Best Summer Events 2025, Per European Best Destinations

Forbes

01-06-2025

Decorated Boats on the Grand Canal in Venice for the "Historical Regatta" which takes place each September.
From the electrifying beats at Tomorrowland in Belgium and opera on the water at the Bregenz Festival, to the Velvet Dinner in Maribor and a historic sailing regatta in Venice, there's an event to suit every taste in Europe this summer. Here are ten of the best according to professional travel organization European Best Destinations.
Bregenz Festival
The Bregenz Festival takes place ever summer on a floating stage off the shore of Lake Constance. From a stage that seems to rise from the lake, visitors can see incredible set designs and masterpieces of opera, classical music and contemporary compositions, performed by elite orchestras and internationally renowned artists. And as if that isn't reason enough to attend, there are also spectacular fireworks and light projections.
Getting There: Zurich Airport is 90 minutes by car.
he ceremonial opening of the Fair St. Dominic. Fair tradition dates back 750 years and from 1260 he has been held in Gdansk."
Europe's largest open-air summer festival, St Dominic's Fair transforms Gdańsk into a vibrant world of flavors and unforgettable surprises. For 765 years, this iconic fair has drawn in travelers, artists, collectors and dreamers in search of not only rare treasures, but also meaningful moments. The medieval trade tradition blends with the spirit of a modern festival offering hundreds of fair stalls and over 400 events. Concerts, dancing, street theater, chill-out zones and family workshops complement the market with antiques and handmade goods by local artisans.
Getting there: Gdańsk Airport (GDN) is just 20 minutes from the city center.
Tomorrowland, Belgium
Tomorrowland is one of the world's biggest electronic music festivals, drawing over 400,000 fans from over 200 countries for two weekends each July. The festival's stages feature massive 3D structures, LED mega-screens and immersive storytelling themes. This year's theme is 'Orbyz' turning the festival location into a magical universe made of ice filled with mythical creatures. The festival attracts the world's best DJs like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren and Eric Prydz. Expect spectacular fireworks and laser shows too.
Getting there: Brussels is 30 min by car to Boom.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
Every August, Bristol's skies burst into color as hundreds of hot air balloons take flight in Europe's largest and most spectacular balloon festival. The Bristol International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court Estate is a free, four-day celebration that transforms the city into a floating dreamscape, making it one of the most popular events of the year. Visitors will see mass ascents at sunrise and sunset, where dozens of balloons of all shapes and sizes lift off simultaneously, creating a panoramic spectacle in the sky. At night, the festival transforms into a mesmerizing light show, as balloons illuminate in perfect sync with music.
Getting there: Bristol Airport is just 20 minutes from Ashton Court Estate. Alternatively, London Heathrow is around a 90 minute drive to Bristol.
Puppets Occupy Street Festival, Craiova, Romania
Art, music and theatre come together in Puppets Occupy Street Festival. For eight days, the streets, parks and squares of Craiova become a surreal open-air stage, where giant puppets parade, street performers captivate, and immersive animations and visual arts take over the city. With international artists, oversized puppet floats, interactive workshops and concerts, this free, non-competitive festival turns Craiova into a dreamlike playground for all ages.
Getting there: Craiova has direct flights from London and Brussels.
Velvet Dinner Maribor
The Velvet Dinner is a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience that takes place in the vineyards of Maribor, Slovenia's wine capital. The elegant, open-air dinner is more than just a meal, it's an immersive celebration of local cuisine, culture and community. Guests seated at a long communal table under the open sky are treated to an exquisite menu paired with award-winning Styrian wines. The dinner is prepared and served by rising stars from local hospitality schools, adding a fresh and authentic flair to the experience.
Getting there: Ljubljana Airport is 90 minutes by car or Graz Airport is 60 minutes by car.
Fireworks explode as Coldplay perform on the Pyramid stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2024 at Worthy Farm, n Glastonbury, England.
Glastonbury, the world's most legendary music festival, brings together iconic artists, emerging talent and a unique mix of arts and culture for five unforgettable days. Held on the vast fields of Worthy Farm, the festival was founded by Michael Eavis in 1970 and features around 3,000 performances across over 80 stages. Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and iconic Pyramid Stage, the festival's headliners for 2025 include The 1975, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, The Prodigy and the Ezra Collective. In addition to music the festival features immersive art installations and cabaret performances.
Getting there: Bristol Airport is just 1 hour from Worthy Farm.
Regata Storica', a competition between Venetian boats and gondolas sail the Grand Canal from Piazza San Marco to Rialto Bridge.
Every September, the Grand Canal of Venice transforms into a breathtaking stage for the Regata Storica, one of the most historic and visually stunning water festivals in the world. Combining majestic 16th-century pageantry with thrilling gondola races, this event is a true Venetian spectacle, attracting thousands of visitors for an unforgettable display of tradition and color. The first regatta took place in 1315 and today the festival begins with the Grand Historical Parade of ornate 16th-century boats, rowed by Venetians in elaborate Renaissance costumes. Following the parade, the best rowers in Venice compete in highly competitive regattas, racing through the Grand Canal in traditional Venetian boats.
Getting there: Venice Marco Polo Airport is 20 minutes from the city center. From there, take a private water taxi or a vaporetto (public boat) straight to the Grand Canal.
Cattle drive in Zillertal alps, Tirol – Austria
The Almabtrieb (in German 'drive from the mountain pasture') is an annual public event in the alpine regions in Europe, referring to a cattle drive that takes place in late September or early October. During summer, all over the alpine regions cattle herds feed on alpine pastures (Almen in Austria or Germany, Alpen in Switzerland) high up in the mountains. Every September, thousands of beautifully adorned cattle descend from the mountain pastures in the Cattle Drive (Almabtrieb) of Tyrol. This centuries-old tradition, celebrated with music, folk dances, and vibrant parades, marks the end of summer grazing and is one of Europe's most picturesque and authentic rural festivals.
Getting there: Innsbruck Airport is 30-60 minutes from the main Tyrolean villages.
Flowertime, Brussels, Belgium
Every year, Brussels transforms into a paradise of flowers with Flowertime, an immersive floral exhibition outside of the Unesco-listed Brussels City Hall. Talented Belgian and international floral designers let their creativity run wild, crafting breathtaking floral installations that celebrate the year's theme (to be announced soon!).
Getting there: Brussels Airport is 25 minutes from the city center.