Autumn is a great time to travel to different countries Europe. The days are still sunny, and the prices are lower than in summer. In addition, autumn festivals abound and invite you to visit them. You are sure to find some great festival where you can enjoy good food and drink as well as various art forms. We’ve picked some of the best fall festivals you’ll find in Europe and bring them to you!
1. Ludwigsburg Venice Festival – Ludwigsburg, Germany
In Ludwigsburg, north of Stuttgart, it is held once every two years at the beginning of September Venice Festival. In 1768, Duke Carl Eugen von Württemberg, after a trip to Italy, founded the festival, inspired by the Carnival of Venice. Since then, every two years every September, the streets are filled with people dressed in decorative masks, dresses, capes and hats reminiscent of 18th century Venice.
This year it was held on September 6-8, and for the first time the festival was free. At the festival, in addition to an impressive parade of costumes, you will see artists performing juggling, walking on stilts and handling fire. In addition, traders from all over Europe come to sell their products.
2. Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla – Seville, Spain
The Biennial Flamenco Festival this takes place in the heart of Andalusia, Seville, only in even years. It is one of the most famous flamenco festivals in the world. This year it will be held from September 12 to October 5 in top venues such as FIBES Auditorium, Teatro de la Maestranza, Alcázar Palace. Famous and non-dancers offer a unique performance. In addition to the passionate art form that they can watch as well as experience, attendees enjoy great music, mostly guitar, various concerts and live performances. The atmosphere “stirs up the blood” and pushes people to express themselves and talk to those around them.
3. Boccaccesca Food and Wine Festival – Certaldo, Italy
In a beautiful medieval town in Tuscany, located a short distance from Florence, every October since 1999. Boccaccesca Food and Wine Festivalwhich lasts for three days. The festival is free to enter and honors Renaissance poet and writer Giovanni Boccaccio, who hails from the area. It attracts lovers of good hand-made food and drink, who have the opportunity to try fine local products. During the festival, producers and artisans display their products, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations are held, and crafts from local artists are sold.
4. Signal Festival – Prague, Czech Republic
Every year, for more than a decade, it has been held in the imposing Prague with its unique architecture – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Modern, Deconstructive, Contemporary – Signal Festival. It has become one of the most popular cultural events in the country with projections, light shows and contemporary art installations. This year’s festival will take place on October 10-13 and will have ecosystems as its central theme – a fusion of nature, technology and the urban environment that is sure to produce impressive works. Various important parts of the city will be lit up and decorated with works by artists from both the Czech Republic and around the world. It is recommended to explore the city during the evening hours, where the lighting and other works are best highlighted.
5. Regatta Barcolana – Trieste, Italy
The Barcolana Regatta Festivalwhich takes place every October, gathers over 2,000 boats and 16,000 sailors in the Gulf of Trieste to take part in the largest sailing race in the world. This year the festival will be held from October 4 to 13. In addition to the sailing competition, there will be a host of exciting events including a vintage boat parade, water sports and evening concerts. At the same time, shops will be open until late at night, and the streets will be full of stalls with various products, food and drinks. Another important event is the Fine Art Sails charity competition, where sailboats will be painted by famous artists.
6. Jazz O’Verre Beaune – Beaune, France
The O’Verre Beaune Jazz Festival addressed to lovers of good wine and jazz. During the festival, which this year will be held on September 26-28, there will be a presentation and tasting of local wines from Burgundy and a “parade” of vintage cars. At the same time, seven concerts will be held with musicians from all over the world in a space surrounded by vineyards, where attendees will experience three days of wonderful jazz music.
7. Contemporary Art Festival – Budapest, Hungary
In recent years, contemporary art has been celebrated in the Hungarian capital. From the end of September to the first week of October, at Contemporary Arts Festival music concerts, dance performances and various exhibitions are held. Artists from all over the country participate and present their works. The festival highlights how vibrant Budapest’s cultural scene is and shines a light on reformer artists.
8. Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival – Galway, Ireland
Every year in the last week of September, Galway, located in the west of Ireland, hosts the most famous food festival in the country, Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival. In addition to the unparalleled beauty of the surrounding landscape, attendees enjoy authentic Irish flavors – especially gourmet seafood – accompanied by live music and dancing throughout the night. In addition, there are various street performances, color parades, cooking demonstrations and many other activities aimed mainly at families. Adding to the charm of the festival are various events such as the National Oyster Opening Championship, a street festival, an oyster pearl competition and the closing ceremony with the best glass.
9. San Mateo Festival – Logroño, Spain
It has been held in Logroño every autumn since the 12th century San Mateo Festivalalso known as the Rioja Wine Harvest Festival. This year the event will be held from September 20 to 26. Festival goers will celebrate by watching or participating in parades, grape picking, bull fights, evening parties accompanied by live music and lots of dancing, food and wine. The festival is also known for its spectacular fireworks that light up the night sky.
10. Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
Every autumn, for almost 200 years, millions of people from all over the world flock to Munich to take part in the world’s most famous beer festival – Oktoberfest. Despite its name, the festival starts in September and runs until early October. This year’s Oktoberfest will take place from September 21st to October 6th. The Bavarian capital hosts a major event dedicated to the annual harvest and traditional food. Attendees dress up in traditional German costumes and while drinking German beer, watch impressive performances, various spectacles and participate in various competitions and games.
