Events for students in Europe

Around a million people hit Notting Hill's streets in West London for Europe's biggest carnival. Fabulous floats make a colourful circuit of the area and sound systems blast out music all day. Sample delicious Caribbean jerk chicken or Jamaican patties.

Mela, from Sanskrit, is an Asian subcontinent community festival. Edinburgh's ethnic communities have followed suit since 1995 and celebrate Scottish diversity with their own Edinburgh Mela. It is now held on Leith Links.

Head to the Swiss Alps for a beauty contest with a twist this summer. Wild whiskers and marvellous moustaches are the focus of Chur's Alpine Beard Festival, a highlight of the popular summertime Chur Festival.

Już od 10 lat, w Hradec Kralove w Czechach odbywa się międzynarodowy festiwal kultury hip-hop. Tuż przy polskiej granicy zagrają największe gwiazdy światowej sceny.

Shoulder pads, big hair, Cagney & Lacey - in many respects the Eighties are best forgotten, but they did produce some good music. Celebrating that sequinned decade, Henley-on-Thames' Rewind Festival features some of the biggest acts of the era.

A tradition since the 14th century, for the people of Siena the Palio horse-race is a matter of life and death. Ten bareback riders clash in a frenzied 90-second dash around the huge Piazza del Campo.

The locals of remote town Villagarcía de Arousa celebrate San Roque's feast day with a huge water-fight. After a religious homage to the patron saint during the morning, the serious partying begins with the Festa de Agua in the afternoon.

The "releasing of the ducks" in Can Picafort attracts over 3000 spectators each year. At midday, boats drop anchor in front of the Hotel Sol y Mar and release around 350 rubber ducks into the sea for locals to grab.

The Royal Academy of Arts' famous Summer Exhibition is the world's largest open contemporary art exhibition. Paintings, sculptures, drawings and models by many distinguished artists jostle with works by unknown and emerging artists, with cash prizes and work for sale.

Held in Manchester's Heaton Park, the UK Backward Running Championships sees competitors negotiate a mile-long course backwards. Although it looks comical, it's a surprisingly demanding exercise and great workout - when fitness aficionados try it they never look forwards. (Sorry.)

An annual summer fixture since 1989, Opera Holland Park performs fully staged opera under Holland Park Theatre's spectacular canopy. The all-new productions in 2011 comprise Don Pasquale, L'amico Fritz, Le nozze di Figaro, La rondine, Rigoletto and La Wally.

Held in Hagenbeck wildlife park, the annual Romantic Nights series of classical concerts attracts a wide audience. While kids enjoy the wildlife, parents can sit back and enjoy a summer evening of classical music at its best.

Celebrate summer on the shores of Lake Constance at the Seenachtfest in Constance. Watersport shows, street performers and numerous stages featuring live music keep crowds entertained. Going out with a bang, the festival reaches spectacular heights during its firework extravaganza.

Founded in 1895 by Sir Henry Wood, the Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall take over London's classical musical calendar every summer and, with some justification, can claim to be the greatest classical music festival in the world.

Crowds gather at the Mainkai and Römerberg along the banks of the River Main for Frankfurt's Mainfest. Don't miss the festival's grand opening with live music or the climax when fireworks erupt over the city at night.

The Hamburg Christopher Street Day celebrations include a spectacular parade and street party. While this colourful and flamboyant event focuses on gay and lesbian life in the city, the merrymaking also has strong political undertones.

Whether Berliners simply can't wait for the Oktoberfest or just need to see all 1600 metres of the world's longest beer garden, the International Berlin Beer Festival attracts around a million visitors every year to the Karl Marx Allee.

Provence's annual Musique à l'Empéri festival puts the spotlight on the hidden members of the chamber orchestra. The idyllic, alfresco setting of the Château de l'Empéri provides the perfect setting for the music.

Germany's most popular techno festival, Nature One sees around 50,000 beat-happy campers descending on a disused rocket base in Kastellaun, Germany, west of Frankfurt. Hardcore techno vibes, rave and trance all feature.

On the first Saturday of the month join fashion lovers at Paris's Le Bristol palace hotel for the Fashion Tea Time (Thés à la Mode) - a gourmet afternoon tea combined with a luxury fashion show by a Parisian designer.