Summer is synonym to many other words.
Sun, outdoor activities, beach, sea, holiday, party, ice-cream,
but mainly music.
Among the goals I want to accomplish before turning 30, there is to take part in a music festival.
I have always thought of them as a great chance to enjoy yourself while listening to some great music, making new friends, and discovering new places.
Festivals are, indeed, the perfect opportunity to discover a new country.
And most of them are hosted in natural parks and off-the-beaten paths.
Are you curious to read what are the 10 festivals I choose for you?
These are my ultimate destinations to European music festivals for the upcoming summer:
- Bilbao BBK live (Spain): their line-up is quite impressive, with Florence and the Machine on the very beginning, and other amazing artists such as The XX, The Chemical Brothers, and many others.
The BBK live is set in the outskirt of the city of Bilbao, on the green area of mount Kobeta (Kobetamendi in the local language, Euskera).
Did you know that its logo are two mountains?
https://www.bilbaobbklive.com/en/
- Colours of Ostrava (Czech Republic): in the third biggest city of the Czech Republic, a huge and varied festival takes place. For the 16th year, the four-day-event in Ostrava will give you the opportunity to listen to artists such as Jessie J and George Ezra in an industrial environment.
If you haven’t visited Warsaw or Prague, this might be your chance!
- Ypsigrock Festival (Italy) : this indie – alternative rock festival has reached its 22nd edition. In the island of Sicily, specifically on the hills of the medieval town of Castelbuono, Sicily, among the artists already announced, Aurora and The Horrors will perform on its stages.
- Pstereo Festival (Norway): the third weekend of August, the city of Trondheim hosts thousands of people for the international Pstereo Festival. In this year’s edition, the national singer Aurora and Tom Odell will play, together with other Norwegian and foreign artists.
Are you willing to improve (or learn from the basis!) your Norwegian?
https://www.pstereo.no/english
- Pinkpop Festival (Netherlands): With a line-up that announce well-known artists like Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Bruno Mars, the Netherlands open the summer with a great festival. In the border city of Megaland, the weekend of mid June will celebrate the 49th year of this event.
Weird fact: the festival has been on the Great Guinness Book of Record sas the oldest continuous pop festival in the country.
https://www.pinkpop.nl/2018/en/
- Isle of Wight Festival (UK): The first edition of this festival was back in 1968, and was re-launched in 2002. The Isle of Wight, in the South of the UK, is reachable only by ferry in just 2 hours from London.
This rock festival will host this year Liam Gallagher, Depeche Mode, Camila Cabello, and many others.
Are you ready to camp in this beautiful island?
https://isleofwightfestival.com/
- Pukkelpop festival (Belgium): There is a city in Belgium, near the borders with Netherlands and Germany, that once a year is filled with music. It is Hasselt, and this year will create amazing vibes with incredible artists, such as Arcade Fire and Imagine Dragons.
Will you live this magic and sing at the top of your lungs?
- Rock in Rio Lisbona (Portugal): Parque de Bela Vista will play at the sound of Bastille, Muse, Katy Perry and many others this year. A Portuguese version of the Brazilian Rock in Rio, that could be the perfect start point for a tour of Portugal. Have you ever been there? I can assure you that Lisbon is worth a visit, and why not attending to this festival? #euvou!
https://rockinriolisboa.sapo.pt/lisboa/en
- Leeds Festival (UK): In the stunning location of Bramham Park in Leeds, the festival takes place at the end of August. While the Kooks, Dua Lipa, Sum 41 etc. play, an incredible group of volunteers will work to keep the place clean and sustainable.
What more could you ask? Go and check out the other artists:
https://www.leedsfestival.com/
- Hurricane Festival (Germany): hosted in Germany, this festival will have the presence of a wide variety of interpreters. From Tom Walker to Arcade Fire, the programme of the festival provides a good time for all the music lovers.
Next to Bremen, Hamburg, and not far away from Denmark, it seems another good event to explore Northern Europe.
Sono stata solo al concerto del primo maggio a Roma, vale? 😀
Non so dove andrei, forse in Portogallo. 🙂
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Sì? Com’è andata???
Ottima scelta! (e ottimo paese 😉 )
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
That’s a really cool list! Some I’ve heard about but some are new to me, thanks a lot!
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Hi Liz,
you’re welcome!
The truth is that they are not as sponsored as they should. But they still manage to be sold out 🙂
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
I haven’t been to a music festival in Europe yet. These look like so much fun, I will have to add one to my bucket list of things to do while I am living in Europe!
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
If you have the chance to, don’t miss them!
As I said in the introduction, festivals are a good way to discover new places 🙂
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
That is quite a list! I have the same dream as you to attend a music festival before 30. I have less and less time though 🙂
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
It is!
Well, there still is a chance! 😉
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
You have a great list of festivals! I’ve been to the Isle of Wight festival a few times (used to live there) but now living in the Netherlands and have heard that Pinkpop is also a pretty impressive festival for the summer!
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Hi Zoe!
Really? I’m so curious about the Isle of Wight Festival…
Neither had I, but I was shocked by all the artists taking part. They are all pretty famous!
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Yeah! There was a few years that I wasn’t so bothered but I went to a few that had some fantastic artists! Pinkpop and the Belgium festival have very often the same artists too as they play at one on Sat then the other on Sun etc since its pretty close by 🙂
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Great list! I visited Europe in spring and the festivals were just being announced so missed them. Good to know there are so many of them happening across all European countries 🙂
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Thank you!
Well, you have an idea for next year 😉
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
I am not a big festival fan, but I do know that now I’m in my 20’s I would have to experience at least one of them. I was thinking the one in Netherlands, because I go there a lot. Have you experience all of them? Which one do you recommend?
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Hi Sujenne,
as I wrote in the introduction, I haven’t been, but it’s one of my goals within the next decade. 🙂
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
But I would love to go to Bilbao’s and the Isle of Wight Festival!
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
So many music festivals in Europe and sadly I’ve never been to any of them. The only music festival I have been to is Coachella, but that was back in 2009!
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Hi Candy and Crystal!
Well, that is already a lot 😉
Maybe in the next few years, you’ll have the chance to go!
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
I loooove Summer festivals, this year I’m attending InMusic in Zagreb. Unfortunately non from your list, but Summer is long, so you never know. 🙂
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Hi Unta,
this is so cool! Can’t wait to read and see it in your blog 😉
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
Love this guide! I’m a huge music fan but I’ve never gone to a full weekend summer festival, I’m always trying to find the perfect one! This could definitely help me decide, so thank you!
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
I really don’t have idea about European Music Festivals. It was now that I’ve learned about these music festivals. So naive. I’m sure my husband would be thrilled to know about this since he loves music so much. I’ll definitely share guide to him. 🙂
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona
Hi Joy,
it’s a pity they are not so well known.
I hope you and your husband will have the chance to go 🙂
"Mi piace""Mi piace"
i love that, one of my friend invited me for this festival. I heard about this, want to go once and enjoy the evening with solo music.
"Mi piace"Piace a 1 persona