Carnevale di Viareggio is one of the most renowned carnival celebrations in Europe, featuring floats made of papier-mâché. The largest of the floats are a staggering 20m high and weigh around 40 tonnes, taking five months to build.

Every February, the small town of Jokkmokk in Swedish Lapland hosts the 400-year-old winter market of the indigenous Sámi people, with activities including folk dancing, reindeer races and sale of Sámi handicraft.

Recognised as the largest viking festival in Europe, the annual festival is a city-wide celebration of York’s Viking heritage. Rooting back 1000 years ago, the festival heralded the coming of spring and the end of winter hardships.

The Fete du Citron Festival celebrates the harvesting of the famous Menton lemon, considered the most prestigious in the world. Visitors get to enjoy themed gardens constructed out of thousands of lemons, with day and night parades of lemon floats.

The Dutch break out of the winter mood during the King's Day (Koningsdag) Festival, donning lots of orange, and celebrating in the streets and canals to mark the reigning monarch’s birthday and to welcome warmer weather.

Walpurgisnacht is the night of 30 April, when, according to folklore, witches are reputed to hold a large celebration on the Brocken and await the arrival of spring. It is an ancient festival to welcome the spring weather and to drive away evil spirits.

Odense celebrates the magical world of Hans Christian Andersen, their famous resident through this festival. Traditional events, street art and performances relish new interpretations of Hans Christian Andersen and his fairy tales.

Located in Gràcia, Barcelona, the popular festival features 18 streets competing with one another through their innovative decor and grand themes. The decorations are lovingly hand-made by the residents who prepare for competition almost a year in advance.