September

Wine festivals

Vintners and towns across Luxembourg’s Moselle valley host several events around the grape harvest.

Braderie

Several streets in Luxembourg City are turned into an open-air market, usually the first Monday of September. Shops are open (with special sales) the Sunday afternoon before.

Back to school

The first day of class at Luxembourg state schools is typically around 15 September.

Steel-Run Differdange

A 10km course through the former industrial town, usually mid-September.

British & Irish Film Season

Films from the isles are featured at Luxembourg City cinemas.

Steampunk Convention

Enter a Victorianesque world at the Minett Park Fond-de-Gras.

Route du Vin Half-Marathon

Popular run along the scenic Moselle river, late September.

Kropemannsfest

Folk festival in Redange celebrating “Kropemann” (a swampy boogeyman with a giant hook), last Sunday of September.

October

Night of the Museums

Museums across the country are open till after midnight and feature special cultural programmes.

Cineast

The Eastern and Central European film and culture festival.

Nut festival

Celebrate the nut harvest and all things nuts in Vianden. Family fun.

Broschtkriibslaf

The 4km “breast cancer run” raises money for the fight against breast cancer.

Red Rock Challenge

Trail running, mountain biking and decathlon over three days in and around Belval.

Mantelsonndeg

Shops are open on “Coat Sunday”, traditionally when you’d pick up a new winter wardrobe, usually the third Sunday of October.

Home & Living Expo

If you’re thinking about renovating or redecorating, check out this autumn fair.

BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open

The international professional women’s tennis tournament is one of the largest sporting events held in the country.

Trauliicht

Essentially Halloween, several groups organise children’s events.

November

Winter tyres

Don’t forget to switch from summer tyres ahead of the change in weather; you can get fined for driving in the snow without them.

Clear snow

Residents are generally responsible for clearing snow from the pavement in front of their building.

Luxembourg Art Week

Local and international contemporary artists and galleries exhibit.

Run in the Dark

Late evening charity run in support of a paralysis research charity, usually mid-November.

Sonic Visions festival

A three-day gathering at the Rockhal that attracts music industry experts for a conference and up-and-coming artists for two days of performances.

Walferdange book days

The “Walfer Bicherdeeg” is Luxembourg’s biggest book festival, held on the third weekend of November or so.

Bazar International de Luxembourg

This international bazaar is “the” event for expats (and native Luxembourgers too!) in the grand duchy. Shop, eat, drink and chat with 60+ nationalities ahead of the holidays. Proceeds go to charity. Held at Luxexpo over a weekend in late November or early December.

December

Christmas markets

Several communes hold outdoor Christmas markets where you can browse for gifts and enjoy a mulled wine with new and old friends.

Holiday bazaars

The Luxembourg Red Cross, Danish church and several other groups hold seasonal markets in the run up to Christmas (some held in November).

St Nicholas Day

Children receive sweets and presents from “de Kleeschen” (roughly, jolly old St Nick) on 6 December if they’ve been nice; if they’ve been naughty, then it’s a switch from “den Houseker”.

Christmas luncheons

Many chambers of commerce (like the British chamber) and social clubs host holiday luncheons, which is a great way to meet their memberships.

Winter sales

Retailers hold stock clearing sales starting the last weekend of December and running through the last weekend of January.

January

Three Kings Day

On “Dräikinneksdag”, the person who finds the figurine hidden in an Epiphany cake is crowned king or queen for a day, 6 January.

Vakanz

It’s already time to think about holidays and travel plans during the “vacation” fair at Luxexpo.

Euro Meet

One of the most competitive long-course swimming competitions in Europe is held at d’Coque, late January.

February

Autofestival

Car dealers roll out special deals, beginning late January and running into early February. Good time to take a test drive.

Liichtmëssdag

Children carry torches and “beg” for goodies (traditionally they ask for bacon and peas, but today sweets are more appreciated) on Candlemas, 2 February. Keep an extra eye out for young pedestrians while driving that evening.

Valentine’s Day

Cupid makes his annual stop in Luxembourg, 14 February. If you want to dine out with that special someone, book well ahead.

Carnivals

There are Carnival cavalcades and accompanying street fairs in towns across the country, staggered over several weekends in February and March (dates vary widely each year).