It’s summer, it’s sizzling and it’s time to party. What better way than with some of the hippest, funkiest parties and festivals all over Europe this August.

Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande)
10^th – 17 August (dates to be confirmed)

This party offers visitors nine days and nights of non-stop entertainment. Semana Grande boasts of a week of varied events. From bull fights to fireworks competitions, music concerts to street entertainment, beauty pageants to theatre shows, sporting events to regatta, there’s something for everyone.
http://events.frommers.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=70330

Amsterdam Gay Pride
1^st -3^rd August

The gay pride in Amsterdam is wild! The streets along the canals are packed with revelers and the canals themselves become the venue for one of the world’s largest and most famous gay parades. Street parties abound and clubs are packed all weekend long. Blaring music, daring costumes and throngs of party people - an experience you’re not likely to forget.
http://www.amsterdamgaypride.nl/amsterdam/

Boom Festival, Portugal
11^th – 18^th August

The Boom Festival is set to take place on the shores of lake Idanha-a-Nova in Portugal. Best described as living entertainment, this festival merges different art forms with sustainable practices and performs to a hugely inter-cultural crowd.
http://www.boomfestival.org/boom2008/news.php

Cowes Week, Isle of Wight, England
28^th July – 9^th August

The highlight of the UK sailing calendar, the Cowes Week is the longest running regatta in the world. This is an enormous event featuring 1000 boats and another 200 spectator boats fighting for the best views. The party continues on land as well… live bands, barbeques, cocktail parties, yacht club balls and a spectacular fireworks finale are all on the cards.
http://www.flyingfishonline.com/courses_and_events/search_courses/193.asp?cid=3300&gclid=CPDw9pnq2pMCFQMOuwodWDuVig

Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland
8^th – 31^st August

Concerts, opera, theatre, ballet, dance, orchestra – the world-renown Edinburgh Festival has it all. Performances take place in six major concert halls and theatres and a number of smaller venues as well. The best occasion to savour the classics.
http://www.eif.co.uk/

The Great British Beer Festival
5^th- 9^th August, 2008

Here’s something for the beer lovers. For four continuous days of beer binging, head to the Great British Beer Festival at the Earl’s Court in London. A huge selection of over 450 different types of ales, fruit beers, ciders, stouts, bitters and international beers will spoil you for choice. And for those who’d like to learn more about what they drink, book early to join the tutored tasting session- designed to make a beer connoisseur out of you.
http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=gbbf

ImpulsTanz, Vienna, Austria
10^th July – 10^th August

ImpulsTanz is a major contemporary dance festival held in Vienna every year. Thousands of dancers, choreographers and teachers from around the world come together at ImpulsTanz making it an event you’re unlikely to forget. If modern, bold, unconventional and contemporary describe the kind of event you’re looking for, look no further.
http://www.impulstanz.com/news/headlines/en

La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain
27^th August

Now this is fun. This August, head to the world’s largest tomato fight. The action happens in Bunol, a little town in Spain about 30 miles from the Mediterranean. On the last Wednesday of August, the locals explode into a tomato flinging frenzy. For a full week leading to the epic ‘batalla’, the town is filled with parades, fireworks, food and street parties. Join in the battle frenzy.
http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/tomatina.asp

Notting Hill Carnival, England
Sunday and the following bank holiday in August

Street drums, singers, eye catching floats and costumed dancers moving to a pulsing beat are just some of the things you can expect to find at Europe’s largest street party. In fact, this carnival is often referred to as the second largest in the world after Rio. Definitely one to check out if you love some ‘Caribbeana’.
http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/collection/notting-hill-carnival

Inter-Celtic, Lorient, Brittany
1^st August – 31^st August (dates to be confirmed)

This is a treat for Celtic fans and offers Celtic music, theatre and dance performaces. The biggest Celtic festival, visitors can experience fiddle music, bagpipe lessons, Gaelic workshops and celidhs. Not to forget, an abundant supply of Celtic food, scotches and whiskeys.
http://www.worldeventsguide.com/event/419/Lorient-France/Interceltic-Festival-of-Lorient-Festival-Interceltique-de-Lorient.html

Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official websites.

Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based out of Munich

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