Backpackers Summer Events 2008

If you happen to Backpacking in Europe this Summer check out this selection of Summer Events 2008 ! It will give you some ideas while planning your Europe Backpacking Trip.

Summer's finally here - it's time to say bye-bye to hibernation and to move about on to some craziness! Celebrate your backpacker's life with music, art, literature, theater and alternative events! HostelsClub.com gives you coolest suggestions while backpacking in Europe this summer:

- Grec Festival Barcelona, Spain

Grec is not just another Barcelona festival - Grec is the Barcelona festival! There are activities for everyone, aimed at all ages, from classical music concerts to circus demonstrations, until the 3rd of August. One of the main themes this year is 'Panorama UK', so you can get to know the cultural scenario of the United Kingdom without even going there. On this festival that is already part of Barcelona, you will also find more than 40 dance and theatre performances. The most important music events include artists like Vanessa da Mata, the new Brazilian music icon, or 'Misia and her poets' who bring their fado. The event takes place mostly in the Teatre Grec (Montjuic) but also in other places in Barcelona such as the CCCB, the Picasso Museum, the Palau de la Música and the CaixaForum. We recommend you to buy your tickets at one of the following libraries to get a discount: Jaume Fuster, Sagrada Família and Vapor Vell, Caixa Catalunya offices. Don't miss it!

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- La Villette Jazz Festival Paris, France

This annual festival invites you to see that 'Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny' (Frank Zappa). Come take a look from the 2nd to the 14th of September, which takes place at Avenue Jean Jaures 221, 'Cité de la Musique' (City of Music). It couldn't be more appealing for real music fans, hum? Even if it has a very specific genre, the event is very eclectic, ranging from classical to innovative, experimental jazz. Lalo Schifrin, Joshua Redman, Archie Shepp, Matthew Herbert Big Band, Bumcello and Tortoise are all on the list of the headliners. Prices vary from 14 to 30 Euros but under 18s only pay 9 Euros; for those unable to buy a ticket there are also lots of free open-air concerts. Plus, wannabe musicians can learn from professionals on workshops and master classes with Henri Texier and the Surnatural Orchestra! And if you're staying in a hostel on the banlieu you don't need to worry going back home because the festival provides bus service to many destinations within Paris. There is also an underground car park at the venue. Definitely, a must-go event on your Europe backpacking tour!

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- Way Out West Gothenburg, Sweden

The large beautiful Scandinavian park of Slottsskogen is home to a frenzy festival atmosphere, two outdoor stages and an indoor stage. With your ticket-souvenir-to-be wristband you'll experience two days - 8-9th of August - of rock, indie and alternative acts such as:

* Buraka Som Sistema * Franz Ferdinand * Louis XIV * Lykke Li * N.E.R.D * Sigur Rós * Sonic Youth

For all those clubbing souls out there, willing to meet like-minded backpackers, Way out West also hosts some night clubs around Gothenburg, with live music and DJ's! The access is free with your festival pass but entrance is not guaranteed - make sure you get there early so you get in. This festival is surely one Way Out of the kingdom of summer boredom!

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- Lovebox Weekender London, England

On this “unshakespearean” midnight summer's dream festival at Victoria Park the big name highlights are Groove Armada and Goldfrapp. On the 19-20th of July, stages called Strangelove (which will somehow make you think of one of Peter Seller's movies) or Fringe, billed as a 'bit weird', will play host to The Nextmen, Black Seeds, Stanton Worriors, escapologists and contortionists. Saturday and weekend tickets are now sold out but there are still Sunday and VIP tickets available. This event is wheelchair friendly and under 12s go free. Just put your heart and soul on this festival and remember to shout 'I love you!' to your favorite lead singer!

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- The Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland

This festival, a not-for-profit organisation, was founded in 1947 in the wake of the second world war and it represents now an optimistic view of Europe. This year, it will run from the 8th to the 31st of August and you are invited to embark upon an exciting cultural journey with artists without borders through music, opera, theatre and dance. There will be artists from Poland to Lebanon, from Bosnia to Israel, and music from orthodox Christian to gypsy and Islamic - you couldn't ask for more cultural diversity on the same event! There is even a touch tour of set, props and costumes before The Two Widows show, and a performance in British Sign Language called 365, at the National Theatre of Scotland. Unemployed and senior citizens get 50% discount on selected performances from the 30th of July, and people aged 26 and under only have to pay £6. Groups of 10 or more people get 10% discount*. The official public transport provider for this Festival is First ScotRail, but you can also arrive by bus or by taxi. The most important thing is that you don't miss it, because it probably is one of the most enjoyable places to be in Europe in August!

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- Boom Festival Lisbon, Portugal

Everything makes this festival probably one of the most esoteric and we-are-one experiences you can get on your backpacking summer vacations so just open your mind and enter! Boom is a synonym of sanity and ethic responsibility, a reminder for us to understand the real meaning underneath our relative perception. Here, the concept of tribe, nature, bio-construction, live art, love, personal and group consciousness is a continued experience, bringing people who join this event into uncommon areas of understanding. The event takes place in Idanha-a-Nova (280 km from Lisbon), from the 11th to the 18th of August, but it keeps on within you until the next moon cycle. There's a Boom Bus to get there without any trouble and also a Baby Boom (a children's zone with educators) so that the parents can enjoy the event. Finally there's After Boom, a smooth way to get you back to your daily life.

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Do you think any other Backpackers Summer Events should be listed in this article? Just let us know !