Posted on: March 13th in Europe, Travel, Travel Top 10s by Scott Balaam.
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Often being open-minded and creative types, travellers and backpackers seem to love their music – so what better way to combine your love for music, travel and partying than a European music festival? The summer was made for festivals so why plan your trip now and book a ticket to a top European music festival? This is my guide to some of the best on offer (in no particular order):
1. The Festival Internacional de Benicàssim, Spain
Serious music lovers seem to be the only people outside of Spain who have heard of Benicàssim. Benicàssim is a small port town located in between Barcelona and Valencia and every year it plays host to a fantastic music festival. The four day event takes place in mid-July and predominately features alternative rock and electronic artists, but it’s also known to be a great place to rave. The event differs from the many music festivals who are restricted to a 2am curfew – here the music starts at 5pm and continues until early the next morning.
It’s one of the few festivals in the world where you relax on the beach during the day and another bonus is that you can buy your food in a supermarket instead of paying festival prices. You even won’t need to worry about personal hygiene as the campsite has its very own purpose-built outdoor showers!
The line up for 2013 includes The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age, Dizzie Rascal and Kaiser Chiefs.
- Dates from 18th July to 21st July 2013.
- Tickets approximately €153
- Benicassim Festival
- Camping not your thing? Try nearby hotels Hotel Benicassim, Bulevard Hotel or Voramar Hotel
2. Roskilde European music festival, Denmark
The Roskilde festival in Denmark is one of the biggest European music festivals. Two students and a promoter founded the event in 1971 before it was taken over by the Roskilde Foundation. It’s now run as a non-profit event with the aim of developing music and culture in the area. Visitors flock to the festival from all across Europe, providing tourists with a reason to visit the expensive Scandinavian country. The festival is usually a great mix of music, 24 hour parties, organic food and experimental art and design. Everyone arrives early so you could potentially have up to eight days of fun.
The 2013 line up will include Rihanna, Slipknot, Kraftwerk, Queens Of The Stone Age, The National, Sigur Ros, James Blake, Henry Rollins, Daedelus, Volbeat, Kvelertak, Goat, Disclosure, Baauer, Holy Other, Jam City, and Vatican Shadow.
- Dates from 29th June to 7th July 2013.
- Tickets: 1790 DKK (approx £195). On 1 March 2013 the price rises to DKK 1890. A full festival ticket gives you access to the full eight days.
- Roskilde Festival
- Camping not your thing? Try nearby hotels Comwell Hotel, Scandic Hotel or Motel Roskilde
3. Open’er Festival, Poland
Poland’s big event is held in Gdynia, which is city located on the country’s north coast. The festival takes place in early July with an eclectic range of artists on offer – expect everything from electronic and pop music to rock and reggae. The event is held in a huge airfield filled with seven stages and the music starts at 4pm and goes on until 2am. DJs continue to 5am. It also features a ‘festival town’ where you can buy merchandise, watch films, see theatre performances, eat or even play some sport (if you can muster the energy).
Catering to everyone’s musical tastes, previous artists have been a mixed bunch. For 2013 the line up includes Arctic Monkeys, Blur, Kings of Leon, Queens Of The Stone Age, Skunk Anansie, Editors and Animal Collective.
This is an excellent opportunity to visit Poland where you can experience the Eastern European culture and even head out to more party zones (like Warsaw or Krakow) for an extended break.
- Dates from 3rd – 6th July 2013
- Tickets: €109 with camping €89 without camping.
- Opener festival
- Camping not your thing? Try nearby hotels Villa Admiral Hotel, Orbis Hotel or Willa Julia Hotel
4. INmusic Festival, Croatia
Croatia’s largest open-air festival, INmusic started in 2005 and attracts approximately 25,000 people each year. It enjoys a pretty idyllic location on a small island in Lake Jarun. It’s a popular two day festival with several genre-specific stages each hosting renowned indie rock, heavy metal and electronica artists. It was also rated as one of Europe’s best festivals in 2008 and 2009 by The Times newspaper.
If you want to continue the fun when the festival ends, try an extended break exploring some of Croatia’s beautiful coastal resorts. This event is the perfect way to combine sun and great scenery with plenty of festival laughs. The 2013 line up includes Arctic Monkeys, Iggy and the Stooges, Basement Jaxx, Bloc Party, Editors and NOFX.
- Dates from 24th – 26th June 2013
- Tickets 349 Croatian Kuna (around 50 EUR)
- Inmusicfestival
- Camping not your thing? Nearest hotels include I Hotel, Hotel Jarun and Hotel Galerija
5. Exit, Serbia
This is an award wining summer European music festival in Serbia, held in the unique venue of the Petrovaradin Fortress of Novi Sad. Since 2003 the event has extended from three to four days, and over the years it has been used to get across both political and social messages.
Since 2004, the festival has attracted an increasing amount of household names and the festival has even created its own record label. The organisers release albums in MP3 form so people can download them for free from their official website. Bands that have benefited from this so far are Obojeni Program, E-Play, Jarboli and Ritam Nereda – all of which have all released albums through the label.
Expect artists from all music genres including rock, indie dance, reggae and electronica. The 2013 line up includes Fatboy Slim, Bloc Party, Ceelo Green, Atoms for Peace, Snoop Dogg and Diplo.
- Dates from 10th – 14th July 2013
- Early bird tickets from €88.
- Exitfest
- Camping not your thing? Try nearby hotels Hotel Rimski or Putnik Hotel
6. Pukkelpop, Belgium
This famous Belgium festival is held near Hasselt towards the end of August. It’s a popular event which takes place in a large area of fields and woodland in the village of Kiewit and attracts over 180,000 people each year. It’s the second largest music festival in the country aiming to have a progressive and contemporary feel.
The line up is always voted for by the fans and this year it includes Eminem, The XX, The Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, Neil Young & crazy horse, Franz Ferdinand, The Knife, Bat for Lashes, Slayer, Skunk Anansie and Alabama Shakes.
- Dates from 15th – 17th August 2013
- Tickets: TBC for 2013
- pukkelpop.be
- Camping not your thing? Try nearby hotels Parkhotel Hasselt or Ibis Hasselt Centrum Hotel
7. Pinkpop Festival, Netherlands
This Dutch festival takes place in Landgraaf and is thought to be one of the oldest annual festivals in the world, having started in 1970. The event is held Pentecost weekend, hence its name (in Dutch it’s called Pinkster). It’s a popular three day event that attracts over 60,000 visitors every year.
Over the years some big names have attended and this year’s line up includes Green Day, The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age, Kings of Leon, Stereophonics, Ellie Goulding, The Script and The Vaccines.
- Dates from 14th – 16th June 2013
- Tickets go on sale 23rd February 2013, prices TBC.
- Pinkpop
- Camping not your thing? Try nearby hotels Landgoed Overste Hof Hotel or Hotel Snowworld
8. Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, Germany
Germans are known for their love of rock so it’s no surprise these two sister events make up one of the largest music festivals in the world. Located in Nürburgring and Nuremberg, with a few exceptions both three day festivals normally have identical lineups. Often a sold out event, the festival attracts around 150,000 die hard rock and alternative fans all determined to party hard.
One of the unique characteristics of this festival are the event’s locations. Rock Am Ring takes place at the Nürburgring racetrack in the west of Germany while Rock im Park makes use of a football stadium in Bavaria. At least you won’t have to fear mud pits at one of the events, the asphalt race track of the Nuremberg Ring ensures a slide free festival no matter what the weather.
The line up for 2013 includes Green Day, The Prodigy, The Killers, Biffy Clyro, Korn, Bush, Ellie Goulding, Dizzee Rascal, Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach.
- Dates from 7th- 9th June 2013
- Early bird tickets are priced at €150 including camping and parking.
- Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park
9. Sziget Festival, Hungary
Hungary’s top music festival is held in Budapest, the nations capital. The event (which attracts over 350,000 people) lasts for an eye watering seven days and by the end of the week around 1000 artists would have performed. It’s held on Óbudai-sziget (translated as Old-Buda Island), which is a huge, leafy 266 acre island on the Danube. It’s a popular event and in 2011 it won the European Festival Award for the Best Major Festival.
The event isn’t just about music – there are lots of other activities available. If you want to take a break from the music you can always kick around on the island’s football pitch, try indoor rowing or go to the cinema. Another draw is that you can still enjoy a bargain in Hungary with many items being a lot cheaper than the rest of Europe. Once the party is over you can wind down in the famous Hungarian baths or if you want to keep partying, head into the centre of Budapest where you’ll find plenty of clubs and bars.
The 2013 line up includes Blur, Biffy Clyro, Bat for Lashes, Dizzee Rascal, Editors, Little Boots, Mika and Skunk Anansie.
- Dates from 5th – 12th August 2013
- Tickets: Camping €209, Non-camping €178.
- Sziget festival
- Not into camping? Hotels nearest the site include Retro Hotel and Ramada Plaza Hotel
10. The Isle of Wight Festival, UK
The Isle of Wight festival has enjoyed a long and colourful history. The event started in 1968 and in 1969 Bob Dylan performed in front of an estimated crowd of 200,000 people. The following year it was even better when in excess of 600,000 people turned up to see the incredible (and now legendary) line-up which included the dream team of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and The Who. The festival was revamped in 2002 and is now held at Seaclose Park near Newport.
The 2013 headliners are The Stone Roses, The Killers and Bon Jovi and other acts include The Script, Bloc Party, Paul Weller, Paloma Faith, Ellie Goulding, Happy Mondays, Blondie, Ben Howard, Levellers, The Blockheads and Example.
- Dates from 13th – 16th June 2013
- Tickets: Weekend camping £185 and non-camping £170 To buy tickets.
- Isle of Wight festival
- Camping not your thing? Nearest hotels include Premier Inn Newport and Travelodge Hotel Newport
Other great European Music Festivals in 2013…
- Primavera Sound, Barcelona (22nd to 26th May) – Catch independent music at this beach-side all nighter.
- Sonar Festival, Barcelona (13th – 15th June) – This is one for beat lovers, a great Euro dance event.
- Glastonbury, UK (26th – 30th June) – This is the biggie. The mother of all festivals is back in 2013 but tickets always seem to be sold out. The next chance you’ll have is chance is April 2013 when there will be a resale of any cancelled tickets.
- Hurricane Festival, Germany (21st – 23rd June) – Mainly alternative but becoming more mainstream.
- T in the Park, Scotland (12th – 14th July) – The Scots know how to party, see for yourself.
- Melt Festival, Berlin (19th – 21st July) - Electronic meets Rock at this quirky disused mine venue.
- Super Bock Super Rock, Portugal (18th to 20th July) – Beer sponsored party in the sun.
- Tomorrowland, Belgium (26th- 28th July) - Quickly became one of the most talked about and popular festivals in Europe, a fairy tale themed electronic dance music event with over 400 DJs.
- Woodstock Festival, Poland (1st – 3rd August) – Huge free event for a good cause.
- Off Festival, Poland (1st – 4th August) – Unique boutique festival attracting some great bands.
- Oxegen Festival, Ireland (3rd – 4th August) Enjoy the craic at Ireland’s best loved music event.
- Oya Festival, Oslo, Norway (6th – 10th August) – Friendly four day event, Scandinavian style.
- Reading Festival, Berkshire, UK (23rd – 25th August) – Rock & Indie with sister festival in Leeds.
- Bestival on Isle of Wight, UK (5th – 8th September) – Live bands, fancy dress and fun.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of every great European music festival, they all have something to offer, on top of mud, music and rain (or if you’re lucky, sun)! So pack your tent and enjoy!
UK festivals are world famous, for a full run down of UK festivals check out our 10 of the best UK music festivals post
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7 June, 2013
Europe’s biggest open air festival 21. – 23. june Vienna , Austria
FREE entry
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donauinselfest
Charlotte recently posted..Osttirol, Outdoorparadies zwischen Glockner und Dolomiten – bergsteigen, klettern, biken im sonnigen Süden
6 June, 2013
Great post, it is always great to mix travel and music together.
Optimus Alive festival in Portugal is also a great European festival – Snow Patrol headlined last year and were amazing!
16 April, 2013
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog
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time. Thanks and best of luck.
Chanel recently posted..Chanel
10 December, 2012
very detailed information about all the important festivals in Europe. thanks for sharing
7 April, 2013
Best festival I went to last year and my faimly agreed (and they are very hard to please.) Get atmosphere, lovely people and fantastic music. I particularly enjoyed Tribe of Frog down the coppice. Only criticism would be that the loos seemed a little far and few between and didnt seem to get cleaned that often but I’ve got a trusty She-Wee so shouldnt be a problem. Roll on next July!
10 August, 2012
maybe it’s not considered top but here’s a suggestion fwiw: the rock en seine music festival that takes place in paris (well, just outside paris). a weekend thing that draws thousands of rock music fans from across europe but from off the continent as well. some years have an amazing lineup, some are weaker but it’s all in good fun and sort of feels like the last bit of fun parisians can have before getting back into the swing of fall, the school year and work. cheers for the list!
2 August, 2012
It’s far too cold for festivals in England. I’m going to Eastern Electrics Festival tomorrow, but it’s forecast thunderstorms – just like at Parklife and Field Day in England. I need to go to an international Fest!
Sophie recently posted..40 Bizarre Pizzas for Backpackers
19 June, 2012
Great idea to combine a festival with your vacation. Sounds like one unforgettable trip
MarketingTurizma.info recently posted..STOP! Prestanite praviti ovu grešku
3 June, 2012
B.o.B., Lloyd and others – http://www.pestivals.lv/en – in Riga Latvia
28 March, 2012
Hey,
What about the Peace and Love festival in Borlänge, Sweden?! I mean; Rihanna [BB] Skrillex [US] Regina Spektor [US] Bloc Party [UK] Billy Idol [UK]
10 March, 2012
Where is Woodstock?
Alternative rock bands recently posted..Alternative Rock Trio – Menew
22 February, 2012
what about electric picnic in ireland?
20 February, 2012
Hi, there,
interesting pick of festivals. There is one more in Austria called Nova Rock, too.
If you are interested in new music from different parts of Europe, you can also visit this: http://tinyurl.com/73jncp3.
1 February, 2012
I would also like to mention the summer line up of Cavo Paradiso Mykonos. The hottest and most important dancefloor in Greece and an extremely popular international clubbing destination, Cavo Paradiso Club, is back for the 2010 season and is ready to lift you up to the stratosphere and enrich your summer holidays. The line up for next summer will be posted here http://www.mykonosgold.com/nightlife/cavo-paradiso/club.htm
13 January, 2012
Great information, am looking forward to going to as many festivals as possible over the next two years. Just wanted to let you know that Oxegen, like Glastonbury, is not being held this year. They will return in 2013. Thanks
13 January, 2012
What about the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (http://comhaltas.ie/events/competitions/) in Ireland? It attracts 250,000 people, and 11,000 traditional Irish musicians from all over the world, in the last week of August each year for free traditional Irish music on streets and in pubs across a chosen Irish town. This coming year it will be Cavan town. It’s all voluntary with no spin doctors or corporations promoting it, which might explain why so few people outside Ireland know about it. (http://www.fleadh2011cavan.ie/Default.aspx?StructureID_str=102)
21 December, 2011
Check out Tomorrowland..
180.000 people over 3 days.
Last year’s official after movie is incredible (+11.000.000 views)
Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7CdTAiaLes&feature=channel_video_title
8 August, 2011
Where the hell is Woodstock Festival ??
The biggest music festival in Europe and one of the biggest in the Europe! This year there were about 700.000 people who could see 3 days of music in extremaly peaceful atmosphere. The biggest music star this year was The Prodigy.
And all of that COMPLETLY FREE of charge !!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Przystanek_Woodstock
24 June, 2011
Cool festivals.. But have you ever heard about Kazantip? I prefer to go there almost every year. That is the craziest rave music event I’ve ever been!! It lasts for a MONTH on the beach of Crimea Peninsula, Ukraine. Ye, far from enough but it is worth it! People there are real party animals:)) The sea, world favorite dj’s, cheap prices and really hot people! The official site is http://www.kazantip-republic.com but there you can find only info about event. I book my trip and find a lot of useful info before the trip here http://www.z-aliens.net.
By the way, what is really funny it is not considered as a festival but as the separate Kazantip Republic with own rules and government. Cool idea!
9 May, 2011
I made many European festivals and a road trip through Europe in 2009 took me in Hungary and to Sziget festival.
It was crazy! The festival is in the heart of Budapest on an island on the middle of river Danube, creating a special atmosphere with the unique mixture of party, city and nature.
It is the longest festival, 7 days of music, cultural programs and exhibitions. But it is also the largest with 400,000 persons from everywhere in the world and the most diverse line up, you will find what you like in every hour of the day on one of the 30 stages of the Island.
You add a huge Party Arena and some parties places with several DJs 24h/7, cheap drinks and food.
I finished this experience in one of the bath of the city on Monday afternoon after few days without sleeping.
A week of madness, i didn’t believe what I was living!
Live it, you will enjoy it!
To have an idea of this amazing event, watch that! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llt-rK7Qbmo
8 April, 2011
I am somewhat of a Festival Head in my home town in Australia. I go to all the Summer festivals. I hope its something I can do during my European trip (starting next week).
I’m interested to know if you managed to go to any of the festivals you listed here. And what you thought of it?
I will be travelling solo, so going to festivals could be somewhat of a struggle. Especially since you often need to book tickets months in advance.
Looking forward to huge crowds and live music!
Thanks for the post, stumbled #su.
9 April, 2011
Hi Ian,
Where in Oz are you from?
I wish I could say that I have to them all, I have got my experience by going and learning from others who have been.
My first festival was Benicàssim which was incredible – for this I bought tickets a few weeks in advance, I think it’s quite accessible. Sadly something like Glastonbury in England or Oxygen in Ireland is very hard. Mind you, sometimes you may find someone with a spare ticket if you search sites.
I am set to go to Isle of White festival this summer, I bought tickets pre-xmas yet it’s in June and sadly that’s sold out.
I would say try to plan a few in advance …
I hope this has been helpful.
If you wish to get in touch you can get me via twitter @footiefun.
All the best
27 March, 2011
If you are looking for great music in the Greek Islands, check out my blog. The season doesn’t really start until June/July, but you can get an early start planning!
Mykonos recently posted..How to Eat Cheap in Mykonos
19 March, 2011
Good article, thanks.
Good Design
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17 March, 2011
In Lithuania we also have interesting music festival Be2gether. Do you know about it?
Agne recently posted..10 interesting facts about Lithuania
17 March, 2011
Hi Agne,
I must admit I don’t know the festival “Be2gether”.
I have been to Lithuania, but not for music. I went to Vilnius and Klaipėda before going to your neighbour Latvia.
Be lucky … keep smiling
Scottie B
14 March, 2011
They all look like they could be a wonderful experience. Have you been to all ten?
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17 March, 2011
Hi ‘Bluegreen Kirk’,
I wish I could say yes, I have a mix of experience and learning about festivals from those who have been.
I then went to Love Parade in Berlin in 2002. My first festival was Benicàssim which was incredible.
I am set to go to Isle of White festival this summer – I heard excellent reviews from people who went last summer.
It’s always nice to hit a festival and turn it into a holiday!!!
Be lucky … keep smiling
Scottie B