The festival season is almost upon us, offering days of endless summer where you can either relax on the grass enjoying new music or dance wildly in front of the stage with fellow music lovers.
Music festivals in Europe have evolved from simple concert series to full-blown musical events. Each festival often has a unique theme, drawing people from far and wide to find the experience that suits them best.
Here are our top 5 must-visit festivals in Europe:
This iconic European festival, which started back in 1970 with stars like T-Rex, has grown from a £1 folk festival ticket to the largest festival in Europe. It blends traditional elements like tipis with modern fashion and music, featuring greats from both Rock’n’roll and today’s hipster scene. The 2013 lineup boasted names such as the Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Portishead, Primal Scream, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, Smashing Pumpkins, Public Enemy, and Sinead O’Connor.
Europe’s biggest Scandinavian festival, established in 1971, is organized by a non-profit group that emphasizes green and sustainable initiatives alongside social responsibility. The 2013 lineup included Metallica, Kraftwerk, The National, Queens Of The Stone Age, Rihanna, Slipknot, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, James Blake, Crystal Castles, Kris Kristofferson, and Suicidal Tendencies.
This Portuguese festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016 with an impressive lineup. It’s the ideal mix of Lisbon sightseeing and beach relaxation. The 2016 lineup featured The Chemical Brothers, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, José Gonzales, Band of Horses, Pixies, Tame Impala, and many others.
Despite being hosted in one of Europe’s smallest countries, this festival is among the top three largest on the continent. Its central location makes it convenient whether you’re visiting Brussels, Amsterdam, or Paris. Originally a Rock & Blues festival in 1975, it now covers a wide range of music genres. Previous lineups have included Blur, Depeche Mode, Phoenix, Rammstein, Green Day, Kings of Leon, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Hives, and Band of Horses.
Sziget Festival, awarded “Best European Major Festival” in 2011, attracts nearly 400,000 fans from over 70 countries to a stunning island in Budapest. It offers a complete festival experience with non-stop partying, fantastic live concerts, a diverse international crowd, and myriad cultural programs like theatre, circus, and exhibitions. Its unique setup even includes a Roma tent next to a gay-lesbian venue, making it the party of the year in Budapest! The 2013 lineup featured Franz Ferdinand, Regina Spektor, Blur, Bad Religion, Editors, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Die Ärzte, Bat for Lashes, and Skunk Anansie.
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