Copenhagen beer festival

Danish Beer Enthusiasts invites beer lovers to a three-day festival in Copenhagen in the company of brewers, feinsmeckers, and more than 20,000 beer enthusiasts. Taste ales known from British pubs, dessert beer, fruit beer, chocolate beer and even beer with whipped cream. Danish Beer Enthusiasts expects to present more than 800 different beers from around 70 Danish and international breweries. The event will be held in historic surroundings of the old production halls at Carlsberg. 

 

HELSTON FLORA DAY

May 8, Helston, England

The Flora Day celebrates the arrival of spring and takes place around the streets of Helston in Cornwall. It is held every year on May 8, or the preceding Saturday if this date falls on a Sunday or Monday. The event is believed to date back to pre-Christian pagan times and, during the Victorian era, was banned as being “a drunken revelry”. The origins of the festival are lost in time, although it takes place on the anniversary of the Apparition of St Michael, Helston’s patron saint. A further legend suggests that a “fiery dragon” dropped a huge rock on the village centuries ago, and the dances celebrate the people’s survival. Highlights include the Early Morning Dance, Hal-an-Tow, the Children’s Dance, the Ancient Furry Dance and Evening Dance. 

 

PRAGUE SPRING INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

May 12 to June 3, Prague, Czech Republic

Prague brings the world’s best orchestras to the State Opera House for at least two weeks for the spring music festival. It always opens on May 12, honouring Bedrich Smetana, father of Czech music, with his orchestral cycle, “Má Vlast” (My Country). Amidst a wealth of recitals, chamber concerts and opera productions, the Prague Spring International Music Festival now attracts the world’s top orchestras. For the programme in full detail, visit www.Festival.cz.

 

LE FRENCH MAY

Until June 24, Hong Kong and Macau

Over the last 20 years Le French May, organised by the Consulate General of France in collaboration with the Alliance Française of Hong Kong, has grown to become one of the largest French arts festivals in Asia. Le French May Arts Festival engages all five senses of the audience through an array of exhibitions, opera, classical music, modern music, dance, theatre, cinema and food. French GourMay introduces the best of French wine and culinary arts to the discerning palates of visitors. Get a taste at www.FrenchMay.com.

 

ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW

May 9 to 13, Windsor and Eton, England

Royal Windsor is the largest outdoor equestrian show in the UK, with over 3,000 horses and ponies taking part in more than 164 jumping, showing, championship and carriage driving classes. The show began in 1943 when two pioneering spirits, Count Robert Orssich and Geoffrey Cross, organised the Horse and Dog Show to raise money for the war effort. Royal patronage has been a feature of the show since its inception and Queen Elizabeth II has even taken part in the carriage-driving classes.

The event takes place in Her Majesty The Queen’s private grounds, Windsor Home Park, at Windsor Castle.

 

FRENCH OPEN

May 22 to June 10, Paris, France

Paris is a gorgeous city at the best of times, but there is nothing better than to be at Roland Garros in the spring. Stade Roland Garros will again host the most remarkable battle of the annual clay court season for Europe’s tennis fans. With five sets in each of the men’s singles matches, the French Open is recognised as the most physically demanding tennis tournament in the world.