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EUROPE
AUSTRIA
VIENNA
The Life Ball, taking place this year on Saturday May 19, is one of the biggest HIV/AIDS charity events in the world and an internationally unique experience. The Life Ball is an exuberant festivity with extraordinary performances that year after year celebrates life and makes a loud and sounding statement in the fight against HIV/AIDS that resounds far across the boundaries of Vienna and Austria. The event sets an example of tolerance and sends the signals of solidarity to society and the whole world. www.lifeball.org

BELGIUM
BRUSSELS
With renowned names and promising new talent, Art Brussels features hundreds of art galleries. Now in its 30th year, the fair is a diverse collection of many different forms of contemporary art. Opposed to other high-priced art shows, Art Brussels is seen as a more affordable option. Join thousands of art aficionados from around the world at Europe's leading cutting-edge art fair from April 19-22. www.artbrussels.be

ENGLAND
LONDON
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends!" Shakespeare is the language, which brings us all together, and now the Globe is bringing together international artists and audiences to watch these plays in their own languages. Globe to Globe will perform 37 plays in 37 languages. From English and Turkish to Arabic, classical Shakespeare will intertwine with different versions that have been created all over the world, and have found their way back home to the Globe. Richard II will be performed in Arabic and Othello: The Remix, a new take on the original Othello, will be performed in English. Globe to Globe will run from April 21-June 9. www.shakespeares-globe.org

FRANCE
CANNES
The quiet French Riviera is about to get a whole lot louder the week of May 16-27, as big personalities from Brad Pitt to Kirsten Dunst call the area home for the week for the 65th Cannes International Film Festival. The south of France is home to idyllic scenery and vacation-perfect weather, but in May, it's all about gazing at celebrities, checking out the latest movies, and, of course, attending the hottest parties. www.festival-cannes.fr

PARIS
If you had to run over 26 miles anywhere in the world, the gorgeous streets of Paris would probably be high on the list, wouldn't they? Along with the Berlin Marathon and London Marathon, the Paris Marathon is one of the most popular running events in all of Europe. Whether or not you have any desire to actually run the classic route from the Champs-Élysées to Foch Avenue on April 15, it's always entertaining to watch those who do! In addition, the scenic route through the heart of the city is scattered with a number of wine, beer, cider, and oyster stands. www.parismarathon.com

GERMANY
BERLIN
Created in part to attract attention to the young artists living in Berlin, the Berlin Biennale is a contemporary art festival that takes place every two years. It was created following the demise of Aperto—the forum for young contemporary artists. Full of new and extremely experimental art, the Biennale has established itself as an 'open space' that experiments, identifies, and critically examines the latest trends in the art world. For the abstract artiste in you, head to Berlin during April 27-July 1, for various events and exhibits dedicated to the new, up-and-coming art scene. www.berlinbiennale.de

DÜSSELDORF
Christopher Street Day is the English name for CSD Düsseldorf a four-day event that includes a great parade and events at many of the gay and lesbian bars and nightclubs in the gay village on the banks of River Rhine along with performing artists throughout the week. The most famous party is at the zakk, where shameless party nights meet high-standard DJ's so you can dance the night away. Other events will take place at the old Mandazz gay club, keeping it hot and queer since their first party in 1987. With great parties being thrown in the historic gay setting of Düsseldorf, it should be a four-day must for the LGBT community. From May 25-28. www.csd-d.de

MUNICH
Think Oktoberfest and then scale it down. The Munich Spring Festival is sometimes called the Kleine Wiesn (Little Oktoberfest) or the Kleine Schwester des Oktoberfestes (Oktoberfest's Little Sister). After a liter or two of fresh springtime beer, you'll be calling it a victory for common sense and calmer crowds. From April 20-May 6, the two-week festival takes place at Munich's Theresienwiese, which becomes filled with rides like a carrousel with a built-in bar that includes an amazing happy hour. Sound like heaven? That's because it is. www.muenchen.de

FINLAND
HELSINKI
The most interesting domestic and international artists will meet again at the heart of Tapiola Espoo for April Jazz. Movies meet music at this year's April Jazz. In the opening night of a new festival venue Kino Tapiola, a new film by Saara Cantell, Stars Above, will be shown. In the soundtrack version made for April Jazz, you will only hear the dialogue of the movie while the music composed by Sid Hille will be played live. Before the film starts, the band will warm up the audience and create a festive and romantic atmosphere. April 25-May 29. www.apriljazz.fi

IRELAND
DUBLIN
Tie your sneakers and stretch out before you hit the pavement at Phoenix Park in Dublin for Ireland's fastest growing 10 km running event, the Great Ireland Run. On April 15, starting at 1 P.M., most of Ireland's top distance runners and first-timers will take part in the race. A junior Great Ireland Run will take place on the same day, and consist of 2.5 km run. The spring Irish weather is perfect for a run through the green avenues. www.greatirelandrun.org

ITALY
ROME
Opera in Roma has been delighting Italian and international audiences for years. The performances have received critical acclaim from various Italian newspapers who have called them heart wrenching and addictive. Taking place on April 23 at the intimate Methodist Church, audiences will enjoy the most beautiful melodies of Italian opera and Neapolitan songs www.operainrome.webs.com

NETHERLANDS
ROTTERDAM
The multi-interdisciplinary festival of Rotterdam, Motel Mozaïque, infuses an organic mix of music, art, and performance in various locations April 19-22. During the day and evenings, Motel Mozaïque guides will lead visitors to unforgettable locations in Rotterdam, as well as extraordinary events within the festival. In the past year, the guides have taken visitors to the sauna in the sailor's church, a boxing school, a cemetery, and even special air guitar workshops. Every year the festival has new surprises. The line up grows by the day, so there will be a long list, and wide range of artists at the Motel. www.motelmozaique.nl

SPAIN
Seville
Despite the festivals name, its music menu doesn't feature cheesy pop acts. South Pop Festival will take place April 15-16 at the famous Teatro Alameda. Organized by independent record store, UFOs, the South Pop Festival brings artists from the entire spectrum of alternative music acts to Seville. Held over two days, the Indie tunes and good vibes will entrance you as you check out the local bistros and other attractions the beautiful city of Seville is known for. www.southpopfestival.com/seville

SPAIN
SEVILLE
La Feria de Abril, April 24-29, is Seville's most popular party of the year. The weeklong festival includes traditional dress, parades, dancing, and, unfortunately, bull-fighting spectacles. The event venue, Real de la Feria, just outside the city center, hosts over 1,000 marquees often with flamenco performances, bars, and music. Daily parade processions include beautiful local women in full flamenco outfit and horse-drawn carriages. This festival attracts thousands of tourists every year and hotels book quickly, so reserve your space now and head to Seville's warm retreat for this colorful and exciting party. www.spanish-fiestas.com

SWEDEN
ALINGSÅS
In an old, idyllic little country town, situated some 50 kilometres east of Gothenburg, the Alingsås Jazz Festival will take place April 20-22. At previous festivals bands like Sonny Morris Delta Jazz Band have been participating and giving an opportunity to listen to old-time jazz. This year, guests can expect new bands like Drill and Dance and the Swing Brothers who will bring back traditional New Orleans jazz.

A couple days after the Jazz Festival has finished, Sweden in its entirety will celebrate Walpurgis Night by gathering around big bonfires, looking at fireworks, and singing songs to welcome spring on April 30. Join in on the bon-fires by lighting your own with old objects you do not need or watch the locals fire up theirs. Afterward, follow the crowds to pubs or a friend's house for a party. www.visitsweden.com

SWITZERLAND
zÜrich
Take a movie day while traveling in Zürich during the Pink Apple, Switzerland's largest lesbian and gay film festival running May 2-10. The Pink Apple landed in Zürich when the LGBT Eurogames were held there in 2000, and has become one of Zürich's most prized film festival's, showing over 60 films from more than 80 countries with around 30 directors presenting their work. Its aim was, and continues to be, to advance the acceptance of homosexuality in modern-day Switzerland. www.pinkapple.ch