While the main event always takes place in a specific host nation - this year being Vienna, Austria - Eurovision has a global audience of over 180 million. Many of these viewers get involved by holding a Eurovision party and cities around the world host their own epic bashes. Here’s a handful of the biggest!
1. Oxford Street, Sydney
Australia has always been home to millions of loyal Eurovision viewers in spite of our country not actually being able to compete. This year with our very own Guy Sebastian heading to Vienna and representing the land Down Under, our viewing figures are expected to reach an all-time high.
Where better to take in the spectacle than in Sydney’s own glitter capital of Oxford Street? Perhaps best known for it's yearly Mardi Gras parade, the strip is home to a throng of fierce and fabulous drag queens. Last year's Eurovision winner, Conchita Wurst, would be tremendously proud.
In 2015, the Oxford Art Factory will continue its tradition of playing host to a giant Eurovision party. Featuring Eurovision trivia and a best-dressed competition, it’s the perfect place for you to bring out the spandex!
2. Eurovision Village, Vienna
As this year's host city, Vienna is the epicentre of all global celebration... and the epicentre of those celebrations will be Rathausplatz or City Hall Square!
Throughout the competition (17-23 May, 2015) the square will transform into Eurovision Village - the official hub for fans! Home to the stunning gothic building of Rathaus (City Hall), this historic square has previously hosted popular events, such as the Life Ball.
With events broadcast on large screens, live appearances from Eurovision artists, and activities for the whole family, Eurovision Village promises to be quite a bustling hotspot. To mark this auspicious occasion, an eight metre high tower will count own to the first semi-final live show on May 19.
3. Euro Fan Café, Vienna
The official Austrian Song Contest fan club OGAE have organised the Euro Fan Café to be held at Vienna’s EMS Lounge. A point of contact for international fans who’ve travelled especially for the contest, the spot will turn from a daytime café into a pumping disco by night! The 800 capacity venue will feature screening parties for the three main events throughout the week.
4. New York City
While the USA doesn't participate in Eurovision, it's home to many European migrants and, as a result, has gained a loyal following of fans. One well-known fan group, known as Europhoria, hosts an epic viewing party each year in the Big Apple!
5. London’s Eurovision Party at Café de Paris
At a glamorous and suitably European-themed venue in London’s West End, this epic Eurovision party is a big one for British fans. Held before the main event, the soiree often lays claim to impressive guest performers - usually current Eurovision competitors. This year's party featured none other than Conchita Wurst and our very own Guy Sebastian!
6. Parties hosted by Pall Oskar, Iceland
Pall Oskar, or Paul Oscar as he is known in English, is something of a pop icon in his home country. International audiences may best remember him as the creepy Icelandic entrant who performed while surrounded by the corpses of beautiful women.
Despite his sinister edge, Oskar's considered a Eurovision icon back home and has hosted an epic fan party for over a decade in one of Reykjavik’s biggest clubs.
7. Malta
If you’re Eurovision-mad and want somewhere surprisingly enthusiastic to watch it - outside of the host country, that is - why not try a bar on the island nation of Malta?
“It is no exaggeration to say Malta comes to a standstill on the big night,” Malta's former Eurovision entrant Chiara Siracusa told the Express in 2009.
“Ninety-eight per cent of people either watch it at home or in a bar, and the other two per cent will be [at the Eurovision Song Contest].”
