European Heritage Days 2026 celebrate culture across the continent

The 2026 edition of the European Heritage Days has kicked off with cultural events planned across over 50 European countries from September to early October.  This year's theme ‘Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine' will gather the public around how endangered heritage can be protected and passed on to future generations.

The European Commission and the Council of Europe are co-founders of the initiative. Building on the Faro Convention, which recognises the value of cultural heritage for society, the Heritage Days events highlight the crucial role of communities in identifying, safeguarding, and transmitting heritage. Each year since 1999, participating countries organise their annual programmes around a specific theme, offering citizens of all ages and interests fresh perspectives on the history of the people and places that have enriched European culture and heritage.

Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, said: “European Heritage Days celebrate what makes Europe distinctive and diverse. This year's theme reminds us that heritage threatened by war, climate change, disasters or neglect needs active protection and that communities have a crucial role in keeping it alive for future generations.”   

Events encompass guided heritage tours, exhibitions, workshops, performances and digital experiences. Examples include visits exploring the tradition of the Saints' Guard in Croatia, the discovery of industrial heritage in a former Belgian brewery, and exhibitions showcasing over 1,000 minerals and fossils in the French Ardennes.

More information on all the individual events being organised is available online.