Karen Bradbury

6 days ago | stripes.com | Karen Bradbury

Street performers abound at many European summer festivals. (iStock) Acrobats, musicians, escape artists, clowns: one of the joys of attending a European street festival is never quite knowing the nature of the act to be discovered around the next corner. Here are some upcoming events in which a diverse cast of street artists will be vying for what they consider that most precious of commodities: audience appreciation.

1 week ago | stripes.com | Karen Bradbury

The Great British Food Festival will soon be taking place at various venues in the United Kingdom. (iStock) Food, glorious food! Those willing to travel that extra mile to treat their taste buds might wish to consider attending one of these upcoming culinary events. Antwerp, Belgium: One of Belgium’s greatest food fests plays out at the Waagnatie, a vast entertainment venue set in a former industrial complex next to the Scheldt River.

2 weeks ago | stripes.com | Karen Bradbury

The Horse Fair at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, May 17-24 will include equestrian shows, bullfights and fiestas. (iStock) Austria LINZ: Urfahranermarkt, traditional volksfest, through May 4. LINZ: Crossing Europe, film festival, through May 4. VIENNA: wean hean, festival of typical Viennese music, through May 18. VIENNA: Vienna Blues Spring, blues concerts throughout city, through May 31. ZELL AM ZILLER: Gauder Fest, traditional spring festival, May 1-4.

2 weeks ago | stripes.com | Karen Bradbury

Walpurgis Night is celebrated in various parts of Germany with fire, celebrations and effigy-burning. (iStock) May 1, a public holiday in several countries throughout Europe, is many things at once. To some, it’s Labor Day, a time to look back on hard-fought worker’s rights by participating in demonstrations or activities organized by unions.

3 weeks ago | stripes.com | Karen Bradbury

On April 26, the Dutch will celebrate its reigning monarch throughout the land. (iStock) Celebrate King’s Day in the Netherlands The Dutch are considered a fun-loving people, and what better reason to throw a party of epic proportion than a royal birthday? On April 26, all Netherlands will celebrate the big day of its reigning monarch, King Willem-Alexander, in the form of a national holiday.