There may well be that back-to-school feeling in the air, but the summer season isn’t quite over yet. As the crowds begin to thin out, it’s a great time to enjoy some end-of-season spectacles and performances in stunning surroundings.

Spectacles of sound and light: Facades of monumental buildings and cathedrals are often used as backdrops for vibrant, motion-rich light projections to stunning effect. To keep the visuals fresh each year, a historical tale loosely based on historical events of the region is often told. France, the country in which these shows originated, offers a wealth of such spectacles:

Rouen, capital of the Normandy region, is a highly visit-worthy port city along the Seine. Each summer, its Notre-Dame Cathedral is lit up by a free sound and light show lasting approximately 25 minutes. This year’s show, created by American visual artist and playwright Robert Wilson, is based on texts by the African-American poet Maya Angelou and accompanied by the piano studies of Philip Glass. The projections can be seen at 10 p.m. nightly through Aug. 31, then at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays only, through Sept. 28. Online: tinyurl.com/mumt9bv2

Orléans, the town in which Joan of Arc was martyred, hosts its Son et Lumière spectacle against the Sainte-Croix cathedral. Two shows, together lasting about one hour, light up the building: “Jeanne, lumière des arts” and “Orléans, ville Olympique.” This free entry show is offered from approximately 10:40 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Sept. 15 (note no shows will be held on Sept. 7-8). Online: tinyurl.com/bdfn6476

Saverne, in the Alsace region, is home to a spectacle titled “Furtif,” described as a fusion of live performance and planned programming shown on the premises of the Cloître des Récollets, a 14th century Franciscan monastery. Shows will take place Aug. 23-24, Aug. 29-30 and Sept. 5-7. Admission costs 7 euros for those ages 12 and over. Online: tinyurl.com/255mpuec

Shakespeare in the Castle: The American Drama Group Europe, formed in Munich back in 1978, performs high-quality theater in the English language, and each summer, embarks upon a European Castles tour. This year’s production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, continues its tour with several stops in northern Europe, to include: Norway: Utstein Monastery in Mosterøy Aug. 25; Bergenhusfestning-Courtyard in Bergen, Aug. 27; Akershus Festung in Oslo Sept. 4-6. Sweden: Gunnebo Slott och Trädgårdar in Mölndal, Aug. 30; Salsta Slott in Vattholma Sept. 2; Kungliga Djurgarden in Stockholm Sept. 3; Malmöhus in Malmö Sept. 8-9. Denmark: Kunstmuseet Brundlund Slot in Aabenraa Sept. 10. Germany: Schloss Glücksburg in Glücksburg Sept. 11; Schloss Friedrichsruh in Friedrichsruh Sept. 13; Schloss Gesmold in Melle Sept. 16; Schloss Bückeburg in Bückeburg Sept. 18; Schloss Gödens in Sande Sept. 19; Barockschloss Störmthal in Großpösna Sept. 20; Schloss Dyck in Jüchen Sept. 23; Stadthalle Soest in Soest Sept. 24; Schloss Haag in Geldern Sept. 24. Netherlands: Croy Castle in Croylaan Sept. 17; Kasteel Huis Bergh in Heerenberg, Netherlands Sept. 27. Belgium: Courtyard of Kasteel van Groot-Bijgaarden in Dilbeek Sept. 25; Courtyard of Kasteel Huis Doorn in Doorn Sept. 26. Online: adg-europe.com

Opera in a Roman amphitheater: Verona, Italy, makes great use of the ampitheater it was gifted by the Romans back in 30 A.D. Today the Arena di Verona is used for opera and appearances by major stars. Remaining performances of the 2024 season include Carmen on Aug. 23 and Sept. 7; Il Barbiere di Siviglia on Aug. 24, Aug. 31 and Sept. 6; VIVA VIVALDI - The four seasons immersive concert on Aug. 28; AIDA 1913 on Aug. 29 and Sept. 5; Tosca on Aug. 30 and Carmina Burana on Sept. 1. Online: arena.it/en

Cinema beneath the stars: Lovely Tricase, a seaside town on the southern tip of Italy’s Apulia region, plays host the Salento International Film Festival Sept. 10-15. The festival prides itself on its thoughtful selection of independent works from all around the globe, making the event a true celebration of the depth and diversity of contemporary cultural narratives. Many films are shown on Pisanelli Square, considered the city’s “living room.” The films screened are a mix of full-length features, shorts and documentaries. A disadvantage to English-speaking audiences is the fact that many of the foreign films shown here are subtitled only in Italian. Online: salentofilmfestival.com

Lakeside music festivals: While most of the summer’s biggest music festivals are by now a distant memory, there’s two more to come in Switzerland. The SummerDays Festival takes place on the shores of Lake Constance Aug. 30-31; running parallel to that is the Seaside Festival, set in a bay nestled between vineyards, overlooked by a castle and the Bernese Alps. Just some of the headline acts set to appear at both festivals include James Blunt, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Scooter, The Kooks and Tokio Hotel. Online: summerdays.ch and seasidefestival.ch