11-12-13 May (annual)
Dancing procession of St. Willibrord
Echternach, Luxembourg
There are probably several ways to purge your sins, but, since the death of St. Willibrord in 739, pilgrims in the Echternach have been shaking a leg while shaking loose the evil spirits. People come from across Europe to dance to the sound of the sixteenthcentury bell in the town's abbey.
23 June
National Day
Luxembourg
National Day June 23, but for more action than the traditional cathedral Te Deum song and a military parade, show up the evening before for a torchlight parade, fireworks and a huge party. Several other towns around the country have celebrations, complete with pyrotechnics.
Nov - Dec (annual)
Luxembourg City Christmas Market
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
During the weeks leading up to Christmas, markets spring up throughout Luxembourg, including the capital, where the main Christmas market is held on the Place d'Armes. Locals head for the wooden huts to pick up their annual supply of candles, Christmas tree decorations, cribs and more. The cold weather doesn't seem to affect them, thanks to the large quantities of warm mulled wine, burning schnapps (known as Drepp), nourishing soup and Mettwurscht (the local sausage speciality).
Place d'arms, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
During the Easter weekend, Luxembourg and America's Deep South collide for the annual New Orleans meets Luxembourg festival. Street entertainment, tasty treats and the soulful tunes of rhythm and blues liven up Luxembourg City's Place D'Armes. The festival was launched in 2006 to help impoverished musicians in New Orleans as a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. What started as an act of solidarity became a hugely popular annual event and more than 8000 visitors attended the festival in 2007. Hot Louisiana-style food, colourful parades and evening jam sessions are the highlights, along with the foot-tappingly brilliant tunes of visiting New Orleans musicians and gospel church choirs.