The best festivals in Europe for 2024
The best festivals in Europe are an eclectic mix of kaleidoscopic multi-day parties. During the winter months, ravers take to the French Alps in ski gear, dancing the night away at high altitude as calf muscles throb from days spent off-piste. As spring arrives and the continent's mountainous terrains clear out for another season, travellers head for the beaches, where strobe lights spill out across Croatia's glitzy bays and music lovers seek shade in the parks of Madrid and Lisbon between sets. Here, we round up the very best that Europe's music scene has to offer for the months ahead – whether you're looking for dance-heavy lineups on a dazzling island or an event to lighten the cultural load of an intensive city break.
Sziget, Hungary
7 - 12 August
Headliners: Kylie, Sam Smith, Fred Again, Halsey, Janelle Monáe
Sziget’s line-up is so stellar that it’s often tricky to decipher who precisely the headliner is. Alongside superstars Kylie Minogue and Halsey, UK acts such as Becky Hill, Tom Odell, and Raye are taking to the stage in Budapest this summer. Besides the music, festival-goers are encouraged to take time away from the campsites and see the city on a party cruise down the Danube, get involved in sustainable initiatives, and experience Hungarian culture.
Website: szigetfestival.com
Tomorrowland, Belgium
19 - 21 July / 26 - 28 July
Headliners: Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Alesso, Tiësto
Tomorrowland is like Disneyland for EDM enthusiasts. Each summer, the Belgian town of Boom (fittingly) becomes a vibrant utopia where the biggest names in dance entertain crowds throughout the day and late into the night across two weekends. The festival revolves around a central stage that’s like something out of an AI-generated fairytale – 2023’s setup put some of Europe’s most impressive castles to shame. Over 750 acts took to the decks across 16 stages last summer, so expect much of the same in 2024 as the organisers look to outdo themselves yet again.
Website: belgium.tomorrowland.com
Hellfest, France
27 - 30 June
Headliners: Metallica, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, The Prodigy
If the name doesn’t give it away, a quick scan of Hellfest’s website is enough to decipher who this festival in Clisson, western France, attracts. Expect black T-shirts emblazoned with logos of the world's best-known heavy metal and rock bands as festival-goers huddle around frightening effigies. It’s quite literally meant to be hell on earth, but the community feel and friendly faces bring a lighter air to the fields as strobe lights illuminate the sky above 240,000 attendees each night.
Website: hellfest.fr
Brunch Electronik Festival, Barcelona
9 - 11 August
Headliners: Camelphat, Fatboy Slim, Black Coffee, Dom Dolla
Brunch Electronik Festival is hailed as the ‘biggest brunch of the year’. While dance and techno sets in the blazing Barcelona heat are pretty unique compared to the average egg-fuelled outing in Soho, there’s no denying this three-day event is regarded as one of the most exciting cool-kid hangouts. Sets occur across three sites – Parc del Fòrum, Jardins de Joan Brossa and Nitsa Club – with DJs from all over the world jetting in. As you’d expect, food is a big deal here, so come hungry. It’s probably the only festival where you’ll leave with a supply of local goodies from the market and a post-party buzz.
Website: brunchelectronikfestival.com
SummerDaze, Malta
11 - 18 August
Headliners: Sam Smith, Becky Hill, Purple Disco Machine, Meduza, James Hype
SummerDaze Festival transforms the dazzling Mediterranean island of Malta into an Ibiza-esque playground for a whole week this August. Dance before the Radio 1 Dance Malta stage as names including Jax Jones and Jodie Harsh entertain crowds in the guaranteed sunshine, or catch another superstar name at one of the colourful club events – venues include Café del Mar and Uno.
Website: summerdazemalta.com
Roskilde Festival, Denmark
29 June - 6 July
Headliners: Doja Cat, 21 Savage, Foo Fighters, SZA
Thanks to a stellar roster of acts swarming in from across the globe, Roskilde is the hottest ticket in Denmark this summer. Doja Cat takes to the stage following her viral Coachella set, SZA follows up on her Glastonbury headliner slot, and an eclectic mix of Europeans and Danes show off their latest work at the festival just a short journey west of Copenhagen. However, music is just the tip of the iceberg. Sit in on panel debates, critical discussions, practical workshops and arty sessions as part of the eight-day celebrations; you’ll leave with a wealth of new knowledge and that post-festival high.
Website: roskilde-festival.dk
Hideout Festival, Croatia
23 - 27 June
Headliners: Bicep, Skepsis, Sonny Fodera, Joy Orbison
The tranquil Croatian island is renowned for a remarkably eclectic range of things; cheese, its moonlike landscape, picturesque bays – and one of Europe’s leading electronic music festivals. Each summer, Zrce Beach welcomes hoards of festival-goers ready to dance through the scorching days into balmy evenings and the breezy early hours, with cult acts such as Ben Hemsley, Hybrid Minds and Dimension taking control of the music. Forget wiggly tent poles and repair patches – Hideout Festival packages include the use of the shuttle bus and accommodation for all budgets. Expect five open-air stages, poolside parties, boat events and much more.
Website: hideoutfestival.com
Snowboxx Festival, France
15 - 22 March 2025
Headliners: TBC
While many of the best festivals in Europe are held on breathtaking beaches and in sprawling parks, Snowboxx is a more unique affair. Becky Hill, Ben Hemsley and Netsky were among the headliners in 2024, so expect a similar dance-focused lineup in 2024 as festival-goers head to the French Alps for a late-season party. There are all the high-altitude shenanigans you can shake a ski pole at, some of the best slopes in France, and raucous aprés-ski parties.
Website: snowboxx.com
MEO Kalorama Lisbon and Kalorama Madrid
29 - 31 August
Headliners: Massive Attack, Sam Smith, Raye, LCD Soundsystem, Jungle, The Smile
Kalorama is the sunny equivalent of the UK’s Reading and Leeds Festival, with superstar musicians and DJs racing between the Portuguese and Spanish capitals to entertain party-loving crowds. Day tickets and three-day passes are available, making it the perfect addition to a culture-filled trip in one of our favourite European cities.
Website: meokalorama.pt; kaloramamadrid.com
Kappa FuturFestival
5 - 7 July
Headliners: Four Tet, Carl Cox, The Blessed Madonna
The Italian city of Turin may be best known for its art galleries, historical attractions, and culinary heritage, not to mention its legendary shroud. However, summer brings with it a very different vibe, as some of the world’s leading DJs and producers arrive to entertain crowds at Kappa FuturFestival. Raise your hands to sets from Skrillex, Carl Cox and Honey Dijon before exploring the fascinating city. For the ultimate festival package, invest in the art and techno experience, which includes full VIP treatment, accommodation, meals in Torino’s best restaurants, private art tours, and a Torino Museum Pass, which grants access to all the key attractions.
Website: kappafuturfestival.it