Luxury Events 2015

(May 19th – 23rd, 2015; London, England)

Every year, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) hosts the Great Spring Show, a five-day display of gardens and flowers. Held in Chelsea, London, this is one of the most famous flower shows in all of the United Kingdom, and some say, the world. Designers like Darren Hawkes, Matthew Wilson, and Jo Thompson create contemporary works of art with the architecture of the gardens and the plants themselves. The RHS is also a great place for learning about plant care, plant problems, and overall garden design.

(May 19th – June 7th, 2015; Paris, France)

Are you ready for the smackdown? We’re talking about the sound of tennis balls getting smacked around by some of the world’s best players. The Roland-Garros French Open is taking Place this May, a tradition since 1968. Frenchman have been proud to enter the tournament with their leading player, Yannick Noah, to become the first and only Frenchman to win the singles title, and Rafael Nadal to win nine titles at the Grand Slam. See if they can out do the competition this year.

(May 22nd – 24th, 2015; Brussels, Belgium)

For the 20th year, the party continues with Jazz in Brussels, Belgium. Experience the unique atmosphere at outdoor concerts, indoor clubs, and bars for a weekend of music masterpieces. There’s jazz and blues to make your soul swoon, funk music to get a little jig in your step, and so much more. These concerts are free to enter, so why wouldn’t you go? An app is also available to download for updates.

(May 27th – August 2nd, 2015; St. Petersburg, Russia)

In St. Petersburg, Russia, part of the three month festival comes to perform when the sun never sets. During the summer in Russia, there are days where there is no moonlight, only sunshine, and that is where the festival gets its name. During the festival, performances of the finest operas, ballet productions, and great works of symphony are held at the Mariinsky Opera and Orchestra Theatre.

(May 29th – 31st, 2015; Berlin, Germany)

With over 100 acts performing this year, the Berlin Festival may need to take up more space than its previous years. In fact, this year, a whole park is dedicated to the festival. Arena Park is the destination to go to for this year’s music festival, and what better time during the year? The weather should be perfect for a swim, and Badeschiff will most likely be one of many popular spots over the course of the weekend.

(June 1st – August 31st, 2015; Athens, Greece)

Experience two months of theatre, drama, dance, and music in Athens, Greece this year. There will be performances at ancient theaters like the Acropolis, the Athens Concert Hall, Aristotle’s Lyceum, and other venues. Each week is packed with different events of different categories, and there are multiple showings. Some have even sold out already, so be sure to plan ahead if you want to catch a specific performance.

(June 9th – 14th, 2015; Zagreb, Croatia)

Get ready in June for the Zagreb animated film festival. There are animations in clay, stop motion, paintings, 3D and 2D art, and several competitions will be held for the best short film of the festival. This festival has so much more than that though – there are also animation programs for the youth and those looking to get involved, exhibitions, and workshops. The highlighted workshop this year is a video game workshop, where programmers, artists, and designers can connect and network to make a game that will be presented on the last day of the festival.

(June 24th – 28th, 2015; England)

The closest to Woodstock some of us will ever get, the Glastonbury Festival is a three-day festival to party and have a wild time. Once inside, it’s like stepping into a new land, filled with tents all across the field. Everyone is on the guest list when it comes to Glastonbury, and if the thrill of music from dawn to dusk isn’t your cup of tea, there are more laid back acoustic performances to enjoy as well. Surprisingly enough, even with the talk of “Woodstock,” there are also family-friendly areas if you want an outing for a day with the kids.

(June 26th – 28th, 2015; Venice, Italy)

In Venice, Italy, a colorful music festival takes place on Danube Island. Many local and international bands are given a chance to audition and compete during the festival, keeping up with the promise of a wide range of musical acts every year. Well-known performers like “Nockalm Quintet,” “Nazar,” and and “DAWA” are part of this year’s line-up, along with many more.

(June 29th – July 12th, 2015; London, England)

The oldest tennis tournament in the world, the Wimbledon tournament is nearing the big “150” in a couple more years, and the people of London will be there. This tournament can become very intense, and sometimes hard to watch. That’s a literal statement when Jiri Vesely served a ball at 143 mph last year. This year, someone could beat it, but the only way to see it happen is to attend the event, or watch it on BBC television.

(July 1st – 4th, 2015; Gdynia, Poland)

For nearly 12 hours, Gydnia, Poland will be listening to the sounds of over 50 artists this year at the Open’er Festival. There are four stages set up for different bands to play at different times, so be sure to check the schedule for when your favorite artist will be playing. Also, allow for ample time to get to the festival, as over 50,000 people go every year. Or, you can always get a ticket to campout on site for the entire weekend of the festival.

(July 3rd – 5th, 2015; Silverstone, England)

In the beginning of July, Silverstone, England throws a great party, but the highlight has always been the Formula 1 Grand Prix. It’s one of the oldest races in the British motor racing industry. Even the racers call the track “fast,” and if the guys racing say that, then you may want to see it for yourself. Join the thousands of people that flock to the venue every year.

(July 4th – 26th, 2015; Several cities)

The most famous cycling event, the Tour de Frabce attracts cyclists from all around the world to compete in this 3.34 km race. Riding through all sorts of terrain, and through several cities, you can spectate the race from many parts of the world. Some of the locations that the race travels through are Utrecht, Livarot, Monaco, La Pierre-Saint-Martin, and Cambra, amongst many others.

(July 4th – 10th, 2015; Prague, Czech Republic)

The Dance Festival in Prague is not just for the professional organizations. Participating groups can also rake part in the program, and will be given a chance to use the theater platform to show their choreography. This gives everyone a chance to win one of many competitions and prizes. Many forms of dance will be displayed throughout the festival, such as classic, contemporary, hip-hop, and other forms of performance.

(July 9th – 12th, 2015; Krakow, Poland)

For several days in Krakow, a well-established tradition of organized choreography hits the streets. Performances happen all throughout the city, but the majority of them can be found at the old town market square. Many traditional and artistic styles blend throughout this festival. Take a stroll and enjoy some of the many outdoor shows going on all day.

(July 10th – 12th, 2015; Bruges, Belgium)

In Burges, Belgium, the Cactus Festival brings many sounds to the stage. It’s an all outdoor festival with a genuine mix of different types of music. The line-up is as follows (with performing dates):

July 10th

• Gabriel Rios
• Goose
• Grace Jones
• Jake Isaac and Band
• Perfume Genius

July 11th

• Balthazar
• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
• Jessie Ware
• John Hiatt
• Sohn

July 12th

• Anna Calvi
• Benjamin Clementine and Band
• Dans Dans
• dEUS
• Het Zesde Metaal
• James Vincent McMorror
• The Kooks
• Thurston Moore
• Two Gallants

(July 12th – 19th, 2015; St. Andrews, Scotland)

For over 100 years, the best golfers of the world come to Scotland to become the new champion. They’ll take home the Claret jug, the most iconic trophy in sports, as well as a red Moroccan leather belt. This year, the 144th Open Golfing championship is held in St. Andrews, Scotland, with 100 golfers at play.

(July 16th – 18th, 2015; Tromso, Norway)

Every year, a rock festival is held in Tromso, Norway in Telegrafbukta. It’s the most popular site for camping and swimming, surrounded by trees, mountains, and right on the beach. There is nothing better than being somewhere beautiful whilst enjoying a festival with good company. Moreover, in June and July, the sun doesn’t set in Tromso. Talk about partying all day!

(August 7th – 29th, 2015; Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

No, this isn’t “tattoo” like the ink you may needle into your arm, this is more like “tatoo” or “tap-toe.” The Edinburgh Military Tattoo started as a “last call” for bars to shut down for the night so soldiers at war would leave, but it soon turned into a musical tradition as a tribute to the British Armed Forces. Over 200,000 people come to witness the event each year, with over 30% of those from overseas. The performances consist of drum corps, drill teams, and dancers.

(August 7th – 31st, 2015; Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

The world’s largest art festival, spanning nearly an entire month, returns to Edsinburgh for another year. Over 3000 shows across Edinburgh, presented by artists from all over the world, perform a variety of acts during the festival. Hear a little comedy, listen to the beauty of musicals and opera, or watch some of the best dancers around – there’s so much to see at the Fringe Festival. Plus, there are also children’s shows, and circus events, making this event fun for whole the family.

(August 10th – 16th, 2015; Glasgow, United Kingdom)

A culmination of 200 events and 8,000 performers make up the Glasgow International Piping Festival. The biggest festival of its kind, this week-long celebration will be taking place at the George Square with daily performances. There will also be several competitions going on for best performance, and a couple of collaborations between musicians. This is a unique festival you may want to see for yourself, but hurry, because tickets sell out quickly.

(August 22nd and 23rd, 2015; Bristol, United Kingdom)

A nice relaxing day at the park is all you need sometimes, and if you’re with the family, what better way than to attend the International Festival of Kites at Bristol, UK? Sit back and watch some of the amazing kite creations fly by, literally. The festival has been going on since 1986, and will hit its 30th Anniversary in 2016.

(September 2nd – 12th, 2015; Venice, Italy)

The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest and most well-known international film festival in the world. It is a large part of “La Biennale di Venezia,” an art exhibition that focuses on dance, architecture, theater, and other various art forms. The film festival has quickly become known as a high-class prestigious event, perfect for those living a life of luxury. Come and join the many film lovers, celebrities, and movie stars, and enjoy some of the year’s best films.

(September 4th – 6th, 2015; Tromso, Norway)

The Insomnia Festival isn’t about losing sleep for three days. It’s actually Norway’s annual electronic music festival in Tromso. It is the largest music festival in all of Norway, and always has big names performing throughout. The midnight sun of Norway makes it a little difficult to sleep for Norwegians, so in the same spirit, the festival promotes clubbing instead of sleeping. After all, the best way to fall asleep is to burn off all the extra energy with a little exercise.

(September 23rd – 27th, 2015; Copenhagen, Denmark)

Every year in September, Copenhagen is taken over by the sound of Blues. The line-up is always a fine balance of traditional and modern music of Jazz, from the veterans to new faces. This festival has no definitive location, as it takes place in 60 concerts spread out across Copenhagen. You can’t get tickets ahead of time, but you may want to get a schedule of which bars are hosting the festival so you can be sure one of them is near you during your stay.

(September 18th – 24th, 2015; Barcelona, Spain)

Every year, Barcelona takes to the streets with their very own festival. Drum bands, parades, and pyrotechnics parade through Barcelona in honor of Mare de Deu de la Mercè, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The parade floats are large, one of which is usually a fire breathing Dragon. This is because the theme for the day is usually fire. A special community known in Barcelona is “The Devils,” a group of people that dress up like devils and parade the streets during many festivals and events, one of which being the Festes de la Mercè. They usually party during the night show, whereas a more family-friendly show takes place during the day.

(September 24th – 27th, 2015; Reykjavik, Iceland)

A little ironic that “Tango on Ice” comes to Iceland, the land of the green, but that doesn’t stop the Icelanders from enjoying a weekend full of Spanish music and dancing. The first day of the festival, the 24th of September, is highlighted by the music of a DJ, Michael Lavocah, as Cecilia Gonzalez puts on a show with her dance partner, Jean Sebastien Rampazzi. The following three days are covered with teaching lessons and workshops so that all attendees can learn some of the moves they see on stage. It all ends with a meal and a milonga, or group tango dance.

(September 19th – October 4th, 2015; Munich, Germany)

This 16-day festival is in the triple digits, being its 182nd year running. Many wonder why Oktober fest is celebreated in September, and that’s because it started in mid-October, and as the years went on, the festival was celebrated later and later in the month. Thus, the tradition was moved up to September, to make sure there was an ample amount of time to celebrate. The festival is free to attend, and even to make use of the tents, but everything you may consume will be charged to make up for that.

(October 2nd – 18th, 2015; Budapest, Hungary)

The Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival contains many forms of the fine arts, such as dance, music, theater, and literature. The city of Budapest has a festival for every season, and thus, this festival has also been known as the Autumn Festival, one of the largest festivals of the year. There are over 200 programs to attend, and nearly half of them are free to enter. Enjoy a concert, go to an art gallery, or even a circus—there’s so much to do and see during the Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival.

(October 21st – November 1st, 2015; Wexford, Ireland)

For the 64th year running, the Wexford Opera Festival returns for another year of the unusual. This festival is dedicated to Opera programs that are rare, not of the norm, but can still attract a full house. There are typically three operas during the festival; initially they were all performed by all Irish singers, but International singers have been known to make an appearance as well, offering even more variety.

(October 22nd – 24th, 2015; Moscow, Russia)

The Millionaire Fair in Moscow, Russia, is the largest collection of essentials for the luxury lifestyle. When you have money, you can buy some of the finer things in life, and this fair brings the finest luxury goods that the world has to offer, as well as entertainment. In previous years, the fair also included a VIP event to a Gala Opening, and recently over 200 exhibitors for the very best food, liquor, cars, jewelry, apparel, etc.

(October 28th – November 1st, 2015; Paris, France)

Gather around in Paris, France this October for a selection of the best chocolates around. Pastry and cocoa shows will be held throughout the week, as well as workshops, lessons, live demonstrations, and friendly competitions. There will also be a trade show reserved for professionals and exhibitors, giving chocolatiers, industrialists, distributors, and many others a chance to network with some of the key players of the chocolate/cocoa industry. In addition, the Chocolate Masters Final will be held until the 30th, the only competition devoted to the art of chocolate.

(October 29th – November 12th, 2015; Zurich, Switzerland)

The 62nd Expovina wine fair in Zurich happens this year, and everyone is already so excited, the date has been set for late October. This wine fair is a little different than your usual wine festival, though. Unlike other festivals where you may walk the streets from vendor to vendor, this wine fair all happens on the water. There are 12 ships, all set up with different vendors and wine exhibits for you to choose from. The event lasts around two-weeks, so take your time and pace yourself.

(Mid-October – Early November, 2015; Prague, Czech Republic)

The dates are not yet determined, but the Prague International Jazz Festival is the Autumn festival of Prague. Much like their Spring festival, dedicated to classical music, this festival is dedicated to many kinds of Jazz. For over 30 years, this traditional jazz festival has been going on, and in recent years, more modern and various artists have been added.

(November 7th – 10th, 2015; Prague, Czech Republic)

For 25 years, the Prague Writer’s Festival has been inspiring minds of the youth and old to use the power of speech to shape their world. International authors come together for readings, interviews, talks and conversations, and to discuss writing and publishing. Every year has a theme and this year’s theme is “Fear.” Every year, the readings and conversations manifest answers to the theme question – some of which may surprise you.

(November 14th – 22nd, 2015; Zagreb, Croatia)

Focused on the young and aspiring filmmakers of Croatia, this film festival gives the new guy a shot at the big screen. Every festival has three international competitions for the best short film, feature film, and documentary. Not only is this a great way for new filmmakers to connect and network, but there are also workshops held to improve one’s craft. Additionally, the festival hosts non-competitive screenings of films selected by established film directors, an honor in itself.

(Mid November, 2015; Amsterdam, Netherlands)

The dates are unconfirmed, but it is expected that the High Times Cannabis Cup will come to Amsterdam in mid-late November. As the title states, a competition is held during this event. A selection of judges smoke and vote for their favorite plant based on a number of variables. Since the use of marijuana has been decriminalized in several parts of the Netherlands, most notably Amsterdam, the turnout for this event gets larger every year. Ironically enough, most of the marijuana strains come from local coffee shops versus international distributors. In addition, the competition isn’t the main event; there are also concerts, comedy shows, and expos for marijuana and cannabis-related products.

(Month of November; Reykjavik, Iceland)

During the month of November, a festival for all kinds of artists comes to Reykjavik, Iceland. The festival hosts musicians, singers, concerts, painters, photographers, exhibits, and more. The festival is aimed towards the youth, giving fresh artists a chance to be known by the public for the first time ever. Admission is free, and the event usually lasts a week. Dates are not yet confirmed.

(November 27th, 2015 – January 3rd, 2016; Brussels, Belgium)

For five weeks in Winter, Winter Wonders comes to Brussels, Belgium. Known as a “Christmas Market,” various stalls and shops open up with seasonal gifts and homemade crafts that make wondeful ideas for someone special. There is also a large fig tree, donated by the city of Riga to Brussels, an ice-skating rink, and a small carnival for festive entertainment. This year will be the 15th edition of Winter Wonders.

(November 24th – December 28th, 2015; Berlin, Germany)

At Red City Hall in Berlin, the Christmas Market is visible from far away with all the lights and decorations for the season. There is a large Christmas tree, a Ferris wheel, and a skating rink for entertainment, as well as the famous Neptune Fountain. Throughout the market there are festive stalls with burnt apples and fried dough, as well as crafts made by artisans and merchants around town. For the young ones, Santa Claus arrives on his sleigh three times a day, offering photo opportunities and smiles.