Openshaw Gene - Rick Steves European Festivals

HOLY WEEK:White-robed penitents lead the massive marathon parades in Sevilla.

CARNEVALE:Atmospheric Venice is the perfect setting for this Europe-wide party.

OKTOBERFEST:Thousands of beer drinkers pack Munichs pop-up beer halls.

EASTER:In Greece, people pray, then party.

APRIL FAIR:Sevillanos in costume promenade past rows of party tents.

CHRISTMAS(center): The season begins in Norway with angelic bringers of light.

Towns all over Scotland proudly host Highland Games in summer. In the smaller towns, even visitors are welcome to compete. If youve ever wanted to toss a caber (giant log), heres your chance.

Munichs Oktoberfest is probably Europes biggest party, with huge beer-hall tents that accommodate thousands of happy beer-drinkers enjoying hearty food, dancing, and oompah bands.

And the Christmas holiday season keeps much of Europe festive for a month of special eventsfrom Santa Lucia Day (December 13) to Epiphany (January 6).

Also, to give you a broader look at Europes many festivals, I invited my Facebook readers to contribute their favorites. Youll find their top 30 in this book.

These festivals are just a small sampling of the many, colorful events that carbonate Europes cultural calendar. Every country has national heroes (and patron saints in Catholic countries) to honor; historic events to commemorate; and major products to celebrate (think of truffle festivals in Italy or tulip parades in the Netherlands). Festivals featuring the arts, dance, films, and music are held in every major cityif you search online for jazz festival and Venice, youll have a jazz festival in Venice to look forward to.

Blow off your neat itinerary if a festival comes your way.

Whatever your interest, Europe likely has a festival devoted to it. I hope this book inspires you to seek out more festivals, either in Europe or your side of the Atlantic. Your only challenges are to pick your favorites and reserve your accommodations well in advance.

Then join the celebration! Cheer on the horses, bulls, dancers, and caber tossers. Quaff a mug of beer with your bratwurst while the polka plays on. As processional floats go by, marvel at the devout who carry them on their shoulders for hours. Don a mask and experience Carnevale on the worlds biggest stage set, Venice. Enjoy the glad-Im-here thrill of watching fireworks light up iconic skylines. You can call it a cultural experience... or you can just call it fun.

Edinburgh cuts loose during its August arts festival.

RUNNING OF THE BULLS:Nervous daredevils in costume await the bulls release in Pamplona.

HIGHLAND GAMES:He-men strut their stuff in these traditional Scottish competitions.

PALIO:Medieval Siena stages a centuries-old horse race.

BASTILLE DAY:In France, the spirit of the Revolution lives on.

European Festivals at a Glance

RICKS TOP 10 FAVORITES

CARNEVALE , in Venice, Slovenia, Luzern, usually mid-February. Enjoying Mardi Gras with parties, costumes, and craziness.

HOLY WEEK , in Sevilla, Spain, week before Easter. Processions of elaborate floats honoring Mary and Christ.

EASTER , in Napflio, Greece. Celebrating the Resurrection with fireworks, family, and a lamb on a spit.

APRIL FAIR, Sevilla, two weeks after Easter. Dressing up colorfully, drinking sherry, and partying in tents.

PALIO, in Siena, Italy, July 2 and August 16. No-holds-barred horse race with neighborhood pride at stake.

RUNNING OF THE BULLS , in Pamplona, Spain, July 6-14. People running with bullsthundering, fast, and furious.

BASTILLE DAY , in Paris, France, July 14. Grand display of national pride in a proud country.

HIGHLAND GAMES , in Airth, Scotland, later in July. Scottish competition of feats of prowess and grace.

OKTOBERFEST , in Munich, Germany, late September to early October. Beer-hall tents, oompah music, hearty food, rides, and revelry.