November is most widely known for its proximity to Halloween. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing left to do for the other 30 days. In fact, some of the swankest events in Europe happen this month. So here’s the Skycop list of best European events in November!
Lord Mayor’s Show, London, UK
November 9
Did you know that the word “float” for “parade floats” came from the barge that Lord Mayor of the City of London would take during the early Lord Mayor’s Shows? Now you do! Lord Mayor’s Show dates back to the 16th century and is an extremely old event. In comparison, the position of Mayor of London as the head of the Greater London Authority didn’t exist until 2000.
This yearly event sees a single person elected to be the Lord Mayor and they then parade through the city, going from the Guild Hall to the Royal Courts of Justice, where the new mayor swears allegiance to the crown. There’s a lot of pageantry and carnival elements involved – especially with the many arcane companies, companies, and guild-outgrowths taking part in period dress.
New Wine and Cheese Festival, Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest, Hungary
November 28 – 29
Budapest? Yes, Budapest. Gotta go there for the New Wine and Cheese Festival. That’s where the winemakers of Hungary present their most resplendent creations of the year. I’ve also heard that wine and cheese go well together, so many varieties of gourmet cheese from all over Europe will also be present.
It takes place in Vajdahunyad Castle, which was first built out of cardboard and wood for a fair at the end of the 19th century and was recreated in stone and brick at the start of the 20th. As the castle was built as a combination of various Hungarian architectural landmarks, it contains a great variety of architectural styles.
Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík, Iceland
November 6 – 9
“Isn’t it a little cold for a music festival?” you say. Sure, November may be a little chilly, but this isn’t stopping the people from Iceland, the island we are all sure is named after ice. That’s why they host Iceland Airwaves, probably the most literally coolest music festival in the world.
You can expect to see plenty of local acts from Iceland as well as other places, like the UK and Palestine. Bjork, Sinead O’Connor, and Yoko Ono are some of the famous names that had graced the event… which is quite nice for a festival that started out in an airplane hangar in Reykjavik in 1999.
Turkey Fair, Varaignes, France
November 11
Do you want an entire festival dedicated to turkeys? Well, you don’t need to go to America and see Thanksgiving, as Turkey Fair in Varaignes predates the USA by a couple of hundred years. Dating back to the 16th century, this feast attracts 150 exhibitors (or more) to the streets of this French town.
You will get to witness turkey parades and gobbling competitions. You will taste “vin bourru” (fermented grape juice drink that’s not really wine) and roast chestnuts – both of whom are beloved in the region. There will also be a grand banquet!
The arrival of Sinterklass, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
November 17
Sinterklass is legally distinct from Santa Klaus and Father Christmas. For one, he arrives from Spain to grace the Dutch with the gifts their historical Spanish overlords never did. It’s a yearly festivity in Amsterdam and this year is no different.
There will be a boat parade and a horse parade. The children will be rewarded with candy. And you will be rewarded with the moral right to start on Christmas decorations and renditions of Christmas songs. After all, you saw Sinterklass arrive!
Planning on taking a plane to any of these events? We hope you don’t run into any flight disruptions! However, if your plans are spoiled by flight delays, cancelled flights or overbooking, remember Skycop. We may not whisk you to your destination, but know a lot about claiming flight compensation. Claim with us and up to €600 in compensation may be yours!
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