Cultural Festivals in Europe

Festive gatherings showcasing traditional costumes and celebrations, including maypole erecting and church processions, filled with historical significance.

Traditional Easter procession with Christian floats depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Germany, Bavaria, traditions, Trachtler, to erect a maypole

The so-called Bergstreittag is a beautiful centuries-old tradition and is celebrated on 22 July, the church memorial day and former feast day of Mary Magdalene in Schneeberg. The four quarterly sermons introduced in 1649 remained in place until 1845. These sermons were then abolished in favour of a single day, 22 July, which fell on Mary Magdalene. The Freiberg Mining Office recommended that this day should be celebrated with a festival and a mountain parade. In 1846, the Royal Ministry of Finance issued a decree to celebrate St Mary Magdalene's Day with a sermon and a magnificent mountain procession. The last major procession took place in July 1913. The First World War put an end to these processions. The tradition was not revived until July 1933, 528th Bergstreittag, church service in St Wolfgang's Church, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany, Europe

Traditional Easter procession with Christian floats depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Annual swearing-in ceremony for the new papal Swiss Guards, Vatican City, Rome, Lazio, Italy, Europe

Men in Roman soldier costumes in Semana Santa parade through Seville, Andalucia, Spain

People Wearing Traditional Dress Singing During Corpus Christi Celebration At La Orotava, Tenerife

Mexico City, Mexico - 04 November 2023: View of figures adorned in deathly makeup and vibrant costumes parade down the street amidst swirling smoke, a surreal blend of life and death.

Belgium, Bruges, Procession of the Holy Blood, people,

Germany, Bavaria, Werdenfels, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, district Partenkirchen, national costume parade at the small Sebastian church,

BRUGES, BELGIUM - MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium

Swiss Guards take part in a swearing-in ceremony in San Damaso Courtyard, Vatican city.

BRUGES, BELGIUM - MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium

The so-called Bergstreittag is a beautiful centuries-old tradition and is celebrated on 22 July, the church memorial day and former feast day of Mary Magdalene in Schneeberg. The four quarterly sermons introduced in 1649 remained in place until 1845. These sermons were then abolished in favour of a single day, 22 July, which fell on Mary Magdalene. The Freiberg Mining Office recommended that this day should be celebrated with a festival and a mountain parade. In 1846, the Royal Ministry of Finance issued a decree to celebrate St Mary Magdalene's Day with a sermon and a magnificent mountain procession. The last major procession took place in July 1913. The First World War put an end to these processions. The tradition was not revived until July 1933, 528th Bergstreittag, church service in St Wolfgang's Church, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany, Europe

Palmesel procession, tradition since the 18th century, Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Thaur, Innsbruck district, Tyrol, Austria, Europe

Koetztinger Pfingstritt, one of the largest mounted religious processions in Europe, at Pentecost, Bad Koetzting, Bavaria, Germany, Europe, PublicGround, Europe

BRUGES, BELGIUM, MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, Europe

Traditional Wallenstein Procession in Memmingen, Allgaeu, Bavaria, Germany

Swiss guards parading, Vatican, Rome, Lazio, Italy, Europe

Corpus Christi procession, Toerwang, Samerberg, Chiemgau, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Ulmer Binder Dance in the monastery yard in Soeflingen, tradition, customs, cooper, cooper, Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Leonhardifahrt (pilgrimage) (pilgrimage) in Benediktbeuren, Upper Bavaria, Germany,

England, Essex, Castle Hedingham. Three Knights of Arkley line up in front of the crowd before a jousting tournament begins at a medieval re-enactment at Hedingham castle.

tamborileros, procesion de jueves santo, Palma, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, España.

The Moma or the representation of virtue.

Flag-waver the Contrada of the Snail, Contrada della Chiocciola, at the Palio di Siena, Piazza del Campo, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Women wearing traditional costumes during mass on Leonhardifahrt, the feast day of Saint Leonard of Noblac, Kreuth, Tegernsee Valley, Upper Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Knappschaftsbruderlade Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden, salt miners' association, Schuetzen- und Trachtenzug, Costume and Riflemen's Parade, for the opening of Oktoberfest 2010, Oktoberfest, Munich, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Easter Palm Sunday in Lipnica Murowana, Poland

Medieval games during the Landshuter Hochzeit (festival) in Landshut, Lower Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany,

Group of folk dancers performing around a maypole, Kullaberg, Skane, Sweden

Spain, Murcia, Easter celebrations, Holy Friday procession

Purim holiday Jerusalem

Historical medieval reenactment, 50th Anniversary Imperial City Festival, Knights, Musciians, Procession, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Leonhardi procession, courtyard of Benediktbeuern Abbey, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany

BRUGES, BELGIUM, MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, Europe

BRUGES, BELGIUM - MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium

Germany, Bavaria, traditions, Trachtler, to erect a maypole

Germany, Bavaria, 'Colomansritt' Procession in front of the Church of Saint Coloman at Schwangau near Füssen in honor of Saint Coloman,

Statuette, Via San Gregorio Armeno, Naples, Campania, Italy

Altar servers preparing for the palm tree procession in the parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Thaur, district of Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria, Europe

BRUGES, BELGIUM, MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, Europe

The Saxon Winegrowers' Procession 2011

Miners pay their respects on the Schlossplatz

Knights in mediaeval medieval costumes, knight festival Kaltenberger Ritterspiele, Kaltenberg, Upper Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Historical procession, Rome, Italy, Europe

Traditionally dressed riders parading during the Madonna dei Martiri festival, in Fonni, Nuoro district, Sardinia, Italy.

Bavaria, chapel, Trachtler, marches, detail

Historical procession, Rome, Italy, Europe

BRUGES, BELGIUM, MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, Europe

Folk music band from Kastelruth (Castelrotto, Bolzano, Italy) playing during Pope Francis weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Scotland, Shetland Islands, Lerwick. The Guizer Jarl elected King for the day leading the Up Helly Aa squad through the streets of Lerwick during the morning parade.

Pilgrimage to St. Koloman near Fuessen, Allgaeu, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Easter riding procession in Crostwitz, Easter riding in Lusatia. Procession from Crostwitz to Panschwitz Kuckau. Every year at Easter, around 5 processions take place in Lusatia, each with around 200 riders. The Catholic Church continues old Sorbian rites here. Thousands of spectators watch the impressive processions on horseback

Procession on horses, sorbian cultural tradition on Easter Day, followed by hundreds of men, Ralbitz, Saxony, Germany, Europe

Altar boys with banners and men dressed in tailcoats, participants in a Corpus Christi procession, Upper Swabia, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Musikkapelle Stoetten band during field mass, St. George's Ride horse pilgrimage, Auerberg, Bernbeuren, Allgaeu, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Ceremonial changing of the guard, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Bavaria, traditional costumes, folklore, tradition, customs, Corpus Christi procession, mountain panorama

Thanksgiving procession in Ramsau, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Historical procession, Rome, Italy, Europe

edieval Themed Wedding Texas Renaissance Festival Attire

Bell stirrer in the Maschkera procession at carnival, Mittenwald, Werdenfelser Land, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Germany, Bavaria, 'Colomansritt' Procession in front of the Church of Saint Coloman at Schwangau near Füssen in honor of Saint Coloman,

Venetian masks at Venice Carnival 2009, Venice, Italy

Every year at Easter there are about 5 processions in Lusatia, each with about 200 riders. The Catholic Church continues old Sorbian rites here. Thousands of spectators watch the impressive cavalcades

Historical procession, Rome, Italy, Europe

Germany, Saxony-Anhalt, Quedlinburg, imperial spring, Ottonen, suite,

Japan, Kumano Hongu Taisha, annual festival, people

Luther's wedding in Luther city Wittenberg

Crowds of stilt dancers celebrate Chinese New Year, China, Asia

Pilgrimage in traditional costume, Gnadenkappelle chapel, Altoetting, Upper Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Leonhardi procession, Benediktbeuern Abbey, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany

BrUGES, BELGIUM, MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform dramatizations of Biblical events, the Last Supper. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, Europe

13th mountain procession with mountain devotion to the Festival of Lights in Bergiesshuebel

Camp life in the Wallenstein summer of 1630, Memmingen, Allgaeu, Swabia, Bavaria, Wallenstein, historical week, Germany, Europe

The so-called Bergstreittag is a beautiful centuries-old tradition and is celebrated on 22 July, the church memorial day and former feast day of Mary Magdalene in Schneeberg. The four quarterly sermons introduced in 1649 remained in place until 1845. These sermons were then abolished in favour of a single day, 22 July, which fell on Mary Magdalene. The Freiberg Mining Office recommended that this day should be celebrated with a festival and a mountain parade. In 1846, the Royal Ministry of Finance issued a decree to celebrate St Mary Magdalene's Day with a sermon and a magnificent mountain procession. The last major procession took place in July 1913. The First World War put an end to these processions. The tradition was not revived until July 1933, 528th Bergstreittag, mountain parade, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany, Europe

Bavaria, church festival, Corpus Christi procession

Swiss Guards take part in a swearing-in ceremony in San Damaso Courtyard, Vatican city.

SPAIN - Castille-La Mancha - ALBACETE. Tobarra, Holy week procession (holy friday)

Vatican City State, Europe. Pontifical Swiss guards outside of St. Peter's Basilica, unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace. (For editorial use only)

Medieval games during the Landshuter Hochzeit (festival) in Landshut, Lower Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany,

St Patrick's Day Parade, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

Blood ride, equestrian procession, horses, bridge, holy figure, Nepomuk Johannes, Weingarten, Upper Swabia, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Munich Alphorn Music Festival in Germany

Pilgrimage to St. Koloman near Fuessen, Allgaeu, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Giants from Nou Barris district during Saint George's Day festivities; Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

SPAIN - L'Alcoià (district) - Valencia autonomous region - Alicante. Alcoy, "Moros y Cristianos" (moorish and christains festival / festvities); "moorish soldiers"

The so-called Bergstreittag is a beautiful centuries-old tradition and is celebrated on 22 July, the church memorial day and former feast day of Mary Magdalene in Schneeberg. The four quarterly sermons introduced in 1649 remained in place until 1845. These sermons were then abolished in favour of a single day, 22 July, which fell on Mary Magdalene. The Freiberg Mining Office recommended that this day should be celebrated with a festival and a mountain parade. In 1846, the Royal Ministry of Finance issued a decree to celebrate St Mary Magdalene's Day with a sermon and a magnificent mountain procession. The last major procession took place in July 1913. The First World War put an end to these processions. The tradition was not revived until July 1933, 528th Bergstreittag, church service in St Wolfgang's Church, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany, Europe

Altar servers preparing for the palm tree procession in the parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Thaur, district of Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria, Europe

Good friday procession, vertova, Italy

Bavaria, customs, traditional traditional traditional traditional traditional traditional traditional traditional traditional traditional costume, Trachtler, mountain marksmen, patron saint's day, drummers, marching, Zugspitze group, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

BRUGES, BELGIUM - MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium

The so-called Bergstreittag is a beautiful centuries-old tradition and is celebrated on 22 July, the church memorial day and former feast day of Mary Magdalene in Schneeberg. The four quarterly sermons introduced in 1649 remained in place until 1845. These sermons were then abolished in favour of a single day, 22 July, which fell on Mary Magdalene. The Freiberg Mining Office recommended that this day should be celebrated with a festival and a mountain parade. In 1846, the Royal Ministry of Finance issued a decree to celebrate St Mary Magdalene's Day with a sermon and a magnificent mountain procession. The last major procession took place in July 1913. The First World War put an end to these processions. The tradition was not revived until July 1933, 528th Bergstreittag, church service in St Wolfgang's Church, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany, Europe

Church service on Kappellplatz Square, pilgrimage in traditional costume, Gnadenkappelle chapel, Altoetting, Upper Bavaria, Germany, Europe

BRUGES, BELGIUM, MAY 17: Annual Procession of the Holy Blood on Ascension Day. Locals perform an historical reenactment and dramatizations of Biblical events. May 17, 2012 in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, Europe

Swiss Guards in traditional livery uniform at the Vatican, Vatican City

Bavaria, church festival, Corpus Christi procession

horsemen and musicians at Blutritt equestrian procession, in front of Basilica of St. Martin Weingarten Oberschwaben-Allgäu Baden-Württemberg Germany

Every year at Easter there are about 5 processions in Lusatia, each with about 200 riders. The Catholic Church continues old Sorbian rites here. Thousands of spectators watch the impressive cavalcades

Corpus Christi procession, Toerwang, Samerberg, Chiemgau, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

of 2