1 May - 31 Aug (annual)
Birka
Birka, Sweden
Birka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just 20km outside Stockholm. A fortified town and former home of Viking Kings, the settlement is now unveiling its secrets to archaeologists and visitors.
Wikipedia
10 July - 10 Aug (annual)
ImPuls Tanz
Vienna, Austria
Dancing, or something that looks vaguely like it, is nonstop during this month-long celebration or rhythmic movement in Vienna. World famous choreographers and dance companies perform all over the city, and there are courses and workshops if you want to get in on the action yourself.
25 July-7 Sep
Yehudi Menuhin Festival
Gstaad, Switzerland
Yehudi Menuhin founded this festival in 1956 to bring chamber music to the swanky Swiss Alps resort of Gstaad. Well, it seemed like reason to enough at the time. The event has grown and the concerts are held in the churches and surrounding villages. World-renowned solists also perform.
Website
26 July - 31 Aug (annual)
Salzburg Festival
Salzburg, Austria
The Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) is a prominent festival of music and drama. It is held each summer (for 5 weeks starting in late July) within the Austrian town of Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
28 July - 6 August
Interceltic Festival
Lorient, France
Annual showcase of the Celtic arts, featuring performers from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Asturias, Galicia, Isle of Man and Brittany.
29 July - 1 Aug
HamletScenen Presents: Macbeth: Who is that bloodied man?
Kronborg Castle, Helsingør, Denmark
A great Shakespeare-classic performed by the Polish ensemble Teatr Biuro Podrózy in the castle yard at Kronborg. Expect an action-packed adventure with motorcycles, witches on stilts, blood and magnificent music. Youth under the age of 25 get 50% discount!
Website
1 - 3 Aug
Amsterdam Pride
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam Pride is one of largest gay and lesbian festivals in Europe.
1-3 August (annual).
Cultural Harbour
Copenhagen, Denmark
Four days of dance, theatre, artistry and a variety of sports events in the har¬bour and on the quay. All activities are for free.
Website
2-3 August
Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix
Copenhagen, Denmark
Race at the centre of Copenhagen with classic cars participating in a thrilling race around the major park of the city, Fælledparken
Website
4-10 August
Copenhagen Summer dance
Copenhagen, Denmark
Open air dance performance in the spectacular courtyard of the Copenhagen Police Head Quarters.
Website
5 Aug (various dates)
Royal Parc Music Festival
Parc de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
On three sun-drenched Sundays of July and the first Sunday of August, the Parc Royal, also known as Parc de Bruxelles, hosts high-quality concerts.
5 - 8 August
HamletScenen Presents: Romeo and Juliet
Kronborg Castle, Helsingør, Denmark
This Shakespeare-classic is performed by the Lithuanian ensemble Okt/Vilnius City Theatre in the castle yard at Kronborg. A fascinating drama with two pizzeria-families in the center of the famous lovestory. Expect blood, passion and lots of flour. Youth under the age of 25 get 50% discount!
Website
7 - 11 Aug
Øya Festival
Oslo, Norway
Impressive line-up of live music on its three stages: Enga (the Meadow), Sjøsiden (the Seaside), and Vika (The Cove).
8 - 14 Aug
Sziget 2008
Budapest, Hungar y
A week of musical mayhem on 15 different music stages features the best Hungarian and international bands and DJs.
8 Aug - 31 Sep
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland
One of Europe's best-known fine arts festivals. Three weeks of outstanding performances from the world's greatest artists, orchestras and companies in one of the world's most beautiful cities.
10 - 12 Aug
Puck Fair
Killorglin, Ireland
One of most unusual street fairs in the Republic. Expect a horse fair, parade and coronation of King Puck, along with children’s competitions, street entertainment and dancing displays.
14 - 22 Aug (annual)
Novena at Knock
Knock, Ireland
Knock would barely be on the map were it not for an alleged visit there from Our Lady two centuries back.
15 Aug (annual)
Bird Festival
Sacile, Italy
The Bird Festival (Sagra dei Osei) in Sacile occurs the Sunday after Ferragosto, which is on the 15 August every year.
15 - 17 Aug
Lowlands Festival
Biddinghuizen, Holland
A three-day, progressive outdoor festival that focuses on alternative music, but offers much more than just that, with a complete programme of stand-up comedy, film, visual arts, literature and street theatre.
15 Aug - 17 Aug
European Elvis Festival
Bad Nauheim, Germany
With a large number of events such as tribute concerts, guided tours, Elvis movies and a Cadillac parade.
22 - 24 Aug
Reading festival
Reading, England
A major festival since its inception, Reading is the music fans' favourite and continues to draw bigger and better artists in rock from all over the world.
27 Aug annual
La Tomatina
Bunyol, Spain
Every year 9000 inhabitants of the tiny village of Bunyol find their population has quadrupled overnight as a multitude of enthusiasts turn up for the largest tomato fight on planet.
29-30 August (annual)
European Medieval Festival
Horsens, Denmark
More than 100.000 musicians, knights, pilgrims, monks and visitors participate. Tournaments with knights from different countries, shows and parades. For two days the entire city is transformed into a village from the 15th century. Horsens is a city in Jutland, which can easily be reached by train.
Website
29 August-7 september
Aarhus Festival Week
Aarhus, Denmark
Several shows, theatre performances, concerts, opera, ballet, music, sport and much more all day long for all ages. Several performances are free. This year's theme: Dance.
Website
August (twice a year, annually)
Long Night of Museums
Berlin, Germany
A cultural event organized together by multiple museums and cultural institutions. A totally free night of culture!
Website
1 Sep 2008 - 30 Jun 2009 (annual)
Guru
Guru, Athens, Greece
Guru is a cosy, three-floor, winter venue playing jazz, soul and funk, as well as serving Thai food and cocktails.
8 Dec 2007 - 8 Dec 2008
Lourdes Jubilee Year
Lourdes, France
In 1858, in a cave in Lourdes, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous was visited on a number of occasions by the blessed Virgin Mary.
Sinj, Croatia
Dating back to 1715, when 700 Croats defeated 60,000 Turkish soldiers at the Battle of Sinj, the three-day Alka festival (also known as the Tilters Tournament) takes over the tiny town every August.
9 - 10 Aug
Baroque Palace Days
Gödöllô, Hungary
A trip back in time to the elegant Baroque era is at the heart of the Baroque Palace Days, held in Gödöllõ's Royal Palace. The annual programme includes events such as puppet theatre, horse shows, opera performances, handicraft markets, pottery, toy making and typical Baroque cuisine.
Website
28 June - 2 Aug (annual)
International Summer Carnival of Kotor
Kotor, Montenegro
The small town of Kotor bursts into life for the International Summer Carnival of Kotor. With a carnival parade to match any other and plenty of local food, drink and dancing, this event shows off Montanegro's true colours. The opening ceremony kicks off on the main square on Monday at 8.30pm with dance performances by local girls, mazoretke, dressed up in colourful costumes. Later on in the evening everyone gathers at the fishing area of Muo to enjoy the taste of locally caught fish and a glass of wine, all spurred on by lots of musical entertainment.
International Festival of Organ Music
Gdansk, Poland
Poland's long-standing International Festival of Organ Music - first held in 1958 - takes place at the Oliwa Cathedral in Gdansk. Tuesday and Friday night concerts from mid-June to August have brought the Oliwa organ back to life, presenting the music of the early masters and world premières in a unique location.
22 - 29 Aug
International Highland Folk Festival
Zakopane, Poland
One of the oldest and biggest folk events in Poland, the annual International Highland Folk Festival was first held in 1969. Highlanders from all over the world congregate in Zakopane to celebrate their customs through regional costumes, music and dance.
20 - 24 Aug (annual)
Festa de Nossa Senhora da Agonia
Viano do Castello, Portugal
Every year, the 15th-century town of Viana do Castelo hosts the colourful Festa de Nossa Senhora da Agonia, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.
Website
20 - 24 Aug (annual)
Belgrade Beer Fest
Belgrade, Serbia
The Belgrade Beer Festival takes place at the foot of the city's Kalemegdan fortress. Visitors can sample more than 30 different domestic and foreign brews at ridiculously low prices, with live music performances every evening. The festival has quickly grown in both size and popularity since its birth in 2003, with over 550,000 visitors crowding Kalemegdan in 2006 to drink over half a million litres of beer!
Website