Events

Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland Winter Festivals and Celebrations

Apart from the celebrations in the weeks preceding Christmas eve, there are many other festivities, concerts, exhibitions and other events to choose from. Being a winter sports region, ski races, of course, are very popular, as are winter opening celebrations and apres ski parties. Towards spring, the carnival season starts, and parades abound in small and big towns alike.

Austria:
Among the events not to be missed if you are a winter sports fan is the Winter Opening Arlberg every year in November. The region is known for its elegant resorts, beautiful landscape and excellent skiing and there is no better place to start the winter season.
Those interested in classical music will enjoy Salzburg City during the Mozart Week in January. Every Year around Mozart’s birthday on January 27th, Salzburg honors its world renowned son with a series of performances featuring world renowned artists. In February, the most famous of all Viennese balls, the Opera Ball, is the highlight of the social calendar. For one evening the State Opera turns into a grand ball room, where international guests waltz into the wee hours of the morning.
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France:
Ski and snowboarding competitions, Christmas markets, concerts: in France your calendar will always be full!
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Germany:
Experience the Ludwig Musical in its spectacular lake location in front of the fairy tale castle Neuschwanstein. The alpine cities of Oberammergau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen invite you to go sledging or take skiing lessons. Or enjoy the silence of snowy winter nights during a guided full moon hike. And once the sun takes over in April, the Easter celebrations start and the Oberammergau handicraft Easter market is a great way to watch the locals practice their skills.
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Italy:
The most important and anticipated event this winter is the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics, where 5 villages of the Piedmont Region and the city of Turin will host the different venues. Turin is getting ready to receive thousands of fans and will have the opportunity to shine and show its potential as a tourist destination and one of the most important business capitals of Europe. For those interested in a more traditional event, the Venice Carnival is not to be missed. The unique and incomparable elegance and beauty of this city is enhanced during this celebration by the remarkable display of costumes, masks and events... one feels to have traveled back in time!
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Switzerland:
Live sporting events on snow and ice to watch, to cheer or to participate in; festivals and customs to enjoy and to celebrate... Switzerland's winter offers a huge variety of events worth visiting. Take your pick:
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