Festivals and events

If you’re bored of the beach and looking for a spot of culture, why not see if one of these events takes your fancy?

April
Scoppio del Carro, Florence - 24 April

A Florentine tradition that takes place every year on Easter Sunday and really draws in the crowds. A procession winds its way through the streets, headed by a decorated cart pulled by oxen. Once it reaches the Piazza del Duamo, the cart is exploded. Legend says it will be a prosperous year if it catches fire.
Stay at Camping Norcenni Girasole Club, Florence

Queens Day, Holland – 29-30 April

Celebrate all things orange when up to a million people take to the streets of Amsterdam to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. You’ll find all manner of festivities, from carnivals, parades, live music and even decorated canal boats.
Stay at Camping Duinrell, Wassenaar

May
Scallop Festival, Loguivy de la Mer – 1-3 May

Brittany’s Côte d’Armor prides itself as the home of the scallop (or Coquille St Jaques). This annual festival celebrates the delicacy. Visitors can enjoy fishing trips out to some of the best scallop sites as well as a wealth of gastronomic delights to sample.
Stay at Yelloh! Village le Ranolien, Perros

Cannes Film Festival – 12-23 May

Once a year Cannes becomes the focus of the international film industry, when film makes, movie starts and fans descend on the town. Hundreds of films are screened, careers are made and broken and celebrity parties are where all the gossip happens! It’s very much an industry event, with tickets for screenings hard to come by, but it’s a great time to visit for celebrity spotting.
Stay at Camping Douce Quiétude, St Raphäel

June
International Art Exhibition, Venice – 4 June - November

Venice is without doubt one of the leading art exhibition centres in Europe. This year sees the 54th International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale, which runs from 4 June right through to November. Established in 1895 the Venice Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia) runs every other year and is the oldest, and remains the most important and prestigious event on the international contemporary visual arts calendar.
Stay at Camping Marina di Venezia

Luminara di San Ranieri, Pisa – 16 June

See the city of Pisa lit up with over 70,000 candles in celebration of Pisa’s patron saint. Candles are lit in the windows and crevices of buildings and monuments lining the river. Even the leaning tower joins in, spectacularly lit up with oil lamps. There are also various events and celebrations in the city centre, and a magnificent fireworks display at midnight.
Stay at Camping Valle Gaia, Cecina

San Juan, Spain – 23 June

Midsummer’s Eve is celebrated all over Spain on the 23 June. It traditionally marks the start of summer, and Playa d’Aro is one of the best places to join in the festivities. There is a huge bonfire built up on the beach, and a spectacular fireworks display that can be seen all over the town.
Stay at Camping Internacional de Calonge, Playa d’Aro

July
Bastille Day, France – 14 July

France’s national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille and the birth of the modern French republic. It’s celebrated nationwide with fireworks and events, but Paris is at the centre of the action! There’s a military parade along the Champs d’Elysées (get there early to secure a good view), and a huge fireworks display over the Eiffel tower to end the day.
Stay at Camping la Croix du Vieux Pont, Berny Rivière

Festival de Cornouaille, Quimper – 17-25 July

Discover Celtic heritage at this annual festival held in Quimper in South Brittany. There’s plenty going on from traditional Breton dancing, music and costumes, to live music, with events happening late into the evening.
Stay at Camping la Pointe de St Gilles, Bénodet

Siena Palio, Siena – 2 July & 16 August

Il Palio is a crazy bare-backed horse race around the Piazza del Campo in the heart of Siena. Daredevil riders, representing ten of the 17 town communes, compete for glory in the race, which lasts under two minutes. If you can face the crowds (the event draws thousands of spectators from all over the world), it’s a thrilling day out.
Stay at Camping le Capanne, Bibbona

September
Weinfest der Mittelmosel, Bernkastel-Kues – 1-4 September

Wine festivals are big business in Germany, and this annual event celebrates some of the best Riesling wines. With over 30 tasting booths, there’s plenty of opportunity to try before you buy. If you’re looking for a break from all that wine, there are also parades, fireworks and concerts to enjoy, plus a huge fairground which is sure to be a big hit with the children.
Stay at Camping Landal Warsberg, Saarburg

Festes de la Mercé, Barcelona – 22-24 September

Barcelona’s largest and most colourful street party is well worth a visit. There’s plenty going on from a parade of giants through the city, to concerts and firework displays. For many though, it’s the human towers that are the real draw. Sometimes reaching as many as eight or nine levels, the Castellers compete throughout the festival to see who can create the tallest.
Stay at Cambrils Park, Cambrils