#69 Requesting Time Off from Your Manager｜English Business Phrases
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#102 Asking About Local Events｜English Sightseeing Phrases
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When traveling, you can enjoy a city more deeply by participating not only in famous tourist attractions but also in local events that are unique to that season.
The most reliable way to find such information is to ask directly at a tourist information center, your hotel, or local residents.
In this article, I explain useful English expressions for asking about local events.
Contents
Dialogue
Hi, I was wondering if there are any local events happening this weekend.
Yes, actually there’s a food festival in the town square on Saturday.
That sounds interesting. What kind of food can you try there?
Mostly local specialties, and there are also some international food trucks.
Nice. Does it last all day?
Yes, it starts around 10 a.m. and goes on until the evening.
I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks for the information.
1. Asking If There Are Any Events
When you want to check whether any events are taking place, you can ask:
Example
- Are there any local events happening this weekend?
By using “any local events,” you can ask the question even if you do not know the name of a specific event. Adding “local” naturally conveys the nuance of events enjoyed by local people rather than those aimed mainly at tourists.
It is also important that “happening” is used here. This word implies that the event is currently taking place or scheduled to take place in the near future.
Related Expressions
- Are there any events happening tonight?
- Are there any local events going on this week?
2. Asking About the Event Details
Once you know that an event is being held, the next step is to ask about its content.
Example
- What kind of food can you try there?
In this sentence, “you” does not refer to a specific person. Instead, it is used in a general sense, meaning “people who go there” or “visitors.”
The question pattern “What kind of ～?” is very useful for encouraging the other person to explain details. While food is used here, the same structure can be applied in many situations.
Related Expressions
- What kind of activities are there?
- What kind of music is featured?
3. Describing the Characteristics of an Event
When explaining an event, information is often presented in the order of main features first, followed by additional details.
Example
- Mostly local specialties, and there are also some international food trucks.
“Mostly” means “for the most part” and highlights the main characteristic of the event. “Also,” on the other hand, adds supplementary information.
By combining these two words, the speaker clearly explains that the event is mainly local in nature, while still offering some variety.
4. Confirming the Event Schedule
To attend an event during your stay, it is essential to check the schedule.
Example
- Does it last all day?
The verb “last” means “to continue.” It can be used not only for events but also for movies, meetings, or any situation where you want to ask about duration.
When responding to a question with “last,” it is common to explain both the start and end times together.
Example
- It starts around 10 a.m. and goes on until the evening.
Using “around” softens the expression and indicates that the time is approximate.
Summary
Key English Phrases
- Are there any local events happening ～?
→ Used to ask whether there are local events currently taking place or scheduled. - What kind of ～?
→ A useful question for asking about details or characteristics of an event. - Mostly ～ / There are also ～
→ Used to explain the main features of an event and add extra information. - Does it last ～? / It starts ～ and goes on until ～
→ Expressions for confirming event schedules and duration.
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