However, it’s also worth considering that many of these events are very popular and attract large crowds, so if you’re interested in incorporating them into your trip, advance planning will be required. With that in mind, keep reading for some popular festivals and events in France, Spain, and Germany to consider incorporating into your next modern foreign languages school trip.
France
Bastille Day – 14 July
Location: Nationwide (especially Paris)
Bastille Day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille, a key event in the French Revolution that marked the start of the end of the monarchy. Students can witness the famous parade along the Champs-Élysées, incredible fountain and fireworks displays, and other local festivities across the country.
European Heritage – September
Location: Nationwide
Usually held on the third weekend of September each year, many historic buildings, museums, and cultural sites across France open their doors to the public, some of which are usually closed. This is an excellent chance for students to visit classic landmarks and historical monuments like the Arc de Triomphe, Elysée Palace, and the Musée d'Orsay, while learning about France’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Christmas Markets – Late November to December
Location: Paris, and other locations
Paris, alongside many other French towns and cities, hosts Christmas Markets at the end of the year. These markets are a perfect destination for students to discover local traditions, crafts, and regional foods in a festive winter atmosphere.
Armistice Day – 11 November
Location: Nationwide (particularly Paris and Normandy)
This national holiday honours those that died in WWI and other wars, providing an opportunity for students to understand the significance of this period of history and the impact of the World Wars on France. On the day, a military parade takes place in Paris along the Champs-Élysées to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the French president traditionally lays a wreath. Similar ceremonies also take place at cemeteries and military memorials across France.
French Science Festival (Fête de la Science) – October
Location: Nationwide
This national event promotes science, innovation, and the exchange of knowledge through interactive workshops, exhibitions, and conferences. Students interested in science, technology, and research can engage in hands-on activities such as laboratory visits, live shows, conferences, exhibitions, and workshops, with opportunities to meet professionals across various scientific fields.
Festival Interceltique de Lorient – August
Location: Lorient, Brittany
This ten-day festival of Celtic culture is a lively event featuring art, music, parades, dance, and folklore. The festival celebrates the Celtic diaspora which includes people from Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Asturias, Wales, Scotland, and other countries. Check out the programme of activities before you go, as the majority of shows are free to attend.
Music Day (Fête de la Musique) – 21 June
Location: Nationwide
Fête de la Musique is a free celebration of music, with a variety of concerts and performances taking place across France. On this day, residents are encouraged to play music outside in their neighbourhoods and in shared public spaces, offering an excellent way for students to experience the country’s musical diversity. From classical musicians, to DJs, and traditional folk bands, there are ample opportunities for students to immerse themselves in local performances.
Spain
La Feria de Abril (April Fair) – April
Location: Seville, Andalucia
This week-long festival showcases Andalusian culture with parades, flamenco dancing, traditional music, food stalls, and vibrant costumes. The fair originally started as a cattle fair in 1847, but has since evolved into an important cultural event. Students can explore local traditions, learn about Spain's history of regional fairs, and enjoy the colourful atmosphere.
Las Fallas – March 15-19
Location: Valencia
Las Fallas is a unique cultural festival where massive, intricate sculptures are paraded through the streets to be admired before they are burned in a fiery celebration. The sculptures often depict famous people or critique current affairs, cleverly entwined with humourous elements, satire, and creativity. It's a great opportunity for students who study art, history, and modern languages to get an insight into contemporary Spanish culture.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March/April
Location: Nationwide (especially Seville, Málaga, and Toledo)
Semana Santa is one of Spain's most important religious events, marking the week leading up to Easter. During Easter week, many towns host elaborate processions featuring religious floats and traditional dress, reenacting different episodes of the passion and resurrection of Christ. The festival is an excellent opportunity to visually experience Spain’s traditional Catholic heritage, as and to appreciate the craftsmanship of the religious floats paraded through the streets.
Día de la Hispanidad (National Day of Spain) – 12 October
Location: Madrid (and nationwide)
Día de la Hispanidad commemorates Christopher Columbus’s “discovery” of the New World. The main celebrations occur in Madrid, where there’s a large military parade, but the day is also celebrated around the country. Some museums and public buildings are also open to the public, free of charge on this day. The holiday offers students the chance to reflect on Spain’s colonial history and the significance of the Spanish language and culture.
Feria de Málaga (Málaga Fair) – August
Location: Málaga, Andalusia
This lively week-long street party celebrates the reconquest of Málaga by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487. It features flamenco music, dancing, traditional Andalusian clothing, and traditionally runs for a week from Saturday to Sunday during the third week of August. The fiesta is a great opportunity to learn about the region’s history and witness traditional flamenco dancing in the street spontaneously 'en vida'.
El Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings' Day) – 5-6 January
Location: Nationwide (especially Madrid and Barcelona)
El Día de los Reyes Magos is an integral part of the Christmas season in Spain and occurs in two main phases, the parade on 5th January and the arrival of the Three Kings on 6th January. It's a Christian tradition remembering the wise men's gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh to Jesus, with traditionally dressed Kings distributing gifts and sweets to children along city streets, also accompanied by dancers, musicians, and puppeteers.
Festival de San Isidro – May
Location: Madrid
The festival is one of Madrid’s most important local festivals, honouring San Isidro, the city’s patron saint. It features parades, traditional clothing, music, and bullfights. Many Madrileños in traditional dress walk the streets to Plaza Mayor, where there is traditional dancing and open-air concerts. The festival is a great way for students to delve into Madrid's history, learn about Spanish saints, and experience local heritage and customs in Spain’s capital city.
Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada – June/July
Location: Granada, Andalusia
This prestigious music and dance festival is hosted at many iconic venues across the city, including the Palace of Charles V, the Alhambra, historic churches, and other famous buildings. The festival showcases a unique blend of classical music, flamenco, and contemporary performances. Students interested in modern languages, music, dance, and architecture will appreciate the selection of world-class performances and the rich history of Granada.
Jerez Flamenco Festival – February/March
Location: Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia
Flamenco is an integral aspect of Spanish culture, and the Jerez Flamenco Festival is one of the best places to witness authentic performances. Students can learn about the history and techniques of flamenco, as well as its significance in Andalusian culture. The festival also shows new and innovative creations, with many artists exploring new expressive avenues for flamenco in the 21st century, offering a glimpse into the fusion of traditions, both old and new.
Fiestas de la Mercè – September
Location: Barcelona
La Mercè is Barcelona’s biggest street festival, featuring human towers, the giants parade, fireworks, and music. The festival, is held in honour of the Patron Saint of Barcelona and officially first took place in 1902, saying goodbye to the summer and welcoming the autumn. The festival is a great opportunity for students to explore Catalan culture, regional traditions, and the unique identity of Barcelona through music, art, and performance.
Germany
Oktoberfest – Late September to early October
Location: Munich, Bavaria
While Oktoberfest is often associated with beer, it also celebrates Bavarian culture with traditional music, costumes, parades, and fairground rides. Students can focus on the cultural aspects of the festival, such as Bavarian culture, local traditions, regional food, the significance of folk festivals in Germany, and the focus on creating the Bavarian sense of ‘gemütlichkeit’, or ‘cordiality’.
Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) – February
Location: Berlin
The Berlinale is one of the world’s leading film festivals, showcasing around 400 international films across a range of venues in Berlin, mostly in and around Potsdamer Platz. For students studying modern languages, film, media, or the arts, it’s a fantastic opportunity to attend screenings, presentations, and discussions at key locations around the city.
Carnival (Karneval or Fasching) – February/March
Location: Cologne, and other Rhineland cities
Carnival is a lively celebration that takes place before the fasting season of Lent, featuring parades, costumes, and street parties. In cities like Cologne, students can learn about the history of Carnival, its significance in German culture, and to hear special carnival cries such as "Alaaf!" in the native language. The festivities offer a fun way for students to engage with regional German customs and traditions.
Christmas Markets – Late November to December
Location: Nationwide (especially Nuremberg and Munich)
Germany’s Christmas markets are among the most famous in the world, offering students a chance to experience traditional holiday festivities. These markets feature local crafts, foods, and decorations, providing insights into German Christmas traditions, arts and crafts, and regional specialties.
Day of German Unity (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) – October 3
Location: Nationwide (main celebrations in Berlin)
This national holiday commemorates the reunification of Germany in 1990, with a three-day festival around Platz der Republik at the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. The event includes live music, entertainers, food stalls, exhibitions, and cultural events.
Rhine in Flames (Rhein in Flammen) – May to September
Location: Along the Rhine River (Koblenz, Bonn, Rüdesheim)
This spectacular event involves fireworks displays over the Rhine River, a summer music festival, and illuminated boat parades. The festival is a great way for students to learn about the history, culture, and geography of the Rhine region. The festival takes place four times each year between May and September, offering the unique opportunity to witness the local river, boats, and castles illuminated in green and red, as the Rhine 'bursts into flames'.
International Literature Festival – September
Location: Berlin
The International Literature Festival brings together writers worldwide each September for readings, panel discussions, and workshops. During readings, authors will read from their work in their native language, with simultaneous translation into German, making this an excellent event for language students in particular.
Berlin Festival of Lights – October
Location: Berlin
This free open-air light exhibition transforms the city through colourful illuminations and light projections, showcasing the city’s iconic landmarks and monuments in an awe-inspiring new way. Students can explore the intersection of technology, art, and architecture around the city, while also learning about key landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Cathedral.
St. Martin’s Day – November 11
Location: Nationwide (especially in Cologne and other Rhineland areas)
St. Martin’s Day celebrates the story of Saint Martin with lantern parades, bonfires, feasting, and reenactments of St. Martin’s charitable deeds. Traditionally, children and parents gather in front of their school or church and walk along the streets carrying lanterns and singing songs, led by a rider dressed as Saint Martin on a white horse. The evening concludes with a bonfire, hot drinks, and pastries.
Pfingsten (Pentecost) - Dates vary each year
Pfingsten (Pentecost) is celebrated on the 50th day of the Easter season (49 days after Easter Sunday). During the holiday, people usually come together to celebrate outdoors in anticipation of the upcoming summer season. Local people often like to go for a walk or hike, or spend time outdoors having picnics in local parks and green spaces. Many places in Germany also light large bonfires and decorate churches with young birch twigs.
Summary
Attending a local festival during a language school trip provides an immersive, engaging, and enriching experience that encourages language learning and deeper cultural understanding. These hands-on experiences make learning more meaningful and memorable, ultimately boosting students' confidence and enthusiasm for mastering the language.
At WST, we offer French, German and Spanish language school trips to a variety of European destinations. Get in touch with the team today to see how we can tailor your language school tour.
