The best music festivals in Europe to book for 2026

Over the past two decades, no festival has consolidated its place amongst Europe’s very best quite like the Barcelona edition of Primavera Sound. Renowned for a marvellously broad line-up that features as many hot-shot newcomers as proper, established legends, it’s all impeccably well-organised. And it’s in a remarkable waterfront location, the Parc del Forum, which is both inside Barcelona itself and a place that seems purpose-built for a continent-leading music festival. Be sure to check out the Primavera in Porto, too.

Who's playing? Wet Leg, Jade, Alex G, Geese, Blood Orange, Doja Cat, Addison Rae, Skrillex

Last year’s big names: Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan 

Where: Parc del Forum, Barcelona, Spain

When: June 4-6, 2026

The Montreux Jazz Festival has been drawing legends of jazz (and jazz-adjacent music) to the shores of Lake Geneva since all the way back in 1967. Over the past half-century everyone from Miles Davis and Bill Evans to Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Frank Zappa has graced the fest – and these days the line-up is more star-studded and varied than ever. Classic rock, modern soul and fiery hip-hop often feature – as well as, obviously, plenty of jazz.

Who's playing? TBC April 2026

Last year’s big names: Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, RAYE, Chaka Khan

Where: Montreux, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

When: July 3-18, 2026

As if being out on São Miguel island in the Azores – i.e. out in the middle of the Atlantic, about 1,400 kilometres off the coast of mainland Portugal – wasn’t adventurous enough, Tremor turns the entire music festival experience into a sort of quest. Performances are at secret locations dotted throughout the island, some reached by raft and/or jungle trek. The music leans towards all things experimental, from folk and punk to electronics, while the limited number of tickets ensures it all remains shrouded in tantalising mystery.

Who's playing? Angry Blackmen, Housepainters, The Bug + Warrior Queen

Last year’s big names: DJ Giovanna, The Zenmenn, Keeley Forsyth

Where: São Miguel, Azores

When: March 24-28, 2026

Way Out West festival is back this August in Gothenburg, and the line-up is one of the best this summer. Never been to Gothenburg? Think of it as Stockholm’s cool, younger sibling (and one of our most underrated destinations to visit in Europe, don’t you know). As well as some huge artists, you’ll find talks, film screenings and more – all in Gothenburg’s very central Slottsskogen Park. 

Who's playing? The Cure, Gorillaz, Lorde, Nick Cave, The XX, Geese

Last year’s big names: Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Pet Shop Boys, Iggy Pop, Little Simz, Yung Lean, Fontaines D.C.

Where: Slottsskogen Park, Gothenburg, Sweden

When: 13-15 August, 2026

Arguably the coolest festival in Barcelona’s summer calendar, Sónar celebrates the intersection of art, music and technology. It's back for its 33rd year with an ecletic lineup of global artists that transcends sonic borders. Sónar Week runs for three days in
late June, transforming the city into an international hub of electronic music and culture, through collaborations and co-productions with the city’s leading promoters and institutions. This includes partnerships with +RAIN Film Festival, OFFSónar and the main event, Sónar 2026. 

Who's playing? Skepta, Sammy Virji, Nia Archives, Joy Orbison

Last year’s big names: Arca, BICEP present CHROMA AV/DJ set, Honey Dijon, Four Tet, MOCHAKK, Skrillex b2b Blawan, Overmono, Pa Salieu, Peggy Gou

Where: Barcelona, Spain

When: June 18-20, 2026

How much music can you squeeze into one island in the middle of the Danube? A heck of a lot, it turns out. Sziget, which is on leafy Óbudai-sziget island in Budapest, crams literally thousands of performances (and 60 stages) into its programme and consistently churns out some of the biggest names in world pop music. Each year Sziget somehow manages to get bigger and better, adding party boats, amusement parks and even immersive chill-out domes.  

Who's playing? Florence + The Machine, Twenty One Pilots, Underworld, Ashnikko, Biffy Clyro

Last year’s big names: Post Malone, ASAP Rocky, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Shawn Mendes

Where: Óbudai-sziget, Budapest, Hungary

When: August 11-15, 2026 

Taking place every August bank holiday, Shambala is truly the adventure in Utopia that it claims to be. A fiercely independent and sustainable offering that prides itself on being 100% meat free and powered by renewable energy. It is a hidden gem on a beautiful site in the midlands with lakes and forest areas full of delights. Every year they have a Saturday dress up theme, with their most recent being the hilarious: pun intended. 

Who's playing? Bob Vylan, Goat, Emma-Jean Thackray, The Selecter

Last year’s big names: Hak Baker, Dub Pistols, Asian Dub Foundation, Corto.Alto

Where: Northamptonshire, England, UK

When: August 27-30, 2026

Legendary electronic fest Dekmantel is all about pushing beyond the limits of electronic music, offering everything from pounding techno and house beats to ambient space-outs and cosmic jazz. Held riverside on the IJ in the leafy southern Amsterdam suburb of Amstelveen, Dekmantel is as apt for interrogating the potential of electronica as it is for a mad dance sesh.

Who's playing? Jeff Mills, DJ Sprinkles, Sampha, and James Holden & Surgeon

Last year’s big names: Avalon Emerson, British Murder Boys, Yaeji, and Honey Dijon

Where: Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Netherlands

When: July 30-3 August, 2026

Designed to be a blend of beach holiday and music festival, Kala promises to be a dreamy affair. It’s been praised as a bit of a hidden gem on the festival circuit, full of exclusive parties and open air beach stages. By day, you can swim in the crystal clear sea, take a hike, go on a boat trip, or even get some spa treatments. At night, vibe out to any one of dozens of banging DJ sets, then sleep everything off at a hotel included in your ticket price. 

Who's playing? Nu Gena Live Band, Stella & The Longos, The Ghost

Last year’s big names: Ezra Collective, Kelly Lee Owens, Myd, Theo Parrish, Nicolas Lutz

Where: Dhërmi, Albanian Riviera, Albania

When: June 3-10, 2026

Three is the magic number for Terminal V Croatia, decamping from Edinburgh to idyllic Dalmatia for its third and biggest-ever edition this July. One sea-lapped site comprising five locations – think Beach Stage, Olive Grove and a sailboat on the Adriatic – host 80+ acts over five days and nights. Yes, location, location, location, but also expertly curated electronica brought to Croatia’s prime partying retreat by two savvy Scots in the festival game since 2017. Presale tickets from Thursday, January 29.

Who’s playing? Restricted, 999999999, Mall Grab, Hannah Laing

Last year’s big names: Ben Sims, I Hate Models, Daria Kolosova, Anfisa Letyago

Where: The Garden Tisno, Croatia

When: July 16-20, 2026

Considering it has just two stages, Paredes de Coura boasts a lot of quality into its small-ish line-up. Taking place in a valley outside Porto, PdC has been running for nearly three decades and is a rite of passage for Portuguese teenagers. And it’s hard to disagree that this place simply has to be experienced. Not only does the natural amphitheatre provide a spectacular setting, but if you’re flagging you can get yourself a raft and doze off as you float down the river at the valley bottom.

Who's playing? Amyl and The Sniffers, Wet Leg, Cate Le Bon

Last year’s big names: Franz Ferdinand, Jersey, Ana Frango Elétrico

Where: Praia do Taboão, Paredes de Coura, Portugal

When: August 12-15, 2026

For years, Polish festival Open’er has confounded with the quality of its line-up. From 2023’s Kendrick Lamar headline slot and 2024’s storming Dua Lipa set to Massive Attack in 2025, each year it seems to dig out a staggering number of huge names. Oh, and it’s all on an abandoned airstrip near the Polish resort town of Gdynia. So far as festival set-ups go, Open’er is as dramatic and very, very cool as it gets.

Who's playing? Calvin Harris, The Cure, David Byrne, Jade, Reneé Rapp

Last year’s big names: FKA Twigs, Linkin Park, Raye, St. Vincent

Where: Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport, Gdynia, Poland

When: July 1-4, 2026

Croatia (and much of the Adriatic coast in general, for that matter) has become a dance music hotspot in recent years. As ideal for boogieing ‘til sunrise (and long after) and blissing out in the daytime as it is for secret island parties, festivals from Dimensions to Defected have shown just how to make the most of this spectacular setting. Our pick of the bunch is Love International, which consistently boasts the best line-ups of any of ‘em. 

Who's playing? Daniel Avery, Peach, Binh, Fold

Last year’s big names: Ellie Stokes, Objekt, Mad Professor 

Where: The Garden Tisno, Croatia

When: July 8-14, 2026

Tomorrowland is swarmed by bass-drop-obsessed brosteppers and glitter-doused influencers – but even if you’re neither of those things, there’s so much to admire in this legendary Belgian fest. Tomorrowland’s OG event (near the town of Boom, naturally) has achieved a sort of mythical status – and, thanks to its hundreds of DJs, immersive festival themes, gargantuan scale and eye-bulgingingly OTT stage design, it’s not hard to see why.

Who's playing? Steve Aoki, Steve Angello, Lost Frequencies, Charlotte de Witte, Dimitri Vegas and more. 

Last year’s big names: Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Jax Jones, John Newman, Joy Orbison, Steve Aoki, Sigala

Where: Provinciaal Recreatiedomein De Schorre, Boom, Belgium

When: March 21-28, 2026

With all its gardens, fountains and sculptures, the Domaine Nationale de Saint-Cloud near Paris is a mind-bogglingly gorgeous place to visit. But when combined with a music festival at Rock en Seine, it becomes a very special venue indeed. Despite the name, Rock en Seine offers up much more than yer typical guitar-bass-‘n’-drums acts. Over the years ReS has branched out into hip-hop, metal, electronica and all-out chart pop, firmly establishing its place as France’s premier music fest.

Who's playing? Tyler The Creator, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Amyl & The Sniffers

Last year’s big names: A$AP Rocky, Queens Of The Stone Age, Jamie XX, Vampire Weekend, Kneecap, Doechii, Chappell Roan

Where: Saint-Cloud, near Paris, France

When: August 26-30, 2026

Pop, rock and electronic artists fill the roster at this festival on the Valencian coast, but there are of course lots of quirky, arty displays to be discovered too. With FIB’s schedule not kicking off until early evening, this festival bears the Spanish summer heat in mind, so you needn’t worry about endless hours in the scorching weather. In fact, spend it at the beach instead. This Fest has two campsites – Campfest or the slightly more comfortable Villacamp – which are both just a stroll away from the resort’s seafront. Sunbathe, boogie, sleep, repeat. 

Who's playing? The Prodigy, Tinie Tempah, Sophie Ellis Bextor

Last year’s big names: Bloc Party, The Black Keys, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Olly Alexander, Residente

Where: 12560 Benicàssim, Castellón, Spain

When: July 16-18, 2026

Often described as more of a Danish national holiday than just a festival, Denmark’s flagship music festival Roskilde is a titanic cultural event. Combining huge-name headliners with on-the-pulse newcomers and tonnes of installations and performance art, the bill is diverse, vast and caters to an enormous range of music listeners. Plus, it’s all combined with a typically Scandi style of camping and organisation, meaning it’s a little comfier, cleaner and better-equipped than most.  

Who's playing? The Cure, David Byrne, Gorillaz, Little Simz, Cobrah, Yung Lean & Bladee

Last year’s big names: Olivia Rodrigo, Stormzy, Jamie XX, Fontaines D.C.

Where: Roskilde, Denmark

When: June 27-July 4, 2026

Dorset’s End of the Road might be tiny, but it packs a heck of a punch. The focus here is keeping things small but making sure every inch of it is as great as it can be, from the limited but carefully curated line-up (which usually centres around indie folk and rock) to the craft beer vans and the walking trails that wind through the woodland. It’s all just so thoroughly, thoroughly lovely.

Who's playing? CMAT, Pulp, Mac De Marco

Last year’s big names: Self Esteem, Father John Misty, Caribou, Viagra Boys

Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, England

When: September 3-6, 2026

A fan of all kinds of music – and we really mean all kinds of music? Rewire is the festival for you. Priding itself on the enormous range of music on offer, since being founded in 2012 Rewire has put on a programme of avant-garde jazz, industrial rock, ambient pop, orchestral minimalism and much, much more to The Hague. If you’re an adventurous music listener, it’s essential.

Who's playing? Malibu, Ex_libris, Caterina Barbieri

Last year’s big names: Backxwash, emma dj, Good Sad Happy Sad

Where: The Hague, Netherlands

When: April 9-12, 2026

Take a look at the line-up of G! Festival and, unless you’re Danish or Faroese, you’ll likely be left pretty baffled. This fest on the Faroe Island of Eysturoy prides itself on its local and Danish talent – and while that talent sure is brilliant, it’s the setting that truly dazzles. With stages built on the beach and a local football pitch, the horizon is dominated by the Faroes’ dramatic grass-carpeted mountains. And as if it couldn’t get any better, there are saunas and hot tubs on the beach, too.

Who's playing? Fantastic Negrito, Frandeur, Tunghoyrt, Irah

Last year’s big names: Marius, DC, Hallur Joensen

Where: Göta, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands, Denmark

When: July 16-18, 2026

Everyone knows that dub and reggae are best heard on the biggest, loudest, bassiest sound systems possible – and few places get that vibe so clearly as International Dub Gathering in Tarragona, Spain. Fuelled by artists from around the world, IDG may well be the finest and most glorious celebration of dub, reggae and sound system culture outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Who's playing? TBC

Last year’s big names: King Earthquake, Quantic, Greenlight

Where: L’Aldea, Tarragona, Spain

When: June 18- 21, 2026

Originally set up by a youth group, Pukkelpop is now the second biggest festival in Belgium with a legendary history. It once hosted Nirvana just a month before the release of Nevermind! The festival has something for everyone by blending indie, electronic and alternative sounds over four days. It is held in a beautiful enclosure of woodland and fields. You can buy both day and weekend tickets. 

Who's playing? TBC

Last year’s big names: Chappell Roan, Chase & Status, Doechii, Khruangbin, Mogwaii, Queens Of The Stone Age

Where: Kiewit, Hasselt, Belgium

When: August 20-23, 2026

Belgium’s delightful rock and pop festival, spread over four days in the village of Werchter, attracts some of the biggest global stars year on year. Just north of Brussels, situated on a huge farm full of sand, the festival cleverly escapes the mud that perils other events - instead you’ll get reliable acts, good sound and a mix of tent and open air venues. 

Who's playing? David Byrne, FKA Twigs, Gorillaz, Jade, Joy Crookes, Loyle Carner, Paloma Faith

Last year’s big names: Linkin Park, Fontaines DC, Green Day, Lola Young, Iggy Pop, Weezer, Olvia Rodrigo

Where: Werchterpark, Werchter, near Leuven, Belgium 

When: July 2-5, 2026

A festival set in an air and space museum next to a Northern Paris airport? Yes, it is real! Enjoy the finest DJ beats surrounded by decommissioned aeroplanes at one of Europe’s most unique festivals. Highlights of previous years include a Disclosure set that now has 2.3 million views! The festival artists are a showcase of Cercle records and other world-class pioneers of electronic music. This year’s iteration is certain to be a highlight of the early part of festival season. 

Who's playing? Kasablanca, Deer Jade, KILIMANJIRO, Mind Against

Last year’s big names: Sammy Virji, Acid Pauli, Eric Prydes

Where: Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace, Paris, France

When: May 22-24, 2026

Dance around a steel gas bell in the historic Suvilahtu power plant area of Helsinki for Flow festival this year. The former energy production area is being developed into a cultural hub which Flow is at the heart of. It has a selection of both international and Finnish artists and focuses on art, as well as music. Previous goers have been swayed by the well-known acts but dazzled by the local offering. 

Who's playing? Florence + The  Machine, Turnstile, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pinkpantheress

Last year’s big names: Charli XCX, FKA Twigs, Fontaines D.C.

Where: Suvilahti, Helsinki, Finland

When: August 14-16, 2026

After an unanticipated fallow year, WOMAD is back on a brand new site. In an uncertain world, Peter Gabriel’s World of Music, Art and Dance festival remains as poignant as ever. It celebrates the world’s many forms of artistic expression and brings its loyal festival-goers together. This festival genuinely brings acts from across the globe so it is a real hub of discovery for attendees. 

Who’s playing? TBC

2024’s Big Names: Young Fathers, Alison Goldfrapp, Sampha The Great

Where: Wiltshire, England, UK

When: 23-26 July 2026