Get these European music festivals in your diary. Right. Now.

The days of going on holiday just to see the pretty buildings are over. Ok, not over. You can definitely still do that. But there's something to be said for timing your European holiday with a music festival. Firstly, you don't have to work out where to go for dinner each night, secondly the weather's almost guaranteed to be better than the UK, and thirdly you can usually see whoever's headlining in back home in a muddy field more cheaply abroad. Plus if camping's not your thing, you can book a hotel to a city festival, get your rave on, then return to a comfy bed at the end of the night. So let's agree to make this the year we stop talking about it and finally, finally, get ourselves over to Europe for a music festival. No need to wait until the summer, either. We're kicking our year of music off with Sonar in February and finishing with Amsterdam in October. What about you?

February

When: 16th, 17th, 18th February 2017 Where: Reykjavik, Iceland Type of music: Electronic Camping?: No (bit cold for that.) Here's some hotels. Essential information If you like electronic music, have even a passing interest in technology and can't wait until Barcelona in June, Sonar's satellite festival in Reykjavik is the one for you. There'll be music across four stages in the Harpa Concert Hall (the underground car park's being turned into a night club) and panel talks throughout the day. Iceland might be in darkness at this time of year, but that's what lasers and lights are for, right? Headliners: Fat Boy Slim, De La Soul and Moderat Tickets: Current deal - 145 Euros for a 3 day pass More info: Website and Twitter

March

When: 18th - 25th March 2017 Where: Avoiraz, France Type of music: Electronic / DnB / Dance Camping?: No.  Essential information Get a snow and sound fix on the mountainside in Avioraz. The Portes Du Soleil is one of France's biggest ski regions, so once you've finished a day on the slopes, you can head off to a massive main stage event, an igloo rave or a club night. This is apres ski on steroids. Headliners: Basement Jaxx, Wilkinson, High Contrast, HannahWants Tickets: Snowboxx Pass and lift pass from £204.00 More info: Website and Twitter

April

When: 3rd - 8th April 2017 Where: Mayrhofen, Austria Type of music: Electronic / live bands Camping?: No. Brrr. Essential information Put away your lederhosen and merge this year's ski holiday with the sort of apres your ears will thank you for. By day you'll be making tracks around one of Europe's best resorts or flipping around the snowpark, and by night you'll be raving to DJs in a forest. Good luck getting the first lift in the morning, though. Headliners: Chase and Status, Elrow, Skream Tickets: from £249 More info: Website and Twitter

Lost & Found, Malta When: 13th - 16th April 2017 Where: Malta Type of music: Electronic Camping?: No - find hotels in Malta Essential information: Tiny island. Big sound. Annie Mac's yearly big one in Malta is back. Expect castle raves, pool parties, big stages and sunshine warm enough to dig out your t-shirt. Consider this your summer warm-up. Headliners: Annie Mac, Armand Van Helden, Andy C Tickets: from £85 More info: Website and Twitter

May

When: 31st May - 4th June 2017 Where: Copenhagen, Denmark Type of music: Dance, rave, hip hop Camping?: No - find hotels in CopenhagenEssential information: This firmly established two-day rave up in Copenhagen Harbour has plenty of "organised chaos" going on throughout the day, before the party really ramps up at nightfall. Headliners: Wiley + Slimzee Tickets: from 74 EUR More info: Website and Twitter

When: 31st May - 4th June 2017 Where: Barcelona, Spain Type of music: Various - mainly indie Camping?: No - the latest Barcelona hotel dealsEssential information: The Catalan capital is a stunning backdrop to this major international festival that always delivers a stellar line-up. Expect the best in rock, pop, underground dance and indie. Headliners: Kate Tempest, Solange, The xx, Aphex Twin Tickets: 3 day pass from 195EUR More info: Website and Twitter

June

When: 2nd - 4th June 2017 Where: Mendig, Germany Type of music: Rock Camping?: Yes Essential information: Held simultaneously with Rock am Park (Nuremberg), like V festival and Reading & Leeds in the UK, the line-ups interchange over the weekend. This is the biggest music festival in Germany. Headliners: System of a Down, Slaves, Bastille, Five Finger Death Punch More info: Website and Twitter

When: 2nd - 4th June 2017 Where: Frankfurt, Germany Type of music: Dance, Rave Camping?: Yes Essential information

BigCityBeats will transform the Commerzbank-Arena into the biggest club in the world. There will be 15 stages and 200 DJs performing over three dance-filled days.

Headliners: Deadmaus, Steve Aoki Tickets: from 89 EUR More info: Website

When: 8th - 10th June 2017 Where: Porto, Portugal Type of music: Various Camping?: Yes Essential information: This spin-off from its sister festival in Barcelona is now in its sixth year. You can party in the largest park in Portugal. Headliners: Bon Iver, Aphex Twin, Skepta, Flying Lotus Tickets: from 100 EUR More info: Website and Twitter

When:  15th, 16th, 17th June 2017 Where: Barcelona Type of music: Electronic Camping?: No - find hotels in BarcelonaEssential information: They've been producing festivals, with a strong focus on balancing established electronic acts with newcomers, for more than two decades.By day you're at Fira Monjuic before heading to Fira Gran Via L'Hospitalet for the evening shows. This year, you can also get tickets to David Bowie Is: at Barcelona's Design Museum at the same time. Headliners: Justice, Moderat, De La Soul, Fat Freddy's Drop Tickets: from 125 EUR for a 2 night pass More info: Website and Twitter

When: TBC Where: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Type of music: Techno, Electronic, Dance Camping? No - here are some hotels in nearby AmsterdamEssential information: One of the biggest electronic music festivals in Europe is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. More info: Website and Twitter

When: 24th June - 1st July 2017 Where: Near Copenhagen, Denmark Type of music: Various Camping? Yes Essential information:  A fixture on the European scene since 1971, this is one of the biggest festivals going and its profits go to humanitarian initiatives. Headliners: The Weeknd, Solange, Justice, Arcade Fire Tickets: around £236 More info: Website

When: Monday 26th - Friday 30th June 2017 Where: Island of Pag, Croatia Type of music: Electronic, Dance, House, Techno Camping? Yes Essential information: This beautiful island location is the perfect place to spend a whole week dancing to some of the best electronic artists in the world. Headliners: Major Lazer Soundsystem, Stormzy, Marco Carola, Diplo Tickets: from £152 More info: Website and Twitter

When: 28th June - 5th July 2017 Where: Tisno, Croatia Type of music: Dance, Rave Camping?: No - here's our pick of Croatia hotels Essential information Seven days and seven nights of clubs, boat parties and sunbathing in the pretty coastal town of Tisno. You can dance till dawn on their private beach to some of the best underground DJs and producers. Headliners: Axel Bowman, Ben UFO, Black Madonna Tickets: from £15 More info: Website and Twitter

July

When: 5th - 9th July 2017 Where: Zamárdi, Hungary Type of music: Dance Camping?: Yes Essential information: Balaton Lake is the biggest in central Europe, and each year the small town of Zamárdi to its south is transformed into a five-day dance party hub. Headliners: John Digweed, Kygo Tickets: Day passes from 56 EUR More info: Website and Twitter

When: 6th - 9th July 2017 Where: Novi Sad, Serbia Type of music: Various Camping?: Yes Essential information: Rave in cobbled tunnels, dance around a Petrovaradin Fortress and see some of the biggest DJs in the Dance Arena. What started as a student protest in 2000 fighting for political change and freedom still promotes change and positive education, supporting many community and humanitarian missions, while making you move your feet. Headliners: TBC Tickets: TBC More info: Website and Twitter

When: 8th - 9th July 2017 Where: Turin, Italy Type of music:Techno, dance Camping?: No - find hotels near Turin Essential information

This Italian festival has only been going since 2012, however with music running from midday through midnight, on both Saturday and Sunday, and some cool hangars and industrial spaces to enjoy it in, it's quickly become established. The best of Torino's food and drink scene will also be on offer to refuel you after all that raving.

Headliners: TBC Tickets: TBC More info: Website and Twitter

When: 7th, 8th, 9th, July 2017 Where: De Bergen in Wanroij, Netherlands Type of music: Dance, Techno Camping?: Yes Essential information This year the outdoor, countryside rave is moving to a new home in a lakeside forest outside of Eindhoven. And good news: you'll be able to camp on site. Headliners: TBC More info: Website and Twitter

When: 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th July 2017 Where:  Benicàssim, SpainType of music: Various Camping?: Yes Essential information: Spain's biggest festival is a big hit among the Brits, thanks to its lovely coastal location, hot weather and headline acts. Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, Foals Tickets: 4 day pass from 120 EUR More info: Website and Twitter

When: 13th, 14th, 15th July 2017 Where: Lisbon, Portugal Type of music: Rock, Pop, Indie Camping?: No - find hotels in LisbonEssential information: Firmly established as one of the biggest rock and pop festivals in Europe over the last 20 years, the warm Lisbon nights make it a popular place to see some big names play. Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deftones Tickets: from 55EUR for a day pass, and 109EUR for 3 days More info: Website and Twitter

When: 13th - 14th July 2017 Where: Budva, Montenegro Type of music: Dance Camping: Yes Essential information: The acclaimed Jaz Beach is the dandy home to one of the newest international music festivals - and the sister of EXIT Festival in neighbouring Serbia. Headliners: TBC Tickets: This festival is included in the "1 ticket, 4 festivals"  EXIT deal which runs until 15th January 2017. More info: Website and Twitter

When: 14th, 15th, 16th, July 2017 Where: Split, Brac & Hvar in Croatia Type of music: Electronic Dance, House Camping?: Yes - find out more about Split and BracEssential information: This Adriatic party has multiple venues, including the unique Zlatni Rat Beach, and you can also leave the shore and take a trip on one of their boat parties.We're still waiting to see who's going to follow last year's line up of Above and Beyond, Adam Beyer and Armin Van Burin. Headliners: TBC Tickets: 3 day pass from 169 EUR More info: Website and Twitter

When: 19th - 26th July 2017 Where: The Garden Tisno, Croatia Type of music: Dance, Urban, House Camping: Yes Essential information: Dance til dawn under the stars at this week-long rave party in Croatia which appeals to a slightly older crowd. Headliners: Kerri Chandler, David Morales Tickets: £155 for a week pass More info: Website and Twitter

When: Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24 Where:  Boom, Belgium Type of music: Electronic Essential information: This iconic and whimsical-looking European event usually sells out quickly, so get in there quick. They have a similar pre-registration as Glastonbury, so register before then. Tickets go on pre-sale on January 28th. More info: Website Tickets: The Full Madness pass is 225 EUR, day passes from 94 EUR

When: 27th - 31st July 2017 Where: Tisno, Croatia Type of music: Dance, Club Classics, Drum & Bass Camping?: No - but they have onsite apartments Essential information Garden Tisno on the Dalmatian coastline will be the backdrop for the summer soundtrack at this chilled out and intimate festival. Croatian artists will transform the festival site into a work of art and there'll also be donkey races as well as boat parties and open-air raving. Headliners: Gilles Peterson, Horsemeat Disco, Roy Ayers More info: Website and Twitter

When: 28th July - 1st August 2017 Where: Tisno, Croatia Type of music: Techno, Dance Camping?: Onsite accomodation options Essential information Sometimes you'll even be dancing with the water round your feet at this beachside festival in Croatia.

The famous Garden Resort and Barbarella's Discotheque - beloved of other festivals, are fine festivals for Movement to replicate their Detroit and Turin editions.

Headliners: Ben Klock, Dave Clarke, David Morales Tickets: Boat party and day tickets from 20 EUR, week passes from 180 EUR More info: Website

August

When:  TBA Where: Ibiza Type of music: Various Essential information: Traditionally held on the first weekend in August, details are still under wraps. More info: Website

When: 9th - 16th August 2017 Where: Budapest, Hungary Type of music: Various Camping: Yes - or see our hotel packages here. Essential information: Welcome to the Island of Freedom. That's what they call Óbuda Island in Budapest, where you can see why Sziget won the ‘Best Major European Festival’ award in 2015. As well as being able to dip your dancing toes in the Danube, this week long party has big names on the main stage, as well as theatre, dance, art installations, and yoga. Ohhmm. Headliners: Major Lazer, Two Door Cinema Club, Tom Odell Tickets: Day passes from 65 EUR, 5 day pass from 275 EUR, and 7 day pass from 299 EUR (until end of May) or buy hotel and VIP packages here. More info: Website and Twitter

When: 25th, 26th, 27th August 2017 Where: Paris Type of music: Rock, Pop-Rock, Alternative Camping?: Yes - but if you don't fancy camping, here are some Paris hotels Essential information Set in the historic setting of the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, the amps are set to full pelt (you can pick up ear plugs) as the sounds of rock blast through the ornamental gardens. One of France's biggest music festivals, some of the biggest names in rock have played here since the first festival in 2003. Headliners: TBC Tickets: 119 EUR More info: Website and Twitter

October

When: 18th - 22nd October 2017 Where: Amsterdam Type of music: Electronic Camping?: No  Essential information At night, more than 2,200 international artists will be playing in Amsterdam's best venues, like Melkweg, Closure, Gashouder, Claire, Shelter, Paradiso, and the NDSM Docklands. There's also daytime program of dance music-related exhibitions, films, documentaries, DJ showcases, gear master classes and artist Q&As taking place across Amsterdam’s five main districts. Or culture 'n' that, as we like to call it. Headliners: TBC Tickets: TBC More info: Website and Twitter

Maybe one of the international festivals has caught your eye - if so our European flights could get you there. Going to a European festival that isn't on the list? Let us know in the comments.