Acrobats, musicians, escape artists, clowns: one of the joys of attending a European street festival is never quite knowing the nature of the act to be discovered around the next corner. Here are some upcoming events in which a diverse cast of street artists will be vying for what they consider that most precious of commodities: audience appreciation.

Zweibrücken, Germany: The city’s annual “Strassentheaterspektakel” unfolds May 10-11 under the theme of “forever young.” From 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, entertainers including a dragon walking act, balloon twister and magician join forces with singers, dancers and an old-time rock ‘n’ roll band. From 11 a.m. on Sunday, the city’s pedestrian zone is transformed into a street theater mile, and at 5 p.m., all the performers will convene upon Alexanderplatz for a final show. Entry is free. Online: shorturl.at/bmfDp

Heilbronn, Germany: May 17 and July 26 have been designated KulturSamstags, days when the city center’s pedestrian zone fills with clowns, acrobats, jugglers, musicians and other friendly characters eager to interact with viewers young and old. Event hours are 12:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; entry is free. Online: shorturl.at/knKuK

Boom, Belgium: Theater aan Twater, one of Belgium’s largest spectacles for street theater and circus arts, takes place May 17-18 in a town just south of Antwerp. Here, audiences can take in more than 50 acts and 150 performances in a spectacle described as a mixture of magic, circus arts, clowning, acrobatics, fire artistry and more. Adult tickets bought online go for 23.50 euros for all of Saturday’s performances and 18 euros for the shows offered on Sunday. Online: theateraantwater.be

Zagreb, Croatia: The streets and squares of the country’s capital will pulse with life and sound May 30-June 2, as the 28th edition of “Cest is d’best” unfolds. Here, some 400 street entertainers from around the globe, from clowns to trumpet players to jugglers, will deliver their brands of charm and optimism across five stages throughout the day and night. Concerts, circus workshops for children, and a roving piano feature in this year’s programming. Entry is free. Online: cestisdbest.com

Wiesbaden, Germany: One of the city’s oldest and most popular events, Theatrium, brings three days of good vibes to the elegant Wilhelmstraße shopping street and the adjacent green space surrounding the Kurhaus. Some 250,000 guests typically turn out to enjoy acts performed across seven stages and rock and pop concerts running late into the night. The show is complemented by an abundance of stands serving international food and drink, a handicrafts market and numerous walking acts. The 2025 edition of Theatrium takes place June 13-15. Entry is free. Online: shorturl.at/KnKOp

Krakow, Poland: Monumental spectacles, theatrical plays, clowning, puppetry, fire shows and more feature in the program of the ULICA Festival, set for the weekends of July 4-6 and July 13-15. Some 180 artists, many from high-profile ensembles, present acts representing the latest trends in global street theater art in the Main Market Square and other public spaces. Online: teatrkto.pl/ulica-festival-en

Prague, Czech Republic: The “Za Dvermi” or “Behind the Door” festival transforms streets, parks and other urban landscapes into border-free spaces for dialogue between performers and viewers. Now in its 17th year, the festival has always featured a lineup including both Czech and international ensembles. Among this year’s acts is the French group Lucamoros, a team of visual artists who create a series of paintings while standing upon a giant scaffold. The festival will play out at the Holešovice Market Hall and Mariánské náměstí square in the Old Town July 9-15. Entry is free. Online: zadvermi.cz/en

Mulhouse, France: The annual street theater festival titled Scènes de Rue takes place in the heart of one of the Alsace’s most charming cities. From July 10-13, more that 20 ensembles from France and beyond serve up their alluring mix of acrobatics, artistry, circus, dance and performance. Entry is free. Online: scenesderue.fr

Certaldo, Italy: An impeccably preserved Tuscan hill town some 20 miles south of Florence makes a dreamlike setting for one of the country’s most important festivals of its kind. From July 16-20, the medieval streets and squares will fill with hundreds of musicians, dancers, tightrope walkers, puppeteers, trapeze artists, fire-eaters and other artists taking part in the event known as Mercantia. Culinary, crafts and antiques markets round out the offerings. Entry costs from 13 euros adults and 11 euros for children ages 7-17. Online: mercantiacertaldo.it

Ludwigshafen, Germany: A city known for its cultural diversity is a fitting backdrop to the Internationales Strassentheaterfestival Ludwigshafen, set to take place July 25-27. The downtown area will be enlivened by the presence of some 15 ensembles from throughout the world serving up acrobatics, dance, clowning and other forms of wonderment. Entry is free. Online: shorturl.at/1nETP