If you are planning a trip to Europe you probably will want to be part of the continent’s cultural celebrations. If so, then you’re in the right place!

Here are some European Festivals that you should know about if you want to have an amazing time and be part of local events, even in the case when festival means more than just music and camping. Let’s go!

Mänttä Art and Music Festival – Mänttä-Vilppula, Finland

Famous for producing toilet paper (weird, isn’t it?) every summer this small town hosts the Mänttä Art Festival which coincides in August with the Mänttä Music Festival, the only international piano festival in Finland. Don’t worry if you hate extreme weather, August in Finland is not the oppressive heat like you imagine in other festival spots, nor is it the Finnish cold that the Italians warned you about, it is absolutely the perfect time to visit this magical country. These special events are a must to see on your summer itinerary.

Bregenz Festival – Bregenz, Austria

Do you think about opera as a boring event inside a theatre with classical scenographies? Well, if you go to Bregenz in July-August, you will change your mind. Every summer Austria’s Bregenz Festival hosts an acrobatic opera on Lake Constance along with an orchestra, pyrotechnics and elaborate sets to create a magical show full of surprises.

Tong Tong Fair – The Hauge, Netherlands

This special festival celebrates the Netherland’s long relationship with Southeast Asia. Consisting of a mixture of Asian cultures that have been turning up in the Hauge since 1959 to show their traditions and perform typical music and dances. Who needs to go to Asia when you can get a taste close to home in The Netherlands!

Notte delle luci – Scorrano, Italy

If you are planning to visit Southern Italy for the summer we suggest you check out the brightest festival you will ever see, located in Scorrano on the Salentine peninsula. This festival takes place every July 5th to celebrate the town’s patron saint, Santa Domenica. The traditional lights, Luminarie, are constructed locally and shine with millions of beautiful colorful lights.

Flag Day – Scheveningen, Netherlands

Netherlands again! This time it’s especially for fish lovers. The Dutch name is Vlaggetjesdag and it celebrates the arrival of the herring season. Simply put, it’s about eating lots of herring covered in dices onions. Yum!

Fiestes de Gracia – Barcelona, Spain

Now, moving on to a warmer country!  In August there is a fantastic Festival which takes place in Barcelona in the heart of the bohemian neighborhood of Gracia. The streets will be lined with elaborate papier- mâché pieces, thanks to the local people who work together all year to create and display these unique pieces of art.

So, are you ready to have some fun and make new experiences?

To learn more about these incredible festivals:

http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-11-11/9-european-festivals-you-should-know-about/9

Thi entry is also available in: Italian