Pateekes Week/ Pastry WeekAntwerp, Belgium Dates: Feb. 2-11 Sample a number of tasty baked treats at more than 30 patisseries and coffee houses throughout town on your own individually designed tasting tour. A book of coupons known as a “Pateekespas,” available at the city’s tourist office at Grote Markt 13 or any of the participating shops, may be exchanged for decadent pastries, cups of coffee or tea, or a number of other treats. Admission: The Pateekespas costs 10 euros. Website: www.antwerpenkoekenstad.be/pateekesweek/

Bremer Karneval/ Bremen CarnivalMarktplatz, Bremen, Germany Dates: Feb. 2-3 (parade begins Feb. 3 at 12:20 p.m.) Germany's biggest samba carnival brings the spirit of Brazil to the streets with parties, concerts and the highlight event, a huge parade in which over 1400 vibrantly costumed “sambistas” dance to the sound of drums and catchy Latin beats as the crowds join in. Admission: Free Website: www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen-samba-carnival

Jagd und Hunt (Hunting Exposition)Messe Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany Dates: Jan. 30-Feb. 4 (10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily) Europe’s largest hunting exhibition features some 800 exhibitors offering items for not just hunters but for all lovers of outdoor pursuits and dog owners. The accompanying program includes deer calling championships, hunting horn concerts, shows of hunting dogs in action, an off-road course and a birds of prey show. An expo dedicated to fishing runs simultaneously. Admission: adult entry costs 14.50 euros when tickets are purchased online and 17.50 euros on-site; ages 14-16 pay 9/11.50 euros; ages 6-13 pay 6.50/9 euros. Website: jagd-und-hund.de

Braukunst LiveMVG-Museum, Staendlerstrasse 20, 81549 Munich, Germany Dates: Feb. 2-4 (4 p.m.-11 p.m. Feb. 2; 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 3; 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 3) More than 100 exhibitors, including many brewers from Bavaria, other parts of Germany, and beyond, present their beers, along with other products and innovations from the world of beer brewing. This year’s event focuses on the revival of traditional German styles of beer, women in brewing, and reduced and alcohol-free beers. Admission: Single-day tickets cost 20 euros; the 5 euro charge for deposit on the beer tasting glass comes with two coupons good for a taste of beer. Other samples can be paid for at the stands and cost either 50 cents or 1 euro. Website: www.braukunst-live-muenchen.de/

Kandahar RacesKandahar/Kreuzeck, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany Dates: Feb. 3-4 (sprint downhill ladies races start at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 3; downhill ladies races start at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 4) FIS Ski World Cup races have been held on this notoriously difficult course since 1970. The run is named in honor of Frederick Roberts, a British military leader who returned from Afghanistan as the “Earl of Kandahar.” The world’s best women take to the slopes through the weekend. Admission: Adult tickets for standing room places begin at 23 euros. Website: www.skiweltcup-garmisch.com/page/en/start

Hallia VeneziaSchwaebisch Hall, Germany Date: Feb. 4 (noon-4 p.m.) For a taste of Venetian carnival flair without actually setting foot in Italy, head to the pretty medieval town of Schwaaebisch Hall, where well over one hundred masked figures in fantastic costumes readily pose for photographs in front of city landmarks and upon the staircase in front of St. Michael Church. In contrast to many other carnival-related events, organizers bill this outing as calm and quiet. Admission: Free Website: www.hallia-venezia.eu/en/

Carnevale di Venezia/ Venice CarnivalVenice, Italy Dates: through Feb. 1 Venice’s famed carnival, an otherworldly phenomenon cloaked in mystery and pageantry, is believed to date as back as 1162. This year’s edition has been given the theme of “play.” Upcoming events include the Festa delle Marie (2:30 p.m. Feb. 3) in which 12 stunningly dressed young Venetian ladies, selected by jury, are carried by sedan and followed by a procession in period costume from San Pietro di Castello to a stage in St. Mark’s Square. The flight of the Angel, in which a costumed woman descends to St. Mark’s Square on a zip wire, takes place at noon on Feb. 4. Nearby, the Mestre Carnival Street Show offers street performers, music, games and shows for all ages on Feb. 3-4 and Feb. 8-13. Admission: Free and ticketed events. Website: www.carnevale.venezia.it and http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/en/festa-delle-marie-celbration-2018/

Moors and Christians FestivalBocairent, Valencia, Spain Dates: Feb. 2-6 On the first week of February each year, Bocairent honors Saint Blai, its patron saint, with a colorful festival replete with parades, pyrotechnics, music and loud bangs. Five groups of “Christians” and four groups of “Moors” participate in the celebrations. Each day of the festival offers distinct high points, from the opening of festivities with the Night of the Drums, to the sound of gunpowder being fired off in the streets on day four. Admission: Free Website: www.santblai.org

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