American culture has infiltrated these European events

While the U.S. men’s soccer team didn’t quite manage to go the distance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, our homeland did seem to win over a lot of hearts and minds of its overseas visitors. But a love for many aspects of U.S. culture here in Europe is nothing new. From theme parks to auto shows to festivals, here’s a look at how Americana manifests itself across the Continent:

Geiselwind, Germany: “Custom Nationals” is the name given to a show featuring both U.S. cars and motorcycles. From July 31-Aug. 1, the Eventzentrum Strohofer will be set aglow by the chrome on hundreds of lovingly maintained motorbikes and autos. Visitors can stroll through a dealer’s marketplace, listen to live rock music and find sustenance at food stands dishing out tacos and burgers. A single-day adult ticket for entry on the Saturday goes for 15 euros; a weekend ticket with the cost of camping included goes for 39 euros. Children under the age of 14 enter free. Online: custom-nationals.de

Senigallia, Italy: The Summer Jamboree teleports the sights and sounds of 1940s and 1950s American music and culture to a small coastal city along the Adriatic in Italy’s Marche region. From July 31-Aug. 9, visitors can sway to the sounds of rock ‘n’ roll, swing, jive or country bands, admire vintage autos, learn the moves to the Boogie-Woogie or Lindy Hop at a dance camp, or simply show off their cool retro looks on a sandy beach. Entry to the festival that’s grown greater with every year since its inception in 2000 is completely free; for some concerts, parties and workshops, the purchase of tickets is required. Online: summerjamboree.com

Sinsheim, Germany: Exceptional, iconic American automobiles are the stars of the US-Car Meeting set to unfold on the grounds of the Technik Museum Sinsheim. From Aug. 1-2, auto fans can marvel at the likes of Ford Model Ts, pink Cadillacs, hot rods, muscle cars, special editions and more. A large part of the exhibition space is dedicated to vehicles built prior to 1991. Live music and food stands serving barbecue and other American-inspired dishes lend one of Germany’s largest meet-ups for U.S. auto enthusiasts its air of authenticity. Access to the festival grounds is free; entry to the Technik Museum costs 25 euros for adults and 20 euros for children ages 5-14. Online: tinyurl.com/2mund6k2

Klettwitz, Germany: The Truck & Country Festival brings massive trucks, offroad action and country music to the DEKRA Lausitzring motorsport complex, found some 75 miles southeast of Berlin. Concerts, high-octane shows and a western-themed village surround the main event, the Truck Trial European Championship, in which international teams must navigate their rigs through offroad terrain, facing ditches, steep slopes, tight turns and obstacles as they go. Other fun stuff on the program includes monster truck shows, a truck parade, exhibitor areas, a market and falconry demonstrations. A camping area adjacent to the festival grounds means visitors need not miss out on any of the action. The Truck & Country Festival takes place Aug. 7-9. Single-day adult tickets go for 25 euros; a weekend pass goes for 40 euros. A camping pass costs an additional 24 euros. Youth age 14 and under enter for free. Additional tickets are required for entry to Friday’s and Saturday’s concerts, entry to the concerts slated for Sunday is free. Online: truckertreffen-lausitzring.de

Eging am See, Germany: Pullman City Bayern is a theme park modeled after a circa-1800 frontier town in the American Wild West. False-front wooden townhouses, taverns, log cabins and grazing livestock bring the spirit of pioneers and cowboys to this park on the edge of the Bavarian Forest. Activities for visitors include watching Native American dances or horseback riding demos, joining in on one of the line dances or tucking into a plate of ribs at the Black Bison saloon. Youngsters should find the playgrounds, pony rides, panning for gold, animal encounters, archery and a balance and climbing course to their liking. The park hosts special events throughout the year; those coming up include a country rock weekend (July 24-25), Native American Days (July 31-Aug. 9), Mexican Week (Aug. 17-23) and Civil War Weekend (Sept. 25-26). Single-day entry tickets go for 41 euros adults and 21 euros for ages 4-14; kids age 3 and under enter for free. Online: pullmancity.de

Lazise, Italy: A taste of Tinseltown awaits visitors to Movieland the Hollywood Park, located near the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy’s Verona Province. Zones reminiscent of movie sets for “Jurassic World,” “Back to the Future,” “Terminator 2” and various disaster and horror films serve as the backdrop and provide the guiding theme for numerous attractions, including the adrenalin-inducing Diabolik Invertigo roller coaster, the Hollywood Tower free-fall and the Kitt SuperJet high-speed boat ride. Stages for stunt shows, shops, bars and restaurants remain largely true to their respective zones’ imagery. The “U.S. Army Stunt Show” features planes, tanks, water rescues and high-speed pursuits. New in 2026 is Bugs Town, a zone crawling with super-sized animatronic insects. Entry tickets to Movieland cost 36 euros for adults; those between 100 and 140 cm tall pay 29 euros, and those under 100 cm enter for free. Online: tinyurl.com/yr5nfeb3

Limassol, Cyprus: While Las Vegas has riffed upon Venetian canals, Paris’ Eiffel Tower and the Hofbräuhaus of Munich, the City of Dreams Mediterranean was inspired by Sin City itself. Opened in 2023, what’s billed as Europe’s first and largest integrated casino-resort offers bundles of luxury-steeped fun. Gamblers like its Roulette wheels and slot machines, honeymooners enjoy side-by-side massages in a eucalyptus-scented spa, night owls dance until dawn on the outdoor terrace of a massive club, foodies swoon over lobster, steak and pan-Asian cuisine and families flock around countless pools, an aerial obstacle course, zip lines, minigolf course and giant trampolines. The cost of an overnight stay for two adults in the summer season starts at approximately 560 euros. Online: cityofdreamsmed.com.cy/en