Harley Young shares a handful of the best music festivals from across the continent
Devoted music fan looking for something a little different to your average summer holiday? This is the list for you.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys nothing more than beautiful scenery, and great vibes, one of these European festivals below is sure to tickle your fancy.
(Don’t fancy lugging all your camping equipment across the continent? There’s some nearby suggestions you’ll be sure to love, too.)
Rock am Ring/Rock en Park
Nuremberg, Germany
Translating to ‘Rock at the Ring’ and ‘Rock in the Park’, this duo of German rock festivals are held simultaneously in the city of Nuremberg - Rock am Ring being held at Nürburgring race track, whilst Rock im Park takes place at the Zeppelinfeld. With almost identical lineups, both festivals are often regarded as one, drawing the same crowds and filling the city with rock fans for the weekend.
When? 6-8 June
Who’s performing? Bring Me The Horizon, The Prodigy, K.I.Z, A Day To Remember, Biffy Clyro & more
Click here for tickets to Rock am Ring
Click here for tickets to Rock en Park
Open’er
Gdynia, Poland
Having moved from Warsaw to Gdynia, Open’er is one of Poland’s biggest annual music festivals and features a wide variety of artists and bands spanning all genres. If you’re the kind of person who loves to leave your playlist on shuffle and your answer to ‘What music are you into?’ is genuinely ‘A little bit of everything’, you’ll really enjoy this one.
When? 2-5 July
Who’s performing? Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Hozier & more
Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux, Switzerland
If you love nothing more than the soothing sounds of jazz to get you through the week, leave the radio at home and listen live at this suave and sophisticated music festival. With a two-week timeframe and one of the most stunning backdrops in the world, Montreux Jazz Festival attracts almost a quarter of a million attendees every year and is renowned for its exceptional acoustics and legendary performances.
When? 4-19 July
Who’s performing? James Arthur, Editors, Kraftwerk, Vulfpeck, The Smashing Pumpkins & more
Tomorrowland
Boom, Antwerp
Known for its out-of-this-world stage set-ups and fairytale-esque themes and storylines, this electronic dance festival has taken the world by storm - so much so that it’s stood the test of time, celebrating its 20 year anniversary last year. This year’s theme is ‘Orbyz’, setting the festival in a magical universe made entirely out of ice.
When? 18-20/25-27 July
Who’s performing? Eric Prydz, Meduza, Axwell, Dr Donk & more
Sziget
Budapest, Hungary
One of the largest music and cultural festivals in Europe, Sziget takes place every August in a unique island setting on Óbudai-sziget - 108 hectares of leafy green land in the middle of the Danube river. Over six days, festival-goers can discover a whole new world of magic and unexpected surprises with over 1,000 performances to attend.
When? 6-11 August
Who’s performing? Post Malone, ASAP Rocky, Nelly Furtado, Papa Roach & more
Radar Festival
Manchester, England
Radar Festival is a three-day celebration of boundary-pushing rock and metal held at Victoria Warehouse. As well as a multitude of live acts, festival-goers can chill out with video games, attend masterclasses and industry talks, or shop for the kit to become the next big thing, from mics to electric guitars at the music market.
When? 4-6 July
Who’s performing? Underoath, Yonaka, Lake Malice, Allt & more
Leeds Festival
Leeds, England
If you’ve not heard of this one by now, where have you been hiding? Twinned with Reading Festival, this annual gathering draws some of the biggest names in popular music, from charting artists like Dua Lipa to rock legends like Guns N Roses. It takes place over the August bank holiday, giving revellers an extra day to recover after a big weekend.
When? 21-25 August
Who’s performing? Travis Scott, Amyl and The Sniffers, The Kooks, Becky Hill & more
Lytham Festival
Lytham St Annes, England
Over the years, Lytham Festival has progressed from a one-night-only concert to a five-day live event attracting over 100,000 music fans every summer. Set on the banks of Lancashire’s stunning Ribble Estuary, Lytham Festival has seen huge names like Lionel Richie and Kylie and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds take to its stage with the lineup getting bigger and better with every year that goes on.
When? 2-6 July
Who’s performing? Kings of Leon, Alanis Morissette, Justin Timberlake, Simple Minds & more
On the Waterfront
Liverpool, England
This four-day open-air festival turns Liverpool’s Pier Head into the ultimate venue for a long weekend party. With live performances spanning various genres of music, you can enjoy your favourite artists with Liverpool’s Three Graces and the River Mersey creating a stunning backdrop. Day tickets for On the Waterfront are sold separately and start at less than fifty quid, making it an affordable option to get your festival fix this summer.
When? 19-22 June
Who’s performing? The Wombats, The Wolfe Tones, Cream Classical, Sting & more
Manchester Psych Fest
Manchester, England
Ready for mind-melting music that’ll transport you to another planet? This multi-venue festival brings the best psychedelic rock from every corner of the earth to some of Manchester’s favourite venues including YES, Gorilla, Projekts Skate Park and Deaf Institute. As well as shoegazey live tunes, there’s also art exhibitions and street food to enjoy.
When? 30 August
Who’s performing? Goat, Nadine Shah, W.H. Lung, Honeyglaze & more
Green Island Festival
Manchester, England
Green Island, the community-first festival showcasing the best musicians in the North, returns to Manchester with a three-part series of day festivals to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Green Island has evolved into a staple event in Manchester’s grassroots music scene, cherished for its commitment to celebrating multiculturalism, individualism and music in all its diversity of sounds and forms.
When? 7 June, 2 August & 6 September
Who’s performing? DRS, Zawose Queens, Medulla & more
Click here for ticketsHeader image: Heart of a Coward at Radar Festival 2024, photographed by Oli Duncanson (@Oli.Duncanson)
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