AUSTRIA
VIENNA
Viennale (The Vienna International Film Festival) is one of the biggest in Europe and it features filmmakers, actors, and movies from across the globe. The fest shows a who’s who of award nominees for the upcoming season (last year Manchester by the Seaopened the event, and La La Land, closed it). Also in attendance were a host of international filmmakers including John Carpenter, Terence Davies, Luc Dardenne, and Olivier Assayas. Singer Patti Smith even dedicated a photo exhibition and gave a concert. October 19-November 2. www.viennale.at
BELGIUM
BRUSSELS
Art installations take over the night in Brussels’ Nuit Blanche. For its 15th edition the theme is “Power Games,” whether it’s personal, religious, financial, or political, these multimedia set pieces will be thought provoking sights to behold. The nocturnal show runs from 7 P .M-3 A.M. between the Parc de Bruxelles and the Libertés quarter. Come experience the show on October 7. www.blanchebrussels.be
ENGLAND
LONDON
Travel to the “design capital of the world” for this year’s London Design Festival. From September 16-24 see art installations all around town that range from whimsical to ambitious, inciting smiles or furrowed brows of thought. One of the exciting pieces this year is artist Camille Walala’s ‘Villa Walala’ a colorful installation built in Broadgate’s Exchange Square that invites onlookers to walk through the life-sized toy blocks to relieve some stress. Immerse yourself in a festival unlike any other. www.londondesignfestival.com
FRANCE
PARIS
Some places march to the beat of their own drum, but Paris thumps and slays beats in their own Techno Parade. Join over 350,000 people as they celebrate all things techno in caravans of “tanks” that are large truck flatbeds with internationally famous DJs pumping electro, dubstep, trance, and more. Follow the music from the Luxemberg Gardens and along the Seine that adds a surreal backdrop to the festivities. Now in its 19th year, the parade looks to promote the diversity in techno music with artists from around the world, including the addition of Tunisia. Be sure to extend the party at the Docks of Paris for the Dream Nation Festival afterward. September 23. www.technoparade.fr
GERMANY
BERLIN
Forget the password and remember the safeword because Berlin’s premiere fetish party, Wasteland lands at the infamous Kit Kat Club. On October 7, the dress code is anything but casual with a strict rule of wearing fetish gear with a creative and fantastical twist. Those not adhering to the “doorbitches” rules will be thusly turned away: no ifs, ands, or butts! Sexual expression is encouraged and on display on three floors manned by a DJ with a stage on each. Grab a tantric massage, play in the dungeon area, or enjoy sensuous glow-in-the-dark body painting. By the way, the safe word is Onomatopoeia. www.thewastelandparty.de
MUNICH
Attention beer lovers! Head down to Munich where it all began for the original celebration of Oktoberfest. The tradition started in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and was carried on several years after. The ceremony begins with the Official Tapping of the Keg and lasts for two weeks from September 16-October 3. As you make your way through the different beer tents be sure to catch the Oktoberfest Costume Contest and the Riflemen’s Parade. www.oktoberfest.de/en
IRELAND
LISDOONVARNA
Looking for that special someone or a new group of friends? Tap into the Luck of the Irish at the fifth annual Outing LGBT Music & Matchmacking Festival. Enjoy pop-up clubs, drag performances, comedy, music, and speed dating to find that new beaux. Join national treasure and “Queen of Ireland” Panti Bliss for a weekend of laughs, dancing, and love. Stick around for the Gaze film festival and get a glimpse of new and classic queer cinema. October 6-8. www.theouting.ie
ITALY
PUGLIA
Head down to Gallipoli, Puglia for Italy Gay Summer Pride 2017. Four days of hot men in a natural landscape and sandy beaches in the country’s southern-most tip. This spot is definitely an LGBT must-see destination with the region being very open. The sun soaked festivities will have nightly parties with one of the best being at the Samsara Beach Club. September 21-25. www.italygaytravels.com
NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAM
Electronica takes over the famed city at this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event. For five days check out over 2,200 artists and 540 speakers at over 140 locations. Whether it’s going to the clubs to collide on the dance floor under lights and smoke machines or going to talks about the synth sounds of the music you will live all things electronica. See current radio friendly DJ Martin Garrix perform live or go to the Women of House party featuring some of the best female DJs in the business like Lilly Palmer and Bo Monde. October 18-22. www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl
SCOTLAND
GLASGOW
LGBTQ cinefiles come together at Glasgow’s third annual Scottish Queer International Film Festival. Get a look at premieres from around the world as well as classic films. The festival boasts a host of interviews and panel discussions that delve deep into LGBTQ issues. Last year saw screenings and conversations involving films Gender Troubles: The Butches, Real Boy, and Sex and the Silver Gays. There are also specific-themed screening events like queer horror classics that featured “the gayest horror movie of all time” A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. September 27-October 1. www.sqiff.org
SWITZERLAND
ARBON
Experience and hear art like never before at the Arbonale Sound Skulturen Festival. It’s a whole month of art installations, performances, and audience participation that centers on sound sculptures. The focus is on the interactions of sounds, whether it’s made by the audience, wind, water, or electrical currents. Now in its fourth year, the festival is broken down into four parts: the interactive sound experience with games that educate and challenge; the performance sound experience of artists; silence, with four pieces dedicated to the absence of sound; and a special light and sound installation that will end the event. September 17-October 15. www.arbonale.ch
beatfacts | Venice, Italy held the first ever film festival in 1932.
