The 750th anniversary of Amsterdam is being celebrated in 2025, marking the city's founding in 1275. This milestone event includes a year-long celebration with a variety of cultural activities, historical exhibitions, performances, and festivals. The anniversary honors Amsterdam’s rich history, its development from a small fishing village to a global cultural and economic hub, and its vibrant communities. Special events, public art installations, and community-driven projects are being organized to reflect on the city's past and its future. The year-long celebration will culminate on October 27th, with one big celebration, bringing the city together for a grand finale. The 750th anniversary is a moment for both locals and visitors to celebrate Amsterdam's unique heritage and its place in the world.

The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions, held every two years in Venice, Italy, since 1895. Showcasing cutting-edge works from international artists, the event spans multiple disciplines, including visual arts, architecture, cinema, dance, music, and theater. The Biennale features national pavilions in the Giardini and Arsenale, where countries present curated exhibitions reflecting current artistic trends and cultural themes. Renowned for pushing artistic boundaries, it attracts global attention from artists, curators, and art lovers, making Venice a hub of innovation and creativity during the event.

Das Nürnberger Volksfest (Nuremberg Folk Festival) is an annual folk festival held in Nuremberg, Germany. It is one of the largest and most traditional beer festivals in the country, spanning several days and featuring a mix of beer tents, carnival rides, games, and live music. In addition to the beer-focused events, Das Nürnberger Volksfest also includes traditional Bavarian food, parades, and folk performances, creating a festive and lively atmosphere. The event is a celebration of Bavarian culture, combining hospitality, heritage, and fun in the heart of Nuremberg.

The Largs Viking Festival is an annual event held in Largs, Scotland, celebrating the town's Viking heritage. The festival features a series of reenactments, including a dramatic Viking battle and the ceremonial burning of a Viking longship. Visitors can enjoy Viking-themed activities, such as traditional music, dancing, storytelling, and market stalls selling crafts and food. The festival commemorates the historic Battle of Largs, which took place in 1263, and attracts thousands of visitors each year, offering a lively and immersive experience into Scotland's Viking past.

The Fiestas de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) is an annual celebration held in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, to honor the sherry wine harvest. This festival showcases the region's rich winemaking tradition and includes wine tastings, grape stomping, and vineyard tours. The event features traditional music, flamenco performances, and parades, as well as the crowning of the harvest queen. The Fiestas de la Vendimia Jerez is a lively mix of cultural and gastronomic activities, celebrating both the region’s heritage and its world-famous sherry wine.

Black Sea Festival is a vibrant summer celebration of music, culture, and beach life along the shores of the Black Sea. Typically hosted in Bulgaria’s coastal resorts, the festival blends an eclectic lineup of live concerts, DJ sets, and dance parties with the relaxed vibe of seaside living. Beyond the music, visitors can enjoy local food stalls, craft markets, and a lively program of cultural activities that showcase the region’s identity. With its mix of sun, sea, and sound, the Black Sea Fest captures the carefree spirit of summer on one of Europe’s most scenic coastlines.

Ars Electronica Festival is a cutting-edge celebration of art, technology, and society, held each September in Linz, Austria. Known for pushing creative and conceptual boundaries, the festival brings together artists, scientists, engineers, and thinkers from around the world to explore emerging ideas in fields like AI, digital media, robotics, and biotechnology. Through immersive exhibitions, talks, and interactive installations across the city, Ars Electronica transforms Linz into a futuristic playground of innovation, making it a must-attend for lovers of creative experimentation and technological imagination.

Italian Grand Prix is an annual Formula 1 racing event held at the historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious races on the Formula 1 calendar, attracting passionate motorsport fans from around the world. The event features high-speed racing, thrilling overtakes, and intense competition between the world's top drivers and teams. The Italian Grand Prix is known for its exciting atmosphere, with Italian fans showing immense support for their drivers, especially those from Ferrari. Along with the race, the festival includes fan activities, cultural events, and the chance to experience Italian hospitality and traditions in a legendary motorsport setting.

The Grande Braderie de Lille is Europe’s largest flea market, held annually on the first weekend of September in Lille, France. Dating back to the 12th century, this iconic event attracts over two million visitors, who browse miles of stalls selling antiques, vintage goods, art, books, and collectibles. The streets come alive with street performances, live music, and food stalls, with the festival’s signature dish being moules-frites (mussels and fries). Alongside the shopping, the event features a marathon race and a lively, festive atmosphere, making it a must-visit for bargain hunters and culture lovers alike.

The Fiesta de Cascamorras is an annual celebration held in the towns of Baza and Guadix, in the Granada region of Spain, and dates back over 500 years. This unique festival features a dramatic and playful race between two groups, where participants dressed as Cascamorras (characters covered in black paint) attempt to reach a statue of the Virgin Mary in the town of Baza without being touched by the locals. The festival is known for its lively crowds, street festivities, and the playful chaos that unfolds during the chase. The Fiesta de Cascamorras is a celebration of local tradition, heritage, and community spirit, blending both religious and secular elements in a fun, memorable event.

Regata Storica is an annual historic rowing event held in Venice, Italy. The festival celebrates Venice’s rich maritime heritage with a series of traditional boat races, featuring brightly decorated gondolas and historic Venetian vessels. The highlight of the event is the historic procession, where participants dress in 16th-century costumes, reenacting a ceremonial procession along the Grand Canal. Following the procession, the competitive races take place, with teams from various districts of Venice competing. The Regata Storica is a vibrant celebration of Venice's history, culture, and connection to the sea, attracting both locals and tourists to witness the spectacle.

European Heritage Days is an annual event held across Europe on the third weekend of September, offering free access to historical sites, museums, monuments, and government buildings that are usually closed to the public. Launched in 1984, the event highlights cultural heritage through guided tours, special exhibitions, and interactive workshops, allowing visitors to explore everything from medieval castles to private mansions and iconic landmarks. It’s a unique opportunity to discover hidden treasures, learn about history, and celebrate Europe’s rich cultural legacy.

Фестивал на сливата (Bulgarian Plum Festival) is a colorful celebration of the plum harvest and its many culinary and cultural uses, held each September in the town of Troyan, Bulgaria. Famous for producing the country’s iconic Troyan plum brandy (rakia), the festival features lively folk performances, craft markets, and hands-on workshops where visitors can see traditional distilling techniques. From plum-based dishes and desserts to vibrant parades and concerts, the event blends local heritage, gastronomy, and community spirit, making it one of Bulgaria’s most cherished autumn festivals.

Rupertikirtag (St. Rupert’s Fair) is a beloved traditional folk festival held every September in Salzburg, Austria, honoring the city’s patron saint, St. Rupert. Centered around the Domplatz and historic Old Town, the event combines Alpine charm with festive flair—featuring vintage carousels, a bustling marketplace, live folk music, and locals in dirndls and lederhosen. From the aroma of roasted nuts and Austrian delicacies to the cheerful clatter of beer mugs and brass bands, Rupertikirtag offers a joyful, family-friendly taste of Salzburg’s cultural heritage.

Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, is the world’s largest beer festival, held annually from late September to the first weekend in October. The event celebrates Bavarian culture, featuring over two weeks of beer tents, traditional music, folk dances, food, and carnival rides. Visitors from around the world gather to enjoy local brews, particularly those from Munich's six major breweries, along with classic Bavarian dishes like pretzels, sausages, and roast chicken. Oktoberfest is famous for its lively atmosphere, where participants often dress in traditional Bavarian clothing such as lederhosen and dirndls. The festival is a major cultural event, combining hospitality, heritage, and fun.

The Fiesta de San Mateo is an annual celebration held in Logroño, the capital of the La Rioja region in Spain, to honor Saint Matthew, the patron saint of the city. The festival, which has been celebrated for centuries, marks the beginning of the grape harvest and is closely tied to the region's winemaking tradition. It includes parades, music, traditional dances, and wine tastings, with the highlight being the "batalla del vino" (wine battle), where participants throw wine at each other in a joyful and colorful spectacle. The Fiesta de San Mateo is a lively and spirited celebration of local culture, wine, and community, drawing both locals and tourists to the heart of La Rioja.

Wiener Weinwandertage (Vienna Wine Hiking Days) is a unique autumn tradition where the vineyards surrounding Vienna open their trails to the public for a festive weekend of wine tasting, scenic walks, and culinary delights. Every late September or early October, locals and visitors alike wander through rolling hills covered in vines, stopping at heurige wine taverns, sampling seasonal dishes, and enjoying panoramic views of the city and the Danube River. It’s a perfect blend of nature, culture, and wine heritage, showcasing Vienna as the only capital city in the world with such extensive vineyards within its limits.

The Wengen Chästeilet is a traditional Swiss festival held annually in Wengen, Switzerland. The event celebrates the return of cattle from the high mountain pastures, where they have spent the summer grazing. As part of the festivities, local farmers and herders bring their cows down from the mountains, decorated with flowers and bells, and the community gathers to share and distribute the cheese made during the summer months. The Chästeilet includes cheese tastings, music, and cultural activities, creating a lively atmosphere that highlights Swiss alpine traditions and the importance of farming and dairy production in the region.

Barcolana is an annual sailing regatta held in Trieste, Italy. It is one of the largest and most prestigious sailing events in the world, attracting thousands of boats and sailors from around the globe. The race takes place in the Gulf of Trieste, with participants ranging from professional sailors to amateurs. The event also includes various cultural and social activities, making it a celebration of both sailing and the local community. Barcolana has grown over the years into a major international event, combining sport, tradition, and tourism in a vibrant atmosphere.

The Fête des Vendanges is a lively celebration of the annual grape harvest in the heart of Montmartre, Paris’s most artistic district. Each October, locals and travelers flock to its winding streets for wine tastings, food stalls, parades, and a vibrant display of community spirit. What makes it unique is the presence of an actual vineyard—Clos Montmartre—tucked into this urban hillside, producing a rare local vintage. Add in live music, fireworks, and the dramatic backdrop of the Sacré-Cœur, and you’ve got one of Paris’s most charming and unexpected traditions.

Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba (International White Truffle Fair of Alba) is an annual event held in Alba, Italy. The festival celebrates the region's renowned white truffle, offering a range of activities such as truffle tastings, culinary demonstrations, and markets where visitors can purchase truffles and truffle-based products. The fair attracts truffle hunters, chefs, and food enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region. In addition to the truffle-centered events, the festival includes cultural performances, art exhibitions, and local food stalls, making it a vibrant celebration of Italian gastronomy.

Halloween Frankenstein is an annual Halloween event held at Königstein Castle, located near Frankfurt, Germany. The festival transforms the castle into a spooky and thrilling setting, complete with haunted tours, interactive performances, and eerie decorations. Visitors can enjoy themed activities, such as ghost tours, costume contests, and live shows inspired by the legend of Frankenstein. The event attracts both locals and tourists, offering a mix of historical atmosphere, Halloween spirit, and frightening fun for all ages. Halloween Frankenstein is a unique and exciting way to experience the castle’s rich history while celebrating one of the most popular holidays in an adventurous and eerie setting.

The Fires de Sant Narcís (Festival of Saint Narcissus) is an annual celebration held in Girona, Spain, in honor of Saint Narcissus, the city's patron saint. This festival, which dates back to the 18th century, features a variety of cultural events, including parades, fireworks, live music, and traditional dances. One of the highlights is the "Correfoc" (fire run), where participants dressed as devils run through the streets with fireworks. The festival also includes the impressive "castells" (human towers), where teams build towering structures of people, showcasing strength, balance, and teamwork. The Fires de Sant Narcís celebrates history, tradition, community spirit, and local culture.

The Fête du Piment d’Espelette (Espelette Pepper Festival) is a spicy and festive celebration held every October in Espelette, a Basque village in southwestern France. Dedicated to the region’s famous Espelette pepper, the festival features traditional Basque music and dance, cooking demonstrations, artisan markets, and tastings of local specialties infused with the famous spice. Visitors can enjoy parades, street performances, and culinary events, all while soaking in the vibrant Basque culture. The festival draws thousands of food lovers each year, making it a must-visit for those who appreciate flavor, tradition, and lively festivities.

The Foire Internationale et Gastronomique de Dijon (Dijon International and Gastronomic Fair) is one of France’s largest and most celebrated food events, drawing over 150,000 visitors each autumn to the historic capital of Burgundy. For nearly a century, this fair has showcased regional specialties, fine wines, and culinary innovations from around the world, with hundreds of exhibitors, live cooking demos, and a rotating guest country of honor. It’s a paradise for gourmands, where mustard, cheese, charcuterie, and pastries share the spotlight with international cuisine and cutting-edge gastronomy in a festive, flavorful atmosphere.

Museumnacht (Museum Night) is an annual event, where museums across Amsterdam stay open late into the night. During this special evening, over 50 museums participate, offering unique programs, such as exhibitions, live performances, interactive workshops, and themed tours. The event attracts both locals and tourists, providing a vibrant, cultural experience where visitors can explore art, history, and science in a lively, festive atmosphere. Museumnacht Amsterdam is a celebration of the city's rich cultural scene, making museums accessible in an exciting and unconventional way.

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is an annual event in the United Kingdom, celebrated on November 5th. The night commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and his conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The event is marked by bonfires, fireworks displays, and the burning of effigies, often representing Guy Fawkes. It is a celebration of the plot’s failure and a time for families and communities to gather. Traditionally, people also enjoy food like toffee apples and treacle toffee. The night is a mix of historical remembrance and festive fun.

J-dag (J-Day) is Denmark’s quirky and much-anticipated beer holiday, marking the annual release of Tuborg’s Christmas Brew. Held on the first Friday of November at precisely 8:59 PM, J-Day turns cities across Denmark into scenes of festive chaos, as brewery trucks roll through the streets delivering the first bottles of the seasonal beer. Bars overflow with partygoers dressed in blue Santa hats, enjoying free samples, live music, and an atmosphere that feels like a pre-Christmas carnival. It’s a one-of-a-kind mix of marketing stunt and national tradition, embraced with tongue-in-cheek joy across the country.

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.

Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market transforms Copenhagen’s beloved 19th-century amusement park into a dazzling winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, snow-dusted trees, and over 60 charming stalls selling Danish treats, handcrafted gifts, and holiday decorations. From mid-November through New Year’s, visitors can enjoy mulled wine, roasted almonds, and classic rides lit up in festive splendor. With its blend of old-world charm and fairy-tale magic, the market offers one of Europe’s most atmospheric and family-friendly holiday experiences.