This Winter, Europe Warms Up with Festivals
Experience one or experience them all. From a masquerade ball in Prague to a float-filled carnival in Tuscany, the best way to capture the spirit of a region is to take in their festivals.
Prague’s famous Bohemian Carnival (5 – 16 February) dates back to Medieval times and truly captures the city’s unique spirit. Transform yourself for one of the many masquerade balls or take in the mystical Candelion—Grand Defilé, a nightly lighting of lanterns. You’ll want to save at least one day for the carnival’s famous food feast, the Cuisine d’Alchimiste.
Into something more toe-tapping? Join Director Jamie Cullum at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival (28 April – 3 May). The open-air choral and afro-soul performances at the Imperial Gardens is a feast for your soul that you won’t soon forget.
And if you’re anywhere in Tuscany in early February you don’t want to miss the Burlamacco at Italy’s Viareggio Carnival (31 January and 7, 14, 16, 21 February). You can’t miss the 6-metre Papier-mâché clown when the Viareggio countryside is transformed into a parade of floats during this 135-year-old festival.
This is a mere sampling of the festivities that will be taking over Europe this winter and spring. We have wonderful offers throughout the region to help you start your planning.
More festivals.
Budapest: Spring Festival
19 March – 5 April
Catch an evening of Beethoven or perhaps a Wagner or Strauss Opera at Budapest’s Spring Festival. Visit the site.
Dublin: International Film Festival
18 – 28 February
It’s 11 days and nights of the best and brightest Irish film talent as well as features from across the world. Visit the site.
Florence: ART 2010, The International Handicraft Fair
24 April – 2 May
See what’s new in shapes, materials and colours at the 74th year of this prestigious event. Visit the site.
Hampshire: GoSport & Fareham Festival
2 – 4 April
It’s about more than just the music at the Gosport festival in Fareham. Workshops, dance displays and craft fairs round off a weekend of complete enjoyment. Visit the site.
Lisbon: The Open-Air Book Fair 2010 Parque Eduardo VII
30 April – 17 May
Looking for an out-of-print classic or a little light reading? You’ll find that and more at a book festival that’s been around for more than 75 years. Visit the site.
London: The Banff Mountain Film Festival
3 – 4 February
Adrenaline-seekers unite, this film festival is dedicated to mountain sports, including alpine skiing and kayaking. Visit the site.
Paris: Le Cirque de Demain
28 – 31 January
Catch the rising stars of the circus scene in the 30th edition of this renowned festival. Visit the site.
Prague: One World Festival
10 – 18 March
Film, song and art exhibits are just a sampling of what you’ll find at the One World Festival. Visit the site.
