Country: Italy

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is the annual event at Disney World in Florida which attracts thousands of families with its flower sculptures, entertaining activities, concerts, and shows. It takes place in the beautiful location of Bay Lake and lasts for three months.

The opening will be spectacular with the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and you can expect innovations in the new Ratatouille Garden at the France pavilion.

Some exciting rides are waiting for you, alongside the beautiful sculptures. If you have the plan to take your children to Disney World, consider visiting Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Your children will love it.

For more ideas on family trips, finish our quiz and find out where to go next. Learn more about family trips with our Travel with kids section.

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The D-Day Festival in Normandy is held every year to pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed themselves here in the second world war. There are several events and ceremonies along the coast of Normandy.

On the 6th of June in 1944 the allied troops from England and the United States landed on the French shore in Normandy. The goal was to finally liberate Europe from German occupancy. The efforts of the allied troops were successful and eventually led to the German surrendering. But these efforts were not without a fight and many lost their lives fighting for freedom. World War II has to be remembered forever to pay tribute to the fallen and make sure this will never happen again.

The festival will be held every year on a local scale. But every five years the celebrations and commemorations are more international showcasing military displays, parades, and fireworks. Most of the ceremonies take place on the first day. Most events take place on Omaha Beach or Utah Beach.

If you want to know more about the festivities you can visit this website. And while you are planning your holiday in France you can learn more about the best time to visit. If you are visiting the French Riviera check out our Ultimate Guide.

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The International Sand Sculpture Festival in the Algarve is one of the largest of its kind. You will be able to see some incredible sand art made by 60 artists. 

This incredible big festival is also known as FEISA or Sand City. It all began in 2003 and since then, the festival has become world-renowned for its fine sand art. You will be able to enjoy unique pieces of art made by professional artists.  The details and height of some sculptures will amaze you.  And all the sculptures are 100% made of sand.

The festival will have a different theme every year. Some past themes were Star Wars, animal kingdom, music, and mythology. You can see these sculptures in daylight and at night when the sculptures come to life in atmospheric light. You can take a guided tour to learn all the wonderful stories behind the sand sculptures.  And if you would like to try you can take a workshop to learn about this incredible art.

Learn more about the details and program of the International Sand Sculpture Festival. And when you are making plans to visit the Algarve you might want to read our tips. We have some great tips for your hotel stay in the Algarve as well.

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The Minipop festival in Tarragona is the perfect time and place to enjoy different cultures blended together in a charming artistic atmosphere.

So, during the festival, parents and their children can attend many musical events, theater events, and creative circus workshops.

Children can learn more about cinema and hang out with other like-minded friends and families. The Minipop festival takes place at a unique location, near the Roman amphitheater.

The Mediterranean sea contributes to the lovely atmosphere and unforgettable experience. Furthermore, this year’s festival is the tenth edition, and the organizers prepared so many exciting events!

If you plan to visit Spain, you can learn more about this fascinating country in our guides about Spain. Barcelona should be the top destination on your list!

The Joan of Arc Festival in Reims is a yearly celebration of the coronation of King Charles VII on July 17 in the year 1429. But more specific it is a festival in honor of Frances’s biggest hero Joan of Arc. Because she was the person who made it possible for King Charles VII to become a King in the first place.

There are several festivals in France honoring Joan of Arc, but the one in Reims is one of the biggest. Fairs, historical plays, parades, and medieval craftsman will welcome be waiting for you in the streets of Reims.

Every day horsemen in medieval costumes who sometimes look really frightening will parade through the streets. Another exciting event is the medieval knight tournament,  the fire shows, and the incredible fireworks at night.

The main activity of the ‘Fêtes Johanniques’ is the march of Joan of Arc and her men through the streets. This is where the people will honor Jeanne D’ arc. All-day long there will be troubadours, picture ops with knights, and wine tasting.

Read more about the Joan of Arc Festival in Reims, and our blog about other festivals in France. Check our best times to visit France and get our full listing of family events in France here.

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The Fair in Nördlingen (Nördlinger Mess’) features attractive fair rides, sweet treats, and other folk festival activities.

The Nördlingen Fair has interesting live shows and music DJ performances for all participants. The traders sell their goods and the atmosphere is appealing to people of all ages, including children.

The Fair in Nördlingen has been around for over 800 years. It is a great way to start your summer and the fair lasts for nine days.

If you are still unsure about your next family trip, do our quiz and get inspired! Check our Deals section, to find out the best hotel deals and save some money.

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People who love the feeling of butterflies in their stomach will enjoy the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival in Atlanta!

It offers two days of endless fun family activities, live music, joy, food, and many, many colorful butterflies!

During the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival, you can attend the release of butterflies with fundraising purposes, butterflies parade, and face painting.

Become a butterfly family for a day and join the parade!

If you are going to Atlanta, make sure to read all the useful information in our Travel Guide. For places to stay, you can check our list of Best Family Hotels in Atlanta!

San Bernabe Fair in Marbella is a celebration in honor of the city’s patron. It happens every year in mid-June, and the main activities are in two locations.

For example, in the Alameda park, you can spend a day enjoying food, music, traditional performances, children shows, and fireworks. On the other hand, Arroyo Primero is a location for parties and crazy fair rides.

San Bernabe Fair in Marbella signifies the beginning of an unforgettable summer in Marbella.

If you want to know more about Spain, check our guide. Those who travel with small children might need a few tip&tricks to get the best out of a family trip!

The King Kamehameha Day honors the birth of the king who unified the island kingdom. This celebration is a great way to experience a unique Hawaiian culture.

The central event of the King Kamehameha Day is a floral parade featuring traditional tribe robes and accessories. The Lei Draping Ceremony is known for its cultural protocols and pageantry and music show from some Hawaiian bands.

The event includes Hawaiian food stands, hula, live entertainment, a festive atmosphere, and plenty of traditional Hawaii-made products.

If you are traveling to Hawaii, make sure to read our Travel guide to make the best memories. For places to stay, you can check our list of Best family hotels.

The Boston Dragon Boat Festival honors Chinese poet and patriot Qu Yuan. What started as a small festival, grew up in the largest water festival ever. It attracts 200 000 and more spectators each year.

The Boston Dragon Boat Festival starts with a beautiful flower ceremony, followed by dance and martial arts demonstrations. You can watch Chinese Yoyo, Philipino and Indian dance performed by artists from China and other countries.

The central part of the event is the race. Apart from the central race, there are specific categories such as Community, Corporate, Women’s, Youth, Cancer Survivor, etc. The two-day festival offers plenty of exciting and unique activities and is appropriate for all ages.

Planning a trip to Boston? Learn more about the city with our Travel guide. You can also check our list of Best family hotels in Boston for great places to stay.

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Amsterdam Open Garden Days allow the visitors, during one weekend in June, to enter the famous city gardens. Indulge in the secret city gardens, many of which are private gardens and authentic masterpieces of horticulture.

The 30 of the most exceptional gardens in the city are hidden from the view during the year. However, for Open Garden Days the owners of canals houses open their gates to let you enjoy nature at t its best.

You can explore traditional and contemporary garden style for a unique experience of numerous fountains, plants, hedges, and ponds.

There are different tickets available for the visitors, and children under 12 can enter the gardens free of charge.

Still need a place to stay in Amsterdam during Open Garden Days? Check the Best Hotels deals, and things to see when you finish garden exploring.

The Vimoutiers Apple Festival will be held every year in the small town of Vimoutiers in Normandy, France. Once you enter this region you understand why they want to honor the apple. There are apple orchards as far as the eye can see.

During the three days of the ‘Foire de la Pomme’ there will be a display of all the apple products this region produces. It is not just apples they sell. This region is also known for its apple cider, pies, and calvados.

So stroll around the visit and watch the professional or amateur pie-making competition. Or learn how to make your apple cider or see a live performance in the streets. Your children can enjoy themselves at the funfair. And while you are there you can buy other local delicacies at the farmers market. Here you can buy local sausages, cheeses, wines, and even honey.

On Sunday afternoon the festival will end with a parade of musicians and dancers who walk through the streets in elaborate costumes and show their art.

If you want to visit the Vimoutiers Apple Festival read this article to learn more. Or, read our blog about other festivals in France you can visit.

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NYC Kids Fest is an annual multi-cultural and art event for children and families.

During two days of NYC Kids Fest, your family can enjoy arts and crafts, face painters and other exciting activities such as games and live music, dance, magic and theater shows.

The NYC Kids Fest is the most spectacular event for children in terms of fun and interesting program.

This year’s fest will last for two days and attract thousands of visitors. The festival is appropriate for kids of all ages.

If you are still wondering whether your child is old enough to travel, check our Travel with kids section for useful advice. New York is a city with many family activities, find out more about them in our Travel guide.

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Saint John’s Eve (la noche de San Juan) in Sitges is part of a Catalonian celebration of the beginning of summer. Here, families and friends gather in a lively atmosphere to enjoy the first summer night with local specialties and beautiful fireworks. 

If you choose to spend St. John’s Eve in Sitges don’t miss a chance to try sweet dough, so-called coca, and cava, delicious sparkling wine.

Take a walk in Poble Sec neighborhood and enjoy the fireworks and habaneras, Cuban music, fair attractions for children, and much more. 

Check our Sitges Travel guide for more information on city attractions. Make sure to book a place on time with our list of Best Family hotels in Sitges.

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The Feast of Sant Joan is an annual celebration of the longest day in the year – the summer solstice.

The Catalans celebrate the sun and connect it with fertility. Therefore, after the sun reaches the horizon and starts to fall, they give it strength with fireworks and bonfires.

The majority of the celebration takes place after it gets dark, so give your children a few hours from sleep.

The celebration takes place across the city, but you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the colorful sky from some of the beach bars.

A festive atmosphere in the city and Spanish style celebrations with bright fireworks are symbols of the Feast of Sant Joan in Barcelona.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Barcelona, check our Best hotel guide! While you are there, you can read our Barcelona guide and learn more about things to see and do in Barcelona!

The São João Festival in Porto is a festival to celebrate the city’s patron Saint John. Starting 5 weeks before the big night you can experience a festive atmosphere. 

This festival dates back to the 14th century when this festival was a pagan feat to worship the sun god and the harvest of the crops. Later it turned into the celebration of Saint John the Baptist.

This is one of the biggest events of the year which will attract thousands of visitors. There is plenty to see and do for over a month leading up to the big night. For example, you might be touched with a leek, yes a leek. This tradition dates back to the old ages and is a way to celebrate the fertility of the land.

But, the most important part of this festival is the night of the 23rd to the 24th. On this night you will find yourself surrounded by people in a joyful spirit. Try the sardines, cabbage soup, and St. John’s cake with some Porto. In the end, you will be amazed by colorful balloons in the sky followed by spectacular fireworks.

Find more info about the São João Festival in Porto here. And when you are planning your visit to Portugal you might want to learn more about other events in this country. As well check out this page with all the things you want to know about traveling to the Algarve. 

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The International Comic Strip Festival in Angoulême, France, is a dream for every comic lover. The festival has been held here since 1974. This festival is the second-largest in Europe and the third in the world. No wonder it attracts over 200.000 visitors every year.

The festival is not held in one specific place. Be prepared to move around the city to have the best experience. Make sure you get a program of the festival, so you can pick your favorite activities, there are a lot of them. During the four-day festival, you can see comic writers at work, or you can participate in a drawing contest, you might even get discovered.

During the Festival they will award several prestigious cartoon prizes. If you’re still an amateur you can work on your skills during masterclasses and workshops. And if you love comics and cartoons this is the place to buy and trade them. Chances are big your favorite cartoon creator is here to sign your comic. And if you don’t have a favorite yet, this might be the place where you find one and get hooked.

Read more about the International Comic Strip Festival in Angoulême or, read our blog about other festivals in France you can visit. Check our best times to visit France.

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The Elefant d’Or International Circus Festival in Girona has established itself as one of the major circus festivals in Europe. It boasts with over 63 top artists from all over the world, including horseback riders, clowns, ballet dancers, trapeze artists, and much more. It’s a great event for the whole family.

Girona is close to the wonderful Costa Brava coast on the Mediterranean. Check out our Costa Brava Travel Guide, Best Family Hotels, and Hotel Deals.

Sant Pere Town Festival in Reus is the National Heritage Festival of National Interest for the Catalonia province. The festival takes place in June every year in the charming city Reus, on the Costa Dorada.

The festival lasts for a few days and attracts many visitors as it is the central event in the city. The Sant Pere Town Festival features processions, human tower exhibitions with vivid scenery, and exciting costumes.

The festival starts with the opening speech and finishes with the magnificent firework.

While you are there, don’t skip on the chance to taste the official drink of the festival – Masclet! Furthermore, watch the main parade with the same name.

Visiting Spain for the first time? Find out more about family events in Spain and where to stay if you are visiting Barcelona!

The festival of San Giovanni in Florence is better known as Festa di San Giovanni Florence. This annual celebration is held in honor of Florence’s patron, San Giovanni. This celebration takes place on the 24th of June.

San Giovanni Battista or St. John the Baptist represents morality and fairness for the people of Florence. That’s why you will find his statues and paintings all over the city. Furthermore, one of these pictures is from the hand of the renowned painter Raffaello.

The city started to celebrate its patron in the 13th century and is held ever since. So, these festivities start with a morning mass. After that, a wide variety of activities will take place, for example, soccer games, boat rides, historical parades, and fireworks.

And around 10 or 11 pm the festival will come to an end with some spectacular fireworks. This will take place on the Pizzale Michelangelo where you can also watch them. However, it might be even better to enjoy them from the streets along the river Arno. Here they even sell beverages and food here.

If you want to visit the festival of San Giovanni in Florence check out this page to learn more. Or, read our article about other festivals in Italy and see where else you can go.

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The Girona Family Music Festival (Festival de música en família) represents the family united with the music. Parents with their children can enjoy music shows and artistic performances for two days at the beginning of June.

The program features a family format of commercial music genres. Therefore, even the youngest children can enjoy the Girona Family Music Festival.

The whole family can sing together, dance and appreciate the music and have fun. The festival has been taking place since 2015 and represents a fun way to introduce children with music festival culture.

Girona is about 1.5h from Barcelona, accessible by road, bus, air, and train. Check out our updated Barcelona guides: Barcelona – Best Family Hotels, Discover Barcelona, Barcelona Travel Guide, and Barcelona – Best Family Activities.

Boston Harborfest is the largest festival dedicated to the USA Independence and takes place before the 4th of July. The festival includes week-long events and family-friendly activities.

The Festival starts with an interesting opening ceremony with battle Colonial-era reenactments. After that, you can enjoy the art display by local artists and get a few souvenirs.

However, central parts of the festival are Parade of Lights and Fireworks with festively-lit boats of all shapes and sizes and magnificent firework shows. Also, while you are there, try not to miss Historic Freedom Trail, a walk across 16 Freedom Trail historic sites with a professional tour guide.

Boston Harborfest can be an outstanding way to experience the atmosphere in the USA celebrating independence.

For more information about Boston, read our Travel guide. If you need a place to stay, check our list of Best family hotels in Boston.

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