Landscape with medieval Bran castle known for the myth of Dracula at sunset, Brasov landmark, Transylvania, Romania, Europe (123rf)
GERMANY
Heidelberg Castle Illumination Festival | Heidelberg | June 1-Sept. 7
Medieval Festival at Cochem Castle | Cochem | Aug. 3-4
Potsdamn: Night of Palaces | Potsdam | Aug. 9-Aug. 10
Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival | Ludwigsburg | Aug. 23-Nov. 03
The Ludwigsburg Palace grounds host one of the largest pumpkin art exhibits in the world. They feature a different theme each year for artists to create sculptures out of pumpkins and gourds. Try a variety of pumpkin themed foods, and on select days race a giant pumpkin in the water like a canoe.
Heidelberg Christmas Market | Heidelberg | Nov. 25-Dec. 20
AUSTRIA
Liechtenstein Garden Palace: Sommer Rhapsodie | Vienna | July 8-Aug. 7
Herbstgold- Music Festival Schloss Esterházy | Eisenstadt | Sept. 11-22
Klanglicht Festival | Styria | Oct. 24-26
This immersive festival is a visual and listening experience that combines art, color, and music. Light installations are projected onto UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, Eggenberg Palace and throughout its surrounding gardens for a full audiovisual experience.
BELGIUM
Around the World in 80 Days | Beloeil Castle Park | July 25-Aug. 18
Stroll through the castle park and follow in the footsteps of the eccentric Phileas Fogg. You will be seated in front of a few paintings to watch the performance. Then you will be guided to the next immersive scene in the park. The show features, princesses, fiery cowboys, distant lands, acrobatics, and chases.
Boullion Castle- Fete du Fromage | Boullion | Sept 21-22
Graventsteen Winter Wonder Castle | Ghent | Dec. 7-Jan. 5, 2025
CZECHIA
The Book is Art Exhibit | Prague Castle | June 7-Oct. 20
This special exhibit for book lovers features some of the most unique and beautiful Czech books from the beginning of book printing until present day. A highlight from this collection is that copies from Franz Kafka’s original library will be on display.
Dvorák’s Prague | Cathedral of St. Vitas at Prague Castle | Sept. 6-24
House of the Falconer Exhibit | Prague Castle | Year round
FRANCE
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: The Styx, River of the Underworld | Maincy | July 4-Nov. 1
This interactive underground river adventure draws inspiration from La Fontaine’s text, The Love of Cupid and Psyche. You will be equipped with a head lamp and thigh boots as you experience tests of logic and agility alongside experienced actors.
Le Château de Chantilly: Equinoxe Light and Shadow Show | Chantilly | July 17-Aug. 18
Le Château de Chantilly: A Day in Paris Exhibit | Chantilly | April 7-Oct. 31
Palace of Versailles Majestic Horses at the Heart of a Civilization Exhibit | Versailles | July 2-Nov. 3
Marathon Des Château Du Medoc | Gironde | Sept. 7
Autumn at Château Fontainebleau | Fontainebleau | Oct. 21-Nov. 12
Throughout the fall season, Château Fontainebleau has a diverse program including the Saint-Hubert festival Oct. 29, which will present the chateaux’s historical heritage with a trumpet concert, falconry show and return from the hunt. Explore the chateaux in period costume rentals from Oct. 22-Nov. 5. And finally, enjoy the Imperial Chocolate Fair from Nov. 10-12.
Magical Fairy Tale illuminations of the Château De Breteuil | Choisel | Throughout December
THE NETHERLANDS
Kasteel de Haar: Park full of Stories | Utrecht | Sundays in August
Castlefest 2024 at Castle Keukenhof | Lisse | Aug. 1-4
Mindful Muiderslot: Yoga in the plum orchard | Muiden | Aug. 10
September Tradition: Kasteel de Haar Turned Upside Down! | Utrecht | TBD Sept.
LIECHENSTEIN
Garden Palace: Summer Rhapsody | Bauernfeldplatz | July 8-Aug. 7
POLAND
WYSPIA Contemporary Art at Historic Wawel Royal Castle | Wawel | Jan. 26, 2023-Dec. 31, 2024
Magnificence of Rococo Kaendler’s Meissen Porcelain Figures | Wawel | May 23-Sept. 29
Orgodzieniec Castle’s: An evening with Ghosts | Podzamcze | Select dates from April 26-Sept. 28
Czocha Castle: Nostitz’s Bar | Lesna | May-Sept
ESTONIA
Kuressaare Castle: Magic World of Theatre Puppets | Kuressaare Fort | April 18-Oct. 27
Haapsalu Castle: August Blues Festival | Haapsalu | Aug. 2-3
Happsalu Castle: White Lady’s Open-air Play “Malia” | Haapsalu | Aug. 16-18
Sword and Cape Day | Rakvere | Aug.10
Horror Night in Rakvere Castle | Rakvere | Aug. 24
Robert Burns Dinner in Alatskivi Castle | Alatskivi | Jan. 25, 2025
IRELAND and THE U.K.
Edinburgh Castle Afternoon Tea Experience | Edinburgh | All Year
Leeds Castle Motors by the Moat | Broomfield | Aug. 10-11
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | Edinburgh | Aug. 2-24
Arundel Castle Shakespeare Open Air Theatre | West Sussex | Aug. 16-17
Arundel Castle Festival of History | West Sussex | Aug. 24-26
Leeds Castle Murder on the Dance Floor | Broomfield | Sept. 21
Gothic Falconry at Framlingham Castle | Suffolk | Oct. 5-6
Buckingham Palace: Drawing the Italian Renaissance Exhibit | London | Nov.1-March. 9, 2025
Up Helly Aa: Viking Traditional Festival | Shetland | Jan. 30, 2025
ROMANIA
Bran Castle Halloween Party | Bran | Oct. 31-Nov. 3
TURKEY
Bodrum Castle: International Ballet Festival | Bodrum | TBD Aug.
