AUSTRIA
Bregenz Festival July 18-Aug 19
The open-air opera makes the most of its location on the shore of Lake Constance – performances take place on a floating stage while 7,000 spectators watch the sun set. Magical stuff, and this year’s Tosca promises to be spectacular. Death in Venice is on at the Festival Opera House, plus concerts, theatre and visual art – curiously celebrating the UK’s contemporary art scene. Tours and talks about £3.40, concerts & operas £10-£173 (00 43 5574 407, www.bregenzer festspiele.com).
FINLAND
Helsinki Festival Aug 17-Sept 2
This interdisciplinary festival comes at a time of relaxed caf?-culture in the capital. The programme is really a series of mini-festivals – jazz, theatre, dance and circus, visual art and film, poetry, urban music, classical music and a children’s festival. £3-£50 (00 358 9 6126 5100, www.helsinkifestival.fi).
ITALY
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International Urban Theatre Festival, Rome Sept 1–3
This wild festival of street theatre seeks to combat public indifference with surprise “guerrilla tactics”, turning ordinary streets into working theatre spaces from 5pm until midnight. Be ready. Free (www.abraxa.it).
White Night, Rome (Events also taking place in Paris and Brussels) Sept 8
Rome’s population walk the streets until dawn, transport runs through the night, and shops and restaurants stay open as lively events take place throughout the city. In all, 22 cinemas, 28 theatres, 24 museums, 51 art galleries and nine cultural institutes will be open. This is an insomniac’s fantasy. Free (www.lanottebianca.it).
IRELAND
Galway Arts Festival July 16–29 This showcase of Irish arts marks its 30th birthday, promising an array of comedy, theatre, dance, visual arts, music and literature. Galway’s lively city centre also boasts medieval streets and pretty Galway Bay – worth a visit. £3-£25 (00 353 91 509 700, www.galwayartsfestival.com).
SWITZERLAND
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Lucerne Festival Aug 10–Sept 16
This small, historic city is ideally explored on foot, so you’ll have no problem walking between the venues of this classical festival. Highlights are the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics and the symphony orchestras from Boston, San Francisco and London. Lucerne is an ideal gateway to the rest of the country, too. £14-£135 (00 41 41 226 44 80, www.e.lucernefestival.ch).
SPAIN
Veranos de la Villa, Madrid July 3–Aug 26
Open-air theatre, film, art and music events take place in 15 locations, from busy squares to peaceful gardens. The loveliest might be the 18th-century Sabatini Gardens, part of the Royal Palace, hosting musical performances, while the most high profile are usually at the grand Patio de Conde Duque. £4-£48 (www.esmadrid.com/veranosdelavilla/home.do; tickets, 00 34 902 10 12 12, www.telentrada.com).
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Our critics’ choice
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Neil Fisher, classical music editor
“Salzburg might be renowned for its well-heeled, conservative audiences, but this year’s new production of Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini should shock them out of their comfort zone – it’s directed by Philipp St?lzl, better known for his music videos for Rammstein, Mick Jagger, and Madonna.”
Salzburg Festival, Austria July 27–August 31 In its 87th year, the festival hosts more than 200 performances of opera, plays and concerts, including a new production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Wandering the streets of Baroque spires, plazas and fountains and the glut of Mozart-related sights will occupy you between performances. £3-£244 (00 43 662 8045 500,www.salzbergfestival.at).
Rachel Campbell-Johnston, chief art critic
“Look out for the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas teaming up with the postmodernist writer Michel Houellebecq. Together they should produce work that is as striking as it is disconcerting. Keep your eyes peeled for works by Tino Sehgal – they insert themselves surreptitiously into your surroundings and can be hard to spot.”
Lyons Biennale, France Sept 19-Jan 6, 2008
Forget Venice – the art-lover in the know goes to Lyons. Arranged in collaboration with bienniales in Istanbul (Sept 8–Nov 4) and the first in Athens (Sept 10–Nov 18), this is an ultra-edgy affair that aims to define the decade 00, and it will require some serious concentration. The work of more than 60 artists will “radiate out through the whole city and beyond”. You’ll find everything from psychedelic theatre to sculptures made of cowpat. (£7-£12) for a fulltime pass with access to all four venues during the exhibition (00 33 4 72 07 41 41, www.bienniale-de-lyon.org).
Debra Craine, chief dance critic
“With Cuban dancers all the rage, here’s a chance to see the company that breeds them. Their Giselle is famously romantic, despite being unconventional.”
Paris Dance Festival, France, July 17–Aug 3
The National Ballet of Cuba perform both this Giselle and their Don Quixote. The festival sees an upgrade, too – previously outdoors in the Marais, it moves to the imposing glass hall of the Grand Palais. £3-£43 (00 33 1 42 68 22 15, www.lesetesdeladanse.com; tickets, 00 33 1 8 92 68 71 00, www.fnac.com).