Festival trip guides

From the historic Bravades to the world-famous Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the French Riviera town hosts a rich calendar of traditions, regattas, and cultural events. Learn what happens each season, when to visit, and how to plan your trip around these local celebrations.

Perpignan's Sant Joan celebration, the Festa Major, centers on the Castillet and the Allées Maillol, not a single bonfire. This guide covers the event's layout, the symbolic Canigó Flame ceremony, a typical evening's flow, and the practicalities of reaching the city by car or train, finding parking, and navigating the crowds safely.

The Strasbourg Christmas Market runs from late November to Christmas Eve. The most recent edition took place in 2025, with daily hours from 11:30 am to 9 pm, except on Christmas Eve when it closed at 6 pm. For the upcoming edition, dates are expected to be similar, but official confirmation is pending.

Strasbourg's Christmas market is one of Europe's oldest and most beloved. Learn about its traditions, from the historic Christkindelsmärik to Alsatian delicacies like bredele biscuits and vin chaud, and find out what makes it unique.

Strasbourg's Christmas market, known as the Christkindelsmärik, transforms the city each Advent. Explore the multiple squares, from the historic Place Broglie to the lively Place Kléber, and get practical tips for navigating crowds, savoring Alsatian treats, and making the most of your visit.

Plan a winter trip to Troyes with this practical guide to the Marché de Noël. Learn where it takes place, typical opening hours, family activities, and how to combine the market with the city's historic sights and outlet shopping.

Metz's Christmas market unfolds across five city-center squares, each with its own character. Here's your square-by-square guide to the ferris wheel at Place d'Armes, the ice rink at Place de la République, the local Qualité MOSL chalet on Place Saint-Jacques, the medieval charm of Place Saint-Louis, and the food carts of Place de Chambre. Plan your route through the city's festive offerings, including the separate lantern-lit trail on Île du Petit Saulcy.

Each year Troyes transforms its historic center into a Christmas village of wooden chalets in late November through late December. Learn the typical opening hours, what to expect from the parades and children's activities, and how to confirm current details before you go.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is a spectacular classic and modern yacht regatta in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Spectators can watch for free from the Old Port, Môle Jean Réveille, the Citadel hill, or Pampelonne Beach. Each offers a different perspective, from close-quarters views of yachts to panoramic vistas. For a closer look, consider a sea outing, but verify schedules with local operators. Plan ahead for traffic and parking, and enjoy the festive Voiles Village in the port.

The Atlantic Festival turns Funchal Bay into a stage for the International Fireworks Competition every Saturday in June. From shoreline viewpoints to private boats and rooftop bars, each way to watch offers a different experience. This guide explains what to expect, how to prepare, and how to pick the viewing option that suits you best.

Braga transforms into a festive scene each winter with lights, a Christmas market on Avenida Central, parades, and concerts. Learn what to expect—from the seasonal dates and locations to free and paid attractions—so you can plan a relaxed holiday visit to this historic Portuguese city.

Braga's Semana Santa processions draw visitors from across Portugal and beyond. This guide covers the main processions, typical routes through Sé de Braga, Rua do Souto, and Avenida da Liberdade, practical advice on viewing spots, crowd control, and street closures, plus photography tips for night processions. Always confirm the current schedule and routes on the official Holy Week website before you go.