With such a wide variety of fall festivals in Europe, this might be the perfect season to plan that long-awaited European trip, for a chance to delve into Europe’s culture in a fun and insightful way.
Fall is a great time to visit Europe. Crowds have thinned, sunny days are still a possibility, and locals are back from their summer vacation, giving cities a more lived-in vibe. But there’s another reason why you should consider visiting Europe in the fall.
Fall is the festival season in Europe. Cultural calendars are bursting with various events after the summer shutdown. Here’s a roundup of some of the best cultural events and fall festivals in Europe.
A Guide To The Best Fall Festivals in Europe
Austria
St. Rupert’s Fair in Salzburg
St. Rupert’s Fair is a traditional festival held in honor of the city’s patron saint in late September – around September 24th – in the squares surrounding the Cathedral of Salzburg. During this fall festival, you can try your hand at local crafts, sample traditional food, and make the most of the addictively lively atmosphere.
Blickfang in Vienna
A true feast for design lovers, Blickfang returns to Vienna every November. This design trade show showcases the best in fashion, jewelry, interior design, and more.
Belgium
Brussels Gallery Weekend in Brussels
One of the least-known fall festivals in Europe, Brussels Gallery Weekend is dedicated to contemporary visual art. It takes place in Brussels every September. The activities program includes cultural walks around the Belgian capital that allow participants to get to know the city through contemporary art.
Croatia
Zagreb Film Festival in Zagreb
For cinema enthusiasts, the Zagreb Film Festival is the perfect opportunity to explore Croatia’s capital, alongside attending screenings and workshops that focus on independent filmmaking. The festival takes place in November, providing the perfect excuse to plan a fall trip to Zagreb.
Czech Republic
Dvorakova Praha International Music Festival in Prague
A celebration of music that brings together musicians and conductors from around the world, the Dvorakova Praha Festival takes place every September in Prague with a mission to honor the work of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak.
Signal Festival in Prague
We might love Prague a bit too much. This is why we went as far as to include a second annual event that’s happening in the Czech capital in this list of the best fall festivals in Europe.
Signal Festival is dedicated to digital and creative culture and has become the most visited cultural event in the country as it’s attracted over 4.5 million visitors so far.
Estonia
Tallinn Architecture Biennale in Tallinn
Every September, the Tallinn Architecture Biennale invites locals and visitors alike to explore the world through the prism of architecture and understand how the latter is, in essence, shaping cultures and societies. All this with the fascinating architecture of Tallinn serving as the perfect backdrop.
Finland
Helsinki Book Fair in Helsinki
Held every October in Helsinki, the Helsinki Book Fair isn’t your average book fair. It’s considered by many the grandest cultural event in Finland.
Local and international authors participate in this unique event, with bookworms from Finland and abroad cherishing this great opportunity to meet their favorite writers and engage in casual discussions with them.
France
Fete des Vendanges de Montmartre in Paris
No list of the best fall festivals in Europe would be complete without a mention of at least one of countless harvest festivals that take place in several European countries during this season. When it comes to wine, though, most – if not all – roads lead to France.
Set in one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Paris, Fete des Vendanges de Montmartre is a celebration of the harvest season and local wines. The festival features several activities, such as wine tastings, vineyard visits, live music events, and even a grand parade.
Germany
International Literature Festival in Berlin
Lovers of books gather in one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals every September to attend talks, signings, and other literary events. The International Literature Festival in Berlin takes great pride in being one of the world’s best festivals for literature aficionados.
Oktoberfest in Munich
Probably the most famous of all fall festivals in Europe on this list, Oktoberfest needs no special introduction as it’s considered one of the best things to do in Germany.
The world’s largest beer festival is also the epitome of Bavarian culture, an unmissable event for any true beer lover, and an excellent opportunity to sample a wide variety of beers.
Every October, Munich attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world as the famous beer festival has gradually become a sort of pilgrimage for anyone appreciating local brews and colorful folklore. Crowds are inevitable so come armed with patience.
Greece
Athens Flying Week in Athens
You may have never heard of that before but, every September, the most impressive air show in the Balkans is held in an air force base a few kilometers from Athens.
Athens Flying Week is a spectacular air show that allows spectators to watch in awe flying displays, and tactical demonstrations, alongside the occasional low flyby of fighter jets or passenger aircraft.
Hungary
Budapest Wine Festival in Budapest
How does wine with a view over the Danube sound? The courtyards and outdoor public spaces of the historic Buda Castle host the Budapest Wine Festival every year in mid-September for four days, an event that appeals to wine enthusiasts who flock to Budapest to sample the country’s exquisite wines.
As well as trying the output of many of the country’s best wineries from several wine regions, there’s also plenty of great food – mostly local specialties – to balance the wine.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam Dance Event in Amsterdam
For lovers of the genre, the Amsterdam Dance Event is one of the most influential electronic music events. Every October, this massive electronic music festival rocks Amsterdam for five days – and nights – and features over a thousand separate happenings in more than 200 locations.
Poland
Sacrum Profanum Music Festival in Krakow
Established in 2003 and filling the air of Krakow with music every November since then, Sacrum Profanum is an annual festival dedicated to contemporary music and young artists who aren’t afraid to push boundaries.
Slovakia
Bratislava Jazz Days in Bratislava
Every October, Bratislava Jazz Days is a festival dedicated to jazz music. For three days, Bratislava sways in the rhythm of jazz during a festival that celebrates jazz in all its forms, from modern and fusion to vocal and instrumental.
Spain
Concurs de Castells in Tarragona
The world’s largest human tower shows, Concurs de Castells take place every year in early October – the first weekend of October to be more precise – in seaside Tarragona, a picturesque town in Spain that lies less than a two-hour drive from Barcelona.
Dating back to 1932, these human tower shows are popular with locals and tourists alike and for good reason. Watching daredevils building human towers right before your very eyes doesn’t happen every day.
Discover The Best Fall Festivals in Europe With JayWay
If any – or all – of these fall festivals in Europe caught your attention and you’d like to know more, we’re here to answer all your questions. We’re also here if you decide to visit Europe in the fall, making sure we add the best European festivals and special events to your customized itinerary.
All you have to do is let us know your dates, travel style, and preferences and we’ll do the rest. You can start planning your fall break in Europe now. We’re only an email or phone call away!
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.