greenfield music and performing arts festival in Europe and the world.
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Kanika has 4 years of experience in writing blogs and marketing content for travel. And when she’s not writing, she’s either exploring new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in her camera.
