Don’t you just love how you can depend on your favorite European festival or event to pop up on just about the same date year after year? You know if you happen to miss it one year, you can easily catch it the next. But there are some popular events that occur less regularly, a few of which will be coming around in 2008, and you won’t have the chance to experience them in 2009. Here are the happenings that make this year just that much more unique:

through June 15 -- Berlin Biennial for contemporary art, Berlin. This international exhibition of contemporary art aims to attract attention to younger, less-established artists.  

May 31 -- Zinneke parade, Brussels. Occuring biennially, this parade and “street opera” celebrates contemporary artistic ventures and attracts some 300,000 spectators. Around 4000 people take part in the parade. 

June 11-Sept. 28 -- Apeldoorn, Netherlands, 100 Days of Culture, Gardens and Landscapes. Every three years, you can enjoy the private gardens of hospitable locals, along with “painted, sketched, interpreted and radical landscapes.” 

Aug. 15-16, 18, 20, 22-23 -- Bruges Canal Festival, Belgium. Every three years, spectacles re-creating the city’s history are staged alongside illuminated canals and on the Burg square.  

Sept. 12-14 -- Living Chess Game. Every other year, a game of chess is played in the castle square of Marostica, Italy, by living chess pieces in period costume. Admission is not cheap, with ticket prices starting at 20 euros. The spectacle will be performed four times. According to the Web site, the show involves some 550 characters and lasts about two hours. 

Sept. 10-Oct.11 -- Festival of Flamenco in Seville, Spain. Occurs biennially. 

Sept. 21 -- Poperinge, Belgium, organizes a Hop Parade that portrays the history of the development of the hops industry. Expect street shows, a beer festival and a stunning fireworks display. Every three years.