Throughout the year, revelers flock to Europe to live it up at some of best dance and music parties in the world.
Dress up and get down in Prague at a Halloween party or epic trance event. Check out Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest that needs no introduction. Or head to Tarragona, Spain to see a human tower.
Top 5 European arts and culture festivals in October and November
From Spain to Germany, France, Hungary and England, these public gatherings are some of our favorite fetes.
1. Oktoberfest | Cancelled for 2020
Where? Munich, Germany
This famous 16-day celebration is the world’s largest beer fest, filled with traditional costumes, food, games, parades and more than 2 million gallons of beer.
While beer is the obvious main attraction, stick around for the 4.5-mile march of colorful brewery wagons, brass bands and carriages bedecked with flowers through München streets.
Get yourself into a beer tent, grab a savory sausage or two and drink the night away..
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3. Cafe Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival | Oct. 2-18, 2020
Where? Budapest, Hungary
The Cafe Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival offers more than 100 different programs in design, literature, music, dance and more. Shows, concerts and exhibitions featuring local and international artists are held at various venues across Budapest — some with free admission.
More than 200+ pastry chefs, chocolatiers and confectioners from all over the world come together for Salon du Chocolat — or the Paris Chocolate Show.
Learn about chocolate from the experts and get delicious recipes from some of the best chefs in the world. Enjoy tastings, workshops, conferences, live performances and even a space dedicated to junior chocolate lovers.
The Tarragona Human Tower competition is the largest in the world. Teams work together to build human structures that stretch up to nine stories high — with a child on top.
This world-class event is held once every two years, and tickets are limited. Come early and then stay for the parade, which displays the Catalan culture with live performances, dance, music and fireworks.Find flights to TarragonaFind hotels in Tarragona
Top 5 European music festivals in October and November
Whether indie or EDM is your vibe, you’ll be in the company of like-minded folks at these European music festivals.
1. Amsterdam Music Festival | Oct. 17, 2020
Where?Amsterdam, Holland
Smack-dab in the middle of the annual Amsterdam Dance Event conference (Oct. 1 to 25), this immersive event celebrates some of the biggest names in the electronic music industry. Tens of thousands of EDM-lovers flock to southwest Amsterdam for this heart-racing fete. Past headliners included David Guetta, KSHMR and Sunnery James.
This multigenre music festival is coming up on its 8th year. Despite it being a relatively new player on the scene, it draws big names — past performers include Passenger, Imagine Dragons, Stereophonic, Crystal Fighters, Suede and The Chemical Brothers.
The music mega-event is held at Bilbao Exhibition Center. Come to see your favorite rock, pop and electronic acts grace the stage.
And its sister act, BIME Pro, features international speakers at a three-day conference for the music and tech industries.
Transmission is much more than just another trance festival — it’s a rite of passage.
Returning to Prague for another epic night of music, Transmission is a mega trance party and one of the best indoor dance events in the world.
Before you arrive, brace yourself for complete immersion into the Transmission world where everything is larger-than-life: the futuristic acts, tailor-made laser shows, smoke displays and sound systems.
Where? Paris, France — not to be confused with the festival in Chicago!
If mainstream isn’t your thing and you’re in the mood for an eclectic mix of something a little different, book your tickets to Paris for the Pitchfork Music Festival.
This alternative festival in the French capital really knows how to mix it up. With an unpredictable lineup that features a collection of big names, indie favourites and emerging bands, it truly has something for everyone. The festival also prides itself in being green, so expect cleaner fuel and food options that are as varied as the lineup.
Set yourself up for a great autumn weekend; Pitchfork is where you need to be.
Celebrate Halloween in style at Prague’s biggest dress-up party.
Go crazy with costumes and make wild memories at this one-night-only event known for its outrageous get-ups, performances by local and international DJs, sexy dancers and majestic fire and lights shows.
After pinpointing the autumnal Europe festival that matches your inner party animal’s personality, check our collection of travel deals to save money on your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Nope. Oktoberfest in Munich is free to attend — though you’ll need euros to spend on beer and food.
Yes! Here’s a quick list of major European film festivals that take place from October to November in Europe.
BFI London Film Festival — London
Rome Film Festival — Rome
Black Nights Film Festival — Tallinn, Estonia
Nordische Filmtage Lübeck — Lübeck, Germany
Exground Filmfest — Wiesbaden, Germany
Reykjavik International Film Festival — Reykjavik, Iceland
Yes! Here are a few of our faves:
Boccaccesca Food and Wine Festival — Tuscany, Italy
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Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday.
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