From summer season seaside events in Croatia to epic raves in Serbia, there’s a whole lot of selection relating to European music festivals. So many in actual fact, it could possibly virtually be too overwhelming to determine. So I’ve picked the very best 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 leap 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 critical choice 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 social gathering. Some are in additional in style vacationer hotspots, which could make travelling there just a little simpler. Others are in much less frequented European cities. Both method, all these European music festivals are in nice places if you happen to determine to increase your journey right into a full vacation.
15 Coolest European Music Festivals
Discover a few of the hottest music festivals in Europe in addition to ones you won’t have anticipated in my listing of the very best ones to go to.
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 positioned in Cluj-Napoca, not too removed from Transylvania in Romania – see, it already sounds cool. Happening over 4 days at the beginning of August, it’s the nation’s greatest digital music pageant and though it’s nonetheless pretty new, the fest is already cleansing up relating to awards.
It has 9 totally different levels 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. It is a completely totally different form 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 top-of-the-line 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 if you happen to’re travelling from the UK. With its sandy bay, dunes and cliffside levels, 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 steel acts it’s been offering since 1994. Nonetheless, I truly assume the lineup extends exterior these genres barely, however in a method that attracts in big 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 value €60 for a day cross 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 developed from its hippie origins to a extra mainstream occasion. It’s one of many finest festivals in June.
Count on over 180 acts like Cardi B, Travis Scott and Vampire Weekend. There’s additionally often shocking acts that make it one of many extra distinctive music festivals in Europe, resembling 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 help equality and even donates earnings to charity.
4. Hideout Competition, Croatia
One other one for the digital music followers, Hideout ticks main location bins. Located in Croatia’s Zrce Seaside on the Adriatic Sea you’ve acquired sunshine, sea and levels 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 at the beginning of July.
Tickets begin at £139 and if you happen to’re not a fan of the entire tent scenario then one other thumbs up as a result of it’s all about staying in residences. Plus, if you happen to can afford to go VIP, you’ll get numerous advantages like separate bathrooms, queue leaping and rather more.
This one is unquestionably top-of-the-line music festivals in Europe, in addition to top-of-the-line festivals in Croatia. If you happen to like the concept of partying on an island to bop music (who doesn’t?), it is a good European music pageant to place in your listing of July festivals to do.
5. Sziget Competition, Hungary
One of many greatest music festivals in Europe, Sziget hosts over 1000 performances and between 450,000-500,000 festivalgoers. Sure, it’s big. 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 greatest pageant in Budapest, by far.
The pageant has achieved the distinguished title of Greatest Main European Competition not as soon as, however twice, profitable the European Festivals Awards in 2011 and 2014. It’s almost definitely as a consequence of its different performances from the largest acts round, or it’s nice location on an island surrounded by the Danube River.
Though it’s marketed as rock pageant, prior to now it’s had totally different tents and levels for various musical genres, resembling a jazz tent, a blues stage and a world music stage. However the primary 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 listing goes on.
If you wish to know what it’s prefer to go, be sure you take a look at my evaluate of Sziget for all of the highlights. I’ve additionally written about the place to remain for Sziget, the very best issues to do at Sziget and some suggestions 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, hold the pageant spirit alive by holding out for Sardinia’s Solar and Bass fest in September.
Within the city of San Teodoro places on per 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 social gathering, it’s since develop into identified among the many finest music festivals in Europe and is understood for its household vibes and superb Italian meals.
7. EXIT Competition, Serbia
Based in 2000 as a scholar motion striving for peace and democracy within the Balkans, EXIT Competition has since developed into top-of-the-line music festivals in Europe, attracting music lovers and artists from everywhere in the world. EXIT Competition is one other big crowdpleaser that will get the massive names. Artists resembling Calvin Harris, Lauryn Hill, Snoop Canine, Arctic Monkeys, The Chemical Brothers and so many extra have been headliners prior to now.
The pageant takes place within the Petrovaradin Fortress, which is unquestionably one of many quirks of EXIT. It’s form 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 the town of Novi Unhappy, so it is smart to carry some of the 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 optimistic change and utilizing music as a strong device for bringing folks collectively.
However again to music – it’s an award profitable pageant, securing the Greatest Abroad Competition on the UK Competition Awards in 2007 and Greatest Main Competition on the European Festivals Awards in each 2013 and 2017. It’s effectively price visiting, and if you happen to do – listed here are a few of my suggestions for going to EXIT Competition!
8. Meadows within the Mountains Competition, Bulgaria
Nice title, nice setting. Positioned in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountain, it could be a trek to get to Meadows within the Mountains nevertheless it’s price it to cross off this prime European music pageant.
All about utilizing the facility of music to carry folks collectively, the hedonistic fest additionally gives yoga lessons, meals vehicles and dancing in a trance treehouse. Then there’s the respectable tunes from the likes of Membership Nature, Photo voltaic and The Fish. As soon as the day’s wrapped up, fairly than retreating again to a tragic sleeping bag, pageant go-ers can crash in teepees, treehouses and even with locals within the city under.
9. Bilbao BBK Competition, Spain
From rock and pop to digital and indie, Bilbao BBK Stay brings a variety 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 top-of-the-line festivals in Europe to expertise.
It’s one other well-recognised pageant to make this listing of the very best music festivals in Europe, the place it was nominated a number of instances for Greatest International Competition and Greatest Medium-Sized European Competition. Over time, the pageant has had some spectacular names play there. If you happen to 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 return.
Many festival-goers additionally declare Bilbao BBK Stay is among the finest music festivals in Europe relating to cleanliness too. It often has immaculate bathrooms – which is saying one thing, and showers! It’s also possible to 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
Also referred to as the ‘Competition of Many Levels’, Dour Competition has a whole lot of totally different performances from various music genres – therefore needing numerous levels. It began off with solely 5 bands, however turned so in style it grew to welcome greater than 280 acts throughout a number of days.
Dour Competition has acquired an intimate really feel, despite the fact that there’s truly big crowds there. Plus it’s tremendous pleasant, the place you may simply begin speaking to folks simply. I really like this a couple of pageant, because it’s all about celebrating music all of us love collectively. You’ll find 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 common arty metropolis environment.
The music is especially digital, pop and indie bands, the place it’s a variety of rising acts (which can be additionally actually cool) and fairly massive ones, just like the Klaxons, Portugal. The Man, and even Billie Eilish. It’s truly a pleasant likelihood to see native acts that you already know are going to be massive, however haven’t fairly achieved worldwide fame but.
On prime of this being one of many coolest European music festivals, it’s a superb one if you happen to want each smaller levels 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 among the finest and largest festivals within the European nation. It expenses €99 for a day cross and €205 for the complete weekender ticket, however that features your prepare experience from Brussels — bonus. The pageant website consists of a big tenting space, quite a lot of foods and drinks choices, and even a ‘Chill Island’ space the place attendees can loosen up.
Pukkelpop often occurs mid August – top-of-the-line August festivals round. A whole lot of massive acts from the charts hit the levels, resembling Anne Marie, Twenty One Pilots and Billy Eilish. There’s additionally a cool pop-up document store, secret periods and an space devoted to artwork.
If you happen to’re the kind of person who will get misplaced at festivals, then Pukkelpop even have a helpful app with an interactive map inbuilt. If you happen to’re the kind of person who arrives early raring to go, then you may benefit from the Boiler Social gathering, which takes place at evening on the eve of the pageant.
13. Extremely Europe Competition, Croatia
Over three days in July, Extremely Europe rocks the Croatian metropolis of Cut up with dance music. Tickets begin at €199 for a 3 day ticket and former line ups have included Alessi, AfroJack and Hardwell. The principle social gathering is hosted in Mladeži Park, however festival-goers may also 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 some of the idyllic festivals, set in a coastal metropolis and island, filled with seaside events and boat events.
14. Mad Cool Competition, Spain
The title in itself qualifies this one for the listing. A beginner to the Europe pageant scene, Mad Cool takes place in Madrid and is barely in its fourth 12 months however has massive crowds and even greater acts.
One for the rockers, indie youngsters and electro lovers, you may count on the likes of Bon Iver, Empire of the Solar and Eric Prydz. Happening over three days in the midst of July, it doesn’t kick off till just a little later within the day supplying you with loads of time to discover the Spanish capital.
15. Earth Backyard Competition, Malta
The actual fact this one takes place in Malta immediately bumps it up within the coolness stakes. Add to {that a} sprint of the environmentally acutely aware, a celebration of variety and its all-out group spirit and Earth Backyard is a simple promote.
It takes place in Ta’ Qali Nationwide Park for 4 days at the beginning of June and has 5 totally different musical areas devoted to delivering totally different genres of music; every little thing 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 house therapeutic, breathwork.
Greatest European music festivals
This listing of the very best music festivals in Europe are solely a few of the nice festivals you may go to throughout the continent. It’s such an attention-grabbing place to be, the place you expertise so many alternative cultures, musical tastes, traditions and so on. as you go from nation to nation, and even metropolis to metropolis. That is little question why the European music pageant scene needs to be top-of-the-line on the earth.
Many of those festivals have developed from historic traditions too. For instance, Serbia’s EXIT Competition started as an emblem of the youth motion for peace and freedom. And Pukkelpop in Belgium additionally turned synonymous with celebrating youth tradition for the reason that Eighties, which is why it’s identified for its various 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 greatest music festivals on the earth, whereas Hideout and Extremely Europe take over Cut up and Croatian islands.
Quicklist of the very best music festivals in Europe
- Untold Competition Competition, Romania
- Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock Competition, Portugal
- Roskilde Competition, Denmark
- Hideout Competition, Croatia
- Sziget Competition, Hungary
- Solar and Bass Competition, Italy
- EXIT Competition, Serbia
- Meadows within the Mountains Competition, Bulgaria
- Bilbao BBK Competition, Spain
- Dour Competition, Belgium
- MS Dockville Competition, Germany
- Pukkelpop Competition, Belgium
- Extremely Europe Competition, Croatia
- Mad Cool Competition, Spain
- Earth Backyard Competition, Malta
What’s the greatest EU music pageant?
The most important EU music pageant by attendance is the Donauinselfest (Danube Island Competition) in Vienna, Austria. This free, open-air occasion usually takes place yearly over a weekend in June, drawing in hundreds of thousands of tourists throughout a number of levels and various musical genres.
What’s the European model of Coachella?
Whereas there are a number of music festivals in Europe that rival Coachella when it comes to measurement and recognition, Glastonbury Competition within the UK is usually in comparison with Coachella. Glastonbury is among the greatest and most well-known music festivals on the earth, and has every little thing from music to different arts and circus performances.
Which is the largest pageant on the earth?
By way of attendance, the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage in India is taken into account the biggest pageant on the earth, drawing tens of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Nonetheless, if we’re referring strictly to music festivals, the Donauinselfest (Danube Island Competition) in Vienna, Austria is the biggest, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.
