Oktoberfest to the Olympics: The best European events & festivals to attend in 2024

Best Kept Secret

📍 Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands
🗓️ June 7-9, 2024

Ssshh…can you keep a secret? You’ll not want to once you hear about the Best Kept Secret music festival in the Netherlands. From indie rock to electronic beats to experimental pop, this music festival will help you explore a plethora of music genres. Meet like minded souls, exchange hugs and awes, and enjoy mouth-watering foods, all this while surrounded by beautiful landscapes of nature.

Combo deal you shouldn’t miss: You can buy a weekend inclusive campsite ticket which will give you on-site accommodation, spacious and fully-equipped.

Amsterdam Dance Event

📍 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
🗓️ October 16-20, 2024

Get ready to dance the night away to pulsating electronic music at Amsterdam’s electrifying festival - Amsterdam Dance Event . Currently in its 29th edition, ADE is the ultimate celebration of all things EDM and if 2023 is anything to go by 2024 promises big names, large crowds, and a dance party like no other.

Don’t miss: Watch out for ADE By Day, a daytime programme that transfers Amsterdam into a large pop-up shop with a host of events & activities including studio sessions, hardware workshops, screening, and exhibitions.

Prague Beer Festival

📍 The Holesovice Market, Prague
🗓️ April 12-13, 2024

Raise your mugs and say ‘Na zdraví!’ at the 6th Prague Beer Festival in the Czech Republic. This edition will bring together 50 breweries from 17 countries, who’ll craft and entice you with some of the richest tasting beers, from bitter and malty to citrusy and floral. If you’re a seasoned beer lover or someone who loves to have a good time, Prague Beer Festival is the place to be.

Pro tip: The festival will be completely cashless. Instead you’ll receive a chip on which credit (cash/card) will be charged for beer consumption.

Cannes Film Festival

📍 Cannes, France
🗓️May 14-25, 2024

Lights, camera, action! Step into the glitz and glamor of the silver screen at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in the picturesque French Riviera town of Cannes. It’s true that you can’t attend the main festival unless you’re accredited but don’t be dejected because there are two ways to go about it – get an accreditation or watch a public screening by the beach (at 9:30pm every evening of the festival). Despite how you feel about it, Cannes 2024 will have a much lighter Hollywood presence as compared to last year (remember that time Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, and Scarlett Johansson premiered their movies?) due to the recent writer’s strike (which led to production delays). But, BUT, Cannes 2024 will shine the light on European movies - Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest, which were each nominated for five Oscars.

Don't miss: If you’re early to the venue, you can catch a glimpse of celebrities donned in their glamorous outfits, walking up the iconic red carpet stairway to the entrance of Palais des Festival.

French Open

📍 Roland Garros Stadium, Paris, France
🗓️ May 20 - June 9, 2024

The prestigious tennis tournament – the French Open returns to Roland Garros, Paris. He may have pulled out of plenty of tournaments already, but if Rafael Nadal is back in action by May, then you will want to watch him play. This really might be the last time we’ll see the Clay Court GOAT play in his kingdom. His protege, Carlos Alcaraz is also a treat to watch, but with Nokav Djokovic always around, this one promises to be an exciting one. In the women’s draw, Iga Świątek is the most successful winner in recent times, but with Simona Halep cleared to return, the top spot might just be up for grabs. If this is your first time catching the French Open LIVE, know that there are 20 courts including three stadiums, so get the most out of your French Open trip.

Pro tip: While purchasing tickets, (if available) opt for South and West sides to avoid sun glares.

Tour de France

📍 Across 39 locations in Italy, San Marino, Monaco and France
🗓️ June 29 - July 21, 2024

The 11th edition of Tour de France is set to commence in the historic city of Florence and finish in Nice (at the foot of the French Alps). As the most prestigious cycling event, Tour de France is set to host professional cyclists from all over the world, to test their strength, stamina, and strategy. The route terrain is a mix of hills, mountains, and flat roads.

Game trivia:
• For the first time in history, the event will not finish in Paris due to the Olympic and Paralympic games.
• The defending champion is Jonas Vingegaard and he’ll be competing against some strong riders this season such as: Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic.

Pro-tip: Don’t try to move with the tour, you’ll end up spending half your life in a rental car. Instead, pick key stages to catch (as per research and popularity), such as: stage 4, 9, 14, 19, and 21. Learn all about these stages here.

Nice Jazz Festival

📍 Nice, France
🗓️ July 15-19, 2024

Against the backdrop of the French Riviera, Nice, is the annual Nice Jazz Festival which has virtually featured all of the Jazz greats including Django Reinhardt, Ella Fitzgerald, T-Bone Walker, Louis Armstrong, the French Jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli, and the master that is, Miles Davis. Although the lineup for 2024 is yet to be announced, if 2023 is anything to go by, it’s definitely going to be EXCITING!

Summer Olympics

📍 Paris, France
🗓️ July 26 - August 11, 2024

Sports fans and Paris lovers, mark your calendars because the Olympics are back, after four years. This event brings together the greatest athletes from around the world, for a spectacular show of skill, strength, and sheer determination. Get all the tea about the Olympics and Paris, in this guide.

Game trivia: This year, four new sports are introduced in the Olympics - Breaking, Sport Climbing, Skateboarding, and Surfing.

Paralympic Games

📍 Paris, France
🗓️ August 28 - September 8, 2024

Yet another exciting sporting event for sports enthusiasts around the world – Paralympics in Paris. Witness a thrilling display of athleticism and courage by the extraordinary athletes with disabilities. From wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball to para rowing and para powerlifting, the event promises a display of strength, stamina, and strategy by athletes. Find out more about the events, dates, and venues of the Paralympics in this guide.

Game trivia: The paralympic medal (like the Olympic medal) features an embedded original piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower in the shape of a hexagon with the logo of the games engraved on it.

Kraków Film Festival

📍 Kraków, Poland
🗓️ May 26 - June 2, 2024 (in cinemas) & May 31 - June 16, 2024 (VOD platform)

Cinephiles! The 64th edition of the Kraków Film Festival is here to take you through an immersive experience of storytelling. Over the course of seven days, the festival will showcase about 250 films from Poland and abroad and across special sections like retrospectives, thematic cycles, archive screenings.

Fun trivia: This year, the festival bestows the prestigious Dragon of Dragons award to two luminaries of the film industry: American director Godfrey Reggio and Polish cinematographer Jacek Petrycki.

Athens Jazz Festival

📍 Athens, Greece
🗓️ May 27 - June 2, 2024

Set against the backdrop of the ancient ruins of Athens is a vibrant celebration of contemporary art and technology through music, exhibitions, and interactive installations – the 23rd edition of The Athens Jazz. Set yourself up for a week-long celebration of Athen’s dynamic cultural evolution. #JazzBeThere!

Festive trivia: Entry to the festival is FREE, for both locals and visitors.

Mighty Hoopla

📍 Brockwell Park, London, England
🗓️June 1-2, 2024

If you’re in the mood for a London-style party, Mighty Hoopla is the party to be at. This is a two-day celebration of all things music, fashion, and fun under London’s summer sun! Mighty Hoopla’s 2024 lineup includes Nelly Furtado, Rita Ora, Jessie Ware, En Vogue, Cat Burns and other amazing artists. If you’re in the capital on the first weekend of June, book your Mighty Hoopla tickets NOW and embrace the best of pop, alternative, and queer culture.

Must remember: This is a cashless event and accepts ONLY cards.

Notting Hill Carnival

📍 London, England
🗓️ August 25-26, 2024

Join London’t biggest street party on the streets of Notting Hill, filled with Caribbean colors, music, and flavors. A carnival to celebrate the rich Caribbean culture, the Notting Hill Carnival features elaborate costumes, lively performances, and nurtures a sense of community like nowhere else. If you’re in the capital city during this time, definitely consider attending the Notting Hill Carnival.

Don’t miss: J'ouvert, a traditional festival known as “break day” marks the start of the Notting Hill Carnival, with revelers coming out early in the morning to dance, drink, and cover each other in oil, paint, and powder.

Glastonbury Festival

📍 Somerset, England
🗓️ June 26-30, 2024

The parent of all music festivals - Glastonbury Festival, returns with five-days of contemporary performing arts including music, dance, cabaret, circus, and theater. While the lineup for 2024 is not out yet (it’s released a month before, in May), speculations sure are running wild – from Stevie Wonder and Shania Twain to Madonna and Dua Lipa. Attend the festival, not just for the music but for a wholesome sensory experience – from dancing until dawn, lounging in the sun, to exploiting the various installations on-field. And when in doubt, just wander around, EXPLORE! Each area of the festival has a character of it’s own, so discover your vibe through the five days.

Pro-tips: For the best dusk view, head to Crows Nest and for the best dawn view, head to The Stone Circle. Don’t come to Glastonbury with a notebook full of plans. If you’re focussed on ticking off a list of things to do and artists to see, you are sure to miss out on enjoying the festival as it’s meant to be.

Wimbledon

📍 London, England
🗓️ July 1-14, 2024

Game, set, match! Experience the oldest and most prestigious tennis events in the world - Wimbledon, also known as The Championships, set against the iconic backdrop of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, where the grass is trimmed to an exact height of 8mm for the matches. If this is your first time attending Wimbledon in London, (unless you weren’t able to secure tickets in the public ballot and have to watch it on the television), remember to soak in the game, energy, and experience, because it truly is memorable.

Art Basel

📍 Basel, Switzerland
🗓️ June 13-16, 2024

Said to be the most famous and prestigious art fair in the world, Art Basel, presents galleries from all over the world in this four-day event. 2024 will feature over 250 galleries and more than 4,000 artists, to a broad audience of private collectors, museum directors and curators. Get ready to go to Basel, Switzerland!

Helpful trivia: Art Basel 2024 will be hosted in multiple locations including Basel: Hong Kong (March 28-30, 2024), Paris + par Art Basel (October 18-20, 2024), and Miami Beach (December 6-8, 2024).

Oktoberfest

📍 Munich, Germany
🗓️ September 21 - October 6, 2024

Oktoberfest is a celebration of beer, cuisine, and Bavarian culture! It being the world’s largest beer festival, it draws revelers from around the world, to savor the finest German beers, indulge in Bavarian cuisine and immerse themselves in a spirited celebration of music, dance, and culture. So raise that mug and chug!

Fun trivia: 2024 is the 189th celebration of Oktoberfest in Munich’s Theresienwiese.

UEFA EURO 2024

📍 Multiple cities, Germany
🗓️ June 14 - July 14, 2024

Prepare for the roar of the crowds and the thrill of the pitch as UEFA EURO 2024 dominates the summer in Germany! This will be the ultimate football showdown, featuring Europe's elite national teams vying for the coveted title. With the whole country buzzing, Germany will be alive with festivities and fan zones set up in every host city. Secure your tickets and be part of the epic journey as teams compete for glory on the grand European stage.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on the UEFA website for ticket releases and accommodations, as they might go quickly once they become available.

Berlin Christmas Market

📍 Berlin, Germany
🗓️ November 25 - December 26, 2024

Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s festive season in Berlin (and world over to be fair) and it invites you to indulge in mulled wine, the melodies of carolers, and the charm of traditional handicrafts at the Berlin Christmas market. If you’re in the city, the Christmas market is a must-have experience, boasting of 10 big markets and several smaller ones to enjoy and indulge in.

Don’t miss: All Christmas markets in Berlin are free except for WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt, which charges a €2 admission fee.

Vienna Jazz Festival

📍 Vienna, Austria
🗓️ June 27 - July 21, 2024

Hui! The streets of Vienna are lit with the gathering of jazz enthusiasts and performers from around the world for the Vienna Jazz Festival! From the traditional standards to experimental fusion, allow the Vienna Jazz Festival take you by your hand, to a world filled with charm, dance, and unforgettable memories.

Don't miss: 3/4th of the program is free = three quarters of the 190 concerts.

La Tomatina

📍 Buñol, Spain
🗓️ August 28, 2024

Yet another food fight festival makes it to our list (after the Haro Wine Festival in Haro) and this one’s with tomatoes! The La Tomatina festival in the town of Buñol in Spain is an annual celebration where at 12pm, on the day of the event, a number of trucks haul the bounty of tomatoes to the town center and the fight begins with the firing of water cannons.

Don’t miss: If you’re at the festival, do not miss the Palojabon - which involves climbing up a two-storey high greased-up wooden pole with a Spanish ham at the top. Winner gets to keep the ham.

La Mercè

📍 Barcelona, Spain
🗓️ September 24, 2024

Barcelona is back celebrating its grand festival La Mercè, in honor of its patron saint. Witness the city decked up in colorful festivities, in celebration of Catalan culture and heritage, with music, dance, circus, and street arts. The festival is also an opportunity for many artists (local and overseas) to showcase their latest works.

Don’t miss: La Mercè always ends with traditional fireworks and music display, a burst of light and sounds, which are synonymous with La Mercè and a must-stay-for if you’re in the city.

Haro Wine Festival

📍 Haro, Spain
🗓️ June 29, 2024

Head to the picturesque La Rioja region of Spain to participate in the annual Haro Wine Festival, which includes the famous wine battle ‘Batalla de Vino’. Considered ‘one of the craziest food fights in the world’, using water guns, cups, buckets or just about anything, filled with wine and hurled at the opponent team. It’s a Spanish bucket list experience that you should definitely fulfill.

Must-dos: The traditional outfit for the wine fight is white (tee/trousers/dress) with a red bandana. Wear something that isn't expensive or a favorite because the white won’t be white after all the wine hurling!

Tomorrowland

📍 Boom, Belgium
🗓️ July 19-21, 26-28, 2024

Music, magic, and madness come together at Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium! Celebrating its 20th year in 2024, this is a bucket list experience for ravers and party animals everywhere. Celebrated over two weekends with an expected attendance of over 400.000 People of Tomorrow from over 200 countries.

Don’t miss: DreamVille is home where People of Tomorrow eat, sleep, live, and enjoy their 5-day experience of Tomorrowland.

Ediburgh’s Hogmanay

📍 Edinburgh, Scotland
🗓️ December 30, 2024 - January 1, 2025

As 2024 winds down, the capital city of Scotland welcomes all to witness the spectacular Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, a wild street party which is a must-attend. In Scottish, Hogmanay means the last day of the year and is regarded as the most important Scottish holiday. Join the torchlight procession, marvel at firework displays, and sway to the rhythm of traditional ceilidh dances as you welcome 2025!

Pro tip: The best viewing spots of the midnight fireworks are from Princess Street Gardens.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

📍 Edinburgh, Scotland
🗓️ August 2-26, 2024

Edinburgh welcomes you to the world’s greatest celebrations of arts and culture - Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The city welcomes artists and performers from around the world, who take to venues across the city, showcasing their art through live performances, theater, musicals, opera, exhibitions, and events.

Pro suggestion: Street performers earn their main income from the audiences watching them, so carry cash to drop in their hats.

Sziget Festival

📍 Budapest, Hungary
🗓️ August 7-12, 2024

The magic and mayhem of the Sziget festival is back on the picturesque Óbuda Island, in the heart of Budapest. Headlined by the créme da la créme of the world music industry including Sam Smith, Louis Tomlinson, Four Tet, Becky Hill and others! From pop music to indie bands, Sziget promises something for every music lover. Come, dance, vibe, interact, and indulge – the basics of having a great time at a great party!

Don’t miss: Outside food is not allowed at the Sziget Festival BUT the food inside is delicious, plentiful, and cheap!

Riga Christmas Lights Trail

📍 Riga, Latvia
🗓️ December 1, 2024 - February 5, 2025

The annual Riga Christmas Lights Trail is back during the festive season of Christmas. Visitors can experience Latvian Christmas traditions at the 100 wooden huts selling Latvian handicrafts, foods, and drinks. The city’s streets and squares are illuminated with installations and Christmas trees are installed in the square, complete with decorations and lights. Don’t worry! Christmas in Riga isn’t quiet, there is live music and dance performances happening in the market.

Must-know: Entry to the market is free. The only optional costs would include carousel rides, concerts, snacks and crafts.

Musiktheatertage Wien

📍 Vienna, Austria
🗓️ September 18-28, 2024

Experience the avant-garde of musical theater at Musiktheatertage Wien. This innovative festival showcases contemporary operas, experimental performances, and groundbreaking productions that push the boundaries of traditional theater. With a focus on emerging artists and new works, it's a must-visit for those seeking cutting-edge performances. The festival takes place in various venues across Vienna, allowing visitors to explore the city's rich cultural heritage while enjoying modern artistic expressions.

Must-know: The festival features performances, an international music theatre conference, and a late-night club, promoting artistic networking and audience engagement.

Ankara Film Festival

📍 Ankara, Turkey
🗓️ November 7-15, 2024

Lights, camera, action! Step into the world of Turkish and international cinema at the Ankara Film Festival. Since 1988, this cinematic extravaganza has been showcasing a diverse array of films from both emerging talents and seasoned directors. Don't miss out on the various competitions:

Don't miss out on the various competitions:
🎬 National Feature Film
🎬 National Short Film
🎬 National Documentary Film
Plus, keep an eye out for the experimental and animation categories!