Four Unique Festivals In Europe

Anything that exists or doesn’t exist can be the main theme of one of Europe’s festivals. Add excitement to your future travel plans with these unusual events.

Every year on the third week of February, the Italian town of Ivrea turns into a battlefield filled with oranges, where participants launch 600, 000 kilograms of oranges at each other during the historic carnival of the city. According to history, the Battle of the Oranges aimed to reconstruct a 12th-century battle between the locals and Napoleon’s royal army.

Anyone can try to play the guitar, but it takes a special talent to play an invisible guitar. Every August, musical instrument artists from all over the world flock to northern Finland, putting their best onstage “shamelessly” with their invisible instruments to compete for the event. Held in conjunction with the Oulu Music Video Festival, this contest since 1996 has been aiming to promote world peace.

This internationally recognized event, which starts on July 7th, has grown massively. It originated from men using fear and excitement to hurry the process of taking cattle to market. Nowadays the event is a lot more organized, and thousands now run through a barricaded (设路障的) course being chased by a thundering herd of bulls!

In medieval times, farmers in England would often make unique human dolls out of straw to chase away fierce animals and birds, and place them in the fields to protect the crops. Later, this tradition gradually evolved into this national farmers’ festival. For two weeks in August, a variety of activities have emerged, including the finely crafted scarecrow production, and competing for the champion in the competition.

Belgium is the land of music festivals. There are rock, pop, world, electronic music festivals and more, so you’re sure to find a festival that suits your taste.

Groezrock

Groezrock could be considered the opener of the festival season in Belgium. This festival grew from a small event to an international festival that had 33,000 visitors in 2016. If you’re into the harder stuff(东西), this is where you need to go.

When? April 29-30, 2017. Where? Meerhout. Music? Punk, emo, ska and rock in all its variations. Free? No.

Sfinks Mixed

Sfinks is a world music festival that focuses on bringing culture together. There are also plenty of things to do besides watching the performances. Good to know for families: Sfinks is a kid-friendly festival, with workshops, storytelling and performances aimed at children.

When? July 27-30, 2017. Where? Boechout. Music? World. Free? The festival is free; the camping is not.

Graspop Metal Meeting

If Groezrock doesn’t seem rough enough to you, Graspop Metal Meeting might. As the name says, this festival is all about metal, rock and punk. In 2016 the festival received 140,000 visitors who came to watch the more than 100 bands performing.

When? June 16-18, 2017. Where? Dessel. Music? Metal. Free? No.

Genk on Stage

Geek on Stage is a pop musical with not only a lot of Belgian artists, but also some international names. 80,000 people attended Genk on Stage in 2016.

When? June 23-25, 2017. Where? Genk. Music? Pop. Free? Yes.

Vegan(纯素食者) Street Fair

11:00am-7:00pm, Mar.23-24

Vegan Street Fair is a free-entry annual vegan food celebration for all ages. It’s a place where local vegans and vegan-friendly restaurants and sellers come together to serve you bite-size shares of vegan eats and sell you vegan things all in one place.

No pets allowed (even service animals)！

The Claremont Pie Festival

Mar.26 (tickets NOT necessary)

On Mar. 26, festival-goers will enjoy a fun-filled day featuring Bakers and Makers Demonstrations, a Pie Baking Contest, a Classic Car Show, a Retro Fashion Show, Live Music, a pie Eating Contest, a Pie Tasting Buffet and ALL THING PIE.

No pets allowed (even service animals)！

Torrance Antique Street Fair

8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Mar. 25

The event features 200+ sellers offering antiques, typical clothes, jewelry, toys, tools, plants and more. Have your antiques evaluated for only $3, and enjoy a tree crafting activity with Karen’s Krafts, rain or shine, free admission and pet-friendly!

More info at https://www. ericfirestonegallery. com/press-news/c/news

That’80s Show

Mar.16 to July 7

Eric Fischl, master of the loaded group portrait, has been the adviser for a wonderful show. It features more than a hundred works by the famous people of the 1980s, beginning with Eric and his wife April Gornik, along with Julian Schnabel David Salle and others. The show also features a “hall of fame” of music and sports memorabilia(收藏品),including Michael Jackson’s’ glove and Madonna’s jewelry.