In June, the summer vibes really start to heat up our day-to-day lives! Unfreeze your joints at the first music festivals and fraternise with the locals over a glass of beer or wine at a cosy degustation. Peek behind doors that are usually closed to the public and explore the Dutch castles and city gardens from the inside. There is plenty to do this month: so what are you waiting for?

Pinkpop
8 – 10 June, Landgraaf, the Netherlands

With Pinkpop, the Dutch music festival season once again kicks off with a bang. This year, the line-up features dynamic indie bands (Mumford & Sons, Bastille, The Kooks), golden oldies (Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Golden Earring), great talents from Dutch soil (Anouk, Armin Van Buuren, Kraantje Pappie) and many other must-see entertainers.

www.pinkpop.nl

Wine Taste Enjoy
9 – 10 June, Moselle, Luxembourg

In the Moselle region, wine is always the centre of attention. During Wine Taste Enjoy, almost 40 wine castles, cellars and distilleries invite you to taste their liquid gold. Just follow the river and uncork some of the valley’s finest bottles.

www.visitmoselle.lu


WINE TASTE ENJOY, CAVES ST. MARTIN. PHOTO © JONATHAN GODIN-LFT

Hopping procession of Echternach
11 June, Echternach, Luxembourg

From a distance, the procession of Echternach looks more like a party or a carnival than a religious parade. Guided by the rhythm, the participants hop from left to right while connected to each other by white bands. The hopping parade starts at the bridge dividing Luxembourg from Germany, passes the historic centre and ends at the Saint Willibrord basilica.

www.visitluxembourg.com

Day of the Castle
10 June, the Netherlands

Once a year, at the Day of the Castle, you can pretend to be a king or queen in your own palace. Dozens of authentic castles let down the bridge over their moat and welcome you into their regal chambers. Roam around the courtyards and rooms and bump into the occasional troubadour, falconer or blacksmith.

www.dagvanhetkasteel.nl


CASTLE DE HAAR. PHOTO © NBTC

Open Garden Days
14 – 16 June, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Many a tourist gazes at the adorable canal houses in the centre of Amsterdam. But what happens behind those iconic facades? During the Open Garden Days, their residents invite you into their modest gardens. Discover these hidden oases in the middle the city noise and enjoy the blossoming green from the Golden Age.

www.iamsterdam.com

Oerol Festival
14 – 23 June, Terschelling, the Netherlands

Few festivals have a terrain as impressive as Oerol. For ten days, it fills the entire Frisian Island of Terschelling with music and street theatre. In between the exotic beats and tantalising food, there is plenty of space for the spoken word as well. Talks and discussions balance out the festive atmosphere from the island.

www.oerol.nl


Oerol

La Nuit Romantique
22 June, Wallonia, Belgium

Wallonia has plenty of picturesque hamlets you should absolutely pay a visit to. During La Nuit Romantique (the romantic night), they are the staging area for a myriad of intimate activities. Music, poetry, visual spectacles, gastronomy and many other things take you (and the apple of your eye) on an enchanting journey.

www.beauxvillages.be

Ommegang
26 – 28 June, Brussels, Belgium

The impact of the Habsburgians on the capital of Europe cannot be overestimated. During the annual Ommegang parade, 1,400 actors and extras re-enact the arrival of Charles V in the mighty city. Horses, costumes and flags galore fill the streets of the medieval centre while the caravan heads to the main square. Here, a spectacular show of fire, music and equestrian mastery concludes the beautiful night.

www.ommegang.be


OMMEGANG. PHOTO © VISIT BRUSSELS

Rock Werchter
27 – 30 June, Werchter, Belgium

It once started as a small neighbourhood festival, but today it is one of Belgium’s biggest musical celebrations. Throughout the years, Rock Werchter continuously proved its ability to attract world-class artists and rocket-launch undiscovered prodigies. This year, strong women like P!nk and Florence + The Machine adorn the line-up, next to over 100 other amazing artists like Muse, Tool and Greta Van Fleet.

www.rockwerchter.be

Beer Passion Weekend
28 – 30 June, Antwerp, Belgium

362 days a year, Antwerp is called ‘the city of cookies’, yet from 28 till 30 June, it is without any doubt ‘the city of beer’. On a market at the beautiful Groenplaats, many a brewery present their best brews to the world. Sip from a few interesting ales and explore the incredibly versatile beer culture of the country.

www.bierpassieweekend.be


BEER PASSION WEEKEND. PHOTO © BEERPASSION.COM

TEXT: ARNE ADRIAENSSENS | TOP PHOTO © ROCK WERCHTER

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Receive our monthly newsletter by email

    I accept the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy