Fête des Lumières Lyon 2026 – Festival of Lights, Program & Visitor Guide
From 5 to 8 December 2026, the Fête des Lumières transforms Lyon into a glowing open-air museum. Four nights of free light installations by international artists illuminate the Old Town, the Presqu'île and the Fourvière Basilica. Admission free.
Yule Lads Bath in Mývatn – Iceland's Unique Christmas Tradition
On 6 December 2026, Iceland's 13 Yule Lads invite visitors to join them for their once-a-year bath at Earth Lagoon Mývatn starting at 4:00 PM. A Christmas market at Skjólbrekka and a Yule Lads visit at Dimmuborgir complete the most magical winter day in North Iceland.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay – New Year Festival, Program & Visitor Guide
From 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, Edinburgh hosts its legendary Hogmanay festival featuring the Torchlight Procession, a 45,000-person Street Party, Concert in the Gardens and spectacular midnight fireworks over the Castle. Tickets from £32.
Maison & Objet Paris January 2027 – Premier Edition for Interior Design & Luxury
Maison & Objet Premier takes place from 14 to 18 January 2027 at Paris Nord Villepinte. The first major design event of the year brings together over 67,000 trade professionals and 2,300 brands across furniture, luxury interiors and craftsmanship. Trade professionals only.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Venice Carnival 2027 – Masks, Balls & Visitor Guide
Venice Carnival 2027 runs from 23 January to 9 February, turning the city of canals into a breathtaking open-air stage. Daily costume parades on Piazza San Marco, exclusive masquerade balls in historic palaces and spectacular water shows at the Arsenale make this one of the world's most extraordinary festivals.
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.
Don Giovanni – Opéra Bastille Paris 2027 – Program, Tickets & Visitor Guide
The Opéra Bastille in Paris stages a spectacular new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni from 28 January to 24 June 2027, directed by Louisa Proske. With world-class artists including Peter Mattei and Davide Luciano in the title role, this is one of the defining operatic events of the 2026/2027 season. Tickets from €151.