Siemens Festival Nights

Location: Kapitelplatz, Salzburg, Austria
Dates: through Aug. 31
Once evening falls, crowds gather to take in the musical and operatic productions broadcast on a large screen in the open air of a square overlooked by the castle. Caterers are on site to serve up cold appetizers, treats from the grill and tasty sweets.
Admission: Free

Museum Night

Location: Antwerp, Belgium (7 p.m.-1 a.m. next day)
Date: Aug. 3
Culture seekers will find more than 20 museums and cultural institutions offering exhibitions and unusual activities late into the night. Shuttle bus service connects the participating venues.
Admission: Adult entry costs 14 euros on the night; ages 6-12 pay 2 euros, those five and under enter free.

Hapje-Tapje

Location: Leuven, Belgium
Date: Aug. 4 (noon-11:45 p.m.)
Foodies will find plenty to feast on here, including dishes from eight of the city’s top chefs served at the Place Gourmande, and sampler size portions are available at restaurants easily reached by means of a walking tour. Specialty beers are served at the Oude Markt. A bartenders’ race takes place in the afternoon, and in the evening, live music plays at the Grote Markt.
Admission: Free

Caribbean Carnival

Location: Victoria Park, Leicester, England
Date: Aug. 3 (11 a.m.-8 p.m.)
Multi-culti Leicester, England takes on an island vibe at this colorful carnival made up of five performance areas, including a stage for live shows and a Soca Village. There’s also a midway with rides, along with a children’s village offering arts and crafts. A program highlight is a parade that gets underway from 1 p.m. and makes its way through the city center before returning to its starting point. The program on the main stage starts at 2 p.m.
Admission: adults pay 3 UK pounds; admission for children ages 5-13 costs 1 pound.

International Celtic Festival

Location: Lorient, France
Dates: Aug. 2-11
More than 4,500 musicians, dancers and performers representing Celtic cultures from far and wide put on concerts and shows and march in colorful spectacles. The Grand Parade of Celtic Nations takes place from 10 a.m. Aug. 4. This year’s program highlights the music and traditions of Galicia.
Admission: Tickets to concerts and events are sold on an individual basis. The purchase of a festival pin at a cost of 5 euros supports the organization of the festival and entitles its wearer to entry to several events.

German-American Volksfest

Location: Camp Kasserine, Grafenwoehr, Germany
Dates: Aug. 2-4 (11 a.m.-midnight Aug. 2-3; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 4)
Funfair rides, an exhibition of military vehicles, food and drink stands, a beer tent and live music bring good feelings to all guests, no matter their origins.
Admission: Free. Those without U.S. military ID can only enter through Gate 6. Visitors over the age of 16 must carry an official form of identification such as a passport or their “Personalausweiss” to enter. No large bags are allowed on the festival grounds.

International Beer Festival

Location: Karl-Marx-Allee, Berlin, Germany
Dates: Aug. 2-4
Beer fans can rejoice at the overwhelming choice of beery beverages from around the world to sample here. About 350 breweries from 90 countries serve more than 2,500 types of beer in what’s billed as the longest beer garden in the world.
Admission: Free

Saar-Spektakel

Location: Saarbruecken, Germany
Dates: Aug. 2-4
The Saar River is the backdrop to this festival offering live music from well-known bands, dragon boat races and a pirate-themed playground for the children.
Admission: Free

Mainfest

Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Dates: Aug. 2-5
Midway rides, gaming booths, tasty treats and live music against a skyscaper-studded backdrop make this folk festival a popular choice among residents and visitors to the Rhine-Main area. A large fireworks display at 10 p.m. Aug. 5 closes festivities for another year.
Admission: Free

Tucher Blues- & Jazzfestival/ Tucher Blues & Jazz festival

Location: Bamberg, Germany
Dates: Aug. 2-11
Famous blues and jazz musicians and regional artists on the rise perform some 70 concerts in all, first at the Boehmerwiese on Heiliggrabstrasse from Aug. 2-4, and then on stages at the Maxplatz and Gabelmann Aug. 5-11. After hours, the action on the streets moves inside, where the music continues to play late into the night.
Admission: Free; the purchase of a pin supports the organization of the festival and charitable causes.

Streeta(rt)nimation

Location: Place Guillaume II and Rue du Saint Esprit, City center, Luxembourg
Dates: Aug. 2-3 (noon-11 p.m. Aug. 3; 1 p.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 4)
Musicians, stilt walkers, acrobats, jugglers, dancers, clowns and other curious characters enliven the town with their fun and original acts. Around 100 performances are given by 26 international and Luxembourgish companies. Some are walking acts, while others perform in fixed locations.
Admission: Free

Canal Parade

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date: Aug 3 (12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.)
Amsterdam’s Pride parade is delightfully different in that it takes place aboard canal boats. Approximately 80 colorfully decorated craft with their equally vibrant passengers depart from the Scheepvart Museum at 12:30 p.m. and make their way toward the Amstel River, and from there, they follow along the Prinsengracht toward the Westerdok. Prime viewing sites can be found on the bridges lining the canals.
Admission: Free