The festival season doesn’t just finish with the end of summer—Europe has a fantastic variety of festivals to attend all year round, with some particularly special ones taking place during the winter months. Whether you want to dance to electronic music up on a snowy mountain range or enjoy some traditional celebrations on the cobbled streets of a European village, there are many winter festivals to discover.
Read on for our guide to the best winter festivals in Europe.
Tomorrowland Winter: Alpe d’Huez, France
Date: Saturday 15th March – Friday 22nd March 2025
Age: Over 18s
Tomorrowland Winter is an iconic festival nestled in the mountains of the breathtaking French ski resort, Alpe d’Huez. With more than 150 of the world’s best electronic artists performing across eight impressive outdoor and indoor stages, you’ll dance to great music while admiring the stunning backdrop.
In the company of over 22,000 people, Tomorrowland Winter promises an exciting week filled with snow, skiing, snowboarding, the best electronic music and spectacular views.
You can go for the day or purchase a four-day or seven-day pass, both of which include a festival ticket, a lift and ski pass, and a Tomorrowland Winter bracelet. Whatever you decide, it will be an unforgettable experience.
Amsterdam Light Festival: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date: Thursday 28th November 2024 – Sunday 19th January 2025
Age: No age restrictions
During the darkest months of the year, the Amsterdam Light Festival illuminates the city with over 20 unique light displays crafted by artists from across the world. From spectacular lantern displays to interactive modern light installations, the festival bathes Amsterdam’s iconic canals and bridges in beautiful showers of light throughout winter.
The festival is entirely free for everyone of all ages to enjoy and can be accessed by bike or public transport. The luminous route is 6.5km on foot, or you can buy a ticket for the cruise experience. Whether you decide to glide along the canals or stroll through the streets, you’re in for an unforgettable night.
The Carnival of Binche: Binche, Belgium
Date: Sunday 2nd March – Tuesday 4th March 2025
Age: No age restrictions
The Carnival of Binche is an annual festival located south of Brussels. It takes place on the days preceding the first day of Lent.
As one of the oldest surviving street carnivals, dating back to the 14th century, it has many unique customs. For example, the townspeople of Binche dress up as Gilles, the main ‘anonymous’ character of the festival, wearing wax masks, huge ostrich plume hats and elaborate clothing.
These characters roam the streets throwing oranges, viewed as a sign of good luck, to the thousands of visitors who come to watch the celebrations. The townspeople take great pride in the festivities, so it’s the perfect way to experience some authentic Belgian folklore and music.
Rise Festival: Les Deux Alpes, France
Date: Saturday 6th December – Saturday 13th December 2025
Age: Over 18s
Rise Festival offers an action-packed week of snow, music and festivities. It’s hosted across three main stages, five indoor venues and one afterparty space, and previous guests have included Craig David, Chase & Status, Clean Bandit, and Annie Mac.
So, where is Rise festival? Found in the picturesque mountain village of Les Deux Alpes, the festival is hosted at the second-oldest ski resort in France.
With 220km of amazing pistes and plenty of other adrenaline-fuelled activities, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to have a sit-down meal and get stuck into some fondue or grab a warm croissant on your way to the ski lifts, there’s also a variety of delicious food to enjoy.
Nice Carnival: Nice, France
Date: Sunday 15th February – Sunday 2nd March 2025
Age: No age restrictions
Nice Carnival is an explosion of colour and lively music during the winter months in Nice. The streets are filled with gloriously decorated floats, vibrant costumes and performances by troupes from France and Europe. The Flower Parade is particularly beautiful, featuring elegant floats adorned with thousands of bright flowers. Nice Carnival offers the perfect family atmosphere where everyone can join in and admire the festivities.
The Carnival village is open day and night for a non-stop party packed with fun calendar events. As the most popular carnival in the country, thousands of visitors head to the South of France each year to experience the colourful magic.
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