Martinstag (St. Martin’s Day) is a beloved autumn festival celebrated across Germany, Austria, and parts of Central Europe on November 11th, honoring Saint Martin of Tours, known for his compassion and humility. The holiday is marked by lantern processions led by children, bonfires, and the reenactment of Saint Martin’s legendary act of sharing his cloak with a beggar. Traditional foods like roast goose and sweet pastries are served, while towns and villages glow with handmade lanterns and folkloric charm. It’s a heartwarming celebration of kindness, community, and the changing season.

The European Night of Museums is an annual event held across Europe, when museums and cultural institutions open their doors to the public for free or at a reduced price, offering special events, exhibits, and activities that are often not available during regular hours. The event aims to make culture and history more accessible and engaging by offering unique experiences such as guided tours, workshops, live performances, and interactive displays. It attracts thousands of visitors across various cities, providing a chance to explore the art, history, and heritage of Europe in a festive and dynamic atmosphere.

Brussels Pride is Belgium’s largest and most colorful LGBTQ+ celebration, held each May in the heart of the European capital. The city comes alive with a vibrant parade, open-air concerts, street parties, and cultural events that promote diversity, equality, and love. The highlight is the Pride Parade, which fills the streets around the Mont des Arts and Boulevard Anspach with floats, music, and thousands of participants waving rainbow flags. The event also includes the Pride Village, hosting discussions, performances, and community initiatives. Blending activism, celebration, and European inclusivity, Brussels Pride stands as a joyful affirmation of identity and solidarity at the heart of Europe.

Zinneke Parade is a spectacular biennial street parade held every two years in May in Brussels, celebrating the city’s diversity, creativity, and community spirit. Named after the Brussels term “zinneke”—meaning “mutt” or “mixed breed”—the event embraces the idea of a multicultural city united through art and imagination. Thousands of residents, artists, and volunteers collaborate to create thematic floats, costumes, and performances, all crafted sustainably and without engines or recorded music. Each edition centers on a new social or artistic theme, transforming Brussels into a moving canvas of rhythm, color, and collaboration. Blending inclusivity, ecology, and urban creativity, the Zinneke Parade embodies the playful soul of Brussels.

Ducasse de Mons (also known as the Doudou Festival) is a traditional and vibrant annual festival held in Mons, Belgium. The event celebrates the town’s rich cultural and religious heritage, featuring a series of processions, performances, and historical reenactments. The highlight of the festival is the Lumeçon, a dramatic battle between Saint George and a dragon, which takes place in the main square. The festival is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage event and is a lively celebration filled with music, parades, and community gatherings, drawing visitors from around the world to experience the unique traditions of Mons.