#1 Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba – Alba, Italy
The truffle festival in Alba is a true paradise for food lovers. The charming town in the heart of Piedmont is famous for its white truffles, considered some of the best in the world. Since white truffles only grow in the wild and can't be cultivated, they are especially valuable. During the festival, visitors can participate in truffle auctions, sample exquisite truffle dishes, and even go on a guided truffle hunt.
Dates: October 12 to December 8, 2024
Distance from airport: About 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Milan Malpensa Airport
#2 Pumpkin Festival – West Sussex, England and Zurich, Switzerland
Attention Halloween fans: Tully’s Pumpkin Festival offers everything a pumpkin lover could want. A massive pumpkin patch with over a million pumpkins and more than 100 varieties – whether you're looking for a decorative pumpkin or one for soup, you'll find it here. Plenty of photo points and a Ferris wheel invite visitors to capture unforgettable memories – preferably with a pumpkin spice latte in hand. This is autumn at its finest! Be sure to secure your tickets in advance, whether for a day or evening visit.
Open: Daily until the end of October 2024
Distance from airport: 15-minute drive from London Gatwick Airport
For pumpkin enthusiasts in Switzerland this autumn, the annual pumpkin exhibition at Jucker Farm is a must-see! Held across Kloten, Seegräben, Jona, and Rafz, the theme for this year's event is "Big Cinema" – lights, camera, action!
Open: Daily until October 20, 2024
Distance from airport: All locations are a maximum of one hour's drive from Zurich Airport
#3 Rüeblimärt (Carrot market) – Aarau, Switzerland
On Rüeblimärt day, Aarau's city center transforms into a meeting point for carrot lovers. As the capital of the so-called “Rüeblikanton” Aargau, Aarau offers a variety of fresh, crunchy carrots and regional specialties. Visitors can look forward to the famous Aargauer Rüeblitorte, hearty carrot soup, and even unique carrot sausages.
Dates: November 6, 2025
Distance from airport: About 40-minute drive from Zurich Airport
#4 Zibelimärit (Onion market) – Bern, Switzerland
Picture this: It’s a cold November morning in Bern. It's still dark, but today, the capital wakes up early for the traditional Zibelemärit! Starting at 6:00 a.m., visitors flock to buy the prettiest onion braids. The air is filled with the delicious scents of freshly baked onion tarts, onion soup, and garlic bread. As the sun slowly rises, the streets fill with more people, admiring the beautifully braided onion wreaths and enjoying the delicacies. This is Zibelemärit: a lively piece of Bernese tradition that warms up the cold season with joy.
Dates: November 25, 2025
Distance from airport: About 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Zurich Airport
#5 Lemon festival – Menton, France
The charming coastal town of Menton transforms for two weeks into a citrus lover’s paradise. Since 1934, the city has celebrated its lemons, known for their superior flavor thanks to the sunny location. Gigantic sculptures adorned with bright yellow lemons and juicy oranges catch the eye, while a refreshing citrus aroma fills the picturesque streets. Throughout the festival, citrus-based specialties like lemon tarts can be found everywhere. In the evenings, night parades with dazzling floats, dancers, and lively music take over the Promenade du Soleil. It’s a carnival of the senses!
Dates: February 15 to March 2, 2025
Distance from airport: About 40-minute drive from Nice Airport
#6 Asparagus festival – Beelitz, Germany
On the first weekend of June, Beelitz celebrates freshly harvested asparagus in all its variations. What began as a tribute to migrant workers has evolved over more than 90 years into a festival for all ages. A large parade, market stalls, and stage performances attract over 50,000 visitors to Beelitz.
Dates: June 6-8, 2025
Distance from airport: About 40-minute drive from Berlin Brandenburg Airport
#7 Bordeaux Wine Festival – Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux wine is almost synonymous with French red wine. Whether Saint-Emilion, Médoc, or Mouton-Cadet, the Bordeaux Wine Festival offers a chance to taste the best wines from the region and find your favorite. A gourmet market awaits lovers of French cuisine: from delicious oysters and exquisite cheeses to heavenly cannelés, the famous rum and vanilla-flavored pastries from Bordeaux. Historic ships dock along the Garonne River, welcoming maritime enthusiasts. A highlight of the festival is the breathtaking drone show.
Dates: June 19-22, 2025
Distance from airport: About 35-minute drive from Bordeaux Airport
#8 Sillens Helg – Sweden
In the idyllic town of Marstrand on Sweden’s west coast, a weekend is dedicated to pickled herring. This Swedish classic comes in various forms: pickled with onions, mustard sauce, chili, or even combined with shrimp or caviar. Each year in August, the small town of Marstrand becomes a paradise for herring lovers, as the competition for the best Christmas herring takes place. With a “herring pass” in hand, visitors can sample different varieties and vote for their favorite. The winning herring will be available in stores just in time for the festive season.
Dates: June 7-8, 2025
Distance from airport: About 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Gothenburg Landvetter Airport
#9 La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
Okay, this one is not primarily about food. But La Tomatina is undoubtedly one of the most famous and wild events in Europe – and is worth mentioning for that reason alone. Every August, around 20,000 participants gather in the town of Buñol for a massive battle with overripe tomatoes. The first Tomatina likely took place in 1945 and has since evolved into an international event. The exact origin of the Tomatina remains unclear. To participate, you must purchase a ticket in advance. It’s recommended to arrive early and wear old clothes, as the tomato fight gets quite chaotic and messy.
Dates: August 27, 2025
Distance from airport: About 25-minute drive from Valencia Airport
Whether you're a foodie, veggie lover, or adrenaline junkie, these events offer the perfect opportunity to discover the diversity of European cuisine. Pack your bags, grab your loved ones, and enjoy unforgettable moments at one of these unique festivals. Where will your journey take you? Either way, we wish you “bon appétit”!
