Denmark

Fastelavn

When: 3 Feb 2008 (annual)

Where: Store Magleby

Cost: Free

The Danish Shrovetide celebrations have developed in mysterious ways over the centuries. Dragør, once a fishing and trading port, really goes to town, as does Store Magleby, 12 kilometres outside Copenhagen. In Store Magleby, the day-long festivities begin as horseriders gather to parade, led by flagmen and a carriage full of musicians. They all wind their way throughout the district, where they are served hot rum punch in exchange for a song. For more info...

Finland

Northern Lights

When: 1 Feb - 31 Mar 2008 (various dates)

Where: Lappi

Cost: Free

The luminous displays of the Aurora Borealis - or Northern Lights - are among the world's best free shows. Lapland is an ideal vantage point for studying the phenomena - known locally as revontulet.

Norway

Norwegian National Day

When: 17 May 2008 (annual)

Where: Norway

Cost: Free

Opening Hours: Various

See a whole country go mad! The 17 May celebrations in Norway are bigger than Christmas, bigger than Easter, bigger than the Beatles.... For the uninitiated, this celebration can seem like a complete lapse of reason on a national level. For more info...

Sweden

Swedish National Day at Skansen

When: 6 Jun 2008 (annual)

Where: Skansen

Cost: Free

Opening Hours: 3pm

Stockholm celebrates the Swedish National Day at Skansen - the world's oldest open-air museum, right in the middle of the city. Songs, speeches, flag-waving and plenty of festivities express patriotic pride. For more info...

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