Initially printed on Jun 17, 2015, final up to date on Jul 11, 2023.
Are you a music lover and a journey fanatic? Look no additional! On this article, we’ve gathered insights from prime journey bloggers who share their favourite music festivals throughout Europe.
From the energetic streets of Barcelona to the enchanting phases of Budapest, prepare to find the music festivals that can make your European journey unforgettable.
So with out additional ado, let’s dive in and discover the colourful harmonies and electrifying atmospheres of those must-visit occasions!
1. Iceland Airwaves, Iceland
by Flora The Explorer
A pageant efficiency at KEX hostel in Reykjavik.
Iceland Airwaves is a five-day music pageant held each November within the nation’s capital metropolis of Reykjavik. Though the climate is chilly and the solar units early, individuals journey from everywhere in the world to attend Airwaves – primarily as a result of it’s so distinctive.
First up, whereas calling itself a world pageant, any worldwide act invited to carry out at Airwaves can solely ever accomplish that as soon as. This ensures that the Icelandic musicians, nonetheless new or with nonetheless small a fan base, all the time have an annual platform the place they’ll carry out.
Secondly (and that is my favourite facet), the daytimes are comprised of ‘off-venue’ gigs, the place artists carry out quick, intimate units in Reykjavik’scoffee outlets, eating places, libraries, church buildings, swimming swimming pools, and hostel dormitories – principally each location possible.
Off-venue performances are open to anybody, not simply ticket holders; the town’s streets are flooded with music and also you by no means know what you’re going to listen to subsequent.
Within the evenings, the actual (ie. festival-ticketed) performances kick off in a number of completely different venues, all inside strolling distance from one another, and afterward, the get together continues late into the night time within the metropolis’s bars, golf equipment, and the streets themselves.
I volunteered on the pageant in change for my Airwaves ticket the primary yr, fell in love with the nation/metropolis/pageant, after which stayed in Reykjavik the yr after, selecting to only attend Airwaves’ off-venue exhibits every day. If you happen to’re trying to funds, both one is a good possibility!
This yr’s Iceland Airwaves dates are Thu, Nov 2, 2023 – Sat, Nov 4, 2023.
Flora Baker is Flora The Explorer.
2. The Secret Backyard Celebration, the UK
by International Assist Swap
The Secret Backyard Celebration is likely one of the most picturesque festivals you’ll ever attend. Set on the grounds of a Georgian Farmhouse with its personal lake (which you’ll be able to swim in), river, and landscaped gardens, this can be a place the place fairy tales are made.
The pageant started in 2004 and has gone from power to power. Held yearly in July at Abbots Ripton, close to Huntingdon, England, the pageant is often set round a theme. This yr’s theme is “Infantile Issues”. I’d say 70% of the festivalgoers costume up across the theme which makes for some fascinating pictures!
This pageant is the place you possibly can catch acts which might be about to hit the large time. We now have watched Florence & The Machine, The XX, and Lily Allen all earlier than they turned headliners. Like Glastonbury, The Secret Backyard Celebration helps charities. The principle one is The Marketing campaign In opposition to Residing Miserably (CALM), which goals to forestall male suicide in the UK.
The Secret Backyard Celebration is a good medium-sized pageant with a enjoyable crowd. I’ll meet you on the Paint Combat!
The Secret Backyard Celebration returns from 20 – 23 July 2023.
3. Finish Of The Highway Pageant, the UK
by International Assist Swap
Beginning in 2006, the Finish of the Highway pageant is held yearly (in Sept) within the Larmer Tree Gardens on the borders of Somerset and Dorset, England. In 2011 the pageant received the award for “finest small pageant” and it’s not exhausting to see why.
With 4 phases set round woods, gardens, and Tipis, this pageant has an ultra-mellow vibe. The music is centered round folks, Americana, and alt-country. This yr the pageant will probably be celebrating its 10-year anniversary with Tame Impala, The Conflict on Medication, and Laura Marling enjoying.
Because the pageant is held in fantastically landscaped gardens don’t be alarmed once you come throughout the peacocks roaming about. In addition to the music there are additionally youngsters’s play areas, a movie tent, a library within the forest, and rather more. Like every different UK pageant, our recommendation is to discover, discover, discover!
Finish of the Highway Pageant returns from August thirty first to September third, 2023.
We attended this pageant for the primary time final yr and liked the chilled-out crowd and ambiance. I’ll meet you within the woods for a sport of disguise and search. Paul Farrugia is an avid traveler and blogger. When he isn’t touring he likes to spend his free time studying, going to festivals, and sitting down and having fun with a pleasant glass of pink! If you need to achieve him, try his weblog International Assist Swap! You’ll be able to comply with him on Fb as properly.
4. Couleur Café, Belgium
by Great Wanderings
Couleur Café is an annual music pageant within the metropolis of Brussels. It’s distinctive because it doesn’t happen within the streets of the town, both on a pageant terrain, however on the occasions website of Tour & Taxis. Right here you possibly can hearken to huge hip hop and rap artists, but in addition to every kind of world music, together with reggae and Latin, and a little bit of dubstep
Apart from the stage acts, there are additionally all the time some facet acts, like a marching band or road performers, who entertain the crowds all through the day.
And should you do want a musical break, you possibly can head to the world market or to the meals stands. No must worry: the meals at Couleur Café is scrumptious and the choices are a lot. There are about 50 meals stands with merchandise from everywhere in the world, together with vegetarian meals.
Tip for first-timers: Couleur Café is in the midst of Brussels and parking choices are scarce. The pageant web site doesn’t even handle coming by automotive. On the upside: there are numerous low cost choices with public transportation particularly for the pageant, so be sure you test these out.
This yr’s occasion was held from Friday 23 June until Sunday 25 June 2023, on the Osseghem Park (close to the Atomium).
Sofie is a contract author, translator, and journey blogger who takes individuals along with her on her travels in Belgium and past. Her weblog Great Wanderings focuses each on the must-sees and day by day life, on the large points of interest and the locations you’d by no means discover by your self. You’ll be able to join with Sofie on Fb.
5. Rock in Rio Lisboa, Portugal
by Concerteca
Rock in Rio was born in Brazil in 1985. In 2004, it arrived in Portugal to remain, with fairly huge gigs reminiscent of Paul McCartney, Kings of Lion, and Foo Fighters in Belavista Park, a pure stage that turns into a rock metropolis each version. RiR has additionally been held in Spain and this yr it’ll arrive within the US, being Vegas the chosen metropolis for its opening within the nation.
Final yr, Rolling Stones and different bands celebrated in Lisbon the tenth anniversary, 90 thousand individuals loved how Bruce Springsteen made a last-minute shock look after being invited by Jagger to affix the get together. Fairly epic.
Contained in the pageant grounds, other than a ferris wheel, there may be Rock and Road dance, a meals court docket, and a chillout space. Unluckily, this one doesn’t have a tenting space and when you enter the pageant, you possibly can’t exit, a little bit of a nuisance. However should you play alongside, it’s one in all your finest bets within the nation and it is possible for you to to get pleasure from Lisbon, a unbelievable metropolis, as properly!
This yr’s occasion occurred on Saturday, 17 June 2023 at Parque da Bela Vista, Lisbon, LI.
6. Important Sq. Pageant, France
by Concerteca
I’d return on a whim simply to get pleasure from as soon as once more the unreal surroundings of the town the place is held, Arras outdated city, about 150km away from Paris. 11 years outdated, Important Sq. is likely one of the finest put-together festivals we’ve ever been to. Other than the comfortable city, the tenting zone occurs to be positioned actually close by and Lille and Charleroi airports are each conveniently positioned round 45km away.
Sting, Inexperienced Day, Iron Maden, David Guetta, Muse, and The Prodigy performed there. This yr’s dates are July, third to fifth, being the 3-day passes and Saturday / Sunday tickets over. So if you wish to have a peak, the Friday go is your finest wager and you might be listening to Lenny Kravitz and Shaka Ponk in a couple of weeks.
An important ambiance, a mixture of festival-goers, households, and locals, excellent for first-timers and likers of every kind of music. Actually fulfilling!
This yr’s occasion occurred throughout the first weekend of July.
Maria runs Concerteca. Observe them on Fb.
7. Pageant do Sudoeste, Portugal
by A World to Journey
This one is held in Zambujeira do Mar, on the South West coast of Portugal, therefore the identify. Jose was there in 2011.
Unluckily, Amy Winehouse – who was main the lineup – had simply handed away however nonetheless, he may get pleasure from another nice bands and DJs like Asian Dub Basis, Underworld, Deus, Scissor Sisters, David Guetta, Snoop Canine, Swedish Home Mafia, Alpha Blondie, Interpol, and lots of others unfold throughout 4 phases, being his favourite the reggae one.
Though temperatures can get actually harsh and shades are nearly non-existent, there’s a pond the place you will get some reduction throughout the day. Extremely beneficial.
This yr’s dates are Wed, Aug 9, 2023 – Solar, Aug 13, 2023.
8. Berlin Pageant, Germany
If we need to discuss music festivals we can not neglect Berlin, the cradle of the (in)well-known Love parade has these days many different outstanding occasions to comply with just like the small, however extremely vital, Berlin Pageant.
The Berlin Pageant used to happen at Tempelhofer Feld, the deserted airport and metropolis lung, however quick sufficient has left behind the “overpopulated” pageant thought and moved right into a extra intimate house, the Area Berlin. It takes place 3 days in a row within the “metropolis middle” and gives an enormous quantity of prospects from cultural workshops, to Loopy DJ electro events until chillout mornings/afternoons in one of the explicit swimming swimming pools within the metropolis, The Badeshift.
One of many outstanding issues is the help to the native artists, the Berlin pageant counts with large worldwide names reminiscent of Rudimental or Fritz Kalkbrenner however it’s additionally a spot with an enormous house for the local people giving Berlin bands and artists a leap to the mass public.
I all the time confer with it because the “almost 30’s pageant”, is a metropolis pageant, subsequently, no tenting place, you’ll sleep completely cozy in your mattress and have a bathe in your toilet earlier than hitting the get together once more. It’s not a large pageant simply small eventualities, cultural occasions, and lots of prospects… Name me outdated however feels like paradise to me.
We haven’t discovered the dates for 2023, however there may be by no means a scarcity of nice events or festivals in Berlin!
Valen & Jesper have been touring for about 3 years now, they quiet down in Berlín for some time and from right here plan their subsequent journey. Observe them on Fb.
9. Paredes de Coura Pageant, Portugal
by A World to Journey
Loads has been stated round right here about our favourite music pageant ever. After having attended the final 4 editions (learn 2014 Paredes de Coura Uncut Chronicle Half 1 and Half 2 right here), we will solely await subsequent August to return and dwell it up as soon as once more. Dream location on a hill that includes a cool river – excellent for the afternoon ‘Jazz na relva’ periods in addition to cooling off when the solar is at its highest, and a few huge phases that stay pumping it up until 5 am principally (typically, coming as an excellent shock, additional within the wee hours!).
We even put a brief video that includes the easiest of final yr’s version.
Significantly, you might want to test this one out. Priceless!
The Paredes de Coura Pageant will probably be returning in 2023, happening from the sixteenth to the nineteenth of August.
10. Hellfest, France
by Fotostrasse
I’ve labored as a photographer for years and years at this pageant, it was clearly one of the best place to see your fav band and have a good time. Within the 2011 version, I received the prospect to see for the primary time my one real love, at the least my 16 years outdated’s love: Phil Anselmo, the previous lead singer of the legendary Pantera.
It was nice! I used to be with out phrases and a bit frozen to be so near my idol.
Hellfest grew an excessive amount of in the previous couple of years and a few issues got here with it, however nonetheless, it’s nonetheless in my prime place. It holds the medal for one of the best steel fest in Europe for my part.
My tip is: neglect about resorts, go tenting.
The tenting website is nice, you’ll not miss one single present, there’s all the time a celebration occurring and there usually are not sufficient buses to take you to the subsequent city. Keep away from a headache and embrace the headbanging.
The place: Clisson, France
Music: Rock, Metallic, Punk, and extra.
This yr’s occasion occurred from Jun 15, 2023, to Jun 18, 2023.
11. Sonisphere, the UK
by Fotostrasse
My first European expertise as a photographer occurred at Sonisphere in 2009. Since that day, Sonisphere grew on my coronary heart as my vegetation develop within the summertime.
I don’t know whether it is the truth that I used to be seen Metallica for the second time dwell if it was the truth that I met the fellows or the truth that I used to be lastly doing work for an enormous journal overseas. I used to be working with Rolling Stone again within the day.
Gotta say that of all of the crowds I’ve seen as a music photographer through the years, the UK delivers one of the best and most humorous characters each time! It’s spectacular the power and the shortage of self-preservation that you simply see throughout festivals within the UK, particularly in England.
Even should you’re not there for the music, go for the enjoyable that comes with it!
England is the birthplace of steel and the legend of craziness continues each time I’ve the prospect to see a present or a pageant there!
Replace: In a 2018 interview, Stuart Galbraith, CEO of Kilimanjaro Stay, confirmed that there aren’t any plans to revive the pageant, indicating that Sonisphere is now discontinued and gone without end.
Marcela, who wrote these traces, and Felipe personal Fotostrasse.
12. Growth Pageant
by Mochila Nomada
Growth Pageant is a biannual trance music pageant that’s held a couple of km away from Idanha-a-Nova, a Portuguese city by an superior lake that quickly turns into one of many festival-goers’ favourite locations to hang around.
Greater than 30 thousand individuals collect to attend this ‘aware’ and ‘sustainable’ pageant. A lot in order that it was awarded the ‘Excellent Greener Pageant Award’ in 2008, 2010, and 2012.
And music is simply solely a small a part of what’s going on there. Conferences, workshops, exhibitions, video games, chillout areas, and an enormous tenting zone from the lake to some shut mountains’ peaks.
A should.
The 2023 version of the pageant will happen from the twentieth to the twenty seventh of July at Idanha-a-Nova Lake in Portugal.
Jairo runs Mochila Nomada and wrote concerning the pageant right here: mochilanomada.com/boom-festival. Observe him on Fb.
13. Colors of Ostrava
by My Wanderlust
Of all of the festivals I’ve ever attended Colors of Ostrava have to be essentially the most distinctive one. It takes place in mid-July within the third largest Czech metropolis – Ostrava – not too removed from the Polish border.
What makes it so particular is the placement. The occasion is held within the industrial environment of the previous iron and metal mill in Dolni Oblast Vitkovice – that itself provides as much as the superb vibe of the pageant.
There are seven phases however you don’t must stroll an excessive amount of between the live shows – the manufacturing unit buildings completely insulate the sound!
The most important stars of this yr’s, 14th version, will probably be Bjork or Kasabian however artists come from everywhere in the world and characterize varied music kinds, from jazz to steel.
However Colors of Ostrava is greater than only a music pageant – there are additionally workshops, theater performs, poetry, motion pictures, or dialogue panels – certainly everybody will discover one thing for themselves.
No marvel this Czech occasion is taken into account among the finest main European festivals, it certainly is my favourite too!
Colours of Ostrava returns from Wednesday, July 19, 2023, to Saturday, July 22, 2023.
Kami blogs at My Wanderlust.
14. MITO Pageant, Italy
Usually, once you consider summer season festivals, you think about muddy fields and dancing all night time lengthy. Now, I’m not saying that’s not good! However MITO, one in all my favourite summer season festivals, happening yearly in September, may be very completely different. MITO stands for Milano and Torino, the 2 cities the place the pageant occurs.
It’s very exhausting to place the pageant into a selected class as one in all its traits is that there are live shows for all preferences, from classical to jazz, rock, and digital. The venues are additionally particular; live shows happen not solely in theatres and halls but in addition on trains, at trans stations, parks, and reconverted factories. MITO is likely one of the the reason why September is my favourite month in Milan!
If you happen to’re intrigued by the concept of exploring distinctive festivals like MITO whereas additionally keeping track of your funds, I extremely suggest testing our complete information to the finest Italian locations to go to in case you are touring on a funds.
This information is full of insider ideas, money-saving hacks, and sensible recommendation that can assist you take advantage of your Italian journey with out burning a gap in your pocket. So whether or not you’re planning to attend MITO or uncover different hidden gems in Italy, it will likely be your go-to useful resource for creating an inexpensive and unforgettable expertise.
MITO 2023 will probably be held in Milan from September seventh to September twentieth, and in Torino from September eighth to September twenty second.
Margherita runs The Crowded Planet along with her husband Nick, a photographer.
15. Time in Jazz, Italy
by My Adventures Throughout The World
Time in Jazz takes place each August in Berchidda, within the North of Sardinia (Italy), and it’s a should for any jazz, music, and even nature lovers. It consists of a complete week or extra of jazz live shows, held throughout quite a lot of villages reminiscent of Berchidda and the environment, with open-air live shows (that are free to attend).
The pageant is organized by Paolo Fresu, a Sardinian-born world-famous trumpet participant. Annually he gathers essentially the most acclaimed jazz musicians for some unimaginable live shows.
It’s an total nice occasion not just for the unimaginable high quality of the music, but in addition for the settings: think about listening to some nice jazz in the midst of the forest, or within the fairly sq. of a beautiful village. And a number of the world’s finest seashores are close by too. Guests can keep in one of many varied tenting websites or in some mattress and breakfast lodging, and prime off their go to with some fabulous native meals and wine.
If you happen to’re , right here’s a 10-day street journey itinerary to Sardinia, together with stops in lovely coastal cities and picturesque landscapes. Take pleasure in your journey!
The thirty sixth version of the Time in Jazz Pageant, one in all Sardinia’s most important dwell music occasions, will happen from August eighth to August sixteenth, 2023. The pageant will probably be held in Berchidda, close to Olbia, in addition to in varied cities within the northern a part of the island.
Claudia Tavani, a former human rights lawyer and tutorial, writes at My Adventures Throughout The World. Observe her on Fb.
16. Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock, Portugal
by Maruxaina
We uncover this one final yr. Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock Pageant is held in Aldeia do Meco, on the outskirts of Lisbon, and Eddie Vedder, Huge Atack, and Kasabian performed there already. We may see a really younger viewers, a simply effective tenting zone, an impressive VIP space (not troublesome, in any case, it’s VIP!), and an excellent location by the seashore.
This yr it’ll participate in July, at Nations Park, Lisbon, and it will likely be the twenty first version of one in all Portugal’s important festivals. A 3-day go is round $100 – a day ticket is half worth – and Sting, Blur, Florence and the Machine, and lots of others are already confirmed.
SBSR surprises the crowds yearly with fairly various lineups. Metallica, Rage In opposition to The Machine, Ben Harper, Arcade Fireplace, Incubus… a unending listing that pleases very completely different crowds yearly.
Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock, one in all Portugal’s hottest festivals, takes place in Meco, Sesimbra, south of Lisbon. With a fame that has grown steadily over the previous 25 years, the pageant originated in rock music however now incorporates pop, hip-hop, and digital music genres. In 2023, it will likely be held from July thirteenth to July fifteenth.
Take a look at Maruxaina’s weblog right here.
17. Donauinselfest, Austria
by Lady vs Globe
Picture by way of 2013.donauinselfest.at
Donauinselfest – or Danube Island Pageant in English – is likely one of the largest festivals in Europe and positively one which delivers one of the best bang on your buck. Why? Entry to this open-air free music pageant is totally free!
It takes place yearly within the lovely Austrian capital of Vienna and welcomes music acts from everywhere in the world. As a result of I grew up in Vienna, I attended a couple of instances and received to see performances starting from Dawn Avenue to The Prodigy… Not dangerous for an occasion with free entry!
There are many nice meals stalls and leisure on-site, for anybody from younger get together animals to prolonged households – in truth, my grandparents in all probability just like the pageant much more than I do for all these lederhosen-clad conventional Austrian bands.
Oh, and have I discussed that Danube Island is an precise island within the middle of Vienna?
It won’t be as unique as being within the Caribbean, however it’s actually not dangerous for central Europe! So take pack your passport and ask your 15-year-old cousin and your 80-year-old grandma to come back alongside as a result of they’ll each discover one thing to like at Donauinselfest!
This yr’s dates are Jun 23, 2023 – Jun 25, 2023.
18. Marés Vivas
by Una Thought Un Viaje
Marés Vivas has turn out to be one of the standard music festivals within the north of Portugal, an excellent reference for these summer season pageant lovers.
Marés Vivas, which implies ‘Alive Tides’ if we translate it into English is precisely what its identify brings to your thoughts: a blow of recent air over all of the stereotypical festivals, out of any common pageant classification, a pageant that comes and goes with kinds as pop, rock, digital, jazz, trip-hop…And you continue to marvel why I preserve attending?
Superb ticket costs, tenting space, nice vibe, low-cost locations to relax round, and one of the best spot ever for a stage. If you happen to haven’t been there but, don’t miss it this summer season, buddy. You received’t remorse it!
MEO Marés Vivas 2023 will happen on July 14th, fifteenth and sixteenth.
19. La Route Du Rock
by My Journey Affairs
La Route Du Rock is likely one of the “best-kept secrets and techniques” of the European pageant circuit. Held each summer season within the awfully picturesque city of St. Malo in Brittany, France.
French and British festival-goers love the occasion primarily as a result of the lineup is all the time top-notch, no two bands ever overlap so there isn’t any want to decide on what you need to see extra and the group is all the time spotless! The pageant all the time hosts prime worldwide performers reminiscent of Huge Assault or Portishead, this summer season Bjork is introduced to play!!!
However they’re actually nice at recognizing new bands and singers early too! Sensible Mac Demarco or Excellent Pussy had carried out on La Route du Rock early on of their profession.
Route du Rock’s subsequent dates are Wed, Aug 16, 2023 – Sat, Aug 19, 2023.
by My Journey Affairs
Electrical Fort Pageant is likely one of the largest music festivals in Romania, held yearly in Banffy Fort in Cluj. Over 4 days contributors can bask in an intensive number of live shows happening over 6 phases, quite a few workshops, city actions, and excessive sports activities! It’s loopy, it’s enjoyable and it isn’t to be missed!
This yr’s dates are Wed, Jul 19, 2023 – Solar, Jul 23, 2023.
Marysia Maciocha runs My Journey Affairs. Observe her on My Journey Affairs.
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From the pulsating beats of digital music to the soulful melodies of jazz and the whole lot in between, Europe gives a wealthy tapestry of musical experiences. And whether or not you’re in search of iconic headliners, hidden gems in fascinating areas, or a fusion of genres that can ignite your ardour for music, there’s something for everybody.
So pack your luggage, seize your pageant necessities, and prepare to bounce the night time away at these unimaginable music festivals throughout Europe. Preserve exploring, preserve grooving, and let the rhythm of Europe captivate your soul.
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