Visitors to Cannes on the French Riviera will be treated to competitive fireworks displays on five dates in July and August. (iStock)
With summer looming large, planning a vacation near a beach is a tempting proposition, but at the cost of missing a festival, concert or other cultural event? The easiest workaround — plan a getaway around an activity that takes place at one of Europe’s gorgeous seaside locations.
Beach Marathons: The Marathon de la Liberté, also referred to as the D-Day Landings Marathon, is a running event held to commemorate the Allied D-Day landings. Since 1988, runners have been clocking countless miles in the footsteps of WWII soldiers in Caen. The event offers various distances and formats, from children’s races to a full-fledged marathon with a route passing along Sword and Juno beaches. This year’s marathon, slated for June 7, has already reached maximum capacity, so show up to cheer on those who managed to register or let them inspire you to sign up next year. Online: marathondelaliberte.fr/en/
St. John’s celebrations: According to Christian liturgical calendars, St. John the Baptist’s date of birth is celebrated on June 24, a time of year that roughly coincides with the summer solstice. Various rituals to purify and ward off evil spirits on the eve of his birth are carried out, from midnight dives to jumping over blazing bonfires. Places to get into the act in Spain include in and around Alicante; seaside towns in Catalonia and Valencia will also be buzzing. In Porto, Portugal, celebrations get underway in the city center, continue with fireworks along the riverfront and culminate at the nearby coastlines of Foz do Douro or Matosinhos Beach, where thousands of people party until dawn.
Festivals: Matala Beach, on the southern shores of the Greek island of Crete, is known for its calm blue waters, sandstone caves and close association with hippie culture of the 1960s and 1970s. The place that inspired Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez gets back to its roots by hosting the Matala Beach Festival, a laid-back gathering for lovers of art, music and alternative lifestyles. From June 19-21, visitors can take in concerts, mostly by Greek acts, across two stages, practice yoga or Zumba dancing, and let their kids cavort with their newfound friends. By night, the famous caves are bathed in colorful spotlights, creating a unique atmosphere. Entry to the festival itself is free of charge, and a nearby camping site offers reasonably priced pitches. Online: matalabeachfestival.org/en
Pink Night: A 65-mile stretch of coastline along the so-called Adriatic Riviera is the place to be in Italy at the time of the summer solstice. “La Notte Rosa,” or Pink Night, running from June 19-21, sees the towns and beaches between Comacchio and Cattolica come alive with programs featuring concerts, art installations, clubbing, hands-on activities for children and more. The event’s highlight comes as midnight on Saturday approaches, when displays of fireworks, predominantly pink, are shot off simultaneously from coastal communities including Riccione, Cervia, Cesenatico and not least Rimini, the beating heart of the action. Dressing in pink is encouraged, as is securing accommodation beforehand. Online: lanotterosa.it/en
Fireworks: Pyrotechnic Art Festival, a fancy way of describing a stunning display of fireworks, has been a feature of summer nights in Cannes for the past 50 years, and once again, the skies above the French Riviera’s famous town will come alive with some of the most dazzling shows of sound and sparks imaginable, as pyrotechnics companies from across Europe and beyond compete to have their illuminations deemed world’s best. Synchronization, harmony and creativity are factors put into consideration by the professional jury awarding the Vestale; the viewing public also gets its say with the opportunity to rate the shows online. The competition takes place on the nights of July 4, 14, 22, Aug. 5 and 15; the display on Aug. 24 to close the show isn’t vying for the top prize. The public beach along La Croisette, the Old Port quays or the heights of Le Suquet are all considered prime viewing spots, and entry is free. Online: festival-pyrotechnique-cannes.com/en
Food fests: Texel, the largest of the Netherlands’ West Frisian Islands, is known for its sandy, windswept beaches, pine forests, salt marshes and dunes; over the past two decades, it’s also earned a reputation as a gourmand’s paradise, with a focus on locally sourced meat, seafood and artisanal products. Texel’s pride in its ethos and homegrown ways can be experienced firsthand by timing a trip to coincide with its Beach Food Festival, slated for July 17-19. Directly on the Wadden beach, next to Oudeschild’s harbor, stands and food trucks will be serving up dishes from crêpes to tarte flambé to Korean chicken. Live music, yoga, kite shows and children’s activities encourage guests to stay around for additional helpings. Admission is free. Online: beachfoodfestival.nl
