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THE SEASONS
Four Seasons of Euro Events
 

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May 2008

June 2008

Statue of Molly Malone, Dublin

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Summer '08

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October 2008

November 2008

December 2008

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THE SEASONS CALENDAR

The cultural diversity, heritage and civilization of  nations, cities and towns is brilliantly portrayed throughout Europe, especially on special occasions.  Our calendar offers the viewer a  selection of festivals, historical commemorations, arts and cultural events plus the magic of the pageantry, pomp and circumstance for which Europe is especially renowned.  You may peruse the entire calendar or use the following links to skip directly to the month of your choice.

During May in Liverpool
Liverpool Sound - A once-in-a-lifetime international concert featuring some of the planet's greatest artists in a unique waterfront setting. The centrepiece of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture.  Liverpool,  England

Until May 31st in Antwerp
Diamond Divas - An exciting, fresh look at diamonds and diamond jewelry at the Diamond Museum in the Province of Antwerp. The exhibition will cover art, history, legend and glamour, starring magnificent jewels of Hollywood stars, jewelry of the rich and famous and fabulous movie jewelry.  Antwerp,  Belgium

May to September 
Chester Races - Experience top-class horse racing at one of the north's most historic and prestigious sporting venues.  Chester, England

May through September in Berlin
From Rock to Gregorian Chants:  Open Air Concerts Behind Medieval Walls.  Located in Berlin’s Spandau district, the Spandau Citadel is the home of the Citadel Concert Series.  Surrounded by its original moat, towers and dungeons, narrow staircases and canons, the venue once housed knights and their courts behind its massive walls, echoing times long passed. Today, rather than being entertained by minstrels, visitors will indulge in rock, chanson, and chants during the Citadel Music Festival.  From Mary J. Blige and Jethro Tull to Diana Krall, Gregorian Chants, The Chemical Brothers, and Mozart’s Magic Flute, the citadel concert series presents classic American rock, international bands and super stars.  Berlin,  Germany

Until June 8th in Antwerp
Diamond Divas: The Diamond Museum of Antwerp features a stunning exhibition of jewelry worn by Marilyn Monroe, Elisabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly in movies, on the red carpet or at award ceremonies. The diamond jewelry is on loan by world-famous auction houses, prestigious private and museum collections.  The star of the exhibition is without doubt the most famous of all diamonds, the Moon of Baroda last seen on public display in 1944. Flanders

to June 29th in California
Art of Play  - Opens at Mingei International Museum in Downtown Escondido.  The exhibition draws on the Museum’s permanent collection of kites and toys from around the world, and features the kinetic — toys that move. On display are kites from India, Japan, Thailand, Korea, China, France, Taiwan and China in shapes as diverse as dragons, butterflies, centipedes and cicadas.  Also on view are pull and push toys, antique mechanical banks, puppets, tops and a group of delightful wooden toys from Central and Eastern Europe: pecking chickens, dancing bears and other gamboling animals. This menagerie of push, pull, rolling and whirling toys includes penguin, turtle and pigeon push-toys, alligator pull-toys, horses, a rooster, a fish on wheels and a bird whirligig racing at top speed on the end of its pole. Stuffed bears, bears on hand-held mechanical toys and a bear puppet represent the ursine world.  Also on view are trains, cars, bicycles and airplanes.  Escondido,  California  

Events in May 2008

May 15th to 17th in Portugal
International Equestrian Tourism Congress in Portugal.  Portugal's Alentejo Region, homeland to the famed Alter and Lusitano breeds of horse, will be the site of the International Congress on Equestrian Tourism  from May 15 to 17, 2008. The historic town of Alter  do Chão plays host to this event. The village of Alter  do Chão is renown for the Royal Stud Farm--the Coudelaria Real--where the first attempts to restore the Lusitanian breed of horse took place beginning in 1748.  Today the Alter Real breed is much admired in the high school of equestrian enthusiasts. The Alter do Chão Professional Farming College is also situated here.   
In addition to its equestrian history, Alter  do Chão is known for its Roman ruins, which can be seen in the public baths, called Ferragial d'El Rei, and a bridge at Vila Formosa.  The castle here was built in 1359 by King Dom Pedro I in 1359.  Each session of the Congress will be presented in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. The Congress will feature discussions of global equestrian tourism efforts, coordinated planning of equestrian events and trends in equestrian tourism from leaders in the industry. Each day of the Congress, visitors can see exhibitions by riders from the Portuguese School of the Equestrian Art in the palace gardens.
 
May 16th in Santa Barbara
Mark Twain Tonight!  In a career that has included more than his share of presidents, senators and other authority figures, Hal Holbrook's most famous portrayal is that of Mark Twain.  In his one-man show, Holbrook's Twain is an outrageously entertaining combination of stand-up comedian devilish intellectual and grandfatherly philosopher.  The names may have changed, but Mark Twain has the 'rascals' pegged.  Enjoy the political incorrectness, wit, wisdom and downright cantankerousness of Mark Twain.  At the Lobero Theater - Santa Barbara,  California

May 16th to September 21st in Flanders
From Brueghel to Rubens: Some fifty outstanding works of art by the Masters of the Low Countries, such as Hans Memling, Quinten Metsys, Jan Gossaert, Pieter Breugel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck, are on show at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts from May 16 through September 21, 2008. The paintings are on loan from the collection held in trust by Queen Elizabeth II. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays.  Antwerp

May 17th in Vienna
At first glance, the Life Ball does not have much in common with the classic balls. Waltz melodies are a rarity at this Aids charity night, and dress is flamboyantly offbeat. Yet the fact that the Life Ball takes place in the prestigious City Hall every year is indicative of how Vienna so gracefully embraces both tradition and innovation.  Vienna,  Austria

May 23rd to 25th in Czech Republic
The Ride of the Kings - Folklore art lovers should come to the Moravian town of Vlcnov to celebrate the annual festival The Ride of the Kings. The festival has continued to attract artists, folklorists and ethnographers from all over the world for nearly 200 years. The town is famous for its folk architecture, wine growing and rich music tradition. You will get the chance to explore Vlcnov’s picturesque landscape located in the basin of the White Carpathian Mountains, near the Slovakian border.  Czech Republic

May 24th to June 1st in Scotland
Feis Ile - the Islay Festival of Malt and Music - was founded by the local people of Islay in 1986 to celebrate the heritage and culture of Isle of Islay and to provide a pan cultural and activity based series of events.  The Feis starts on the last weekend of May each year and lasts for one week.  Islay has a wealth of musical talent, which is very much in evidence at the ceilidhs.  Mainland artistes are also brought to the island for the festival week.  Since 2000 Feis Ile has been run in conjunction with the distilleries of Islay and Jura and Port Ellen Maltings.  Each distillery has its own open day, putting on special events.  Concerts, ceilidhs, children's shows, distillery open days, guided walks and sporting events - there is something for everyone.  Islay,  Scotland

May 24th to September 28th in London
Summer Festival of Trees at Kew Gardens - Kew’s Summer Festival of Trees will take visitors on a thrilling, innovative and educational journey around the gardens, from deep underground to the unseen, green world of the tree top canopy. The pinnacle of this festival will be the new Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway, which give visitors the opportunity to journey from the fascinating root system, learning about the tree’s life underground, to the tree canopy where you can explore biodiversity from above. London,  England

May 25th in Copenhagen
Ballet at the Copenhagen Citadel - Kastellet (The Citadel) serves as back drop when the Royal Danish Ballet presents extracts from the repertoire of the coming season in an open-air performance. Be sure to bring your picnic basket!  Copenhagen,  Denmark

May 25th to May 29th in Muncaster
Festival of Fools - Jesters, jugglers, street entertainers and tomfoolery in one of the Lake District's most spectacular settings. Muncaster,  England

May 26th to June 6th in Vienna
"8 Festival for Fashion & Photography". - Vienna will be transformed into a gigantic fashion center.  Austrian fashion prizes will be awarded during the festival, and young designers will be presenting their most fantastic new creations at fashion shows. And you will be able to take the latest fashion trends home with you too: Designers will be exhibiting their fashion, jewelry and accessories in a Shop Zone where you can also purchase them.  Vienna,  Austria

May 28th to June 6th in Vienna
8 festival for fashion & photography - An excellent opportunity to experience creativity in action will be the 8 festival for fashion, music & photography, which will see the city become a giant fashion center.  The large-scale event including a broad-based program will present contemporary Austrian fashion, and not just at evening events. The 2008 festival will be offering more variety than ever before. This year, the main themes are shows, photography, lectures, installations and shopping. The event will be spread across the entire city and keep the Vienna culture and fashion scene on the edge of their seats for a whole week - Vienna,  Austria

May 29th to September 1st in Berlin
Music at the Fortress:  Citadel Music Festival 2008 - The Spandau Citadel, one of the most important Renaissance fortresses in Europe, will become the backdrop to a musical open air summer. The Citadel Music Festival 2008 will join together music from the most varied of stylistic directions. After the opening concert by Mary J Blige, the festival continues on May 30 with those doyens of rock, Jethro Tull. Opera fans will have their moment with Mozart's The Magic Flute on July 6. There will also by performances by, among others, Rage Against The Machine (June 10), Juanes (July 4), Diana Krall (July 11), Iggy and the Stooges (August 28), and Schiller (September 1). Berlin,  Germany

May 31st in Brussels
Zinneke Parade - A colorful parade with actors, dancers, musicians and other creative "Bruxellois" will invade the town and throw a party for the Zinneke, symbol of cultural diversity in Brussels. An orchestra, giant puppets, hip hop, theatre, and all kinds of entertainment are to be found at this biennial event. Brussels,  Belgium

Events in June 2008

June 1st in Liverpool
Lucky music fans will be able to experience a one-in-a-lifetime concert, celebrating Liverpool’s global status as the World Capital of Pop, featuring Sir Paul McCartney. This spectacular show will take place at Anfield. See world famous contemporary stars who have been inspired by the Liverpool music scene.  Millions of viewers who haven’t been able to get tickets will be able to see this unique concert live on television. It will be the first and last global concert ever to be staged at Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club before they move to a new home.  Liverpool,  England

June 1st to 8th in Antwerp
Diamond Divas - An exciting, fresh look at diamonds and diamond jewelry at the Diamond Museum in the Province of Antwerp. The exhibition will cover art, history, legend and glamour, starring magnificent jewels of Hollywood stars, jewelry of the rich and famous and fabulous movie jewelry.  Antwerp,  Belgium

June 3rd in Vienna
Summer Night Concert Schonbrunn - Works by Johann Strauss, Richard Strauss, Emmanuel Chabrier, Jacques Offenbach, Maurice Ravel - Vienna, Austria

June 4th through June 8th in Basel
This year, Art Basel takes place from June 4 through the 8th.  With its world-class museums, outdoor sculptures, theaters, concert halls, idyllic medieval old town and new buildings by leading architects, Basel ranks as a culture capital, and that cultural richness helps put the Art Basel week on the agenda for art lovers from all over the globe. During Art Basel, a fascinating atmosphere fills this traditional city, as the international art show is reinforced with exhibitions and events all over the region.   Basel,  Switzerland

June 4th to 8th in Stockholm
Restaurants Festival: “A Taste of Stockholm” - Stockholm, Kungsträdgården - Restaurant Week. Stockholm’s best restaurants show off the talents of their chefs.  The event takes place in Kungsträdgården near the Royal Palace.  Stockholm,  Sweden

June 6th in Sweden
Sweden´s National Day - Traditional celebrations all over the country.  The largest and most traditional event will take place at Skansen with the presence of the King and Queen.  Stockholm,  Sweden

June 6th to 8th in Belgium
Beer Festival of Mons -  Every year the Party Service and tradesmen of Mons' Grand'Place organize a weekend dedicated to beer. Numerous stalls allow visitors to taste traditional beers and the big brands that made Belgium famous as the World Center of Beer. Belgium

June 7th & 8th in Liverpool
Kites over the Mersey International Kite Festival.   The UK's Biggest international kite festival features champion stunt flyers and massive show kites in all sorts of imaginative designs - Liverpool,  England

Opening June 10th in Copenhagen
Elephant Walk - Only in Denmark - the "happiest nation on earth" - could people find a way to combine extraordinary contemporary architecture with a day at the zoo! The new elephant house at the Copenhagen Zoo, designed by renowned architect Norman Foster, does just that. It features skylight roofs, heated floors (to protect the elephants' feet) and a herd enclosure that allows the elephants to sleep together as they would in the wild. The zoo's elephants "migrated" from the old facility to the new one in March. After allowing them a few months to acclimate to their new surroundings, the beautiful, new Elephant House will open to the public June 10.  Denmark

This summer in Colorado . . . . .  Colorado’s Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Ready to Roll New Amenities, Special Ticket Offers Infuse Excitement in Newest Colorado Mountain Train - The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is Colorado’s newest train offering steam engine rides through breathtaking mountain valleys and over legendary La Veta pass on hundreds of miles of historic rail. Daily and weekend excursions offer riders a trip back in time on restored passenger cars that stop at historic towns, Great Sand Dunes National Park and connect with the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.  The popular High Altitude Summer Concert Series returns on July 17 with performances by Michael Martin Murphey (“America’s singing cowboy poet”) and special musical guests, and is preceded by recurring and special new train themes, including:   Jazz with your Pop (June 15 – Father’s Day) - Jazz on the Tracks (June 14 – 15, July 26 – 27) - Rails & Ales Brewfest (July 12) - Firecracker Express and All American Barbecue (July 4)  Colorado

June 13th in Dresden
Open-air concert with piano virtuoso Lang Lang in Dresden.  Chinese start pianist to perform in front of the Semperoper.  Many stars perform at Dresden’s famous Semperoper. But when the stars enjoy such worldwide renown as the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, the Dresden opera house with its 1200 seats soon turns out to be too small – therefore, in this case the building will instead be lending its instantly recognizable façade as the backdrop for an open-air concert.  At 9 p.m. on 13th June 2008 Lang Lang will be performing Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto opus 18 in C-minor and Chopin’s piano concerto number 1 in E-minor as part of his tour of Germany with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Both these composers have close ties with Dresden. Chopin stopped off in Dresden in 1836 on his way from Poland to Paris. His later partner George Sand was a descendant of Augustus the Strong. Rachmaninoff lived in Dresden from 1906 until 1909 and even owned a house here.  Dresden,  Germany

June 16th to August 25th in Liverpool
Go Superlambananas! - Prepare for an invasion of creativity as over one hundred beautifully designed Superlambananas transform the city and its public spaces into an open air, free to view celebration of Liverpool and its communities.  Over 100 specially designed Superlambanana sculptures will showcase the creativity of Liverpool, its heritage, architecture, regeneration and world renowned art scene for 10 weeks.  Liverpool,  England

June 19th to 22nd in Denmark
International Kite Flyers Meeting Fanø - Thousands of flying kites in all sizes, where only fantasy is restricting the variety of models and colours.
Everybody is being attracted to the beach in order to enjoy this gorgeous spectacle. You get the impression that most of the kite flyers have spend the long wintertime to construct new and even more impressive kites than the year before.  The flying area reaches from Rindby Beach to the north of Fanø Bad. Maximum height for flying the kites is 250 m within the area between Fanø Bad and Rindby Beach, flying time is from 5am - 10pm.  Remember! Camping on the beach or in the dunes is prohibited! Fano Bad,  Denmark

June 19th to 22nd in Marseille
Les Voiles du Vieux-Port - Traditional jSailing Ships Regatta - Part of the circuit of the most prestigious regattas on the Mediterranean - about 40 traditional yachts, some 100 years old are expected - Marseille,  France

June 20th in Sweden
Midsummer Eve/Solstice Celebrations - Traditional celebrations with dance and music around the maypole.  For further information contact regional offices for local celebrations throughout the country.

June 21st in Berlin
Fete de la Musique - Music fans will celebrate Summer Solstice with the Fête de la Musique on June 21. This popular music event celebrates diverse forms of live music. Free concerts on over 50 mostly open-air stages throughout Berlin will feature top artists from Europe. Berlin,  Germany

June 27th in Vienna
Plácido Domingo - Anna Netrebko - Rolando Villazón  - in front of Schönbrunn Palace - Vienna,  Austria

June 28th in Namur
Verdur Rock: Namur is the host of this annual free Rock Festival and competition. In its 24th year, Verdur Rock is the oldest festival in French-Speaking Belgium. The competition welcomes newcomers, non-professional rock, pop, electro bands and their fans. Verdur Rock will be held on June 28th at the Verdure Theater at the Citadelle of Namur. Shuttle buses run between Namur train station and the Verdure Theater. Namur is only a short train ride away from Brussels

June 28th to -September 28th in Gothenburg
Gardens of Gothenburg 2008 - For three glorious months from June 28 until September 28, one of Northern Europe’s largest flower and garden exhibitions will surprise and inspire young and old alike.  Sweden

From late June through early September in California
The Tall Ships challenge Comes to the California Coast - The Tall Ships Challenge is a series of races at sea that pit barques and barkentines, brigs and brigantines, schooners, sloops, full rigged ships and more against each other in a lively competition - all punctuated by grand festivals in the host port cities where the races begin and end.  From late June through early September, these magnificent ships from all over the world will be sailing the Pacific coast and visiting ports along the way.  After visiting British Columbia and  Washington, the ships will make their way to San Francisco on July 23 - 28, the Channel Islands on August 7-10, Los Angeles on August 13-17, San Diego on August 20-24, and finally Dana Point on September 6-7.  In addition to the ship's arrival, the entire waterfront will be transformed into an international nautical attraction celebrating maritime past, present and future, with an abundance of family activities, including cultural and musical entertainment, educational programs and events.  Visitors will be able to tour the vessels, participate in family boat building competitions, view maritime related exhibits and enjoy food, crafts, displays and nautical themed activities.  Events at each port will create opportunities for attendees to meet the crews of the visiting vessels. California 

Events in July 2008

During the last Sunday in July in Switzerland
The Shepherd Festival on Gemmi - At 11:30 am, on the last Sunday in the July, the quiet landscape around Lake Dauben is suddenly filled with life.  About 1000 sheep converge at the lakeside.  The annual shepherd festival starts when the shepherds and people from Bern and the Valais meet for a casual one-day together.  The farmers arrive throughout the morning with their sheep and keep them back until the "Glack" - a mixture of bran and salt - is scattered.  It is a special delicacy for the sheep.  The animals rush down the steep slopes in a frenzy.  The shepherd festival is also an opportunity for shepherds and farmers to meet in a friendly atmosphere.  Although they live only a few kilometers apart, they are also separated by high mountains and inaccessible terrain.  Keeping the friendship alive between the neighbors from the Valais and the Bernese Oberland beyond the Gemmi pass is the ultimate goal of this meeting.  That is the way it has been since 1957, original, friendly, spectacular and still a new experience every time.  Valais,  Switzerland

July 1st & 3rd in Brussels
Ommegang Pageant - Yearly colorful pageant on Brussels’ Grand’Place commemorates a celebration in honor of Emperor Charles V in the 16th century. Brussels,  Belgium

July 4th to July 6th in Cologne
Christopher Street Day - On Christopher Street Day, the international holiday of the Gay & Lesbian and Transgender communities, Cologne hosts close to one million participants and spectators for the CSD weekend celebrations. Cologne also will be the host of the international gay and lesbian games in 2010.  Cologne,  Germany

July 3rd to 8th in Berlin
Classic Open Air Berlin Gendarmenmarkt will again offer nightly performances al fresco at Gendarmenmarkt, the city's most beautiful square. The 2008 program includes opera, British classics, and jazz concerts. Berlin,  Germany

On weekends between July 5th & 27th in Bavaria
Jousting tournaments and medieval markets are also very popular and take place in castles and towns all over the country. The ‘ Kaltenberg Knights Tournament’ in Bavaria is the largest tournament of modern times and takes place on the weekends (Fri - Sun) between July 5 and 27. Approx. 120,000 visitors come to Kaltenberg Castle each July to see the Great Tournament, stroll across the largest medieval market and to see an eight hour program set on seven stages. Germany

July 9th to July 20th in Zurich
Concerts:  Live at Sunset - National and international stars enchant with impressive concerts under open skies - Zurich, Switzerland

July 11th through 13th in Bruges
Cactus Festival Bruges:  A three day outdoor festival offering a mix of Rock, Reggae, Rap, Roots, Raï and R&B is held at the magical Lake of Love Park. The headliners are US bands B-52s, Dinosaur Jr., Sophia and Bootsy Collins & The Hardest Working Band. While in Bruges check out the shooting locations of the recent movie "In Bruges" staring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.   Bruges,  Belgium

July 11th to September 7th in Germany
Sand World, Travemuende - Approximately 75 sand-sculptors - so-called "Carvers" - from all over the world create masterpieces out of 9,000 tons of sand, just with sand and water, with heights up to twelve meters. This fantastic sculpture scenery on the Baltic Sea Beach of Travemuende is singular in Germany. During the first three days after inauguration, visitors have the unique opportunity to have a look at the sand artists work while they are adding the final touch to their masterpieces by using special sculpture sand. Because of its angular grain structure, the sand is stackable in height and remains smooth and in perfect shape for several weeks after "carving" and sand cutting.  Travemuende,  Germany

July 12th in Cologne
Cologne Lights - The "Kölner Lichter" will set the sky ablaze above the cathedral city. A large convoy of boats and a grand firework display with synchronous musical accompaniment will be the climax of a colourful party in the Old Town.  Cologne,  Germany

July 14th to July 27th in Galway
Galway Arts Festival - Galway,  Ireland

July 17th to July 19th in Sweden
Karlshamn Baltic Festival - Folk celebration during several days with cultural events from all over the world.  Sweden

July 17th through July 20th in Belgium
Dour Music Festival : This summer, Dour Music Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary. This event has been sold out for the past 3 years. During 4 days over 200 bands coming from all over the world will be strutting their stuff on the Dour stages. Looking for Alternative rock, Ambiant, Electro Dumb, Eurocrunk. Glam Punk, New Wave, Psychobilly, Tekstep and UK Garage? Dour has it all and much more.   Dour (in south Belgium near the French border) Belgium

July 18th to 21st
Tall Ships Races - More than one million people are expected to watch the start of this famous race in the historic heart of Liverpool. England

July 25th through August 3rd in Berlin
Classical Music in Courtyards, Castles and Outdoor Stages.  For those looking for romantic evenings, the Classical Days in Berlin’s Castles combine historic and often intimate settings with select classical music performances. Now a permanent fixture in Berlin’s cultural calendar, the popular concert series will once again be staged in Köpenick and Glienicke's castles, churches and historical sites.  Berlin,  Germany

July 28th through September 27th in London
Visitors can take a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) during Summer Recess – the time when the British Parliament does not sit. Visitors will see the House of Lords and the House of Commons as well as other State Rooms, and the tours will be offered from July 28 through September 27, 2008 on Mondays through Saturdays.  London,  England

During the months of July, August and September on the English Riviera
World Sand Sculpture Festival - The World Sand Sculpture Festival will be coming to the English Riviera for the first time. The best sand sculpture artists from around the world will unite to create this stunning new attraction, showcasing their remarkable skills. The themed sand sculpture park, one of the biggest in Europe, will take a month to create and attract tourists from across the globe. Interestingly, scientists have discovered that the English Riviera is blessed with the best sand in the UK for building sandcastles, so don’t forget your bucket and spade!  Torquay, Paignton & Brixham (the English Riviera) - England

Events in August 2008

During August in Potsdam & Berlin
Potsdam Palaces by Night and Impressions of the Palaces by Night - Nowhere else is Prussia's baroque period shown to be more splendid, luxurious and romantic than in the Sanssouci Park. On a summer's night, visitors can marvel at the magnificently illuminated palaces and parks, enjoy an opulent programme of theatre and music, literature, dance and cabaret, and treat themselves to a meal prepared by the best chefs from Potsdam and Berlin.

August to October in Germany
Wine Festivals - In fall Germany boasts hundreds of wine harvest celebrations, ranging from small scale parties in delightful medieval villages to full blown open air festivals in cities featuring thousands of vintages. They offer a great opportunity to enjoy the country's food and culture. The "Weinfeste" are as diverse as the wines they celebrate and some date back hundreds of years. Most of the festivals feature some form of music - be it traditional bands, dancing or singing - while some will include a Lord Mayor's procession or Wine Queen contest.  Germany

^{August 1st through 3rd in Berlin
Beer anyone? The 12th Annual Berlin International Beer Festival will again turn Karl-Marx-Allee into the world's longest beer garden. On a stretch of over one mile, 190 breweries from 72 countries will draft some 1,700 brands of the world's finest beers   Berlin,  Germany}

August 2nd in Dresden
"Diva Maxima" - Three great stars of the music scene, Montserrat Caballé, Milva and Angelika Milster will be performing together for the first time in a unique show on 2nd August 2008 in front of the Dresden Semperoper (Semper Opera House). They will be accompanied by the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg and will perform their greatest hits and arias.  The three divas agreed to perform at this extraordinary event on condition that the open-air concert would have the benefit of the impressive backdrop of Dresden’s Theaterplatz with the adjacent Zwinger, Semperoper, Royal Palace and former Court Church. Each of the three artists represents a different genre: Montserrat Caballé has been a top-ranking international opera singer for decades. She will start the concert with popular operatic arias and probably excerpts from the Spanish operetta “Zarzuela”. Her performance in Dresden will be only one of four guest appearances in Germany.  Milva will be performing Italian and German hit songs to bring a romantic Mediterranean flair to Dresden’s Theaterplatz, a square dominated by Italian-inspired architecture. Angelika Milster will transport the audience to the glittering world of Broadway. And finally the three divas will sing together.  Dresden,  Germany

August 7th to 9th in Bern
Buskers Festival Bern - For three entire evenings, some 25 groups from all over the world (Italy, UK, India, Russia, Hungary, Argentina, Burkina Faso etc.) will enliven the World Cultural Heritage site with their music, performing arts and charm. Buskers Berne is all about street art and performance. Some 100 professional artistes from Switzerland and neighboring countries will be giving high-quality performances in the fields of music, pavement art, variety and comedy.  After the street performances, the festival will continue on all three days until 03.30 with jam sessions in the Buskers' House on the Kornhaus stage of the Municipal Theatre (Stadttheater). As a rule, Buskers' Festivals charge no admission. The public shows its appreciation by throwing money into the performers' hat.  Bern,  Switzerland

August 8th to August 31st in Edinburgh
Edinburgh International Festival 2008 runs from Friday 8 to Sunday 31 August across the city in theatres and concert halls, attracting audiences from around the world to Scotland ’s beautiful capital.   Scotland

August 9th in Dresden
A Glittering Summer Festival at Pillnitz Palace - Pillnitzer Schlossnacht to take place on August 9th - Dresden's top open-air event of 2008.  Augustus the Strong held glittering parties at Pillnitz Palace. Later generations also used the Baroque palace and garden complex with its Chinese, French and Italian features for stylish celebrations. Now the complex is to be the setting for the annual “Pillnitzer Schlossnacht”, thus carrying these traditions into the present day.  On 9th August around 9000 guests will be welcomed to a festival that will be playful and sensuous as in the age of Augustus the Strong. The park, including the palaces and pavilions, will be illuminated in such a way as to be reminiscent of the Baroque festivities of the past. Four stages and eight smaller locations will provide music, dance, dramatic performances, singing and circus acts.  Dresden,  Germany

August 9th in Zurich
Street Parade - Along the shoreline of Lake Zurich, the world's most colorful house and techno party takes place, followed by celebrations at approximately 100 parties - Zurich,  Switzerland

August 13th to September 21st in Lucerne
Lucerne Festival in Summer - Dance Music - Ballet and dance compositions from the early baroque to the present day will form a common denominator of the programs, revealing just how deeply the dance impulse has affected instrumental concert music.  Lucerne,  Switzerland

August 14th through 16th near Hasselt
Pukkelpop: Annual alternative music event held on the Kiewit Festival Grounds near the town of Hasselt. The 23rd edition of the festival will be held August 14 through 16, 2008. Eight stages will offer a sparkling cocktail of the most diverse genres. This years performance of Metallica is much anticipated. Hasselt is an hour and twenty minutes away from Brussels and direct trains run every half hour. Special tickets including train transportation within Belgium to the festival are available. Belgium

August 14th to 17th in Brussels
Flower Carpet on the Grand Place - A million begonias for one single carpet! The famous Carpet of Flowers covers over 3,000 square feet right in the center of the Grand Place which is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. With a different design each time, these begonias offer a wide range of vivid and glowing colors and can be best admired from the balcony of the City Hall, which is open to the public for the occasion.  Brussels,  Belgium

August 14th to 31st in Zurich
Zurich Theater Spectacle - One of the most important festivals for modern forms of the performing arts enchants Zurich with theater and dance - Zurich,  Switzerland

August 15, 16, 18, 29 - 23 in Bruges
Canal Festival - Every three years visitors can enjoy the Canal Festivals in Bruges. The festival recreates the history of the city by means of live scenes along the magically lit Canals and on the Burg square in the heart of Bruges.  Belgium

August 29th to September 28th in Bonn
Beethoven Festival, Bonn - Every year in autumn the Beethoven Festival Bonn attracts the attention of music lovers from all over the world. More than 60 concerts of international orchestras, meaningful ensembles and prominent soloists, as well as an extensive accompanying program are performed at more than 20 venues in Bonn and the region: the Beethoven Hall, the house of birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, old castles and fortresses along the river Rhine.  Bonn Germany

Events in September 2008

September 5th to September 7th in Scotland (provisionally)
Highland Whiskey Festival - The First  Highland  Whisky Festival was held in June 2007 and involved  Balblair, Dalmore, Glen Ord and Glenmorangie distilleries.  The event incorporated Masterclasses, exclusive Whisky tastings and special Whisky tours:  Balblair distillery being open to the public for the first time.  A dinner held at Glenmorangie distillery, involving all the distillers, brought the Festival to a successful close.  The 2008 event is provisionally planned for the 5th, 6th and 7th September.  More details will be published in the early New Year - Scotland

September 5th to 7th in Bellinzona
La Bacchica, Wine Festival - Like every year, the program of the vintage festival of the Ticino capital features music, entertainment, as well as a big folklore parade.  Bellinzona,  Switzerland

September 6th in Belgium
International Hunt, Nature Day & Historical Parade -  Hunting horn bands, blessing of the animals, folklore groups and a parade evoking the life of St. Hubert fill the day in this quaint French speaking Ardennes town.  St. Hubert,  Belgium

September 13th in Hasliberg
Sharing the Cheese on Magisalp - A unique event marks the end of the Alpine summer season. Mountain farmers on Mägis Alp at Hasliberg celebrate the traditional «Chästeilet». Festivities comprise music, a colorful parade of cows descending from Alpine pastures, as well as food and drink. Don't be surprised if the party goes on all night!  Hasliberg (Bernese Oberland)  Switzerland

September 13th to 30th in Ghent
Flanders Festival International - In the atmosphere of the Thousand and One Nights, the 2008 edition of Flanders Festival International-Ghent presents the best of classical music and traditional world music, often mixed with contemporary dance, a good dose of humor and skilful acting. Ghent, Belgium

September 15th to 20th in the English Riviera
Agatha Christie Festival - Without doubt our most popular event of the year, the Agatha Christie Festival is a celebration of the life and works of the world’s most published author. The week-long festival always coincides with the birthday of Torquay’s most famous literary daughter, with next year’s festival taking place between the15th – 20th September 2008. The festival features live events, special tours, cinema, themed dances, walks, talks and theatre… all in celebration of the world’s most famous crime writer. The English Riviera (Torquay, Paignton & Brixham - England)

September 19th to 28th in York
Eat, Drink and  Be Merry - Visit the largest UK Festival of Food and Drink. The York annual Festival of Food and Drink is the largest event of its kind in the UK, and a massive showcase for the restaurants, hotels, shops and food manufacturing companies, which are so much a part of the city, its history and its economy.  For ten days food simply takes over as the city hosts an extravaganza of specialist markets, celebrity chef demonstrations, themed dinners, product launches and any number of special events.  UK celebrities support the festival, and it continues to grow each year.  York, England

September 20th to October 5th in Munich
Oktoberfest in Munich - When you hear the word "Oktoberfest", it's almost certain that one thing comes to mind... Bavarian Beer! The truth is, there is much more behind-the-scenes information that lurks beneath the countless years of this world-renowned Bavarian tradition.  Munich,  Germany

September 21st in Flanders
Hop Parade - As the hop-growing center of Flanders, every three years Poperinge organizes a Hop Parade which tells the history of the development of the hop industry. In addition to the colorful parade, there are street shows, a beer festival and a stunning fireworks display. Poperinge,  Flanders,  Belgium

Events in March 2009

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May 2008

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