Music festival
Several stages, a long day outdoors, sometimes several days in a row. What matters to a visitor is water, comfortable shoes, protection from sun and rain, and a well-planned way back after the last set.
Destinations
Destinations
Planning an event trip usually starts with the question "where?", but it is more useful to start with "what?". An open-air festival, a weekend fair, an exhibition in a large hall and a city celebration each call for different preparation: at one you will be on your feet all day until dark, at another you will drop in for a couple of hours between walks. Below are six types of events and four things to consider when choosing a city. We do not name festivals, exhibitions or cities: dates and programmes change, and you should check them with the organisers.
A good event to travel for is one worth the journey even if the weather lets you down.
How this section works: we describe events by type rather than by name, and look at them through the eyes of a visitor from another city: how long a visit takes, what to bring and how to arrange somewhere to stay.
Types of events
Six types of events that people most often travel for.
Street festival
Theatre, music or food right on the city streets, often without a ticket. It combines easily with a walk, but traffic is closed off in the centre and it gets crowded.
Fair or market
Crafts, local produce, seasonal treats. You can spend a couple of hours at a fair and give the rest of the day to the city. Cash and a shopping bag will definitely come in handy.
Exhibition
Halls, stands, talks and demonstrations. There is a lot of walking indoors, so a cloakroom, comfortable shoes and a plan of the halls matter more than an umbrella.
City celebration
A city day, a seasonal carnival, evening fireworks. The programme is usually open to everyone, but transport, streets and museums change their hours, so watch for announcements from the city authorities.
Sports event
A match, a race or a tournament. What matters is the start and finish time, the rules for getting into the stadium and the route to transport when the stands empty all at once.
How to choose a city for an event
Four things worth checking before you decide whether to go.
Size of the event and size of the city
A big festival in a small town means accommodation and transport will be stretched to the limit. A large city copes with visitors more easily, but demand for rooms rises there too on those days.
Getting there and back
See how late the last trains and coaches leave. If the event ends at night and the only return service is in the morning, budget for an extra night straight away.
What else the city offers
Museums, an old town, a waterfront, parks. If the event takes up a single evening, the rest of your time is better spent somewhere with plenty to see.
What suits your group
Travelling with children, with older relatives or on your own calls for different things. Some events have quiet zones and family areas; at others you will need stamina for dense crowds and long queues.
Related sections
- Routes
Three sample routes: a festival weekend, a fair with a walk around the centre, an exhibition and a museum in one day.
- Plans
How to plan a festival trip step by step: ticket, travel, accommodation, a plan for the day, mistakes and a checklist.
- Transport
Train, coach, plane, car and local transport after the finale: the pros, the pitfalls and the way back.
Sources
- Official websites of cities and events
- Event organisers' ticket sale and refund terms
Information is correct as of the date it was prepared. Event programmes, entry rules, ticket sale and refund terms and holiday transport services all change, so check them on the official websites before you set off.