Swimming in tomato paste, pouring the red wine, dancing with the crowd crazy to the rhythm of music, outdoor performances, journeys into the past ... There are as many ways to spice up your trip as festivals. And the number of this is huge. Attend any of them, believe, you will not regret.
Already in ancient Rome they had a proverb "De gustibus non est disputandum" (In matters of taste, there can be no disputes), so you can choose among variety of festivals. However, we've outlined only a handful of interesting festivals in Europe. A mere festival atmosphere, the vibe, mood, crowd and diversity programs are the reasons that will “suck” you in the core of the action, though perhaps a selection of musical guests or food is not quite according to your taste.
What: La Tomatina
Where: Buñol, Spain
When: last Wednesday in August
Where to sleep: HI Hostels Valencia
Every year thousands of people pilgrimage to a small Spanish village Buñol at the end of August. Simply because of tomatoes. Traditional tomato “fight” on the streets of Buñol turns otherwise tranquil village into red and all tireless "warriors" are dressed in "tomato" clothing. Tons of tomatoes are brought by convoys of trucks and on that Wednesday nobody and nothing can avoid tomato puree. How did all begin? The story is shrouded in a fog; a first La Tomatina started around seventy years ago, when a group of friends at lunch began to toss food. Fun event was repeated the following year, but this time they have included passers-by.
What: Love Parade
Where: Berlin, Germany
When: July
Where to sleep: HI Hostels Berlin
It all started after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 150 people staged a political demonstration for peace and international understanding on the streets of Berlin. They wanted to achieve their goal with love and of course music. That is how popular electronic music festival Love Parade was born and it got similar copies worldwide. It is attended by more than a million people, mostly fans of trance, house, techno and schranz music. Dancing on "music" trucks, trees, bulletin boards and lamps give the festival nickname "the greatest amateur circus on earth". If you are heading to Berlin during the Love Parade, book overnight stays in advance, because it can happen that the only answer you’ll get will be: "Sorry, we are full."
What: Exit Festival
When: July
Where: Novi Sad, Serbia
Where to sleep: Hostel Novi Sad – Brankovo Kolo
Warm summer, wonderful Petrovaradin fortress and several venues with good music. The thirteenth EXIT music festival in Novi Sad will this year again invite with numerous music stars. The crowd of more than 150,000 visitors enjoy rock, metal, punk, hip hop, drum and bass and electronic music. Moreover, the unique location offers superb acoustic that allows implementation of several concerts one next to another, without the sound interference. The beginnings of EXIT festival are dressed in the colours of protests against the government. Since 2010 the festival has also a charitable note. The State of Exit Foundation helps young people of Novi Sad in obtaining academic knowledge and experience through scholarships and academic projects.
What: Festival Lent
When: End of June, start of July
Where: Maribor, Slovenia
Where to sleep: HI Hostels Maribor
Of course we cannot forget the biggest Slovenian outdoor festival. Maribor, the city by the river Drava, during Festival Lent turns into a magical world in miniature. Lent Festival in Maribor annually attracts big names, music, theatre, dance and folk scene. Jazz, rock, pop, classical and ethnic music echoes from different stages on Lent. Street Theatre further brighten the Maribor scene, in the city park workshops for children take over green space and various sporting activities line up 16 days in a row. International multicultural festival in the Styrian capital each year offers more than 1,200 events at 35 venues.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
