12 spring events in Europe featuring culture, street parades and food spirited by the arrival of spring you should visit next.

As I am writing this, heavy snowflakes are dancing before my window, and the outside is turning into a winter wonderland again. And yet, spring is only a few weeks away.

So, if a spring break is on your mind and you have not yet decided where to go, this is the time to sort it out. Otherwise, you will end up with only the few options others will have left.

Let me help you decide where to go for a truly unique experience, and excellent local food.

12 awesome spring events in Europe to inspire your wanderlust

There is no shortage of amazing places to visit in Europe year-round. But come spring, with milder temperatures, the first spring blossoms and fresh seasonal produce, the continent is starting to stage many awesome spring events that will make a visit even more unique and exciting.

So, if you still need some inspiration where to spend your next spring vacation, let me introduce you to 12 amazing festivals and events taking place across Europe worth planning a visit around.

Agrigento, Sicily (Italy)

Festa del Fiore del Mandorlo or Mandorlo in Fiore, the famous almond blossom festival will return once again in early March. Though timed around the local almond blossom, this iconic event celebrated for the first time in 1934 really celebrates the arrival of Spring.

Spread over parts of Agrigento, there will be daily parades, dancing, live music, and of course a sea of blossoming almond trees. Meanwhile, the evening parade taking place in the stunning Valley of the Temples, the UNESCO-listed archaeological site comprising the ancient Greek temples of the gods, is clearly the highlight of the whole festival.

Part of the event are tastings of local almond products, such as almond milk, cakes, and pastries.

Taking place in early March usually means mild temperatures while tourist numbers are still low. Take this as a sign to plan a short road trip exploring nearby places like Catania, Taormina and of course Agrigento.

When: 7th to 15th March 2026

Rolli Days, Genova (Italy)

If you have always dreamed of a stay at one of the most celebrated locations along the Italian Riviera, like Portofino, consider a visit in late March.

It’s not the time for a beachside holiday but when the sun is out, the days will be lovely. Other benefits – well hotel rates will be still reasonably low and there will be only few other tourists around.

And if visiting historic palaces and museums is part of your travel bucket list, this year the last weekend in March you will be given the opportunity to do just that in Genova. The annual Rolli Days offer the opportunity to discover the city and its UNESCO-listed historical palaces for free; including those still privately owned and usually closed to the public.

When: 27th to 29th March 2026

Pfalz Almond Blossom, Palatinate (Germany)

This annual event is the unofficial start to the region’s wine season.

The timing of the local almond blossom obviously varies each year depending on climate conditions. Yet this being one of the warmest areas in Germany, temperatures will reliably start to turn mild from early March.

If you plan a trip, I recommend timing your visit from around mid- to end March. During this period, you are likely to see the whole region tinged in white and pink from the thousands of almond trees.

The trees were originally brought to the area by the Romans and the nearly 80 kilometres long official almond blossom trail, officially called Pfälzer Mandelpfad runs along most of the famous German Wine Road (Weinstrasse), from Bad Dürkheim to Schweigen-Rechtenbach.

During the official almond weeks, there will be many different events and festivals celebrating the almond blossom along with the arrival of Spring in general. There will be special guided hikes through the vineyards and the areas lined by almond trees, and old-timer bus will tour the area several times a day (including during the evenings), and restaurants, wine bars and wineries will all have their own special culinary almond-themed events.

When: 21st February to 6th April 2026

Saint Patrick’s Day, Dublin (Ireland)

In Ireland, festivities for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th usually start early. This year, the island will see events celebrating Irish culture, and food, starting on March 14th.

In Dublin, there will be a city-wide festival programme featuring live music, street parades and more than 150 artists performing. Meanwhile, there will be more events taking place across Ireland, including the famous Limerick St. Partick’s Festival and Home of St. Patrick’s Festival in Armagh.

Food plays a huge role as well featuring traditional, hearty dishes like Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, and boxty which you can all enjoy at the various festivals and events.

When: 14th to 17th March 2026

Festival of Lights, Zagreb (Croatia)

This annual event turns the streets and parks of Zagreb into an illuminated open-air gallery. Stroll through illuminated walkways and admire projections, interactive light installations and 3D mappings on historic landmarks by local and international artists.

The event collaborates with WWF Adria to emphasize nature protection, with installations often highlighting environmental responsibility, which is another reason to consider a visit.

The festival is a truly amazing way to celebrate the arrival of spring and a quite unique way to experience and discover the city.

While temperatures will still be on the cooler side, and rain can be still frequent, it is the time the first spring flowers will appear, and trees will start to bloom.

Take advantage of still low tourist numbers to explore the local food scene offering a mix of delightful warming, hearty, Austro-Hungarian influenced dishes and the first fresh, green ingredients of spring.

When: March 18th to 22nd 2026

Semana Santa, Spain

Celebrated from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, Semana Santa is one of the major annual holy festivities taking place all over Spain. Slow-moving street processions featuring hooded penitents and massive, ornate floats are organized by local brotherhoods.

The most famous of these events are taking place across Andalucia, in the south of Spain, and particularly Sevilla.

Expect large crowd along the streets and plazas and people gathering at cafés and restaurants.

Like most religious celebrations across Europe, and the Easter week in particular, Semana Santa features its own traditional treats, including the popular torrijas (Spanish-style French toast) and mona de Pascua, a traditional Spanish Easter cake consisting of sweet, citrus-flavoured bread often topped with hard-boiled eggs.

When: 5th to 12th April 2026

Vinitaly and the City, Verona (Italy)

The well-known annual wine fair is a business-admission only event. Theoretically at least. During the 4-day event, there will be many city-wide events accessible to the general wine lover.

Running under the special banner ‘Vinitaly and the City, there will be special events, meetings, tasings and wine talks. Tasting huts will go up in various squares across the historic centre, including Piazza Bra just in front of the stunning Roman amphitheatre, the Arena di Verona.

The event will also get you access to some of the city’s spectacular palazzi otherwise closed to the public. Note however, tastings and other events like access to event lounges will require you to buy tickets.

When: April 10th to 12th

Fuorisalone, Milan (Italy)

Milan Design Week is a spectacle of its own. Basically, the whole city will turn into an exhibition of furniture and design.

Salone del Mobile, the furniture fair taking place in Rho-Fieramilano pavilions is clearly the most central event, with everybody able to attend with admission fee.

Yet what makes a visit so exciting is that part of the event that takes place outside of the fairground, aptly named Fuorisalone (fuori in Italian means outside). Events here are free to attend and there will be around 1,000 of them. That said, several will require prior registration and attendee numbers will be limited.

Not all events during Design Week are related to furniture. In fact, expect big fashion brands like Louis Vuitton to exhibit their collections.

In addition to the exhibitions, it is the historic palazzi and hidden courtyards that suddenly will become accessible and there will be art installations everywhere.

This year, you will also encounter Milan after the Winter Olympics, with a large number of recently opened restaurants, new or renovated hotels and off course the always present awesome aperitivo culture.

Dive into the local bar scene for pre-dinner drinks, order the iconic cocktails invented in the city, and have some great lunches or dinners while here. And if you wonder where and what to eat and drink, check out my recent guides to Milan.

Where to go for aperitivo in Milan

Where and what to eat in Milan

Where to find the best gelato in Milan

The classic aperitivo cocktails to order when in Milan

When: 20th to 26th April 2026

Cannes Film Festival, Cannes (France)

The French Riviera is worth a visit year-round. But every year from around mid-May the city of Cannes turns into a stage for films stars, those ambitious to turn into stars, VIPs in general, and everybody else trying to catch a quick fleeting look at their film heroes while they arrive at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

The festival itself is an invitation-only event limited to film and media personalities, yet there are free nightly screenings at Macé Beach (opposite Majestic Hotel).

Meanwhile, the famous Croissette the large seaside boardwalk is always a place bustling with activity and perfect to enjoy a scoop of ice creme or the famous crepe.

Mid-May will also be the perfect timing for a visit to the Cote d’Azur. Temperatures will be mild to warm, perfect enough to enjoy a few hours at the beach. Meanwhile, cities like Nice, Antibes, and Monte Carlo are just a stone’s throw away; and the local farmer markets will be laden with fresh seasonal produce, including the delicious zucchini blossoms.

When: 12th to 23rd May 2026

Fête de la Bretagne, Brittany (France)

A regional festival focusing on cider, seafood and crepes. It honours Breton culture, identity, and tradition through over 300 events taking place across Brittany (and some even in other places around the world). Expect displays of Breton costumes, Celtic music, storytelling, and Breton language workshops.

There is clearly no better way to discover Brittany and its amazing local food defined by high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, featuring an abundance of fresh seafood, the region’s famous salted butter, and buckwheat crepes called galettes. Differently to the sweet crepe you might expect, these are predominantly savoury, filled with cheese, ham, or eggs.

When: May 14th to 24th

Monterosso Lemon Festival, Cinque Terre (Italy)

This famous corner of Italy does not need any introduction. The beautiful coastal area lined by five ancient former fishing villages stretching from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore.

The annual lemon festival takes place for only one day, but it is still worth planning your Spring visit to the area around the date.

The beautiful small village of Monterosso will be decorated with lots of lemon decorations. Stands will be set up along the narrow streets in the old part of Monterosso where local lemon producers will offer their products.

In addition, the festival also features a competition for the biggest lemon and award the best decorated window. Other events include ‘the most lemony cake’ at Piazza Garibaldi and a food, wine and cultural walk called ‘8000 steps through the scent of lemons’ where you can walk through the lemon orchards and taste lemons (€25 for adults).

Otherwise, mid-May is the perfect time to enjoy the first beach days of the season while ending your day with a delicious seasonal dinner at a restaurant or your hotel.

When: 16th May 2026

Chealsy Flower Show, London (England)

Running from May 19th to 23rd this year, the spectacle features cutting-edge garden designs and floral displays right in the heart of London.

Celebrated since 1913 this is the world’s most prestigious gardening event. It features large-scale, spectacular flower and plant designs, a massive marquee featuring breathtaking floral displays, nurseries, and plant experts, innovative, accessible ideas for small, urban spaces and trade stands sell unique garden-related products.

This is without question the most spectacular event for gardening fans and all those loving flower displays. Though, it does not end here.

There will be also many high-end dining options. From breakfast at Sloane Restaurant including freshly baked pastries and a glass of Pommery Brut Champagne to tapas by José Pizarro, an exquisite floral-inspired afternoon tea (this year under the guidance of Culinary Director Martyn Nail of The Dorchester), Spring Garden, offering private chalets or tables for an intimate and exclusive dining experience, and The Ranelagh Restaurant offering luxury, fine dining four-course menu.

Do you have a favourite spring event you love to travel for? Or did any of the above inspire you to book a trip? Let me know in the comments.