Get ready to lighten up your cold winter days! We’ve got a timetable jam-packed with vibrant events from across Europe and there’s a little something for everyone. Despite the colder weather, the festival spirit is certainly alive and well in Europe. Here’s what’s on offer...

Palma, Majorca

TaPalma Tapas Festival – November

This event showcases some of the highest quality tapas establishments across the whole of Palma and it’s the perfect place to treat your taste buds. There are lip-smacking little titbits from as little as €2 for you to sample over the five-day festival, which means plenty time to savour everything on offer. From the traditional to the innovative, the festival is a platform for local chefs to flaunt their creativity and experiment with flavours, culminating in a fusion of delectable dishes for foodies and newbies to try.

Puerto Portals Christmas Market – December

What better way to get in the festive spirit than weaving your way through over 40 Christmassy stalls as the smell of hot mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fill the air? You can get your hot dog and gluhwein fix at the international food stalls or shop for stocking fillers and crafty bits at the shopping stands. Then, let the festive fun continue at the ice-skating rink, where you can put your balancing skills to the test. The big man himself may even make an appearance!

Antalya, Turkey

Republic Day – 29 October

One of the most important days in the Turkish calendar is Republic Day! It falls on the 29th of October each year to commemorate the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, which took place in 1923. Streets, shops and houses are decorated with streamers, balloons and flags, generally in red and white, the colour of the Turkish flag. During the day, you’ll find theatre sketches, poetry readings and traditional Turkish dancing taking place in stadiums across the country, as well as colourful parades. When night falls, fireworks are the focus, so make sure you don’t miss the flamboyant displays.

Kaleiçi Old Town Festival – October

This small-scale festival aims to showcase the values of Kaleiçi Old Town, as well as its rich history. Each year, the festival hosts a different country as an honoured guest to build bridges and friendships with those from all over the world. There are four full days of activities, including concerts, exhibitions and street performers as well as plenty of music and tasty food. It’s a great place to fully immerse yourself in Turkish culture.

Paphos, Cyprus

Limassol Carnival – February

Grab your best costume because Limassol Carnival is taking over the town! The carnival is a time for self-indulgence and fun, before the fasting for lent begins. So in celebration, Limassol hosts a colourful ten-day long carnival where everybody gets in on the act. You’ll find locals and tourists alike dressing up in colourful costumes to take part in a host of events including plenty of eating, drinking, satire, singing and dancing. It’s accessible, friendly and open to anyone.

The Canary Islands

Santa Cruz Carnival, Tenerife - 12 January to 18 February 2024

This carnival in the capital is said to be second only to Rio de Janeiro’s in Brazil and it’s not hard to see why. Historically, this was the last chance to indulge and feast in excess before fasting began for lent. It now plays host to around 250,000 people every year who are keen for a slice of the action. This quintessentially Canarian carnival has a calendar chock-full of feasting, fancy dress and fireworks - and that’s just the start! It takes place in January and February, and Tenerife’s warm climes make for the perfect carnival weather. With just a short four-hour flight from the UK, you can soon be wrapped up in this whirlwind of colour, glitter and madness.

King’s Day Parade – 5 January

On the evening of January 5, towns and cities across The Canary Islands prepare to celebrate Dia de los Reyes, also known as King’s Day! It’s a two-day event that begins with a colourful parade to commemorate the Three Wise Men’s arrival into Bethlehem, before the main event on the 6th. People pepper the streets to catch a glimpse of the Kings, often played by members of the local council. Traditionally, they’d ride in on camels and throw sweets to the eagerly awaiting children, although nowadays, you’re more likely to find them making their big entrance in a convertible car! See if you can sample the traditional cake Roscón de Reyes - it’s a sweet, circular bread studded with colourful candies to symbolise the precious gems that covered the King’s clothes.

Barcelona, Spain

Fiesta Mayor de Sant Martí - November

Held in the little neighbourhood of Sant Martí, this classic fiesta combines folklore with Catalan traditions and has a distinctively local feel. Here, you’ll get parades of papier-mâché giants, music and dancing, all injected with an infectious festive spirit. Make sure you catch the Castellers, a human tower formed by members of amateur groups. It’s a deeply rooted tradition and a common spectacle at Spanish fiestas and public events. Foodies will love it here too with the humongous paella dishes and the stalls of sweet, sticky churros.

New Year’s Eve – 31 December

Why not ring in the New Year in the Catalan capital? Kickstart the celebrations with a traditional dinner, before heading to the main event. Plaça Catalunya is the place to be and it’s right in the heart of the city, with plenty of dining and drinks options. You’ll also be in prime position to see the grand firework show when the clock strikes 12.