The coolest cultural festivals in Europe

Exploring Europe reveals a diverse mix of areas, urban centers, and societies. Each one possesses unique customs that continue to thrive. While Florence is a popular destination for tourists, how many will witness a match of the city’s traditional sport? Similarly, many may tour Valencia, but how many are aware of the unusual tomato-throwing festivities just a short distance away?

Discover the wonders of the continent’s stunning architecture, delectable cuisines, and fascinating history. But don’t stop there – delve deeper for a unique travel adventure. You may come across a Christmas demon or even participate in a cheese race. These experiences will leave lasting impressions, surpassing even those of Oktoberfest.

Experience a unique twist on your upcoming vacation by immersing yourself in unconventional celebrations and customs, spanning from the UK to Italy and Austria to Spain. Discover the best ways to partake and where to lodge.

and for one day only:

A unique festival in Spain is held annually in Bunol, a town near Valencia, during the month of August. This celebration is in tribute to the patron saints of the town and is believed to have begun around 1945. Its precise beginnings are unknown, and it is a one-day event.

The concept is rather straightforward: it involves a 60-minute chaotic tomato-throwing event, where approximately 15,000 participants have access to 120 tons of overly ripe tomatoes. The battle commences after an unusual opening ritual where contestants must climb a greased pole to grab a ham; once the ham is obtained, the first tomato can be hurled.

During the celebrations, the entire town is painted red, so exploring will not be possible until the following day. If you are visiting other parts of the province, such as Valencia, Sagunto, or Alicante, consider making a brief stop in Bunol. Tickets for the event, known as “the world’s largest food fight”, can be purchased for as low as €15 on the official website.

There are not many places to stay in this small town with a population of only 9,000 people. It would be wise to consider staying in the neighboring city of Valencia instead. Hotel Zenit, situated next to Estacio del Nord (the departure point for trains to Bunol), is a budget-friendly option located in the Old Town. The rooms are modern and cozy, and guests can enjoy a plentiful breakfast buffet every morning.

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Florence’s blend of football, rugby, and martial arts is an exceptional and distinctive sport that is believed to have originated from the ancient Roman game of harpastum. This game involved players employing any tactics necessary to maintain possession of a small ball on their designated side of the playing area.

Today, four teams from different areas of Florence will take part in a series of semi-final and final matches. However, the focus is not on the results but rather on the event itself: a celebration of Florence and its unique Florentine identity. This charming city, with its medieval architecture, is full of excitement during this time, particularly on the day of the final match when they also celebrate their patron saint, St John the Baptist.

The goal of this game is to earn points by throwing the ball into the opposing team’s net. Each team has 27 players and a major aspect of the game involves targeting and disabling players from the other team, in order to create opportunities for scoring. This often results in intense collisions and physical fights among players, creating a chaotic and intense atmosphere that may not be suitable for those with a weaker constitution.

The most convenient method for acquiring tickets is by waiting in line at the box office on Via delle Vecchie Carceri, which typically begins operating towards the end of May. Any remaining tickets can be purchased online at TicketOne.com, although with a limited quantity of approximately 4,000 for each game, it is recommended to queue at the box office if feasible. Interested in participating? Participants must be either born in Florence or have lived in the city for a minimum of 10 years.

Choose the Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo for a luxurious hotel experience filled with Florentine charm. Located next to the cathedral, this hotel boasts beautifully adorned rooms situated amidst the charming and meandering streets of the historic center.

This Gloucestershire tradition takes place annually on Cooper’s Hill, near the village of Brockworth, on the spring bank holiday. Officially an extreme sport, it consists of a number of participants who chase a three-kilogram wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down an almost-vertical hill. Though the winner used to be decided by the first person to catch the runaway dairy, nowadays the victor is simply the first person to cross the line – and they’re awarded the cheese as a prize.

This wacky UK event attracts visitors from all over the world, with previous race winners coming from the USA, Egypt and New Zealand. Races are split between men and women; in 2023, a Canadian woman won her event despite being knocked unconscious.

The upcoming event will occur on May 27, 2024 and admission is free. Participation in the races is also free, just go to the hilltop and register before the 12pm start of the first race.

You may want to consider staying in the nearby town of Gloucester. The Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel is located in a beautiful historic mansion surrounded by extensive landscaped gardens. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and stunning views of the forest and lake.

Switzerland, lasting for exactly 72 hours and involving almost 20,000 costumed participants (in addition to thousands more attendees). Though equally as celebratory as other carnivals on the continent, this Unesco-listed cultural heritage festival has a distinctly more chaotic – and sometimes eerie – atmosphere than other alternatives, visible in the outfits, costumes and events staged throughout. It begins at precisely 4am on the Monday, when all the lights are turned out and only hand-painted lanterns illuminate the city.

There will be lantern displays, large processions, multiple musical shows, and a lot of humorous and ironic outfits and acts. Visitors who are not from the area are advised not to dress up, but are welcome to join in on pub crawls and observe the festivities as the locals commemorate their most significant 72 hours of the year.

Fasnacht, the traditional carnival celebration, will take place from 4am on February 19th to the same time on February 21st in 2024. All of the parades and activities are free, but it is recommended to reserve lodging as soon as possible.

The Movenpick Basel is a dependable choice for your carnival accommodations, conveniently located approximately 15 minutes from Marktplatz, where the festivities begin in the early morning. The rooms are contemporary, stylish, and roomy, with several offering stunning views of the city.

In early December, the Christmas spirit is in full force. However, in Austria and certain regions of Germany, the festive atmosphere is interrupted on 5 December for Krampusnacht. This annual event, known as the “Night of the Krampus,” occurs the night before St. Nicholas Day. During this celebration, thousands of people dress up as Krampus, a creature that is said to be half-goat and half-demon, and traditionally punishes naughty children.

According to belief, the custom originated in pagan times in the Tyrolian Alps and is most enthusiastically observed in this region. The charming city of Salzburg, known for its medieval Old Town and impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress, holds one of the biggest festivities, with approximately 200 diverse groups participating in the procession.

While this specific event is only for one evening, the atmosphere in Salzburg will continue to be lively and joyful with a significant Christmas market at Residenzplatz and ongoing festivities on St Nicholas Day, which falls on 6 December. The nearby cities of Innsbruck and Ischgl also have festive celebrations.

Located just a short 10-minute drive from the Old Town and within 15 minutes of the Christmas market, the NH Collection Salzburg City offers contemporary rooms and a convenient location to discover the city, including during the annual Krampusnacht celebration.

The Fetes de Bayonne is a French event that serves as an alternative to Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls (also known as San Fermin). It occurs a few days after in Bayonne, a city in the French region of Basque Country known for bullfighting. This five-day festival, which was first held in 1932, draws inspiration from the Pamplona version and features official bullfights, parades, music, and nightly firework shows.

Residents arrive wearing red and white attire, and the roads are bustling with a festive atmosphere thanks to approximately 1 million participants. Although bull-related activities and extensive merrymaking are typical, the festival also serves as a one-of-a-kind tribute to Basque customs and heritage. In 2024, it will commence on July 10th.

Entry to the restricted sections of the festival is restricted to individuals who possess a “Pass Fetes”, which can be obtained for free on Wednesday and Thursday, but incurs a fee of €12 for entry on the remaining three days. Passes for the 2024 version are currently unavailable for purchase, but please monitor the official website for updates.

Finding a place to stay can be challenging because of the large number of visitors to the city. It is recommended to make reservations in advance. The Hotel Cote Basque is located near the historic center and provides convenient and cozy lodging options with air-conditioned rooms and a daily breakfast buffet.

Netherland’s Keukenhof gardens between 21 March and 12 May for the annual Tulip Festival. Located in Lisse, around 35 minutes away from Amsterdam, these gardens – sometimes referred to as the Garden of Europe – cover around 79 acres and are home to around seven million flower bulbs, the majority of which are tulips (with some daffodils, lilies and roses among others for good measure). The famous Flowerparade takes place on 20 April.

The cost of entry for adults is €19.50 (£16.99), and tickets can be bought through the garden’s website. Guided tours and tickets for a boat ride around the fields can be obtained at the ticket office located near the mill.

Located in the heart of the city center, the Eden Hotel offers unique lodging in a traditional Amsterdam townhouse situated along the canal. It is conveniently situated within a mile of the major attractions in the city.

The top accommodations in Europe.

Source: independent.co.uk