Summer is well and truly underway, and while some of Europe’s major festivals have already taken place, there’s still plenty to justify a trip abroad.
With the festival season back in full swing after a few years of uncertainty, it’s a great time for a European expedition, and with some festivals offering package deals including accomodation, it’s becoming easier to see your favourite artists while getting a holiday in.
So, we’ve rounded up the European festivals you need to know about, with some of the best line-ups of the season. Bon voyage.
Love International
What is it? A sun-drenched dance music festival on the Croatian coast, with plenty of boat parties and sunrise DJ sets.
Who’s playing? Call Super, Chaos in the CBD, Crazy P Soundsystem, Eliza Rose, Leon Vinehall, Midland, Moxie, OR:LA, Palms Trax, Job Jobse plus many more to be announced.
When is it? July 12-18
Where is it? Tisno, Croatia
Tickets: from £165, loveinternationalfestival.com
Festival Internacional Benicàssim
What is it? A festival popular with both Spaniards and Brits, which has a focus on Latin artists as well as the more widely known international stars.
Who’s playing? Franz Ferdinand, Bastille, Vetusta Morla, Kaiser Chiefs, Crystal Fighters, Tom Odell, Clean Bandit, Orbital, The Wombats, Sigala, Dean Lewis and many more acts to be announced.
When is it? July 13-16
Where is it? Benicàssim, Spain
Tickets: from €47.99 (approx. £42), fiberfib.com
Super Bock Super Rock
What is it? Moving from the urban surroundings of Lisbon and onto a beach further south in Portugal, expect a spread of rap, rock and pop at this festival.
Who’s playing? Headliners: The 1975, Franz Ferdinand, James Murohy
Plus Black Country, New Road, L’Impératrice, Sampha The Great and many more acts to be announced.
When is it? July 13-15
Where is it? Sesimbra, Portugal
Tickets: from €84 (approx. £74), superbocksuperrock.pt
Tomorrowland
What is it? Something of a Mecca for European fans of EDM, this festival promises the biggest names and some bombastic stage production across three weekends.
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Who’s playing? Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Amelie Lens, Above & Beyond, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Nina Kraviz, Eric Prydz presents HOLO, Floorplan, Honey Dijon, Steve Aoki, &ME, HAAi, Maceo Plex, Adam Beyer, Tale of Us and many more.
When is it? July 21-23, 28-30.
Where is it? Boom, Belgium
Tickets: €TBA, tomorrowland.com
Off
What is it? The antidote to Open’er’s pop, this Polish festival focuses on the more obscure, experimental side of things.
Who’s playing? Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, OFF!, Melody’s Echo Chamber, The Staples Jr Singers, Balming Tiger, Gilla Band, Tropical Funk Storm, Taxi Kebab, Big Joanie, Underscores, Haru Nemuri, Mind Enterprises, Son Rompe Fera and many more acts to be announced.
When is it? August 4-6
Where is it? Katowice, Poland
Tickets: from 379zł (approx. £72), off-festival.pl
Let It Roll
What is it? Let It Roll, which describes itself as “the world’s leading drum & bass festival”, is a whopping three day celebration of drum & bass. The festival has a capacity of 30,000 people and boasts six stages which host a whole range of artists – from stalwarts such as Chase & Status and new names such as British MC Bru-C.
Who’s playing? Camo & Krooked, Sub Focus, Modestep, Shy FX, Kanine, Koven, Imanu and more.
When is it? August 3-6
Where is it? Milovice Airfield, Czech Republic
Tickets: Festival tickets are still on sale and cost from £157, letitroll.eu
Øya
What is it? A Norwegian festival which proves just how strong its native music scene is, with plenty of homegrown acts headlining alongside international favourites.
Who’s playing? Hakan Hellstorm, Sigrid, FKA Twigs, Devo, Behaire, Jonas Benyoub, Marstien, Gard Nilssen’s Supersonic Orchestra and many more acts to be announced.
When is it? August 8-12
Where is it? Oslo, Norway
Tickets: from NOK 3,664 (approx. £310), oyafestivalen.no
What is it? A Budapest blowout that seems to book bigger names each year. Expect internationally famous acts across the broad spectrum of rock and beyond.
Who’s playing? Headliners: Billie Eilish, David Guetta, Florence + The Machine, Imagine Dragons, Lorde, Macklemore, Mumford & Sons,
Plus Sam Fender, Niall Horan, Bonobo, Yungblud, Foals, Diplo, Jamie XX, M83, Moderat, Sven Vath, Arlo Parks, Mimi Webb, Nothing But Thieves, Two Feet, Viagra Boys, Amyl and The Sniffers, Dixon, 070 Shake, Yung Lean, Jeff Mills, Mall Grab, Acid Arab and many more.
When is it? August 10-15
Where is it? Budapest, Hungary
Tickets: One day tickets from €75 (approx. £66), three day tickets from €240 (approx. £210) and full festival passes from €349 (approx. £306), szigetfestival.com
Glitch
What is it? What is it? Malta’s Glitch Festival has quickly become a highlight of the summer calendar, offering a line-up packed with some of the biggest names in dance music, as well as experiences that include day and night boat parties.
Who’s playing? Charlotte de Witte, Mall Grab, Bonobo, I Hate Models, Len Faki, Marcel Dettmann, Richie Hawtin, Skin on Skin, Helena Hauff B2B Hector Oaks, DVS1 and many more.
When is it? August 13-16
Where is it? Rabat, Malta
Tickets: from €84.90 (approx. £73.80), glitchfestival.com
Flow
What is it? A varied festival, booking everyone from legacy rockers to cult favourites, held within the industrial surroundings of a disused power station.
Who’s playing? FKA Twigs, Caroline Polachek, DEVO, Suede, 070 Shake, Shygirl, Amyl and The Sniffers, Jockstrap, Sexmane, Ege Zulu, Olavi Uusivirta 40/20, Yona, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Anna Puu, Ruusut and many more acts to be announced.
When is it? August 11-13
Where is it? Helsinki, Finland
Tickets: from €225 (approx. £198), flowfestival.com
Rock en Seine
What is it? Paris’s biggest festival, delivering a crowd-pleasing blend of rock and pop music that draws an increasingly international crowd each year.
Who’s playing? Arctic Monkeys, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Stromae, Tame Impala, FKJ, Jamie XX, Kraftwork, La Femme, The Blaze, Aurora, DIIV, Jeremy Beth, Los Bitchos, London Grammar, Yungblud, Fred Again, James Blake and many more acts announced.
When is it? August 25-27
Where is it? Paris, France
Tickets: from €75 (approx. £66), rockenseine.com
Meo Kalorama
Following a successful first-edition, Meo Kalorama is bringing back its unforgettable city festival for another year. Located in the beautiful Bella Vista Park in Lisbon, music fans can enjoy stunning vistas, ancient history, architecture, beautiful beaches and a globally recognised nightlife scene.
Where? Lisbon, Portugal
When? August 30 – September 2
Who’s on the line-up? Florence + The Machine, Arcade Fire,The Blaze, Foals, Metronomy, Aphex Twin, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lil Yachty, Slowthai and many more.
Tickets: from€145 (approx. £126), meokalorama.pt/en
Cala Mijas
Cala Mijas is one of the final outdoor dances of the summer: the coastal town of Mijas on the sunny shores of Malaga invites travellers to enjoy its exceptional location and explore its local beaches and gastronomy. Prepare for an unforgettable party hosted by international and local acts.
Where? Malaga, Spain
When? August 31 – September 2
Who’s on the line-up? The Strokes, Florence + The Machine, Slowthai, Idles, Charlie Cunningham, Arcade Fire, Arca, Foals, The Blaze, Metronomy and many more.
Tickets: from €180 (approx. £156), calamijas.com/en
Dimensions
What is it? A collection of cutting-edge DJs and musicians, ranging from techno to jazz, which has now moved away from its home in a 19th century fort and into the ever-popular Tisno.
Who’s playing? Adam Pitts and Lisene, Alex Kassian, DJ Assault, DJ Bone, DJ Perception, DJ Stingray 313, DJ Voices, Donato Dozzy, Dr Banana, Enrice Felqui, Flo Dill, , Fumiya Tanaka, Gene on Earth b2b Dyed Soundsystem, Helena Hauff, Nicholas Lutz, Prosumer, Skee Mask, Zip and more acts to be announced.
When is it? August 31-September 4
Where is it? Tisno, Croatia
Tickets: from £154, dimensionsfestival.com
ION
What is it? A brand new festival from the people behind London house and techno favourite Junction 2, ION takes place on the Albanian Riviera, after first making plans to launch in 2020.
Who’s playing? Bizarre Trax, Half Baked, Junction 2, Krankbrother, Chaos in the CBD, Daniel Avery, Dixon, DJ Seinfeld, Helena Hauff, Jimi Jules, Nicholas Lutz, Otik, Sam Bangura and many more acts to be announced.
When is it? September 6-13
Where is it? Dhërmi, Albania
Tickets: £prices vary, includes accomodation, ionalbania.com