Seasonal celebrations

Find out how different countries and cultures celebrate the passing of the seasons and how their traditions have been shaped around nature.

Seasonal traditions and occasions

Black and white photograph with a girl, a fluffy dog and three boys playing snowball fights
Gallery

Children and adults alike get playful when it's snowy outside.

Black and white photo. A young boy holding up a mistletoe on top of a young boy who is leaning in to kiss a smiling young girl
Gallery

Kissing under the mistletoe is a well-known Christmas tradition. Across many cultures from the past

12 coloured baubles in a light brown box with a lid

A gallery of colourful decorations for Christmas trees

Gallery

Take a look at our gallery of markets organised in many countries during the weeks of Advent

Christmas trees, decorated with tinsels, baubles, lights, candles and more, are symbols of the holidays all across Europe. Enjoy this gallery of Christmas trees, and happy holidays to all from us at Europeana.

Blog post

Learn about all about Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

black illustration of a shamrock on a yellow / sepia background
Blog post

Why the shamrock is a symbol of Ireland thanks to Saint Patrick

Exhibition

Explore Europe's remarkable variety of customs and traditions in this special exhibition

Gallery

Midsummer is celebrated across Europe in June, marking the longest day of the year.

Gallery

Easter eggs from across the continent, decorated in a variety of ways and techniques

Blog post

Meet St. Gregory, the 6th monk who became Pope and the patron saint of schoolchildren and scholars.

Gallery

Explore the magic of carnival through photographs, paintings and artefacts from across Europe.

Blog post

Learn about Hungary’s oldest and most famous carnival tradition, which banishes winter and welcomes spring.

Blog post

From earth goddess festival to family feast - did you know that Mother’s Day has its roots in ancient traditions?

Gallery

Pride parades are a celebration of queerness, a protest against normativity, and a cry for equal rights.

Seasons

Gallery

Enjoy depictions of spring in Europeana, filled with birds, flowers and sunny skies with dappled clouds.

Autumn has inspired artists for centuries. This gallery shows how artists have depicted the harvest season through colourful paintings and drawings.

Here are some scenes in paintings, photographs, drawings and more of how people across Europe and the world celebrate and enjoy life when the weather gets colder.