Your guide to Europe's best events
The famous Euro summer is the continent's peak holiday season filled with iconic events and destination. September and October invite curious travellers to embrace a season rich in spectacle and tradition.
From the roaring engines of the Italian Grand Prix to the intoxicating conviviality of Germany’s Oktoberfest, and the dazzling creativity of Paris Fashion Week. These gatherings transform cities into stages where local heritage and global visitors intersect, offering an unrivalled gateway to both celebration and discovery.
Oktoberfest - Munich
When: 20th September - 5th October 2025
Where: Munich, German
Despite the name, Oktoberfest opens in mid-September, but the buzz starts building in August, when beer tents go up across Munich’s Theresienwiese fairground. The festival draws millions each year to Bavaria’s capital. Established in the early 19th century, this two-week celebration is rooted in tradition yet vibrates with a contemporary energy. Visitors from across Europe and beyond flock to the giant beer tents where local brews flow alongside hearty Bavarian fare. The event is also a showcase of Bavarian music, dance, and artisanal craftsmanship, with amusement rides and competitions adding layers of entertainment.
For a more local flavour, step outside the main grounds and head to Augustiner Bräustuben or the shaded beer garden at Hirschgarten. The atmosphere is festive, but grounded in tradition. It's a celebration that’s both deeply German and universally joyful.
Paris Fashion Week
When: 29th September - 7th October 2025
Where: Paris, France
Paris remains the global epicentre of style, and Paris Fashion Week stands as a pivotal event on the international fashion calendar. The season’s highlight is the presentation of womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 collections, a showcase that commands attention from industry leaders and fashion aficionados alike. Beyond the runway’s front-row glamour, the city pulses with creative energy: galleries like Palais Galliera and Fondation Louis Vuitton spotlight iconic design, while the Left Bank’s bookshops and cafés brim with vibrant conversations.
Between exclusive exhibitions and intimate gallery openings, explore the chic concept stores of Le Marais and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where trendsetters and designers gather away from the catwalks. Paris Fashion Week not only sets the tone for global trends but also reveals the city’s enduring role as a beacon of elegance and innovation.
Monza Grand Prix
When: 5th - 7th September 2025
Where: Monza, Italy (just outside Milan)
Nestled just north of Milan, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza stands as Italy’s temple of speed and one of Formula 1’s most historic and thrilling circuits. Fans begin arriving well before race weekend to soak up the pre-race atmosphere, where sound, strategy, and passionate tifosi (Ferrari fans known for their unwavering support) create an electric backdrop.
The Italian Grand Prix unfolds amid the leafy parkland setting of Monza, offering unique vantage points like the Variante del Rettifilo grandstand. Here spectators witness a remarkable display of skill and engineering with cars decelerating sharply from blistering speeds. For those without grandstand seats, the Parabolica corners and lively fan zones outside the track provide equally immersive experiences. Milan’s proximity to Monza allows travellers to combine a weekend of racing excitement with explorations of Italy’s fashion capital, discovering its galleries, iconic Duomo, and culinary scene.
Make a holiday of it
These flagship events draw travellers from across Europe and are perfect for extending your trip. Priority Pass lounges add comfort to your journey, providing peaceful retreats to relax and recharge, whether you’re arriving at or departing from Munich, Paris, or Milan airports. With Priority Pass, every step of your travel is as effortless and refined as the events themselves.