Ecstatic crowds, glorious weather, and great music reverberating all around. There is nothing better than a summer music festival.
Unfortunately, for the past two years, music festivals worldwide went into stasis due to the coronavirus pandemic. A few held virtual events, but these failed to capture the magic of music festivals. This is the first summer since the virus struck that many people feel safe returning to festivals.
While some big-hitters like Glastonbury may have completely sold out, there are still plenty of festivals available. Here are some of the best musicals across Europe.
Afro Nation
Any avid Afrobeats listener knows that Afro Nation is Europe's biggest urban music beach festival, with a star-studded line-up covering dancehall, bashment, hip-hop and R&B.
Audiences from around the world gather to occupy Praia da Rocha's blissful beach for a weekend of pure heat, both in temperature and vibe.
The party will spill out over sand and sea, with private parties on the beach, boat parties and private parties with renowned DJs from around the world.
Afro Nation festival unites more than 20,000 people of colour from around the world to "celebrate love, peace, unity and the beauty of African culture". If this sounds alluring, why not pay a visit to the Algarve and celebrate the best of Afrobeats.
When & Where: 1st July - 3rd July; The Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
Line Up: Burna Boy, Wizkid, Megan Thee Stallion, Chris Brown, Davido, Beenie Man, Koffee, Tems, Popcaan
Tickets: Tickets are still available. Buy tickets here.
Private Jet Airports: Faro Airport (FAO); Portimao Airport (PRM).
Hideout
Twelve years since its first event, Hideout has evolved from its humble beginnings into one of the most hotly anticipated events in Europe. The idyllic setting of Croatia's Zrće Beach provides the perfect backdrop for a sun-kissed break and high-energy parties. Bringing together sun, sea and some of the biggest names in electronic music.
Hideout takes place at five of the most famous clubs in Croatia - Papaya, Aquarius, Noa, Kalypso and Euphoria. Altogether, they offer a mixture of sun-soaked wooden terraces, an abundance of thematic production, mesmeric lights, world-class sound systems and uninterrupted views of the glistening Adriatic.
If that's, somehow, not enough for you, there are plenty of other exciting adventures you can take part in - water sports, banana boats, jet skis, pedalos, massages on the beach and the famous Bungee Jump. Festival-goers will also be treated to a host of secret beach and boat parties. Hideout has something for everyone over a glorious five days and nights.
When & Where: 3rd July - 7th July, Zrce, Pag island, Croatia
Line Up: Andy C, CamelPhat, Sherelle, Gorgon City, Hybrid Minds, Jamie Jones, Patrick Topping, Maya Jane Coles.
Tickets: Tickets are still available. Buy tickets here.
Private Jet Airports: Zadar Airport (ZAD); Split Airport (SPU).
Mad Cool
Only a few years old, Mad Cool has become one of Europe's most glittering, glaringly popular festivals. While it may not have the history and reputation as its Barcelonan rival Primavera Sound, in Mad Cool, Spain has acquired another festival that stands alongside the continent's biggest and best.
Using the #ShineAgain slogan, Mad Cool will be held over five days rather than three to make it up to its festival-goers for the lost time.
During the first few years, the music festival primarily celebrated pop, rock, and indie artists. This year, the protracted fiesta will beckon fans of many more genres such as alternative, electronic, and R&B. From legends like Metallica, Pixies and Stormzy to newcomers like Baby Queen and Easy Life, Mad Cool 2022 is shaping up to be one hell of a show.
Boasting one of the world's most diverse line-ups, Mad Cool will be well-worth booking flight tickets to Madrid.
When & Where: 6th - 10th July; Madrid, Spain
Line Up: Metallica, The Killers, Muse, Kings of Leon, twenty one pilots, Imagine Dragons, Faith No More, Pixies, Placebo
Tickets: Tickets for the final two days (Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th) are still available for 75€ and 65€ respectively. Buy tickets here.
Private Jet Airports: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD); Cuatro Vientos Airport (LEVS); Getafe Airport (LEGT); & Torrejon Airport (TOJ).
Exit Festival
Each summer, the historic Petrovaradin Fortress is transformed into a hotbed of hedonistic musical delight as titans of dance gather to put on one hell of a show, with sprinklings of hip-hop, indie, pop and even heavy metal.
Since its inception in 2000, EXIT has become one of the most acclaimed festivals, winning numerous awards over the past 22 years. It has twice won the Best Major Festival award at the European Festivals Awards, while the UK Festival awarded it the 'Best Major Festival Award' in 2013 and 2017. It was ranked one of the ten best major festivals at European Festivals Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The BBC also included EXIT on the list of seven world's greatest festivals in 2018. And this year looks like it could be the best yet with a thrilling line-up.
When & Where: 7th July - 10th July; Novi Sad, Serbia.
Line Up: Calvin Harris, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Boris Brejcha, Iggy Azalea, James Arthur, Honey Dijon, Maceo Plex, Afrojack
Tickets: Tickets are still available. Purchase here.
Private Jet Airports: Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG); Batajnica (BJY).
Tomorrowland
Simply put, Tomorrowland is the biggest electronic music show on earth, offering incredible firework shows, friends worldwide, incredible food, and an unbelievable line-up.
The festival campsite, DreamVille, is a paradise that tens of thousands of music lovers call home during their stay at Tomorrowland. People from all walks of life meet, and international friendships are made here. Believe it or not, everything you could possibly need can be found in Dreamville - a supermarket, a butcher selling fresh meat, fresh bread from a bakery, a tattoo shop, hair salons, a laundry shop, and the list goes on.
Over 400 DJs perform across 16 stages, each with a unique theme. The designers go to great lengths to make each one spectacular. Why you should try to discover all of them, we recommend you visit the Rave Cave. Yes, it's a mini rave in an underground cave tunnel.
What makes Tomorrowland particularly special is that the organisers go to great lengths to provide the festival attendees with the best experience. On the 10th anniversary, every partygoer was given a free cup of champagne so they could join in the celebrations. Unlike many festivals, there are a variety of upscale dining experiences you can book in advance. Imagine having an exquisite dinner overlooking the main stage with your soulmate. And if you want to send a postcard to a friend, don't worry! There is an exceptional Tomorrowland Post Office, and it's free!
Over the final three weekends of July, Tomorrowland is truly an out-of-this-world experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.
When & Where: 15th - 17th July, 22nd - 24th July & 29th - 31st July; Boom, Belgium.
Line Up: Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Marshmello, Amelie Lens, Adam Beyer, Eric Prydz, NERVO
Tickets: While tickets have sold out, you can register on the Waiting List. If tickets become available, you can purchase them through the Waiting List. Find out more here.
Private Jet Airports: Brussels Airport (BRU); Antwerp Airport (ANR).
Sziget Festival
If you haven't heard of Sziget Festival, brace yourself because this is one festival you definitely don't want to miss.
Sziget music festival, held every August in Budapest, is one of the largest music festivals in all of Europe. Based on an island in the middle of the Danube river is brimming with some of today's hottest bands.
From rock to hip hop to EDM, there's something for everyone to enjoy. While the main stage comprises of mainstream acts, there are 23 different stages and performing areas packed full of musical and entertaining acts, which are perfect for people with more eclectic palates.
Sziget's nickname is "the island of freedom", and it's easy to see why. As soon as you step through the festival gates, you feel as if you have been transported to another universe. With so many people walking around in unique costumes, music in the air and art everywhere, you feel complete acceptance. You can truly be anything or anyone you want here!
The music at the main stages plays late into the night, but the party never really stops. After the headlines finish their sets, plenty of DJs play on smaller stages and after parties erupt throughout the campground. We recommend you pay a visit to the foam pit. Spitting out old-school hip-hop beats and tons of foam, the foam pit is the place to party.
With the sheer breadth of pop, rock, and indie talent available, you can understand why Sziget Festival has been one of Europe's go-to music festivals for nearly three decades.
When & Where: 10th August - 15th August; Budapest, Hungary
Line Up: Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon, Tame Impala, Stromae
Tickets: Tickets are still available. Purchase here.
Private Jet Airports: Budapest Airport (BUD).
AMF Festival
Formerly known as Amsterdam Music Festival, AMF is one of dance music's biggest nights of the year. For one night only, EDM royalty all come together at the Johan Cruijff Arena – the iconic football stadium in the southeast of Amsterdam, to celebrate the best of electronic dance music.
AMF has become EDM's biggest event of the year thanks to its partnership with DJ Mag to reveal their vaunted Top 100 DJs list live in front of a packed house. A line-up of the world's biggest DJs, soaring beats, surreal stage production, and 71,000 screaming fans. If you love EDM, you will love ATF.
When & Where: 20th October; Amsterdam.
Line Up: David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Brennan Heart, Timmy Trunpet, Tiësto, Afrojack, Nicky Romero, Topic
Tickets: Late Bird Tickets are still available to buy. Learn more here.
Private Jet Airports: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
ENJOY YOUR TRIP
With so many fantastic festivals to choose from, it can be challenging to pick one, but these are just some of the best across Europe. If you want to go to any of these or another festival, we can get you there in style.
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