Summer may be drawing to a close, but there are still plenty of opportunities to catch some rays while soaking up some culture
30-31 Bristol
Bristol International Kite Festival This year’s festival of ‘air creations’ will feature flying displays, aerial battles and choreographed routines with some stunning creations, from flying scuba divers to killer whales. A children’s workshop, bouncy castle and lush parkland setting conspire to make this the perfect family day out.
Brussels Opening Maps Over the past two decades, Latin America’s artistic scene has flourished. ‘Opening Maps’, part of Bozar’s Summer of Photography, gathers the best photography on the continent, dwelling on identity, urban landscapes and personal history. Beautiful.
Belgium’s most venerable jazz festival is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere. This year, as ever, it plays host to some of the biggest names in the business, including the Pharoah Sanders Quartet (pictured), José James, Wynton Marsalis and Elisabeth Kontomanou. www.jazzmiddelheim.be
Mallorca Releasing of the Ducks
This controversial ancient rite in Can Picafort used to see 350 live creatures cast into the sea for spectators to grab. They now use rubber ducks, but the ensuing drama between animal activists and traditionalists continues to draw crowds of more than 3,000. tourspain.es
15-31 Helsinki Helsingin Juhlaviikot
Now in its 40th year, Helsinki Festival is Finland’s largest arts event – last year it pulled in more than 300,000 visitors. With a programme packed with music, circus, dance, theatre and lots of kids’ stuff, this year’s event looks set to better last year’s. www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi
20 London Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
Arguably America’s most famous museum opens its door in London’s Trocadero in time for the summer holidays. Gaze gobsmacked at a £500,000 Mini Cooper, covered with Swarovski crystals, a genuine iron maiden and a twometre Tower Bridge made from www.matchsticks. ripleys.com
22-23 Krakow Coke Live Music Festival
The city’s exuberant celebration of all things urban pitches up at the Aviation Museum, bringing with it an R&B-inflected programme spearheaded by Timbaland, Missy Elliot and Sean Paul, aided and abetted by plenty of Polish talent. www.livefestival.pl
23 Copenhagen The Little Mermaid’s birthday
She may be 95, but age hasn’t withered her. More than just a statue, The Little Mermaid is Copenhagen’s best-loved emblem, so her birthday celebrations are a fairly big deal – think balloons, singing, speeches and even a spot of synchronised swimming. www.visitcopenhagen.com
29-31 Frankfurt Museumsuferfest
In a city that spends more on the arts than anywhere else in Europe, Museumsuferfest is the pinnacle of Frankfurt’s cultural calendar. More than three million people take part in exhibitions on art, film and ethnology, as well as street theatre and garden jazz. www.museumsuferfest-frankfurt.de
29 (until 13 September) Geneva La Bâtie
Although operating under an ever-so-slightly disingenuous name – since attracting crowds of more than 40,000, the festival has moved out of the eponymous forest – La Bâtie still showcases some of the best performance art around, including home-grown and international acts. www.batie.ch
Book your tickets… Gig special
4 September Lyon Coldplay La Halle Tony Garnier (www.coldplay.com) ++ 18 September Barcelona
Bristol International Kite Festival This year’s festival of ‘air creations’ will feature flying displays, aerial battles and choreographed routines with some stunning creations, from flying scuba divers to killer whales. A children’s workshop, bouncy castle and lush parkland setting conspire to make this the perfect family day out. 
1 (until 21 September)
4 September Lyon Coldplay La Halle Tony Garnier (
