Seasonal & Holidays

Seasonal travel guides and holiday calendars — what to do in Europe each season, when public holidays fall, and how to plan around them.

What you will find in this section

• Public holiday calendars for 45+ European countries
• Winter travel: ski regions, Christmas markets, Canary Islands for winter sun
• Summer travel: Mediterranean beaches, Greek islands, Italian lakes
• Shoulder-season picks (May, September): fewer crowds, better prices
• Festival calendars: Oktoberfest, Carnival, Holy Week, Tomatina
• Packing and weather guides by month and region

Browse by theme

• Public Holidays — country calendars and travel impact
• Winter Travel — skiing, Christmas, escaping to warmth
• Summer Travel — beaches, islands, festivals

FAQ

When are the major European public holidays?

Fixed: New Year (1 Jan), Labour Day (1 May), Assumption (15 Aug), All Saints (1 Nov), Christmas (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec). Moveable: Good Friday and Easter Monday (linked to Easter), Ascension and Pentecost (39 and 49 days after Easter). Country-specific: Bastille Day (France, 14 Jul), Unity Day (Germany, 3 Oct).

When is the cheapest time to travel in Europe?

November (excluding Christmas markets week), January-early February, and early March — flight prices are 30-50% below summer highs, and hotel rates can drop by half. Weather is cold but most attractions stay open. Avoid Christmas Day itself and 31 Dec-2 Jan when transport is disrupted.

What are the best European Christmas markets?

Strasbourg, Nuremberg, Dresden, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Colmar, Tallinn, Cologne (seven distinct markets), Bruges. Most run from the last Sunday in November through 23 December. Some smaller towns (Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Salzburg) are worth the detour for their classic Advent atmosphere.

Where should I go for winter sun in Europe?

Within Europe for guaranteed winter warmth: the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote — 20-23°C in January), Madeira (18-21°C), Cyprus (15-18°C coastal). A bit further: Morocco (Marrakech 18°C in January), the Egyptian Red Sea coast (Hurghada), and Israel in mild winter months.

When do European ski resorts open?

Typically early December (high Alps) through early May. Best snow: mid-January to late March. Christmas-New Year is the most expensive week. Popular resorts: Zermatt, St. Moritz (Switzerland), Kitzbühel, St. Anton (Austria), Chamonix, Val Thorens (France), Cortina, Dolomites (Italy).