Events for students in Europe

The Salzburg Marathon follows two laps from Ferdinand-Hanusch-Platz past Salzburg's beautiful palaces and gardens. For those taking it easy there's also a half marathon, quarter marathon, kids' race and relay events. You don't have to go it alone!

The Night of Museums in May is one of Warsaw's most popular cultural events as museums, galleries and other arts institutions stay open late into the night. Additional attractions include music concerts, writer's workshops, film screenings and street theatre.

The Eurovision Song Contest, that great European institution in which the world's top musicians battle for patriotism through the power of song, is held in Düsseldorf's Esprit Arena in 2011. Germany is the host nation following last year's win by Lena Meyer-Landrut.

A deeply patriotic affair, the Victory Day holiday is as much about celebrating Soviet victory in the Second World War as remembering Russia's fallen soldiers. A major parade is held on Moscow's Red Square, alongside city-wide concerts, fireworks and remembrances.

During Valencia's Festival of Our Lady of the Forsaken, swarms of locals follow the street parade of the Virgin statue to the cathedral. The night before a concert takes place on Plaza de la Virgen square, followed by riverside fireworks.

The Hamburg Harbour Birthday Festival features a magnificent programme of entertainment on water, in the air and on dry land. The "harbour mile" hosts a vast array of stalls and stages offering local culinary specialities, shows and entertainment.

Taking tug-of-war to the extreme, Schwarzenegger wannabees in Wolfenbütttel battle it out at the weird and wonderful International German Bus Pulling Championships. The aim is simple: teams take it in turns to tow a 16-ton bus to the finishing line.

Join half a million fellow revellers on the Festplatz am Ratsweg for Frankfurt's Frühlings Dippemess (Spring Dippe Fair), the first open-air fair after the end of winter. Highlights are the huge fireworks displays which open and close the event.

Cocullo, a small cluster of houses high in the Abruzzan hills, honours its patron Saint Domenico in a somewhat unusual manner. After a church service, the serpari (snake catchers) drape his statue with live snakes and other reptiles.

Riderless horses wearing embroidered coats race through the town of Caravaca de la Cruz on the second day of the Holy Cross Festival. Vocal spectators gather to watch this fast-paced spectacle, known as the "Wine Horses", or caballos de vino.

Every year around 200,000 people walk to the Monasterio de Santa Faz on the second-largest pilgrimage in Spain. Starting at around 8am, the route wends its way along 8km of road from Alicante's town hall to the monastery.

Granada celebrates the Festival of the May Crosses by decorating its plazas, balconies, pavements and railings with eye-catching floral displays. The decorated "crosses" become focal points of dancing, singing and general merrymaking.

I Tri da Cruci is a folk festival commemorating the end of the Saracens' occupation of Tropea during the Middle Ages. Celebrations culminate with a strange ceremony involving the burning of a wooden mannequin on the back of a camel.

Lunes de Aguas (Water Monday) falls a week after Easter and is a celebration of post-Lent freedom. Salamancans congregate in local parks to picnic on the traditional hornazo pie with Spanish cured meats and boiled egg.

Dedicated to nature and all things healthy, Agrinatura sets up various villages at Como's Lariofiere to give the public a taste of country life. There are reconstructed farms, artisan demonstrations, food tasting and animal shows, entertaining children and adults alike.

The Sunday after Easter is known as Angel Sunday (Domingo del Ángel) in Mallorca. Centuries ago, this festival centred on the blessing of bread for the poor. Nowadays, residents of Palma de Mallorca gather at Bellver Castle to share food.

Presenting the latest trends in Italian comics, Comicon brings exhibitions, international guest speakers and music to Castel Sant'Elmo in Naples. There is also CartooNA, a space dedicated to animation films, and the Imago drawing competition for budding artists.

The Red PIC-NIC sees Warsovites gather at the foot of the Palace of Culture and Science on Labour Day for a mock celebration of life in Communist Poland. Applaud the Motherland and join in with the kitsch festivities.

CineLatino brings Latin America to Frankfurt's German Film Museum. Around 45 movie and documentary screenings showcase the film industries of countries like Argentina and Peru.

Connoisseurs and casual boozers alike head to this annual beer festival at Helsinki's Cable Factory for their fill of beer and cider from Scandinavia and beyond.