5 summer events in Europe: places you'll want to visit with your motorhome

Tessa Spek

Nothing beats the freedom of your own motorhome! Especially in summer, when Europe comes alive with special events. But where do you go if massive crowds and packed festivals aren’t your thing, yet you still crave atmosphere, nature, and like-minded encounters? For motorhomers who want to enrich their route with experiences, culture or exercise, we have put together a list of the best summer events of 2025. From a wild festival in the Irish mountains to a four-day cycling tour through the Dutch Achterhoek: these are the kinds of destinations that add that extra spark to your camper adventure.

Comeragh Wild Festival - Ireland (10 to 13 July)

If you are looking for peace and rugged beauty in Ireland this summer, don't miss the Comeragh Wild Festival in County Waterford. This small-scale event is all about being outdoors: guided hikes through the Comeragh Mountains, sunset storytelling sessions, yoga on the grass, local food trucks and workshops by Irish artisans. No mass tourism, just pure nature and a warm, local vibe.

For motorhomers, this is a dream destination: the routes are easily accessible, the surroundings are quiet and green, and you will be welcomed as if you belong to the community. The festival is spread across several villages and landscapes, so there is always a motorhome-friendly site nearby.

Newtown Cove Caravan & Camping Park

This site is located on the south coast of Ireland, just outside the lively town of Tramore and within walking distance of the rugged cliffs at Newtown Cove. You will stay at a peaceful, well-kept campsite with paved motorhome pitches, modern sanitary facilities and a cozy communal area. A place where comfort and nature come together beautifully.

International Historical Festival (IHF Festival) - Netherlands (26 and 27 July)

Are you crazy about vintage vehicles, old machinery and roaring history? Then the International Historical Festival in Panningen is a must-see. More than 3,000 machines from all over Europe are brought to life here: from steam rollers and threshing machines to vintage tractors and classic trucks.

For motorhomers, this is the perfect stopover full of nostalgia and mechanical marvels. You can walk among impressive machines, watch live demonstrations and are guaranteed to strike up conversations with other visitors who share your passion for rumbling engines and historic craftsmanshipy.

Camperplaats Onder en Eindt

This motorhome stopover is located just outside Panningen, surrounded by greenery and with a view of the asparagus fields. You will enjoy spacious, peaceful pitches with excellent facilities such as electricity, sanitary facilities and a heated recreation room. During the season, you can buy fresh asparagus or homemade soup at the adjacent farm. Walking routes start right around the corner and the centre of Panningen is less than two kilometres away. It's the perfect place to unwind with all the Limburg hospitality you would expect.

Interceltic Festival of Lorient - France (1 to 10 August)

Lorient comes alive in early August as the Celtic world gathers for the largest Interceltic festival on the planet. For ten days, music, dance, art, crafts and sport take over the entire city. More than 5,000 artists from Brittany, Scotland, Ireland, Galicia and even the Celtic diaspora from America and Oceania come together to celebrate shared traditions in a vibrant, unforgettable way.

Highlights include the spectacular parade on the first Sunday, concerts on twelve different stages, intimate sessions in cafés, and masterclasses in instruments such as the Celtic harp or bagpipes. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy demonstrations of traditional Breton wrestling games and athletics. Throughout the city, you will find markets, exhibitions, lectures and spontaneous street performances. The atmosphere is open, colourful and relaxed – just the kind of vibe motorhomers love.

Camping d’Hennebont

Camping d'Hennebont is located about twenty minutes' drive from Lorient: a peaceful, municipal campsite on the banks of the Blavet. Pitches are spacious and green, with good facilities and plenty of shaded spots. Ideal if you want to balance the festival buzz with some peace and quiet. The location is perfect for walking or cycling along the water, and the charming centre of Hennebont is within walking distance.

Four-day cycling event in Laren (Achterhoek) - Netherlands (5 to 8 August)

Four days of cycling through the most beautiful parts of the Achterhoek and Salland regions – that's exactly what you can expect from the Four-Day Cycling tour in Laren. Each day, you can choose from routes of 30, 45 or 60 kilometres, with rural views, old farms, forests and castles along the way. One day even offers a short 15-kilometre route, perfect for young cyclists or those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

The event is organized by a dedicated team of volunteers who have ensured well-marked routes and a welcoming atmosphere for many years. You cycle at your own pace but can always stop for a chat or a break at one of the many cafés along the way. With highlights such as the Lochemse Berg, Vorden with its eight castles, the forests near Ruurlo and the Huis Verwolde estate, there’s plenty of special sights to enjoy throughout the journey.

Camping Klein Haneveld

Campsite Klein Haneveld is located just outside Laren and is a great base during the Four-Day Cycling Tour. Pitches are spacious, peaceful and offer lovely views of the meadows. The atmosphere is friendly, the facilities are well-maintained and there is plenty of space for motorhomes. After an active day, you can relax in the cozy recreation room, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, play a game or just unwind with a book. It's the perfect spot for those who appreciate a small-scale, comfortable campsite surrounded by nature.

Vanlife Fest - Germany (21 to 24 August)

Imagine: a motorhome community in the middle of an open-air museum full of steel and history, overlooking a shimmering lake. That's Vanlife Fest in Ferropolis. For four days, motorhome enthusiasts from all over Europe come together for adventure, inspiration and relaxation, all against the backdrop of massive excavators in a former lignite mine.

The program is as impressive as the location itself. From a large trade fair with accessories and innovations to lectures on off-road travel, DIY, solar power and sustainable living on the road. You'll find DJs, live acts, beach sports, kid's workshops, sunrise yoga and even stand-up paddle sessions on the lake. There is a separate kid's program and cozy campfire evenings with knüppelteig (bread dough on a stick).

During the day, you can go for a walk or bike ride in the surrounding area, and in the evening, you can party on the main stage among the steel structures or unwind quietly at your own motorhome. Whether you are a seasoned motorhomer or just curious about this lifestyle, there is something for everyone here.

Ferropolis Camping

During Vanlife Fest, you can stay with your motorhome at a specially designated festival campsite at the Ferropolis grounds. You will have an assigned pitch with a view of the lake or nestled among the impressive steel structures. The ground is either paved or grassy, and basic facilities such as electricity, water and sanitary facilities are available. Everything is designed to be practical yet atmospheric, perfect for motorhomers who appreciate comfort but come primarily for the experience.

Whether you're cycling through the Achterhoek, soaking up the Celtic atmosphere of Brittany or exploring the Irish coast, these events will make your motorhome summer even more memorable. With your motorhome, you set your own pace and choose between nature, culture, encounters or peace and quiet.

Do you already use Campercontact PRO+? Then planning becomes really easy. You can easily map out your route with the travel planner, automatically see motorhome stopovers and campsites along your route and discover useful extras such as detailed filters, up-to-date reviews and photos of sites. This way, you get more out of your trip and every moment on the road.