When: July 24-30
Where: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Cost: Free
The Zomercarnaval (Summer Carnival) is one of Rotterdam’s summer highlights, with a street parade comparable to other great carnivals around the world.
Participants from Rotterdam’s many ethnic groups, especially those from Cape Verde and Surinam, give the event a distinctive atmosphere.
The festivities kick off on July 24 with the Carnival Queen elections, when candidates are judged by the public and a jury. The third round of the elections is spectacular, as the wannabes put on a show dressed in their dazzling carnival costumes.
The following Friday the party really gets going with the Battle of the Drums. On Saturday afternoon there is a street parade through the city centre, complete with a host of marching bands.
Afterwards, national and international artists and DJs perform on stages at the Coolsingel and Churchillplein as hundreds of thousandsof people enjoy an all-day party.
Fly direct to Amsterdam (58km from Rotterdam) with Air Malta or direct to Eindhoven (84 km from Rotterdam) with Ryanair.
For more information visit www.zomercarnaval.nl/nl/English