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Home > Hen Party Destinations > 6 Alternative Festivals For An Unforgettable Hen Weekend6 Alternative Festivals For An Unforgettable Hen Weekend
We predict big things when it comes to a festival hen weekend...
What could be better than combining your hen weekend with the ultimate summer blowout?
Festival season will soon be upon us and we have scoured Europe far and wide to find you the best, weirdest, most wonderful and downright brilliant festivals to pair up with your hen weekend.
If you're looking for an unforgettable hen weekend that includes plenty of drinking, celebrating, dancing and unforgettable fun, one of our alternative festival hen weekends is exactly what you and the girls need!
There's nothing like the spirit of a festival, amazing music, copious amounts of food and booze, plenty of fun activities and an insane party atmosphere. But, there's nothing quite like the spirit of a hen weekend either.
So, combine the two and you have the makings of the most amazing hen weekend and something truly out of this world.
Maximise is letting you in on some of Europe’s worst kept secrets with the lowdown on all the best alternative festivals, fiestas and beer fests worth of hen party celebrations.
Wine throwing antics at San Vino
The quaint town of Haro, located in the Basque region of Spain, is usually a pretty sleepy little town...
That is until June rolls around and it buzzes with thousands of people eager to join in on one of the weirdest and craziest festivals we know.
Yes, at the end of June in the tiny village of Haro, the Spanish celebrate a very unique festival in a very special way. It involves red wine, but instead of drinking and savouring it, they’d much rather chuck it all over the place and at each other.
Yes, you heard us right!
La Batalla del Vino is one big wine fight festival and perfect for a hen weekend.
The party actually starts on June 27 or 28, and it's an obligatory all-nighter where resident and tourists alike stay up and drink a limitless supply of red wine before stumbling to the local mountain where 130,000 litres of wine is then sprayed, splashed and thrown between the 9,000 revellers.
Once suitably drenched in wine it’s time to descend down the mountain to carry on the celebrations with local musicians providing the soundtrack to a night of traditional dancing and lots (… and lots) of wine consumption.
Your hair and skin may be a spectacular shade of purple for a few days, but you are guaranteed an unforgettable hen weekend with this alternative festival.
There are a few different theories about why and how this wine throwing festival started, but they all end with the same crazy celebration that takes place every year on June 29, Saint Peter’s Day (El dia de San Pedro). The battle of wine actually takes place just outside of Haro, in the heart of the La Rioja wine region in the Riscos de Bilibio hills.
It is said when San Felices de Bilibio died in the 6th century, people began making pilgrimages to the spot where he was buried in the caves of Riscos de Bilibio. This continued for a few centuries but the wine baptisms didn't kick off until the 20th century.
Others believe the wine festival began in the 13th century when the Haro had to officially mark the property lines between them and their neighbours in Miranda de Ebro. This had to be done every year on Saint Peter’s Day and somehow over time, people started throwing wine at each other.
Either way, Batalla del Vino originates from an annual celebration on Saint Peter’s Day and each year between June 27 and June 30, thousands of thirsty locals and some wine addicted tourists climb Riscos de Bilibio hills and get covered in thousands of litres on wine.
Dates: Between June 27 and June 30
Feel-good vibes at Sziget
Paint the town red at La Tomatina
Here’s the second weird and wonderful Spanish fiesta...
La Tomatina is literally a massive food fight, with tomatoes being the weapon of choice instead of wine like with the La Batalla del Vino!
This is the world's biggest food fight where more than 40 tonnes of tomatoes are thrown, squashed and sprayed throughout the Valencian town of Buñol each year.
Thousands of people take to the streets of this quaint Valencian town every August to take part in this crazy and alternative festival.
There are only a few rules to adhere to during the festivities: squash your tomatoes before hurling them, only throw tomatoes, nothing else, give way to the lorries and wear a white t-shirt.
Sounds simple enough...
La Tomatina is believed to have originated in 1945 when a group of young men staged a protest in the town's main square and began throwing tomatoes, forcing the police to intervene and break up the fight.
Now the event is 100% legal, and a 100% fun and is considered a highlight on Spain’s festival calendar. The fiesta takes place every year on the last Wednesday of August, but being a true Spanish fiesta, the partying starts a few days before!
Although health officials have limited the number of tickets, we can still get your tickets, sort your accommodation and supply you with some meals for the ultimate La Tomatina hen weekend experience in 2020 or beyond.
Dates: Wednesday, August 26 2019
Dance until dawn at Sonar
Bask in the warmth of Barcelona’s sunshine as you enjoy one of the world’s biggest electronic dance music festivals at Sonar.
Arguably the biggest dance music festival in the world, if you've got a hen who loves to dance and rave, this three-day festival in July is bound to hit the spot during her hen weekend in Barcelona.
Sónar festival is one of the most famous music festivals around, attracting big names like The Chemical Brothers, Skrillex, Jamie XX, Hot Chip and Massive Attack. In 2018 and 2019 the likes of lcd soundsystem, Thom Yorke, Richie Hawtin close, Benjamin Damage, Bicep, Bonobo, Diplo, DJ Harvey, Gorillaz, and Oddisee & Good Company, to name just a few, also took to the stage and 2020 is bound to be bigger
We know finding affordable accommodation during Sónar is no easy feat, so let us do the hard work for you. We can do it all, from putting you the girls up in a hen party pad, sorting you out with a few meals and perhaps organising some great hen party activities and airport transfers. Maximise can do it all.
In 2019, the 26th annual Sonar festival, will be an extraordinary celebration with a total of 140 shows over the 18th, 19th and 20th July 2019.
In 2020 the festival will return to its usual dates in the month of June.
Sunny Springfest in Munich
It’s no secret that the Germans really love their beer and any excuse to celebrate it will do!
Springfest is a perfect example of this. Slightly smaller, but no less impressive than the iconic Oktoberfest, this spring-time beer fest is a guaranteed hit with those looking for beer, Bavarian dress, Currywurst and German hospitality!
Fruhlingsfest, as its known locally also benefits from a warmer climate making it an even more attractive festival option for a hen weekend in Munich.
The festival comprises of countless beer tents from Hippodrome to Munchner Weissbiergarten. Fireworks, fun rides, sumptuous food and even a flea market or two can also be found at this beer-loving festival.
Springfest is also slightly less crowded than Oktoberfest, which means it’s easier to get around and experience everything it has to offer. Fancy dress is also actively encouraged, so, don a dirndl, snack on a schnitzel and belt out some traditional German folk songs!
For the hen parties wanting to head to Germany in April or May, this one if for you.
Dates: April 27 - May 5, 2019 ( Similar time every year)
Spring Break Island Croatia
No hen party is ever too old to enjoy spring break, which is why you need to head to Croatia to enjoy the most epic spring break party for your hen weekend in 2020. Or whenever you are reading this, for that year too!
Probably one of the wildest parties in Europe, Spring Break Island attracts more than 10,000 party-hungry people every year. Guest from all over the world flock to the notorious Zrče Beach on the island of Pag for the festivities, which are held inside some of the best beach clubs, such as Noa Beach Club and aboard boats.
Spring Break Island features top international DJs, witty games, sports contests, boat trips and so much more over three amazing days and three wild and most likely boozy nights in May.
Also included is the fabulous party, where you will have a totally unique experience and alternative hen weekend, are great beats, cold drinks, amazing people and stunning views of the turquoise Adriatic Sea.
If you and the girls are party animals and want to celebrate under the sun for the next hen weekend, this Spring Break Island is the alternative festival for you!
Dates: May 30 - June 8
These are just a few of the festivals that we can offer. We've got a variety of other festivals too, amazing hen party destinations, activities and more on offer.
For more information and free quotes complete and Express Enquiry, head to the destination of your choice or call our Sales Team on 0208 236 0111.
Get started on the dream Hen Weekend!
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