Europe’s Extreme Heat Creates Challenges for Events

A powerful high-pressure system known as a heat dome has resulted in extreme temperatures throughout much of Europe. Last week, the temperatures in London hit 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit). The average high temperature for the end of May is around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Impacts are being felt across Western Europe, stretching as far east as The Balkans and Hungary, which broke new records in Budapest. Looking ahead, a potential "super El Niño” is developing in the tropical Pacific, with an 80% chance of it emerging from June through August, bringing more high temperatures with it.

Summer is high season for outdoor events in Europe, ranging from Wimbledon, two weeks of tennis held in South West London starting at the end of June, to what’s considered to be the largest arts festival on the planet, Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, to dozens of street festivals in Spain’s major cities.

To help battle the heat, London has installed more than 4,500 free refill stations to supplement its 100 public drinking fountains. “Outdoor festivals, markets, and sporting events continue to take place,” said Josh Novick, vice president, North America, business tourism at the London Convention Bureau.

The increasing summer heat is stretching the window for visitors into the shoulder seasons of May and June, and September and October. The just-released Booking Holdings annual sustainability report found that nearly three-quarters of travelers now factor in extreme weather, especially heat, when deciding where and when to book. More than half — 55% — said some destinations are now too hot to visit at their preferred time of year.

Incentive trips, which are booked at least 12 to 18 months in advance, are taking place as planned, said Jay Klein, CEO of M-Plus Global Events. Europe has become the destination of choice for programs that were originally to be held in the Middle East. As far as future trips, “No one’s been shying away from Europe for 2027 or beyond,” he said.

What Can Planners Do?

For groups, advice that might once have been associated mainly with Africa or the Middle East is now relevant in parts of Europe during peak heat periods, said Aoife Delaney, managing director, DMC Network. 

“Europe has changed significantly over the last 10 to 15 years, and the old weather stereotypes are no longer reliable. It does not always rain in the UK, Ireland, or Scotland, while destinations that were once considered pleasantly warm in early summer, such as parts of France, Spain, and Italy, can now experience periods of intense heat.”

She also points out that Europe is not one climate. “The difference between Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Madrid, Milan, and Athens can be enormous.”

Planners are advised to take their own precautions and work with their DMC to stay on top of closures or reduced services, since some attractions and venues may adjust opening hours during periods of extreme heat. 

Said Delaney: “The DMC should be part of the conversation from the outset to advise clients on the best travel windows, realistic timings, air-conditioned venues and transfers, shaded spaces, walking distances, hydration points, more frequent breaks, dress codes, and whether an outdoor experience is even suitable at that time of year.”