Tar Barrels Ottery St Mary 2026 – Flaming Barrels, Program & Visitor Guide
On 5 November 2026, Ottery St Mary hosts one of England's most extraordinary traditions: local runners carry flaming tar barrels through packed streets in a custom stretching back over 400 years. Free entry, unmissable atmosphere.
Cologne Carnival 11 November 2026 – Opening Day, Program & Visitor Guide
Join around 30,000 revellers at Heumarkt on 11 November 2026 for the official opening of Cologne Carnival. Live music from 9:00 AM, the legendary 11:11 AM countdown with confetti, and celebrations across the Old Town. Tickets from €39.
Patras Carnival 2027 – Greece's Largest Carnival Festival
Patras Carnival 2027, Greece's largest carnival, runs from 17 January to 14 March. Experience weeks of parades, the legendary Bourboulia masked ball, the Children's Carnival and the Grand Parade on 14 March with up to 40,000 participants. Free entry to all main events.
Tenerife Carnival 2027 – Program, Dates & Visitor Guide Santa Cruz
Tenerife Carnival 2027 runs from 22 January to 28 February under the theme «Roma Eterna». Highlights include the Queen Election Gala on 17 February, the Coso Apoteósico parade on 23 February and the legendary Entierro de la Sardina. One of the world's greatest carnivals.
Rijeka Carnival 2027 – International Parade, Program & Visitor Guide
Rijeka's legendary carnival returns in 2027 with the Children's Parade on 30 January and the International Carnival Parade on 7 February, drawing over 100,000 spectators to Korzo for Croatia's biggest and most colourful street festival.
Carnival of Ovar – Program, Tickets & Visitor Guide
The Carnival of Ovar, known as Vitamina da Alegria, is one of Portugal's most vibrant festivals. Over three weeks, the town near Aveiro fills with colourful parades, samba nights, the Grande Noite Mágica and the iconic Noite Dominó. In 2027, the carnival closes on Tuesday 9 February.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival 2027 – Program, Highlights & Visitor Guide
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival 2027 runs from 22 January to 28 February under the theme "Music". Five weeks of festivities include the Drag Queen Gala on 19 February, the Gran Cabalgata on 20 February and the symbolic Burial of the Sardine to close the season on 28 February.
Up Helly Aa 2027 – Viking Fire Festival in Lerwick, Shetland
On 26 January 2027, over 900 torchbearers in Viking costume march through the darkened streets of Lerwick and burn a hand-built longship in one of Europe's most spectacular fire festivals. The procession begins at 19:30 and is free to watch from the streets.
Kurentovanje Ptuj 2027 – Program, Dates & Guide to Slovenia's UNESCO Carnival
The 67th Kurentovanje in Ptuj runs from 3 to 9 February 2027. Slovenia's UNESCO-listed carnival turns the country's oldest town into a living open-air museum, with traditional sheepskin-clad Kurents, an international parade on 7 February and a midnight fire ritual to open the season.
Historic Carnival of Ivrea 2027 – Battle of the Oranges, Program & Visitor Guide
From 4 to 9 February 2027, Ivrea hosts its legendary Historic Carnival and Battle of the Oranges. Nine teams hurl 500 tonnes of citrus through the medieval streets in a spectacular re-enactment of the town's revolt against tyranny. Tickets available via TicketOne.
Lucerne Fasnacht 2027 – Dates, Program & Visitor Guide
Lucerne Fasnacht 2027 takes place from 4 to 9 February in the Old Town. With over 350,000 participants, it is Switzerland's biggest carnival. Highlights include the Fritschi Parade, the Wey Parade and the closing Monster Corso with around 80 Guggenmusik bands. Free admission for most events.
Busójárás Mohács 2027 – Dates, Program & Visitor Guide
Busójárás in Mohács runs from 4 to 9 February 2027. This UNESCO-listed winter carnival brings masked Busós, a dramatic Danube boat crossing, giant bonfires and authentic Hungarian folk tradition to the streets of southern Hungary. Admission is free.