At most types of festivals, audiences are familiar with the artists to be in the spotlight; not so a street arts or busker’s fest, where the cast is made up of a colorful cast of characters from magicians to tightrope walkers to fire-eaters. The joy of attending such an event comes in the discovery of quirky and unexpected acts and the immediacy of the audience-performer interaction. As buskers are traveling street artists who generally receive no fees from a festival organizer but rather depend on the tip money tossed into their hats by appreciative viewers, it’s important to reward them accordingly.

Linz, Austria: Extraordinary things are bound to occur in this handsome town on the Danube, as its annual street arts festival known as the Pflasterspektakel plays out through July 22. More than 100 solo acts and companies from around the world showcase street performance art from comedy to clownery, juggling, acrobatics, aerial and fire shows, puppet theater and multiple genres of music. The street shows which start every hour on the hour across 40 locations are complemented by a revue show in the circus tent and live music performances. Online: pflasterspektakel.at/en

Augsburg, Germany: La Strada – the International Artists Festival consistently attracts top acts from around the world. From July 28-30, the city squares will be transformed into stages for acrobats, jugglers, magicians and musicians, whose wit, charm and skills win over audiences young and old. Online: augsburg.de/kultur/festivals/la-strada

Ludwigshafen, Germany: The city’s Straßentheaterfestival, set for July 28-30, sees home-grown and international artists delight with acts and spectacles meant to be experienced up close and personally. Some 15-20 acts perform in each edition of this family-friendly festival. Online: tinyurl.com/yc376p9e

Graz, Austria: La Strada Graz, a showcase for street art, puppet theatre, new circus and community art, unfolds from July 28-Aug. 5, turning public spaces into all-ages friendly playgrounds. The program here is made up of a mix of free and ticketed events. Online: lastrada.at

Edinburgh, Scotland: The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which takes its name for the fact it takes place alongside the Edinburgh International Festival, attracts millions of spectators over its three-week run. From Aug. 4-28, actors, poets, comedians, dancers, cabaret artists, circus performers and countless others, from well-known names to those searching for their first big break, perform across hundreds of venues throughout the city. While there’s a charge for most shows, over 350 events are free. While some require attendees to obtain free tickets in advance, others admit viewers on a first-come, first serve basis. Online: edfringe.com

St. Wendel, Germany: This charming medieval town makes an ideal setting for the annual Zauberhaftes St. Wendel festival, slated for Aug. 4-6. Twelve international magic acts play to an all-ages audience as each vies to have his or her show judged best by a jury. Online: tinyurl.com/zyxbjcuy

Moio della Civitella, Italy: This well-preserved village in the province of Salerno in Campania is the site of Mojoca, three days in which musicians, jugglers, clowns, actors and acrobats do their best to amuse and amaze. Artists perform from 8:30 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. the following day. Some 30 shows run concurrently throughout the night. The festival takes place Aug. 10-13. Online: mojoca.it/il-festival

Eupen, Belgium: The street arts festival HAASte Töne is made all the merrier by its partner event spotlighting world music. The Weltmusikfest, set for Aug. 18, brings the sounds of east European and Arabic music to the Temsepark. On Aug. 19-20, the festival grounds spread out to allow aerial acrobatics, clowns, drummers, dancers and others all the space they need. Spectators need tickets to attend; these are available online at a cost of 9 euros adults / 4.50 euros youth ages six-18 for Aug. 19 and 10 euros adults/ 5 euros youth for Aug. 20. Entry to the world music festival on Friday evening costs 9 euros adults and 4.50 euros youth. Online: haastetoene.be/de

Ferrara, Italy: The Ferrara Busker’s Festival, set for Aug. 23-27, gives musicians, acrobats and other entertainers the platform to show off their skills. To avoid the scorching heat of the daytime hours, the spectacles begin at 8 p.m. and continue through midnight Aug. 23-26; Sunday’s shows take place 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Online: ferrarabuskers.com/en

Pilsen, Czech Republic: The Pilsen Busking Fest gives yet another reason to drink in the city synonymous with the world’s most popular style of beer. From Aug. 31-Sept. 3, visitors can take in bands, solo artists, jugglers, dancers and other entertainers. Close to 50 international acts, including those from Japan, Brazil, Australia, Argentina and other lands, are on the docket. Online: buskingfest.cz

Vienna, Austria: At the Buskers Festival Wien, set for Sept. 1-3, visitors can expect to be wowed by three days of performances by more than 100 artists from throughout the world. The festival unfolds across the spacious and majestic Karlsplatz. A children’s corner offers workshops, face painting and crafts. Online: buskerswien.at/?lang=en

Würzburg, Germany: Music, juggling, fire shows, children’s entertainment, dance and more stand at the fore during the annual event known as StraMu, one of Europe’s largest festivals of its kind. A unique feature of StraMu is its “Freiufer,” a space at which any aspiring artist can show off his or her talent. The fest takes place Sept. 8-10. Entry is free, but the purchase of a festival bracelet helps organizers defray costs. Online: stramu-wuerzburg.de/en

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany: The Strassen.Kunst.Festival, set for Sept. 22-24, is an all-ages friendly celebration of circus, acrobatics, music, magic and more. A dedicated zone for kids offers them the chance to give circus arts a try for themselves. The festival unfolds across four stations set up along Ludwigstrasse in Partenkirchen. Online: strassenkunstfestival.de