One of the countless reasons for attending an event or festival is the chance it gives to explore another culture. Every once in a while, however, the culture you encounter is not the one associated with the destination! Here are some summer events at which cultures of other lands shine brightly under the spotlight:

Brussels, Belgium: The Couleur Café Festival is a world and urban outdoor music festival that’s been gaining in popularity since its inception in 1990. Established to showcase musical genres with African roots, its lineup today includes funk, hip-hop, reggae, dance, dub, soul, Latin, blues and rock artists. Concerts take place across four stages and typically attract more than 70,000 visitors, many of whom choose to camp on site. The always-buzzing festival grounds also host an art exhibition, young designer’s market, workshops, cocktail lounges and food stalls serving the cuisine of dozens of countries. This year’s edition takes place June 27-29 at the Atomium Square. While festival passes are sold out on the event’s website, day tickets for Sunday’s concerts remain available at a cost of 59 euros. Online: couleurcafe.be/en

Coburg, Germany: A postcard-worthy riverside town in Franconia sets the scene for the annual International Samba-Festival, billed as the largest event of its kind outside Brazil. For three days, some 3,000 “sambistas” transform the town into a spectacle of vibrant color and steady beats, attracting up to 180,000 spectators. Drum and dance acts take place on- and off-stage, while seasoned performers and samba-school attendees take part in workshops and competitions. The festival takes place July 11-13. Three-day tickets go for 39 euros when purchased online; single-day tickets go for 19-36 euros, depending on the day of attendance. Online: samba-festival.de

Angelbachtal, Germany: This quite obscure municipality in northern Baden-Württemberg, located roughly between Sinsheim and Bruchsal, takes on a Scottish flair each year as the host of International Highland Games, an event that focuses on sport, music and culture. From July 11-13, visitors can enjoy viewing the so-called “heavy events” such as caber toss, stone put and hammer throw, highland dancing, bagpipe music and concerts by contemporary bands. The event takes place in the city’s Schlosspark. Entry on Friday, when the program gets underway at 6 p.m., is free; weekend tickets at the door cost 22 euros for adults and 10 euros for youth ages 6-14. Online: highland-games.info

Stuttgart, Germany: The Sommerfestival der Kulturen, of Summer Festival of Cultures, is a six-day celebration of music, dance and tastes from far-flung corners of the globe. Each year, some 80,000 revelers gather on Stuttgart’s market square, where they can enjoy a pair of free concerts that kick off late in the afternoon. Stars of the international world music scene will mesmerize audiences with concerts across such seldom-heard genres as griot and cumbia, alongside the more typical indie rock, ska, flamenco and Balkan beats. This year’s lineup includes artists hailing from Ukraine, Chile, Turkey, South Africa and other lands. Other attractions include a marketplace, food stalls manned by local organizations providing support to migrants, and a special program for children. The festival takes place July 15-21. One of the program highlights, a show of the dance and music of 40 nations, takes place from 11 a.m. July 20. Online: sommerfestival-der-kulturen.de

London, UK: The HYPER JAPAN Festival, billed as the UK’s biggest celebration of Japanese culture, exposes visitors to the latest trends in manga, anime, J-pop, fashion and more. Market stalls sell gifts, décor, games and more, while on-stage, cosplay and musical acts offer hours of diversion. Workshops in a variety of skills, from ikebana to martial arts, are offered; advance sign-up is essential. The festival takes place at the Olympia July 18-20. Adult tickets for Saturday’s event cost 36 UK pounds (about $48.35); entry on other days is slightly less expensive. Online: hyperjapan.co.uk/festival

Birmingham, UK: The word “mela” is used to describe an Indian or Asian cultural or religious fair or festival, usually held outdoors. A number of such events dot England’s cultural calendar, among them the Sandwell & Birmingham Mela, which actually takes place in the nearby town of Smethwick. From July 19-20, the town’s Victoria Park will host what’s billed as Europe’s biggest South Asian music festival. Artists on stage represent a mix of international stars and home-grown talents. Other areas of the mela include a food village serving Asian and other cuisines, a bazaar, fun fair, and space for workshops and arts and crafts projects. Single-day adult tickets go for 3.30 UK pounds when bought online in advance. Online: birminghammela.com

Rotterdam, Netherlands: Afro-Caribbean culture stands loud and proud at Rotterdam’s Summer Carnival, or Zomercarnaval in Dutch, a massive event inspired by the carnivals of Brazil, Latin America and countries of the Dutch Caribbean. On July 25-26, party-loving types can listen to live bands playing the sounds of soca, reggae, zouk, and other genres, learn some new moves at a dance workshop, sample street foods or check out the goods at the marketplace. The Summer Carnival’s highlight event, a massive street parade made up of floats, dancers and musical acts, takes place from noon on July 26, setting off from Blaak and winding along a three-mile route before ending in the city center around 7 p.m. Online: tinyurl.com/49tse4zz