The Most Exciting European Festivals in March 2024
In March 2024, Europe is hosting various festivals ranging from beer festivals and traditional celebrations to music and spring flower festivals. These festivals provide a mix of cultural, musical, and traditional experiences, with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in the arts, a fan of craft beer, or just looking to celebrate the arrival of spring amidst beautiful flowers, Europe in March offers a wealth of experiences. Here’s a summary of some notable festivals:
Barcelona Beer Festival (Spain)
When: Scheduled for 22 – 24 March 2024
This festival is a celebration of craft beer set in the vibrant city of Barcelona. What sets the Barcelona Beer Festival apart is its dedication not just to beer as a beverage but as a culture. It features not only a vast selection of craft beers but also educational sessions and workshops conducted by brewers and industry professionals, making it a hub for both enthusiasts and professionals to share knowledge and passion for craft beer.
Munich Strong Beer Festival Starkbierzeit (Germany)
When: Taking place from 1 – 24 March 2024.
This festival features strong beer, with crowds half as large and beer twice as strong as Oktoberfest. This festival has its roots in a tradition started by the Paulaner monks in the 17th century. The monks brewed a particularly strong beer, called “Sankt Vater” (Holy Father Beer), to sustain themselves during the Lenten fasting period, leading to the nickname “liquid bread.” This tradition has evolved into the Starkbierzeit, where the focus is on strong beer and Bavarian cheer.
Zurich Beer Festival (Switzerland)
When: This event is planned for 22 – 23 March 2024.
Also known as Zurich Beer Week. Zurich Beer Week emphasizes not just the enjoyment of beer but also the craft of brewing, with a particular focus on promoting small, independent breweries. It’s a testament to the city’s growing interest in craft beer and the community’s support for innovation and quality in brewing.
Las Fallas (Spain)
When: Held in Valencia from 1 – 19 March 2024.
Las Fallas is known for its lights, traditional costumes, fireworks, and music. The most spectacular aspect of Las Fallas is the creation and destruction of “ninots,” large figures made of cardboard, wood, and papier-mâché. These figures are often satirical, poking fun at public figures and current festivals. The culmination of the festival sees these ninots set ablaze, symbolizing the destruction of the old and the welcoming of the spring.
Keukenhof Spring and Flower Festival (Netherlands)
When: This world-renowned flower garden opens its doors from 21 March – 12 May 2024.
Keukenhof is also known as the Garden of Europe, and it’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens. An interesting fact about Keukenhof is that it was originally a hunting ground before being converted into a garden for showcasing spring-flowering bulbs in 1949. It now features over 7 million bulbs in bloom each spring, with hundreds of varieties of tulips.
Sancy Snow Jazz (France)
When: In Le Mont Dore from 9-16 March 2024.
This festival combines the serene beauty of snow-covered landscapes with the warm, inviting sounds of jazz. It’s unique in its offering, as it takes the vibrancy of jazz music into the tranquil setting of the mountains, providing a stark yet harmonious contrast between the energy of the music and the calm of nature.
Electronic Peak Festival (France)
When: Taking place in Les Arcs from 16-23 March 2024.
This festival is a must-visit for electronic music enthusiasts looking to enjoy unforgettable sets at altitude. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Alps, the Electronic Peak Festival leverages its unique location by integrating electronic music with alpine culture. The festival is not just about the music but also about experiencing the mountains in a new way, with performances set in unconventional locations like ski slopes and mountaintop venues.
Tomorrowland Winter (France)
When: In Alpe d’Huez from 16-23 March 2024.
The magic of Tomorrowland, one of the world’s most famous music festivals, extends to its winter edition, offering a unique fusion of electronic music and winter sports. What makes Tomorrowland Winter special is its setting in the French Alps, where the spectacle of the festival is matched by the natural beauty of snow-covered mountains.
Snowboxx (France)
When: A dynamic festival in Avoriaz from 16-24 March 2024.
Snowboxx is a perfect example of how music festivals can evolve to incorporate lifestyle elements such as skiing and snowboarding, creating an all-encompassing experience. Attendees can enjoy the slopes by day and dance to some of the best acts in electronic music by night, all in one location.
Festi Val Tho (France)
When: Enjoy intense parties with DJ sets and concerts in Val Thorens from 19-21 March 2024.
Held in the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens, Festi Val Tho is renowned not only for its music but also for its altitude. The high elevation adds an extra element of excitement and challenge for both performers and festivals-goers, creating an atmosphere that’s quite literally on top of the world.
