15 Best Winter Festivals in Europe – Unleash the fun!

You can make the most of European culture and traditions in winter. Try being a part of some amazing winter festivals celebrated in Europe. These unique festivals will surely blow your mind as it includes Ice sculptures, huge music concerts, skiing and snowboarding and fancy parades. So, here are the 15 best winter festivals in Europe for you. Winter is coming!!

15 best winter festivals in Europe –

1. Venice Carnival, Italy
2. Amsterdam Light Festival, the Netherlands
3. Altitude Comedy Festival, Mayrhofen, Austria
4. Ljubljana Dragon Carnival, Slovenia
5. Snowbombing, Mayrhofen, Austria
6. Netherlands Ice Sculpture Festival, Zwolle, Netherlands
7. Cologne Carnival, Germany
8. Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
9. Tomorrowland Winter, Alpe d’Huez, France
10. Sitges Carnival, Spain
11. Rise Festival, Les Deux Alpes, France
12. New Year’s Dive, The Netherlands
13. Fête du Citron, Menton, France
14. Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, Scotland
15. Nice Carnival, France

1. Venice Carnival, Italy

Venice carnival is all about the grand fair, masquerade balls, extravagant parades, ice skating, Venetian mast market, concert and more. This festival is held annually in February in Venice. There are many paid as well as free events to participate in, different fun competitions and so on. So, try not to miss this fun festival. 

Also read – 6 Best Free Things to Do in Venice – The City of Canals

2. Amsterdam Light Festival, the Netherlands

The city of Amsterdam sparkles up in light with many national and international light artists showcasing their talents. This festival is going to happen from 28 November 2024 to 19th January 2025. The festival presents the best of the best artists and you surely will enjoy it a lot!

3. Altitude Comedy Festival, Mayrhofen, Austria

Altitude Comedy Festival features the best comedians all over the world. This unique comedy festival takes place at the Tyrolean ski resort of Mayrhofen every winter. You can do snowboarding along with awesome stand-up and musical comedy, a completely different experience to have.

Also read – Best time to visit Austria- Perfect Vacationing Avenues In 2024!

4. Ljubljana Dragon Carnival, Slovenia

Ljubljana Dragon Carnival is a very enthusiastic festival that happens each year on Shrove Saturday. It features dance, puppet shows, and a colourful parade of masked characters at the old centre of Ljubljana. It is also known as Shrovetide Carnival and it is a perfect way to have a cultural and traditional experience of Slovenia.

5. Snowbombing, Mayrhofen, Austria

This festival is all about snow and crazy days and nights, jam-packed music fun. People chill and enjoy it in the month of April in Austria. You can book your tickets online from its official website and have a fantastic time spent. This festival is all about live bands and DJs, street parties, ski and snowboarding, delicious food and so much more!

Also read – 8 Most Beautiful Castles in Austria That Are Jaw-Dropping Beautiful

6. Netherlands Ice Sculpture Festival, Zwolle, Netherlands

Netherlands Ice Sculpture Festival is another unique festival that includes creativity. Talented people participate and show their talents in making sculptures from ice. Every year this event has a unique theme and the participants have to make sculptures based on that particular theme. Last year’s theme was “JOURNEY THROUGH TIME” and each year it gets more exciting. Also, you can have some traditional winter treats like Apple strudel with vanilla sauce, Dutch sausages, mulled wine and more.

7. Cologne Carnival, Germany

Cologne Carnival is known as the “Fifth Season” and is celebrated on 11^th November (11^th month) at 11:11 (don’t forget to make a wish!!!)  You will witness concerts, flamboyant processions and parades. Also, the highlight is the Rose Monday Parade with over 150 floats and thousands of people marching on the streets of Cologne.

Also read – The Top Food Traditions In Germany To Keep In Mind On Your Vacation

8. Carnival de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife is celebrated in the month of February. The traditional events include the Gala in which the Carnival Queen is elected, the Burial of the Sardine, and the Coso (the final parade). So, adding more to it this event is just perfect to enjoy and have some cultural knowledge.

9. Tomorrowland Winter, Alpe d’Huez, France

Tomorrowland Winter festival is an exciting addition to Europe’s snow music festivals. The enormous festival brings some of the best DJs across the globe. You can expect amazing concerts, food, drinks and more. Famous DJs like Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Martin Garrix, Afrojack and Steve Aoki are part of this festival. You won’t regret visiting here!

Also read – France Travel Tips – Have a perfect France Vacation 🙂

10. Sitges Carnival, Spain

Sitges Carnival happens in the month of February and still is one of the hottest parties. You can witness thousands of partygoers dancing on the major streets across the town. This carnival is specifically enjoyed by gay boys and girls. You can visit this little town and party the week away! The highlights of this carnival are the Parade of Debauchery and the gay-friendly Parade of Extermination.

11. Rise Festival, Les Deux Alpes, France

Rise festival is a week full of snow, music, adventure, sports and so much more at Les Deux Alpes. Visit this enthusiastic festival with epic parties, along with 222 km of pistes and the huge skiable glacier in Europe.

12. New Year’s Dive, The Netherlands

This unique tradition is definitely unique and going on since 1960. The people celebrate it by starting New Year with a dive into the sea and moving into New Year with freshness. More than 60 locations throughout the country celebrate New Year’s dive. You can observe the greatest dive on the beach of Scheveningen.

Also read – Top Cities Of The Netherlands That Travellers Must Visit On A Vacation

13. Fête du Citron, Menton, France

This colourful festival exhibits big parades and exhibitions in which everything is made from citrus fruits. Visit and discover a unique festival with your family and friends and explore something different. Some of the most amazing displays can be seen in the Jardins Biovès.

14. Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, Scotland

Up Helly Aa is a spectacular fire festival in Lerwick, the main port of Scotland’s Shetland Islands. This festival can make you believe that you are in the Viking’s era with its traditional music and a dramatic torch-lit procession. You will witness people disguised in heritage costumes throwing burning torches into a galley, a traditional Viking longship.

Also read – Outlander Filming Locations In Scotland

15. Nice Carnival, France

Come join in one of the major carnival events in France! Nice Carnival is celebrated annually in February or in early March. You can enjoy it with a series of theatre performances, firework, colourful food stalls and striking parades that features decorated floats and giant papier mâché figurines. Children enjoy this carnival the most and you surely can visit here to have a great time.

Aren’t you excited yet? Winter is coming so get prepared to witness some ravishing festivals and gain some knowledge about the traditions and culture of Europe. Not to worry about travelling as Pickyourtrail is a perfect website with amazing deals in Europe Tour Packages and here, you can even customise your itinerary on your own! So what are you waiting for? Let’s go!