The 2024 UEFA Champions League final marks the pinnacle of the 69th season of Europe's premier club football tournament. It’s scheduled to take place at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London on the 1st of June 2024.
Are you a tennis fan who can’t wait for Wimbledon? The French Open, also called Roland Garros, is one of the most exciting times of the year to be in France. Starting 20th May, the French Open is set to display some world class clay court tennis, that will be sure to have a few surprises in store. With WTA and ATP players all coming together to battle it out for a sensational 2-week tournament. Did you know, Stade Roland Garros is just over a 3 hour drive from the port of Calais? Find out more.
Prepare for the thrill of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as the Euros! This 17th edition of the championship is set to unfold in Germany. From the 14th of June to the 14th of July 2024, the tournament will bring together the best national teams from UEFA member associations. It’s set to be one of the biggest events in Europe this year!
The iconic Tour De France 2024 and its female counterpart, the Tour De France Femme 2024, are some of the major sporting events in France. Starting on the 29th of June 2024, gear up for an unforgettable experience as the Tour De France takes cyclists on a captivating journey from Rotterdam to the mountain tops of Le-Grand-Bornand. Make your Tour De France experience extra special when you travel to Rotterdam with P&O Ferries.
You might’ve heard what is happening in France this summer! In 2024, national teams from around the world will converge in Paris for the ultimate global games. Mark your calendars for the 26th of July for the Opening Ceremony - which is always set to be spectacular, up until the 11th of August, and if you’re lucky enough to get tickets, travel to Calais with ease and convenience with P&O Ferries.
Now you know what sports holidays, events, and festivals you can enjoy in Europe, it’s time to plan how to get there. If you want the ease and flexibility of driving in your car, caravan or bicycle, the easiest way to get to Europe is by ferry.
Crossing to FranceTravel to Europe in just 1.5 hours with our ferry crossing from Dover to Calais. Before you know it, you’ll be disembarking in Calais to begin your action-packed festival or sporting holiday. With up to 14 crossings a day, you can travel whenever is most convenient.
On the northeast coast of France, Calais is the gateway to Europe. You can drive to Belgium in just under an hour, to Paris in three hours, or spend a day driving through scenic France to reach Switzerland.
Crossing to HollandIf your sports event or festival is in the Netherlands, Germany, or Eastern Europe, our Hull to Rotterdam ferry crossing makes travelling a breeze. It takes 12 hours to travel to Holland, so on our overnight ferry, you can board in the evening and wake up in Rotterdam in the morning. It’s that easy to travel to the best events in Europe!
Festivals and Events in Europe
What are the best events in Europe to attend? Perhaps one of the best festivals in Europe, Oktoberfest, takes over Munich in Germany every September and October. It’s the world’s largest Volkfest, with music, dancing, bratwursts, and, of course, barrels of Bavarian beer.
If music is your thing, attend one of the best music festivals in Europe. Top music festivals in France include uber-cool Rock en Seine in Paris, the huge Les Vieilles Charrues in Carhaix, and the family-friendly Pete the Monkey Festival in Normandy. Other bucket-list music festivals in Europe include Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Tremor Azores in Portugal, and one of the most famous festivals in Belgium, Tomorrowland.
There are some unmissable festivals in France, like Mardi Gras in Nice, the Cannes Film Festival, Bastille Day celebrations in Paris on 14 July, and the oldest Christmas market in Europe, Strasbourg.
If you’re looking for festivals in the Netherlands, top picks include the Rotterdam Summer Carnival, the dazzling Amsterdam Light Festival in December and January, and the picture-perfect Netherlands Tulip Festival in Flevoland every spring.
Book a ferry to Holland direct
Sports Events in Europe
Are you an avid sports fan? Get your live sports fix at one of the many sports events in Europe, including football, rugby, and Formula 1.
If you’re a fan of the beautiful game, one of the major sporting events in France this year is the UEFA European Championship or the Euros. For F1 fans, there are plenty of sporting events in Europe to see the action up close. Major races include the Italian Grand Prix, the Belgium Grand Prix, and the biggest one of the year, the Monaco Grand Prix.
If rugby is your sport of choice, the Six Nations takes place every year throughout February and March, in stadiums across Europe. You can catch a game in France at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu, or the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
Other sporting events in France include the Tour de France in June and July, the most prestigious cycling race in the world, and the French Open in May, one of the four renowned Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
Planning a winter sports holiday instead? Why not coincide your trip with the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, held every year in destinations in Europe?
FAQs on popular sporting and events in Europe
What is the biggest festival in Europe?
The biggest festival in Europe is Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich, Germany. It is a traditional beer festival and travelling funfair, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.
What is the biggest music festival in Europe?
Tomorrowland in Belgium is the biggest music festival in Europe, attracting over 600,000 festival goers every year. It’s one of the most popular music events in Europe.