2026 European Events

Europe is a treasure trove of festivals, exhibitions, competitions and concerts. As more 2026 dates are finalized, we’ll expand on this list. (Note: Planned dates can change; ALWAYS verify the dates before booking travel.)

  • Zagreb, Croatia: Festival of Lights – March 18–22
    Zagreb’s Festival of Lights transforms the city’s historic center into a glowing open-air gallery, with buildings, parks, and plazas illuminated by artistic light installations.
  • Hohenems, Austria: Schubertiade Festival – April-August, early October
    A chamber music festival near Lake Constance featuring the work of Franz Schubert.
  • London, UK: Turner and Constable at Tate Britain – Through April 12.
    The lives and works of two of Britain’s greatest landscape painters side‑by‑side – J.M.W. Turner and John Constable – revealing their radically different approaches to nature, light and atmosphere, and how their rivalry helped shape the course of modern landscape painting.
  • Scottish Highlands, UK: Highland Games – May-September
    A celebration of Highland games and culture held in various towns in Northern Scotland.
  • Surrey, UK: Women of Influence: The Pattle Sisters – Through May 4
    This exhibition brings to life the extraordinary story of seven Anglo-Indian sisters whose salons, art and social networks shaped the cultural landscape of Victorian Britain.
  • Cordoba, Spain: The Patio Festival – May 4-17
    An annual celebration of the city’s stunning courtyard gardens, where residents open their elaborately decorated patios filled with flowers, fountains, and traditional Andalusian charm.
  • Prague, Czechia: Prague Spring International Music Festival – May 12-June 4
    A celebrated annual showcase of world-class classical music, featuring leading orchestras, conductors, and soloists from around the globe.
  • Dresden, Germany: Dresdner Musikfestspiele – May 14-June 14
    The Dresden Music Festival is one of Europe’s premier classical music festivals, bringing world-renowned orchestras, soloists, and ensembles to Dresden’s stunning historic venues each spring.
  • Venice, Italy: Vogalonga Regatta – May 24
    A unique, non-competitive rowing event, with participants of all ages, celebrating the city’s historic relationship with its canals.
  • Montreux, Switzerland: Montreux Jazz Festival – July 3-18.
    Held annually on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, this is one of the world’s most iconic music festivals, showcasing jazz alongside rock, pop, and soul. Legendary performances in a stunning lakeside setting. Tickets go on sale in April.
  • Basel, Switzerland: The Federal Yodeling Festival – June 26-28
    10,000 participants from all over Switzerland are expected. Alphorn blowing and flag throwing will also be featured.
  • Verona, Italy: Arena di Verona Festival – June 12-September 12
    An opera festival with performances in an ancient Roman arena
  • Bayonne, France: Fêtes de Bayonne – July 9-13
    A festival of Basque culture featuring traditional dress, street music, bull‑running‑style events, and popular dances.
  • Salzburg, Austria: Salzburg Festival – July 17-August 30
    A classical music series featuring operas and concerts from the world’s best musicians.
  • Helsingbord, Sweden: World Choir Games – August 6-16
    The world’s largest international choral festival and competition. It brings together amateur choirs from across the globe for a vibrant mix of competitions, concerts, workshops and “friendship concerts.
  • Paris, France: Henri Rousseau: The Ambition of Painting – March 25-July 20
    About fifty major works retracing the “Douanier” Rousseau’s career exhibited at Musée de l’Orangerie.
  • Barcelona, Spain: La Mercè – Tentatively September 20-24
    La Mercè Festival is Barcelona’s biggest annual celebration, held each September in honor of Our Lady of Mercy, the city’s patron saint. Parades, human towers (castells), fireworks, concerts, and the thrilling “correfoc,” where costumed devils dance through sparks and fire.
  • London, UK: Van Eyck: The Portraits – November 21, 2026 – April 11, 2027
    Once in a lifetime experience: for the first time ever, all nine known painted portraits by Jan van Eyck from across Europe will be displayed together. VanEyck revolutionized portraiture, introducing realism using minute details and natural light.