What are the traditional, historic, festivals in Europe? Those events that on their own are worth one of those painful trips across the ditch. I'm thinking of Semana Santa in Sevilla, the Christmas markets in Germany, Carnival in Venice and Cadiz. What have I missed?

<those events that on their own are worth one of those painful trips across the DITCH> you have a great way with words.

The running of the bulls in Pamplona? The music festival in Avignon? That Spanish tomato-throwing orgy? The Félibré in the Périgord? The Fête de la Musique all over France? The Palio in Siena?

There are so many...........

Poland has a huge armpit hair braiding contest in Aug, but things can get a little ripe.

I have done a few in Spain:

The Pilar- Zaragoza
Tomatina- Buñol
Hogueras- Alicante
San Jordi- Barcelona
Día de Ramos- Elche
Christmas- pretty much anywhere
Encierros throughout the country
The feria de Málaga
Semana Santa- Salamanca
Gay Pride week in the Chueca area of Madrid

Other countries:
Palio- Siena, Italy
Midsommer- Stockholm, Sweden
Mardi Gras- New Orleans, LA
Carnaval- Rio de Janeiro
Music festival- Essouira, Morocco
Rosh Hoshannah- Tel Aviv
Breaking the fast of Yom Kippur- Jerusalem

Also, when Barcelona won the world cup it was one of the greatest parties ever.

At the moment you can catch up with the four-yearly festival of English hooliganism - this year being held in Germany.

Hogmanay or the Festival in Edinburgh

There are so many that dexcriptions of them could easily fill several books. The most interesting one I've been to is La Festa del Maggio (also known as Il SanGiuliano) in Accettura, Italy. I've posted about it several times. I think you can find some of those posts if you put both of the words Maggio and Accettura in the search box.

We went to the Procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges last year and it was really something to see.

http://www.holyblood.com/EN/D.asp

http://whatsonwhen.com