The Eurovision Song Contest has been described as the musical version of the Olympic Games. Malmö, Sweden, hosts the famous contest this year, as acts from 37 countries vie for the Continent’s pop music crown. The final is May 11. Pictured: Ukraine’s Verka Serduchka sings “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” at the contest in Helsinki, Finland, in 2007. (AP)
Austria
LINZ: Crossing Europe, film festival, through May 5.
LINZ: Urfahranermarkt, traditional fun fair, through May 5.
VIENNA: wean hean, festival of typical Viennese music, through May 11.
VIENNA: Vienna Blues Spring, blues concerts throughout city, through May 31.
ZELL AM ZILLER: Gauder Fest, traditional spring festival, May 2-5.
INNSBRUCK: Innsbruck International Biennial of Arts, May 3-26.
KLOSTERNEUBURG: Middle Ages Festival, May 4-5.
VIENNA: Wings for Life World Run, May 5.
VIENNA: Fest der Freude, free concert of the Viennese Symphony, Heldenplatz, May 8.
VIENNA: Genuss Festival, culinary treats in Stadtpark, May 10-12.
KOESSEN: Kaiserwinkl Kasfest, festival with cheese and local folk music, May 11.
SALZBURG: Salzburg Marathon, May 12.
VIENNA: Vienna Festwochen, special productions in theaters, May 16-June 23.
WOERTHERSEE: Namaste on the Lake - Yoga Festival, May 24-26.
ST. WOLFGANG IM SALZKAMMERGUT: Schafburg Run, runners race against the Schafberg cog wheel railway, May 25.
ST. POLTEN: Challenge St. Polten, triathlon, May 26.
VIENNA: Austrian Women’s Run, May 26.
VIENNA: Art Austria, Gartenpalais Liechtenstein, May 25-28.
BAD AUSSEE: Narzissen Fest, folk festival, May 30-June 1.
Belgium
GROOT-BIJGAARDEN: Floralia Brussels, floral exhibition, Chateau de Grand Bigard, through May 2.
BRUSSELS: Brussels Short Film Festival, Flagey, through May 4.
BRUSSELS: Les Nuits Botanique, concerts and after parties, Botanique, through May 5.
LAEKEN: Greenhouses of the Royal Palace open, through May 20.
MALMEDY: Harley Davidson Day, May 1.
LIEGE: Jazz a Liege, jazz festival, May 2-5.
BRUSSELS: Iris Festival, May 4-5.
MECHELEN: Hanswijk Procession, May 5.
GENT: Gent Smaakt, food festival, May 8-12.
BRUGGES: Procession of the Holy Blood, May 9.
NAMUR: Fairground Arts Festival, street artists perform, May 9-11.
ANTWERP: Antwerp Proeft, culinary festival, Waagnatie, May 9-12.
DURBUY: Hard Rock Festival, May 10-11.
BRUSSELS: Kunstenfestivaldesarts, contemporary theater, dance, cinema and visual arts festival, Mont des Arts, May 10-June 1.
LIEGE: Summer Beer Lover’s Festival, May 16-19.
SPA: Spa Classic, race of historic vehicles, Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, May 17-19.
BRUSSELS: Brussels Pride Parade, May 18.
NAMUR: Dinner in the sky, gourmet meal served to guests around table suspended by crane, May 21-25.
BRUSSELS: Brussels Jazz Weekend, free weekend of international jazz, May 24-26.
MONS: Ducasse de Mons, religious procession, May 25.
ARLON: Maitrank Festival, celebrates local drink, May 25-26.
BRUSSELS: 20 km of Brussels, May 26.
Croatia
ZADAR: Street Food Festival, through May 5.
ZADAR: Wings for Life World Run, May 5.
STRIGOVA: Urbanova, wine and gourmet festival, May 17-19 and 24-25.
BUJE: Istria Wine and Walk, 11 km vineyard trek with refreshment stands, May 18.
UMAG: Sea Star Festival, music festival, May 24-25.
OSIJEK: Pannonian Challenge, festival of extreme sports and urban culture, May 24-26.
ZAGREB: Cest is D Best, international street festival, May 30-June 2.
Czech Republic
PRAGUE: United Islands, free music festival, May 1-4.
PILSEN: Slavnosti Svobody Plzen, celebration of end of WWII and liberation of Pilsen by the United States Army, May 3-6.
PRAGUE: Maker Faire, craft and innovation fair, Holesovice Exhibition Grounds, May 11-12.
PRAGUE: Prague Spring, International Music Festival, May 12-June 3.
PRAGUE: Open House, showcase of outstanding architecture, May 13-19.
PRAGUE: Navalis, celebration of St. John along the Vltava River, May 14-15.
PRAGUE: Tattoo Convention, Mala Sportivni Hala, May 17-19.
KARLOVY VARY: Mattoni Half Marathon, May 18.
PRAGUE: Book World Prague, book fair and literary festival, Expo Center Prague Holesovice, May 23-26.
PRAGUE: Khamoro, world festival of Roma culture, May 26-June 1.
PRAGUE: Prague Fringe Festival, English language theater festival, May 27-June 1.
VLCNOV: Ride of the Kings, traditional Moravian folklore festival, May 28-29.
PRAGUE: Heart of Nations, festival of minorities, May 30-June 2.
Denmark
RIBE: Viking Market, Ribe Viking Center, through May 5.
AARHUS: Spot Festival, festival supports upcoming Danish and Nordic film makers and bands, May 3-4.
COPENHAGEN: Copenhagen Marathon, May 5.
HORSENS: Prison Ink, international tattoo festival, May 9-11.
COPENHAGEN: 48 Timer, festival in Norrebro section of city, May 10-12.
HUNDESTED: Sand Sculpture Festival, May 17-Oct. 20.
AALBORG: carnival celebrations, includes International Parade May 17, Children’s Carnival May 18 and Aalborg Carnival May 25.
AARHUS: Royal Run, races for all ages; also in other cities, May 20.
FREDERIKSBERG: Bloom Festival, music fest, May 24-26.
COPENHAGEN: Distortion Festival, street and nightlife festival, May 29-June 2.
England
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON: Stratford Literary Festival, May 1-5.
WINDSOR: Royal Windsor Horse Show, Windsor Castle, May 1-5.
STOKE-ON-TRENT: The Great British Food Festival, Trentham Gardens, May 4-6.
WOODSTOCK: Jousting Tournament, Blenheim Palace, May 4-6.
BRIGHTON: Foodies Festival, May 4-6; also London May 5-27 and St. Albans, May 31-June 2.
LONDON: Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead Heath, May 8-12.
MALVERN: RHS Malvern Spring Festival, flower show, Three Counties Showground, May 9-12.
NORWICH: Norfolk and Norwich festival, circus, music, theater, dance and family entertainment, May 10-26.
LONDON: Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, May 12.
LONDON: Photo London, photo exhibition, Somerset House, May 16-19.
CAMBRIDGE: CAMRA Cambridge Beer Festival, Jesus Green, May 20-25.
LONDON: RHS Chelsea Flower Show, May 21-25.
LONDON: MCM London Comic Con, ExCeL, May 24-26.
LONDON: Bike Shed, independent motorcycle show, Tobacco Dock, May 24-26.
LEEDS: Great British Food Festival, Harewood House, May 25-27.
COOPER’S HILL: Cheese Rolling Festival, May 27.
COLCHESTER: Real Ale & Cider Festival, Arts Centre, May 29-June 1.
Estonia
COUNTRYWIDE: Museum Night, May 18.
TALLINN: LHV Maijooks, 7 km women’s run, May 18.
Finland
HELSINKI: Vaasa Choir Festival, May 9-12.
HELSINKI: Helsinki City Running Day, Olympic Stadium, May 11.
HELSINKI: Open House, showcase of outstanding architecture, May 18-19.
HELSINKI: Siivous Paiva, cleaning day, small private flea markets across town, May 25.
HELSINKI: World Village Festival, May 25-26.
France
ORLEANS: Joan of Arc Festival, through May 8.
PARIS: The Paris Fair, retail sales event, Porte de Versailles, May 1-12.
NIMES: The Great Roman Games, May 3-5.
METZ: Les Puces de Metz, flea and antiques market, Metz Expo, May 4 and May 25.
LYON: Nuits Sonores, festival of indie and electronic music, May 7-12.
PARIS: Musicora, event for music and musicians, Grande Halle de la Villette, May 8-10.
PARIS: Jazz a Saint-Germain-des-Pres, jazz festival on Left Bank, May 13-20.
CANNES: Festival de Cannes, Film Festival, May 14-25.
COUNTRYWIDE: European Night of Museums, May 18.
METZ: Metztorri, celebrates pop culture and Japanese animation, May 18-19.
PARIS: Grand Steeplechase, horse jumping, Hippodrome d’Auteuil, May 18-19.
PARIS: French Open, tennis tournament, May 20-June 9.
Germany
GRONAU: Jazzfest Gronau, through May 5.
MUNICH: Fruehlingfest, fun fair, Theresienwiese, through May 5.
MUNICH: Maidult, traditional fun fair, through May 5.
STUTTGART: Fruehlingsfest, fun fest and beer celebration, Cannstatter Wasen, through May 12.
TUEBINGEN: Cine Latino, film festival, May 1-8.
MUNICH: International Documentary Film Festival, May 1-12.
BAYREUTH: Maisel’s Weissbierfest, May 2-5.
BUEHL: International Bluegrass Festival, Buergerhaus Neuer Markt, May 3-5.
BERLIN: KoRo Women’s Run, 10 km run, May 4.
BONN: Rhine in Flames, fireworks and illuminated vineyards between Linz and Bonn, May 4.
FRANKFURT: Night of Museums, May 4.
HEPPENHEIM: Flea market, annual city flea market, May 4.
SCHWEINFURT: Flea market, Volksfestplatz, May 4.
SCHWETZINGEN: Spargelsamstag, city celebrates white asparagus, May 4.
DORTMUND: German Comic Con, Messe, May 4-5.
HEILBRONN: Trollinger Marathon, course runs through vineyards, May 5.
MAINZ: Gutenberg Half-marathon, May 5.
MUNICH: Wings for Life World Run, race benefits charity for spinal cord injury, May 5.
HAMBURG: Harbor Fest, May 9-12.
ULM: Middle Ages Market and knights’ tournament, Kloster Wiblingen, May 9-12.
PFORZHEIM: Bierboerse, beer festival, May 9-12; also Leipzig May 17-20 and Mainz May 24-26.
NUREMBERG: Trempelmarkt, flea market, May 10-11.
MUNICH: Long Night of Music, musical events in more than 100 venues throughout the city, May 11.
WIESBADEN: Classic Auto Rally, classic autos parked in front of Kurhaus from 4 p.m., May 11.
SCHWAEBISCH HALL: Cheese and Culinary Market, Hohenloher Freilandmuseum, May 11-12.
RUEDESHEIM: German Sekt Days, May 11-12.
ZWEIBRUECKEN: Street theater spectacle and flower market, May 11-12.
ESSLINGEN: Vineyard hiking, May 12.
DRESDEN: International Dixieland Festival, May 12-19.
DARMSTADT: Schlossgrabenfest, concerts throughout town, May 16-19.
LUDWIGSBURG: Strassenmusik Festival, blues and folk concerts, Bluehendes Barock, May 17-19.
WIESBADEN: Pfingstturnier, horse jumping and dressage event, Biebrich Castle, May 17-20.
AMBERG: Amberger Dult, volksfest, May 17-26.
BAYREUTH: Volksfest, May 17-26.
IDAR-OBERSTEIN: Jazz Days, May 24-26.
KAISERSLAUTERN: Lautrer Kerwe, fun fair on Messeplatz, May 24-June 3.
OPPENHEIM/WORMS: Rheinradeln, auto free cycling day, May 26.
NUREMBERG: Franconian Beer Festival, May 29-June 2.
WUERZBURG: Weindorf, wine festival in market square, May 29-June 9.
WUERZBURG: Africa Festival, International Afro Music Festival, May 30-June 2.
Hungary
BUDAPEST: Spring Jazz Festival, through May 16.
SOPRON: SopronFest, celebrates culture and gastronomy, May 17-19.
SZOLNOK: Pancake Festival, May 17-19.
BUDAPEST: Comic Con, May 18-19.
BUDAPEST: Gourmet Festival, Millenáris Park, May 24-26.
BUDAPEST: Rosalia, festival celebrates rose wine, City Park, May 31-June 7.
Ireland
CORK: International Choral Festival, May 1-5.
DUBLIN: Dublin Dance Festival, contemporary dance event, May 14-25.
DUBLIN: International Literature Festival, Merrion Square Park, May 17-26.
GALWAY: Early Music Festival, May 31-June 3.
Italy
TRENTO: Trento Film Festival, through May 5.
NARNI: Corsa all’Anello, medieval jousting competition and historical pageants, through May 12.
LIGURIA: Giro d’Italia, multi-stage bicycle race, May 4-26.
TURIN: International Book Fair, Lingotto Fiere, May 9-13.
MILAN: Art on the Naviglio Grande, May 12.
VENICE: Festa della Sensa, festival celebrating city’s “marriage” to the sea, May 12.
GUBBIO: La Festa dei Ceri, fest of the candles, historical and folklore event, May 15.
MODENA: Play, game festival, Modena Fairgrounds, May 17-19.
CAMPOSANO: Palio de Casale, May 18-19.
NOTO: Infiorata, elaborate artwork created from flower petals, May 19.
FERRARA: Palio, May 25.
COUNTRYWIDE: Cantini Aperte, open wine cellars, May 25-26.
MILAN: Open House, showcase of outstanding architecture, May 25-26.
MONTESPERTOLI: Mostra del Chianti, wine festival, May 25-June 2.
MASSA MARITTIMA: Balestro del Girifalco, medieval festival, May 26.
RIVARA: Gelato Festival, May 31-June 2.
Luxembourg
CITY: Stoffen Spektakel, sale of fabrics, The Box, May 4.
CITY: ING Night Marathon, starts 7 p.m., May 11.
COUNTRYWIDE: Invitation to the Museums, free entry to state museums, May 18-19.
BECH-KLEINMACHER: Open wineries weekend, May 19-20.
ECHTERNACH: Hopping Procession, religious rite and pilgrimage, May 21.
Monaco
MONTE CARLO: Grand Prix of Monaco, World Formula 1 Championship race, May 24-26.
Netherlands
LISSE: Keukenhof Gardens open for season, through May 12.
AMSTERDAM: World Press Photo Exhibition, Nieuwe Kerk, through July 14.
AMSTERDAM: Rolling Kitchens, mobile food stands set up in Westergasfabriek, May 8-12.
SCHEVENINGEN: North Sea Regatta, May 10 and 18-20.
UTRECHT: Spring, showcases new developments in dance and theater, May 23-June 1.
SITTARD: Groove Garden, music festival, May 25-26.
AMSTERDAM: Amsterdam Art Week, open galleries and creative spaces, May 29-June 2.
Norway
STAVANGER: Maijazz, jazz fest, May 3-8.
TRONDHEIM: Jazzfestival, May 7-11.
OSLO: Constitution Day, children’s parade starts from Karl Johans Gate, May 17.
BERGEN: Bergen International Festival, music and performing arts festival, May 22-June 5.
BERGEN: Night Jazz, Georgenes Verft, May 24-June 1.
OSLO: Medieval Festival, Akershus Fortress, May 31-June 2.
Portugal
BARCELOS: Festival of the Crosses, traditional festivities of the Alto Minho region, through May 5.
FUNCHAL: Festa del Flor, springtime flower festival, May 2-26.
LISBON: IMFA - International Festival of Puppets and Animated Forms, May 9-June 2.
FATIMA: Pilgrimages to Fatima, May 12-13.
LISBON: Indie Lisboa, film festival, May 23-June 2.
LISBON: Arco Lisboa, international contemporary art fair, Fabrica Nacional da Cordoaria, May 23-26.
COIMBRA: Burning of the Ribbons, student celebration, May 24-31.
ARMAMAR: Douro Valley Half Marathon, May 26.
Scotland
EDINBURGH: TradFest, music, song, dance, storytelling and tradition, Scottish Storytelling Centre, May 3-13.
GLASGOW: Coffee Festival, The Briggait, May 11-12.
PERTH: Perth Festival of the Arts, May 22-June 1.
DUMFRIES: Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, music and comedy, May 23-June 2.
ORKNEY: Folk Festival, May 23-26.
ISLAY: Islay Festival of Music and Malt, May 25-June 1.
EDINBURGH: Imaginate Festival, performing arts for young audiences, May 25-June 2.
Slovakia
BRATISLAVA: STARMUS, festival of science, music and other arts, May 12-17.
BRATISLAVA: Long Night of Museums, May 18.
BRATISLAVA: Urban Market, creative and design market, May 31-June 2.
Slovenia
LJUBLJANA: Pohod, recreational run around Ljubljana and threesomes run, May 9-11.
LJUBLJANA: Druga Godba, jazz and world music festival, May 23-26.
Spain
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ: Los Caballos del Vino, horse parade, May 2.
BARCELONA: Docsbarcelona, international documentary film festival, May 2-12.
CORDOBA: The Patios of Cordoba, showcase of ornately decorated courtyards, May 2-12.
BARCELONA: International Comic Fair, May 3-5.
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA: Horse Fair, equestrian shows, bullfights and fiestas, May 4-11.
CACERES: World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) Festival, May 9-12.
MADRID: Madrid en Danza, international dance festival, May 9-26.
EIVISSA (Ibiza): Medieval fair of Ibiza, May 10-12.
SEGOVIA: Titirimundi- International Puppet Festival, May 10-15.
LA PALMA (Canary Islands): Transvulcania, 80 km extreme run over a volcano, May 11.
GIRONA: Temps de Flors, exhibition of flowers in patios and gardens, May 11-19.
TINAJO: Iron Man Lanzarote Canary Islands, May 18.
CORDOBA: Cordoba Fair, May 18-25.
BARCELONA: Primavera Sound, music festival, May 29-June 2.
Sweden
STOCKHOLM: Stockholm Art Week, May 14-19.
GOTHENBURG: Half marathon, one of world’s biggest races, May 18.
MALMO: Eurovision Song Contest Final, May 11.
STOCKHOLM: The Archipelago Fair, Royal Djurgarden, June 7-9.
Switzerland
MORGES: Tulip Festival, through May 12.
GENEVA: Electron, festival of electronic music and culture, through May 12.
ZURICH: Zurich tanzt, dance performances and participatory events, May 3-12.
GENEVA: Geneva Marathon, May 4-5.
WINTERTHUR: Afro Pentacost Festival, May 15-22.
ASCONA: Festival Artisti di Strada, street artists festival, May 17-19.
WEGGIS: Riviera Latina Festival, May 17-19.
BERN: Bern Grand Prix, 10 mile run, May 18.
BADEN: Blues Festival Baden, May 18-25.
SCHAFFHAUSEN: Jazz Festival, May 20-25.
GENEVA: Museum Night, May 25.
GENEVA: Open wineries day in Canton Geneva, May 25.
SCHAFFHAUSEN: Slow Up, auto-free stretch of road between Schaffhausen and Hegau, May 26.
Wales
LLANDUDNO: Victorian Extravaganza, May 4-6.
WREXAM: Focus Wales, comedy, arts and film fest, May 9-11.
LLANRWST: Snowdonia Half Marathon, May 12.
HAY-ON-WYE: Hay Festival, international literary festival, May 23-June 2.
HAY-ON-WYE: How the Light Gets in, philosophy and music festival, May 24-27.
LLANWRTYD WELLS: Welsh Open Stoneskimming Championships, May 26.
