Best music festivals in Europe

Time to let loose with a visit to one of Europe’s greatest music festivals! We’ve put together 15 of the very best events across the continent. Whether you’re into thrash metal, rock, rap or good old-fashioned cheesy pop, we’re sure there’s a festival for you. And why not make a real holiday out of the trip by combining a festival with a few days of sightseeing or sunbathing on the beach?

If you’re an EDM fan, Tomorrowland should be high on your list. Over the years it’s pulled in all the top names in the genre, including Armin van Buuren, Fatboy Slim and Martin Garrix. Thanks to live-streaming, it’s also a major social media event, allowing you to share the experience with friends back home. Of course, there’s no real substitute for being there in person and dancing in front of the LED-lit Atmosphere stage, inside its gigantic circus-style tent. The easiest way to get there is via Antwerp airport – it’s only half an hour away by train.

Fancy a festival on an island? Try Sziget, which takes place on Hajógyári Island (or Óbudai-sziget) on the Danube. Originally a small student event that began in the early 90s, it’s now one of Europe’s largest rock festivals that’s pulled in the likes of REM, Iron Maiden, Alanis Morrisette and Kaiser Chiefs. And it isn’t just rock: expect jazz, blues, pop and world music. Whatever you want to see, think about arriving via one of several “party trains”, complete with their own DJs, which transport festival-goers from across Europe. If you’re flying in, the closest airport is Budapest Airport.

Rock en Seine is Paris as you’ve never seen it before. Held in Parc de Saint-Cloud, it’s the perfect way for the city to celebrate the summer. In 2003, the festival hosted 10 bands on two stages. Nowadays, its line-up is around 60 strong over half-a-dozen stages, and past acts include Muse, Macy Gray and Radiohead. This isn’t a camping festival, and concerts are carefully managed to ensure you can get the last metro or tram back into the city centre. It’s also pretty family-friendly, and there’s even a ‘mini Rock en Seine’ for kids aged between six and 10.

Europe’s biggest outdoor festival devoted solely to techno, Awakenings hosts around 100 artists across eight stages. Held in the Hilvarenbeek nature reserve outside Amsterdam, the setting provides plenty of space for relaxation should you want it. Inspired, believe it or not, by the resurrection of Jesus, the festival always includes a huge merry-go-round and finishes with a massive firework show. Buses take festival-goers from Amsterdam, and the city is a natural choice if you want to party on after the last firework has gone off.

If you’re looking for a smaller, more intimate version of Primavera Sound, Bilbao BBK Live could be right up your street. It draws in many of the same artists – previous acts include Guns n’ Roses, The Pretenders and Armin van Buuren – and all in a scenic, specially-built complex on Mount Cobetas. The diversity of the acts and the clever way the stages are hidden among the trees makes this a very appealing festival, whatever your music taste. The nearby city of Bilbao, with its Guggenheim museum and pintxos bars, is a lovely add-on to the experience.

Hugely popular in Norway for headlining homegrown talent as well as the famous international acts, Øya is now firmly on Europe’s festival circuit. Held in Oslo's Tøyen Park, the festival has grown since its inception in 1999. Headlining alumni include Arctic Monkeys, Sonic Youth and Morrissey. Don’t miss the preceding event: a club night that takes place in most of Oslo’s city centre nightclubs. Sustainability is a big deal at the festival, which aims to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible.

If you like your international rock, pop and electronic acts to have a side helping of Latin music – or the other way round – Benicassim is  well worth a visit. Past acts include The Stone Roses, Blur and Bob Dylan. What’s more, as well as the music, Benicassim also has a host of other attractions, including fashion shows, short films and, of course, a fantastic beachside location. Make the most of it all by camping on the site for up to 9 days. Expect bands to play through the night and perhaps plan on recuperating afterwards in nearby Valencia for a few more days in the sun.

Taking place across three weekends, BST Hyde Park encompasses nine concerts that have featured the likes of The Rolling Stones, Kylie Minogue, Celine Dion and Taylor Swift. There’s also a free midweek entertainment in the associated Open House event. Taking place in one of the Royal Parks, Hyde Park, this isn’t a camping festival but there are plenty of nearby accommodation options to suit all budgets. And, if you can, it’s worth extending your stay in the city for a few days to make the most of London in the summer.

Super Bock Super Rock’s music focus and format has varied since its inception in 1995. In recent years, its main stage has hosted the likes of Lana Del Rey, Shame and ProfJam. With the current promoters aiming for a good spread of acts across rock, pop and rap, there’s a good chance more than one of the artists will have you up and dancing. The beach location is another plus. Choose from day tickets or the camping option. The best way to get there is via Lisbon airport, which is just 20 minutes away by bus or metro.

It doesn’t get grittier or more industrial than Flow. Held in an old power station, the atmosphere helps set Flow apart from other festivals that host a similar mix of current cult favourites and past rock heroes. As well as hosting big-name acts like Björk and Manic Street Preachers, the festival also has a strong focus on the arts in general. Expect film screenings, visual art exhibitions and excellent food and drink. An easy walk from the centre of Helsinki, Flow is the perfect festival to combine with a Scandinavian city break.

This massive rock event, spread across two sites, is rather like Reading Festival in the UK. Fans come for the big names – past line-ups have included Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Oasis – and the exuberant atmosphere. The excellent German beer is a bonus and, even if you’re not inclined to join in, the crowd surfing is so skilled it’s almost an art form. Nearby Nuremberg offers a good range of accommodation, as well as interesting attractions, including a medieval castle and palace.

Pulling in a line-up to rival any of the better-known festivals elsewhere in Europe, Roskilde was the 1971 brain-child of two students who were inspired by Woodstock. It’s since broadened out from its hippie origins and has hosted the likes of The Prodigy and Fat Boy Slim. However, keep an eye out for the ‘lone acts’ that wander the event; they can be a great way to get the first sight of an up-and-coming artist. Also watch out for the ‘naked run’ held on the Saturday. Winners receive free tickets for the following year’s event.

Originally held in a 19th century fort, Dimensions now takes place at the Garden Resort in Tisno, overlooking the Adriatic. An exhilarating mix of drum and bass, techno, disco, house and so on, it’s one of the best places anywhere to enjoy electronic music. Make sure you check out the after parties at the outdoor Barbarellas Discotheque, a few minutes’ drive from the main festival. And, when it’s all over, the nearby fishing town of Tisno is the perfect beachside bolthole for chilling. Get there via Zadar airport.

Easily one of Europe’s most popular festivals, Primavera Sound takes place in the Parc del Fòrum on Barcelona’s waterfront. Primavera Sound's popularity has seen the event expand in both size and duration since its inception back in the 1990s. With previous headliners including everyone from Marianne Faithfull to the Wu-Tang Clan, you can expect artists from across the pop, rock, rap and indie world. Slightly more niche underground dance music acts also have a strong presence. And, if you’re not totally exhausted after the 10-day line-up, Barcelona’s many attractions are literally a tram or bus ride away.

Sharing many of the same artists as Spain’s Primavera Sound, NOS Primavera is an alternative music festival held in the relaxed surroundings of Portugal’s biggest park, Parque Central. The slopes and hillsides of the park guarantee you a great view of your favourite bands as well as offering a fantastic spot to kick back and relax with friends. Nearby Porto, with its charming old town, wine tours and nearby beaches, is the perfect place to extend your stay.