Plan your summer trip to Europe around this mix of popular and unusual events

Europe turns on the charm each summer. From art and antique cars to music, wine, and adventure sports, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland stage events for every pastime. We’ve scanned the calendars and tapped our own travel experiences to find the best of the bunch. Have you attended any of these events in years past? Send us your review.

Germany Festivals  

Event: Documenta
Location: Kassel  
Dates:  June 16 - September 23, 2007
Description: The international art exhibition Documenta, comes around only once every five years. This year’s event is the 12th since 1955.
Contact: www.documenta12.de

Event: Formula 1
Location: Nürburg
Date: July 22, 2007
Description: Germany boasts two circuits for the world’s most popular motor sport. This year’s F1 German Grand Prix moves from Hockenheimring to Nürburgring.
Related articles: On the Fast Track, Hockheim Formula One Grand Prix 2006
Contact: www.formula1.com/race/circuitmap/762.html

Event: Richard Wagner Festival
Location: Bayreuth  
Dates: July 25 – August 28
Description: Wagner enthusiasts know all about this summer festival, which draws thousands of attendees each year, and has consistently been sold-out since its inauguration in 1876. You’ll have to plan years in advance to get tickets.
Recommended hotel: Lohmühle
Related article: Country Hotel Near Bayreuth
Contact: www.bayreuther-festspiele.de 

Event: Stuttgart Wine Festival
Location: Stuttgart
Dates: August 29 – September 9, 2007
Description: Now in its 31st year, the Stuttgart Wine Festival celebrates fine wines and regional cuisine.
Recommended hotels: Graf Zeppelin, Relexa Waldhotel Schatten
Related articles: Stuttgart Basics, Stuttgart Hotel, Stuttgart on Sale
Contact: www.prostuttgart.de

Event: Oktoberfest  
Location:  Munich  
Dates:  September 22 - October 7, 2007
Description: Carnival tents and Oomp-pah-pah bands, and many rounds of “Ein prossig” make this an unforgettable event, though like a sky dive or a mud-bath, once is probably enough for this world-famous beer bash.  
Recommended Hotels: Acanthus, Splendid, Olympic
Related article:  Oktoberfest Memoir

Austria Festivals   

Event: Innsbruck Promenade Concerts
Location: Innsbruck   
Dates: Jul 12–30, 2007   
Description: The baroque courtyard of the Imperial Palace in Innsbruck plays host to a series of free concerts featuring music ranging from folk to classic and modern. 
Recommended hotel: Goldener Adler    
Contact: www.promenadenkonzerte.at

Event: Öblarn Festival 2007
Location: Öblarn   
Dates: July 14–August 15, 2007   
Description: The largest open-air theater in the Alps comes around once every five years.
Contact: www.oeticket.com/portal/en/culture/opera_operetta/johann_strauss_walzerkonzerte/241/

Event: Salzburg Festival
Location: Salzburg   
Dates: July 27–August 31, 2007   
Description: Austra’s most popular arts festival includes operas, plays, and concerts.  
Recommended hotels: Schloss Fuschl, Schlosswirt zu Anif  
Contact: www.salzburgfestival.at

Event: Festival of 1000 Wines
Location: Eisenstadt   
Dates: August 23–September 2, 2007   
Description: The Esterházy Palace Parks in Eisenstadt provide a scenic backdrop for this wine event.
Contact: www.austria.info

Event: 20th Red Bull Dolomitenmann
Location: Lienz   
Dates: September 9, 2007   
Description: This town in the Dolomites hosts numerous sporting events each summer. Watch athletes battle mountains, winds, and whitewater in their quest to become a “Dolomitenmann.”
Recommended hotels: Gästehaus Masnata, Haidenhof Gasthof Hotel   
Contact: www.austria.info

Switzerland Festivals

Event: Montreux Jazz Festival   
Location: Montreux   
Dates: July 6–21, 2007     
Description: Enjoy a world-class musical event in an equally spectacular lakeside setting. This summer’s lineup includes John Legend, Norah Jones and Wu-Tang Clan.       
Contact: www.montreuxjazz.com

Event: Locarno International Film Festival   
Location: Locarno   
Dates: August 1–11, 2007   
Description: More than 180,000 film industry folks head to Ticino to see amateur film debuts.   
Recommended hotels: Orselina, Villa Pauliska   
Contact: www.pardo.ch

Event: Lucerne Festival   
Location: Lucerne   
Dates: August 10–September 16, 2007   
Description: This world-famous orchestra festival focuses on music from the 20th and 21st centuries.   
Recommended hotels: Hirschen, Art Deco Hotel Montana
Related article: Lucerne Update 2006  
Contact: www.lucernefestival.ch

Event: Grand Raid Critalp
Location: Verbier
Dates: August 18, 2007
Description: A grueling bike race through the Swiss Alps provides an excellent opportunity for curious spectators. Camp out in Verbier, Heremennces, or Grimentz to get a view of the action. And stop by the bike festival in nearby Sion the Friday before the race.
Contact: www.grand-raid-cristalp.ch

Event: Steckborer-Oktoberfest
Location: Steckborn
Dates: October 4-6, 2007
Description: Munich isn’t the only city to celebrate Oktoberfest. This town in eastern Switzerland serves up its own rendition of an internationally celebrated event.
Contact: www.oktoberfest-steckborn.ch