SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 25, 2020 (YURY MOROZOV)
GERMANY
Mainau Island Christmas Garden | Mainau | Nov. 19, 2024-Jan. 6, 2025
Sellin Christmas Market | Sellin | Dec. 20-22, 2024
The Westerland Christmas Swim | Sylt | Dec. 26, 2024
Every year, tradition invites brave swimmers to wear a fancy dress or swimsuit and plunge into the icy North Sea off the island of Sylt. Participants are awarded a certificate and glass of hot punch to warm up after. Several thousand spectators come out to watch and join the swimmers in having a hot drink to celebrate the act of courage.
Kliffmeile: Sylt’s Longest Party | Wenningstedt | Dec. 28- Jan. 1, 2025
New Year’s Eve Run | Westerland | Dec. 31, 2024
Open-air New Year’s Eve Party | Westerland | Dec. 31, 2024
Silvester 2024 | Hiddensee | Dec. 31, 2024
Say Goodbye to Winter | Biikebrennen | Feb. 21, 2025
Krishna Beach Yoga Festival | Rügen | June 20-22, 2025
Rügen Rund Tour | Rügen | June 6, 2025
FRANCE
La Route Du Rock Winter | Saint-Malo | Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2025 tenetively
Fête de la Coquille Saint-Jacques (Scallop Festival) | Saint-Quay-Portieux | April 2025
Galloping scallops! The scallop fishing season occurs from October to the end of April. This festival, honoring the most “elegant” shellfish of the sea, is a celebration of the last catch of the season. Each year, you can visit the craft and fishing village to taste many variations of fresh scallops. On Saturday morning, you can follow the ‘Knights of the Scallop’ in a fun parade leading to concerts and street entertainment.
Big Game Fishing Excursion | Belle Île | Mid-April-Sept. 2025 annually
Art Rock | Saint-Brieuc | May 2025
Rock‘n Toques | Saint-Brieuc | May 2025
Cannes Film Festival | Cannes | May 13-24, 2025
Monaco Grand Prix | Monaco | May 22-25, 2025
ITALY
ChocoModica | Modica | Dec. 6-8 2024
This rich and indulgent chocolate lover’s festival offers plenty and is in Modica, Sicily’s chocolate village. Visitors can learn about the unique process of making Modica chocolate which dates back to the 1700s and sample plenty of chocolate-inspired delicacies. You can also participate in workshops, games, presentations, and laboratories as well as enjoy live entertainment. To learn more about this unique village click here.
Festa della Santa Lucia | Siracusa | Dec. 13 & 20, 2024
Sagra del Mandorlo (Almond Blossom Festival) | Agrigento | Mar. 2025
Acireale Carnival | Catania | Feb. 16- Mar. 4, 2025
The Artichoke Festival | Samassi | Mar. 13-16, 2025
International Kite Festival | Trapani | May. 2025
Genoa Aquarium- Europe’s Largest Aquarium | Genoa | Year round
SPAIN
Festes de Sant Antoni | Jan 17-19, 2025 | Mallorca
This traditional festival is deeply rooted in Mallorcan culture and honors Saint Anthony Abbot, the patron saint of animals. People bring their pets and livestock to be blessed by the local priest, then celebrate with a feast where you can try sobrassada a Balearic sausage, and other local foods cooked over open flames. Gather around bonfires and listen to folk music and dancing. There are colorful, lively parades, games and contests.
Los Indianos Carnival | La Palma | March 3, 2025
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival | Tenerife | Jan. 31-Mar. 9, 2025
Las Palmas De Gran Canaria Carnival | Gran Canaria | Feb. 8-Mar. 16, 2025
Poema del Mar Aquarium | Gran Canaria | Year round
Dolphin Watching Adventure | Estepona Bay | March-Oct. Annually
GREECE
Dalmation Pelicans and Meteora Monasteries Photo Tour | Thessaloniki | Jan. 17-27, 2025
Carnival | Hydra | Mar. 2, 2025
Crete Marathon | Chania | Mid-April, 2025
Valley of the Butterflies | Rhodes | Year round
National Marine Park of Alonissos | Sporades | Year round
ICELAND
Christmas Market | Heiðmörk Woods | Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, 2024 & Dec. 16-17, 2024
Dark Music Days | Reykjavík | Jan. 24-26, 2025
Reykjavík International Games | Reykjavík | Jan. 25-28 & Feb 2-5, 2025
Art in the Light | Seyðisfjörður | Feb 9-10, 2025
Viking Festival | Hafnarfjörður | June 12-17, 2025
IRELAND and THE U.K.
Scottish Seabird Center Wildlife Tours | North Berwick | Sept.-Dec. annually
Orkney Nature Festival | Orkney | May 2025 TBD
Blue Shark Snorkel | Cornwall | June-Oct. annually
The Shetland Pony Experience | Burra, Shetland | May-Sept. annually
Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterfly Sanctuary | Devon | Year round
PORTUGAL
Madeira Christmas Market | Funchal | Dec. 1, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025
Flower Festival | Funchal | Jan. 5-May 25, 2025
Compadres Feast | Santana | Feb. 20-23, 2025
The Slapstick Parade | Calheta | April 3, 2025
Swim with Dolphins | Azures | Oct-April annually
