15 Finest Music Festivals in Europe You NEED to GO To

From summer season seaside events in Croatia to epic raves in Serbia, there’s plenty of selection relating to European music festivals. So many in truth, it will possibly virtually be too overwhelming to resolve. So I’ve picked the perfect music festivals in Europe for you proper right here…

Have you learnt what number of music festivals in Europe there are?

Me neither.

I attempted to Google it and the numbers ranged from 170 to 600. Both method, there’s masses and given we’re only a hop, skip and a bounce away from our European neighbours I’d say we’re fairly fortunate to have the ability to simply entry them. However that signifies that annually requires some severe resolution making: would you like go to Belgium for Tomorrowland or Barcelona for Sonar?

Powerful selection.

To make it a tad simpler for you, that is my tackle 15 of the highest music festivals in Europe that will help you whittle it down. Whereas it includes totally different sorts of music genres, all of the festivals promise an epic celebration. Some are in additional well-liked vacationer hotspots, which could make travelling there a bit simpler. Others are in much less frequented European cities. Both method, all these European music festivals are in nice places when you resolve to increase your journey right into a full vacation.

1. Untold Competition Competition, Romania

If dance music is your jam and EDM feeds your soul then get your self to Untold Competition. This one is situated in Cluj-Napoca, not too removed from Transylvania in Romania – see, it already sounds cool. Happening over 4 days firstly of August, it’s the nation’s largest digital music pageant and though it’s nonetheless pretty new, the fest is already cleansing up relating to awards.

It has 9 totally different phases internet hosting dubstep, home and trance in addition to these lesser identified genres of melodic techno, psy and euphoric hardstyle. There’s additionally mild installations and big firework shows which actually lend to the general dancing-outside-under-the-stars-magic.

Day tickets begin from round €110. This can be a completely totally different type of 24 hour-ticket to what you see usually, the place your day ticket grants you entry from 4pm til 5am.

2. Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock Competition, Portugal

Cementing its spot as probably the greatest music festivals in Europe, is Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock Competition. Its Portuguese location in Praia do Meco simply south of Lisbon makes it fairly simple to get to when you’re travelling from the UK. With its sandy bay, dunes and cliffside phases, it’s the perfect spot to merge a pageant with a metropolis break.

Then there’s the stellar line up of each native and worldwide rock and metallic acts it’s been offering since 1994. Nevertheless, I truly assume the lineup extends exterior these genres barely, however in a method that attracts in enormous headliners you’ll doubtless of heard of. For instance, acts have included everybody from Bowie to The 1975, Ben Harper, A$AP Rocky, Franz Ferdinand and Wu-Tang Clan.

Tickets price €60 for a day move and upwards of €110 for the entire weekend, which appears fairly affordable.

3. Roskilde Competition, Denmark

Small however mighty, this city west of Copenhagen has been holding down the fort relating to internet hosting the biggest pageant of tradition and music in northern Europe. Launched by two highschool buds again in 1971, Roskilde has since advanced from its hippie origins to a extra mainstream occasion. It’s one of many greatest festivals in June.

Count on over 180 acts like Cardi B, Travis Scott and Vampire Weekend. There’s additionally normally shocking acts that make it one of many extra distinctive music festivals in Europe, comparable to performances by classical musicians and opera singers or of movie soundtracks.

It really works onerous to maintain the unique group spirit sturdy although by solely partnering with organisations that assist equality and even donates income to charity.

4. Hideout Competition, Croatia

One other one for the digital music followers, Hideout ticks main location packing containers. Located in Croatia’s Zrce Seashore on the Adriatic Sea you’ve acquired sunshine, sea and phases packing in over 150 musical acts. The 4 main seaside golf equipment are taken over, the boats are commandeered and the beachside transforms into a celebration utopia for 5 days firstly of July.

Tickets begin at £139 and when you’re not a fan of the entire tent state of affairs then one other thumbs up as a result of it’s all about staying in residences. Plus, when you can afford to go VIP, you’ll get a number of advantages like separate bathrooms, queue leaping and far more.

This one is certainly probably the greatest music festivals in Europe, in addition to probably the greatest festivals in Croatia. When you like the thought of partying on an island to bop music (who doesn’t?), it is a good European music pageant to place in your record of July festivals to do.

5. Sziget Competition, Hungary

One of many largest music festivals in Europe, Sziget hosts over 1000 performances and between 450,000-500,000 festivalgoers. Sure, it’s enormous. However there’s additionally a lot to do at Sziget Competition that it’s simply an general enjoyable and fulfilling expertise. It’s additionally the largest pageant in Budapest, by far.

The pageant has achieved the distinguished title of Finest Main European Competition not as soon as, however twice, successful the European Festivals Awards in 2011 and 2014. It’s probably as a consequence of its assorted performances from the most important acts round, or it’s nice location on an island surrounded by the Danube River.

Though it’s marketed as rock pageant, previously it’s had totally different tents and phases for various musical genres, comparable to a jazz tent, a blues stage and a world music stage. However the principle stage is the place it’s at if you wish to see performers like Fatboy Slim, The Offspring, Lewis Capaldi, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Kings of Leon, Ed Sheeran…the record goes on.

If you wish to know what it’s wish to go, ensure you try my evaluate of Sziget for all of the highlights. I’ve additionally written about the place to remain for Sziget, the perfect issues to do at Sziget and some ideas in your first time at Sziget too.

6. Solar and Bass Competition, Italy

Come the top of August when your European pageant calendar is dwindling, preserve the pageant spirit alive by holding out for Sardinia’s Solar and Bass fest in September.

Within the city of San Teodoro places on every week of drum ’n’ bass acts throughout quite a few golf equipment, bars and seashores in addition to sneaking in a secret location. Initially a small seaside celebration, it’s since turn into identified among the many greatest music festivals in Europe and is understood for its household vibes and wonderful Italian meals.

7. EXIT Competition, Serbia

Based in 2000 as a pupil motion striving for peace and democracy within the Balkans, EXIT Competition has since advanced into probably the greatest music festivals in Europe, attracting music lovers and artists from all around the world. EXIT Competition is one other enormous crowdpleaser that will get the massive names. Artists comparable to Calvin Harris, Lauryn Hill, Snoop Canine, Arctic Monkeys, The Chemical Brothers and so many extra have been headliners previously.

The pageant takes place within the Petrovaradin Fortress, which is certainly one of many quirks of EXIT. It’s type of like going to a rave on a historic, architectural landmark however you’re not breaking any guidelines in doing so. The fortress truly acts because the artwork centre of town of Novi Unhappy, so it is smart to carry probably the most distinguished occasions in music right here.

What units EXIT Competition aside is its deep-rooted dedication to social and political causes. Past the music, the pageant maintains its preliminary mission of selling peace and unity within the area. It actively engages in numerous social and environmental initiatives, advocating for constructive change and utilizing music as a strong instrument for bringing individuals collectively.

However again to music – it’s an award successful pageant, securing the Finest Abroad Competition on the UK Competition Awards in 2007 and Finest Main Competition on the European Festivals Awards in each 2013 and 2017. It’s effectively price visiting, and when you do – listed below are a few of my ideas for going to EXIT Competition!

8. Meadows within the Mountains Competition, Bulgaria

Nice identify, nice setting. Positioned in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountain, it could be a trek to get to Meadows within the Mountains however it’s price it to cross off this high European music pageant.

All about utilizing the ability of music to deliver individuals collectively, the hedonistic fest additionally gives yoga courses, meals vehicles and dancing in a trance treehouse. Then there’s the first rate tunes from the likes of Membership Nature, Photo voltaic and The Fish. As soon as the day’s wrapped up, moderately than retreating again to a tragic sleeping bag, pageant go-ers can crash in teepees, treehouses and even with locals within the city beneath.

9. Bilbao BBK Competition, Spain

From rock and pop to digital and indie, Bilbao BBK Stay brings a spread of artists to the slopes of Mount Cobetas yearly. Try my evaluate of Bilbao BBK, see to see why I like to recommend it as probably the greatest festivals in Europe to expertise.

It’s one other well-recognised pageant to make this record of the perfect music festivals in Europe, the place it was nominated a number of instances for Finest International Competition and Finest Medium-Sized European Competition. Through the years, the pageant has had some spectacular names play there. When you just like the sound of Weapons’n’Roses, Radiohead, The Treatment, Liam Gallagher and The Strokes, you’ll in all probability benefit from the subsequent lineups at Bilbao BBK within the years to come back.

Many festival-goers additionally declare Bilbao BBK Stay is without doubt one of the greatest music festivals in Europe relating to cleanliness too. It normally has immaculate bathrooms – which is saying one thing, and showers! You too can get nice meals there too. It’s good to see a pageant the place good meals and hygiene go hand-in-hand as they need to.

10. Dour Competition, Belgium

Often known as the ‘Competition of Many Levels’, Dour Competition has plenty of totally different performances from numerous music genres – therefore needing a number of phases. It began off with solely 5 bands, however turned so well-liked it grew to welcome greater than 280 acts throughout a number of days.

Dour Competition has acquired an intimate really feel, though there’s truly enormous crowds there. Plus it’s tremendous pleasant, the place you’ll be able to simply begin speaking to individuals simply. I really like this a couple of pageant, because it’s all about celebrating music all of us love collectively. You will discover out extra about what Dour Competition’s like in my evaluate.

11. MS Dockville Competition, Germany

A hipster pageant with an eclectic lineup might be one of the best ways to sum up this Hamburg pageant. It’s simply acquired a extremely cool vibe, which might be helped by the entire industrial setting in Wilhelmsberg, mixture of pop-up artwork installations and totally different areas to hang around, and basic arty metropolis environment.

The music is principally digital, pop and indie bands, the place it’s a spread of rising acts (which might be additionally actually cool) and fairly huge ones, just like the Klaxons, Portugal. The Man, and even Billie Eilish. It’s truly a pleasant likelihood to see native acts that are going to be huge, however haven’t fairly achieved worldwide fame but.

On high of this being one of many coolest European music festivals, it’s one when you want each smaller phases and nice meals! I rave about their cheeseburger in my Final Information to MS Dockville Competition!

12. Pukkelpop Competition, Belgium

Happening in Belgium’s Hasselt, Pukkelpop is without doubt one of the greatest and largest festivals within the European nation. It fees €99 for a day move and €205 for the total weekender ticket, however that features your practice trip from Brussels — bonus. The pageant website contains a big tenting space, a wide range of food and drinks choices, and even a ‘Chill Island’ space the place attendees can calm down.

Pukkelpop normally occurs mid August – probably the greatest August festivals round. Plenty of huge acts from the charts hit the phases, comparable to Anne Marie, Twenty One Pilots and Billy Eilish. There’s additionally a cool pop-up document store, secret classes and an space devoted to artwork.

When you’re the kind of person who will get misplaced at festivals, then Pukkelpop even have a helpful app with an interactive map inbuilt. When you’re the kind of person who arrives early raring to go, then you’ll be able to benefit from the Boiler Get together, which takes place at night time on the eve of the pageant.

13. Extremely Europe Competition, Croatia

Over three days in July, Extremely Europe rocks the Croatian metropolis of Break up with dance music. Tickets begin at €199 for a 3 day ticket and former line ups have included Alessi, AfroJack and Hardwell. The primary celebration is hosted in Mladeži Park, however festival-goers also can go to the facet occasions in Hvar, Brač and different cool places.

Staying sturdy since 1999, the final Extremely drew in a document variety of 160,000 attendees, or ‘ultranauts’ as they’re known as. It’s probably the most idyllic festivals, set in a coastal metropolis and island, stuffed with seaside events and boat events.

14. Mad Cool Competition, Spain

The title in itself qualifies this one for the record. A beginner to the Europe pageant scene, Mad Cool takes place in Madrid and is barely in its fourth 12 months however has huge crowds and even larger acts.

One for the rockers, indie youngsters and electro lovers, you’ll be able to anticipate the likes of Bon Iver, Empire of the Solar and Eric Prydz. Happening over three days in the course of July, it doesn’t kick off till a bit later within the day providing you with loads of time to discover the Spanish capital.

15. Earth Backyard Competition, Malta

The very fact this one takes place in Malta immediately bumps it up within the coolness stakes. Add to {that a} sprint of the environmentally aware, a celebration of range and its all-out group spirit and Earth Backyard is a simple promote.

It takes place in Ta’ Qali Nationwide Park for 4 days firstly of June and has 5 totally different musical areas devoted to delivering totally different genres of music; all the things from reggae to trance, electro to hip hop. Then there’s the Therapeutic Fields, Ethnic Market and Music Playground, all different areas the place you are able to do actions like facial yoga, sound area therapeutic, breathwork.

Finest European music festivals

This record of the perfect music festivals in Europe are solely a number of the nice festivals you’ll be able to go to throughout the continent. It’s such an fascinating place to be, the place you expertise so many various cultures, musical tastes, traditions and so forth. as you go from nation to nation, and even metropolis to metropolis. That is little question why the European music pageant scene must be probably the greatest on the earth.

Many of those festivals have advanced from historic traditions too. For instance, Serbia’s EXIT Competition started as a logo of the youth motion for peace and freedom. And Pukkelpop in Belgium additionally turned synonymous with celebrating youth tradition because the Eighties, which is why it’s identified for its different music.

You additionally get the chance to see unbelievable European places, every distinctive with its personal character. The Sziget Competition in Hungary, for instance, transforms Budapest’s Óbuda Island into one of many largest music festivals on the earth, whereas Hideout and Extremely Europe take over Break up and Croatian islands.

Quicklist of the perfect music festivals in Europe

1. Untold Competition Competition, Romania
2. Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock Competition, Portugal
3. Roskilde Competition, Denmark
4. Hideout Competition, Croatia
5. Sziget Competition, Hungary
6. Solar and Bass Competition, Italy
7. EXIT Competition, Serbia
8. Meadows within the Mountains Competition, Bulgaria
9. Bilbao BBK Competition, Spain
10. Dour Competition, Belgium
11. MS Dockville Competition, Germany
12. Pukkelpop Competition, Belgium
13. Extremely Europe Competition, Croatia
14. Mad Cool Competition, Spain
15. Earth Backyard Competition, Malta