10 Best European Music Festivals To Attend in 2025

The European Music Festivals are the most awaited, with Glastonbury Festival being the largest in Europe, which starts from June 25 to 29 this year. Apart from this, there are many other prominent festivals to look for.

This guide will cover the top 10 European music festivals, including their schedules, locations, headliners, ticket prices, and why you should consider attending them. It will also include other top European and EDM festivals, helping you plan your dates accordingly for an amazing musical experience.

Top 10 European Music Festivals 2025

Europe is a center for hosting many music festivals, but these are the top 10 music festivals you shouldn’t miss in 2025:

Let’s explore these legendary festivals in more detail.

1. Primavera Sound

Primavera Sound Music Festival was originally well-known for indie rock, but now you can see a shift from this genre to others, such as hip hop, electronic dance music, and pop. Previous headliners such as Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, and Blur created magical performances. 

This festival’s commitment to gender equality during the lineup and its sustainability initiatives makes it an ethically conscious one. 

2. Sonar

Sonar is uniquely divided into Sonar by Day (showcasing experimental sounds and technology) and Sonar by Night (featuring bigger acts and dance-focused programming). 

This festival takes place in Barcelona’s urban setting, with previous headliners playing electronic music and creating a massive fan following.

3. Glastonbury Festival

This is the largest European Music Festival spanning 900 acres of Somerset countryside, which is a five-day musical with over 100 stages. 

This is a one-of-a-kind festival that you’ll see because it brings together people from different backgrounds, all united by their love for music, art, and culture.

 The atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere, with an incredible sense of community among the 200,000+ attendees. 

4. Defqon.1

This is a popular annual music festival in the Netherlands, known for its high-energy atmosphere and hardstyle music. The festival has also been hosted in Chile and Australia previously.

The event showcases hardstyle and related genres, including rawstyle, hardcore, jumpstyle, early hardstyle, and hard trance. Each year, top artists from the hardstyle scene take the stage, delivering powerful performances that keep fans coming back for more.

The spectacular closing ceremony with fireworks, lasers, and emotional music is a must-watch.

5. Roskilde Festival

This is the largest music festival in Northern Europe, which takes place for eight days and is also a non-profit that donates money to charity. 

With an amazing camping experience, many attendees arrive days early to secure spots and build elaborate camp setups. You’ll see great art installations, skateparks, and engaging cultural activities. Specifically, Olivia Rodrigo will also be performing at Roskilde Festival.

6. Rock Werchter

Rock Werchter is a globally recognized music festival known for its top-tier artists, outstanding conditions, and unforgettable atmosphere. This award-winning event attracts music lovers from around the world, offering a lineup of world-class performers across various genres. 

It features a diverse lineup, including alternative rock, rock, indie rock, pop, hip hop, heavy metal, electronic, and dance music.

7. Exit Festival

Exit Festival started in 2000 as a student movement in University Park, fighting for democracy and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans. After the Yugoslavian general election, it moved to Petrovaradin Fortress in 2001, where it continues to be held.

The festival hosts a diverse lineup of rock, electronic, hip-hop, metal, and reggae. World-famous artists like The Prodigy, Arctic Monkeys, and David Guetta, along with emerging and regional talent, make it a must-visit event for music lovers.

8. Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is one of the most renowned music festivals globally, winning multiple awards, including “Best Musical Event of the Year” five times at the International Dance Music Awards. 

The festival features a diverse lineup with genres like electronic, pop, hip-hop, dance, and EDM, attracting top artists and music lovers from around the world. If you’re an EDM fan, this should be at the top of your bucket list.

9. Sziget Festival

Sziget Festival often called the “Island of Freedom,” is one of Europe’s largest music and cultural festivals, held every August on Óbudai-sziget (Old Buda Island) in Budapest, Hungary. Spanning 108 hectares (266 acres) along the Danube River, the festival offers a unique experience in a stunning natural setting.

With over 1,000 performances on 50 stages across six days, Sziget has a diverse lineup with rock, alternative rock, psychedelic rock, punk rock, heavy metal, pop, synthpop, reggae, hip-hop, indie, world music, and electronic music.

Beyond music, you’ll find circus acts, theater, art installations, and sports activities. It attracts some of the biggest global artists and delivers an unforgettable experience for festivalgoers.

10. Creamfields

This festival was originally started as Cream, which was a weekly house music night at Nation in Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool. Later it grew from a small club night into an annual multi-day festival in Daresbury, UK, attracting thousands of fans each day.

Over the years, the festival has expanded its lineup, venue, and brand, with over 300 artists across 30 stages. The festival plays electronic genres from mainstream EDM to underground techno.

Top 21 European Music Festivals 2025

Beyond the top 10, Europe offers many more incredible festival experiences worth considering:

EDM Festivals Europe 2025

For electronic dance music enthusiasts, Europe hosts world-class dedicated events:

Rock Festivals Europe 2025

Rock and alternative music fans have plenty of options across the continent:

Why Attend A European Music Festivals In 2025?

After attending dozens of festivals across Europe, I can confidently share why these experiences are worth every penny:

• Cultural immersion: You’ll meet people from dozens of countries and experience local traditions alongside world-class music
• Iconic venues: From medieval fortresses to beautiful beaches and mountain backdrops
• Musical diversity: European festivals often feature broader genre representation than their US counterparts
• Production value: The continent leads in stage design, sound systems, and visual experiences
• Festival infrastructure: Many European events have decades of experience creating comfortable experiences
• Travel opportunity: Combine your festival adventure with exploring European cities and landmarks
• Food and drink: Experience regional cuisines and beverages as part of the festival experience
• Value: Many Eastern and Central European festivals offer world-class lineups at lower prices
• Sustainability focus: European festivals are often at the forefront of eco-friendly event practices
• Festival communities: Many events foster unique traditions and community spirits that create lifelong memories

Planning Your European Music Festivals Trip

European festival season primarily runs from May through September, with peak activity in June and July. I’ve found that mid-June to early July offers the best balance of good weather and festival options.

Apart from the tickets, whose price ranges from €100-400, you should also plan for the following.

• Accommodation: €20-50/night for camping, €80-200/night for hotels
• Transportation: €100-300 for flights, €20-100 for local transport
• Food & Drink: €30-60/day at festival grounds
• Merchandise and extras: €50-150

Travel Tips For European Music Festival Trip

The following travel tips come in handy to make your visit to the music festival enjoyable.

• Book accommodations early, especially for major festivals like Glastonbury and Tomorrowland
• Consider multi-country festival tours (I once did Exit, Sziget, and Lowlands in one summer trip)
• Purchase a local SIM card for reliable data during your festival journey
• Research local transportation options beforehand—many festivals offer shuttle services
• Learn basic phrases in the local language

What To Pack For The European Music Festival Trip

Avoid overpacking by following these tips. 

• Weather-appropriate clothing (including rain gear, even in summer)
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes (your feet will thank you)
• Portable charger/power bank
• Reusable water bottle
• Earplugs and eye mask for camp sleeping
• First aid essentials and medications
• Cash and cards (not all vendors accept cards)

Conclusion: Glastonbury And Tomorrowland Are Some Of The Top European Music Festivals

Each and every European Music Festival offers some unique performances and different music cultures. With a wide range of festivals to choose from, Europe stands as the one-stop destination for music lovers worldwide.

With many festival tickets already on sale, get ready to start planning now, as many premier events sell out months in advance.

Recommended Reads:

• Top Country Music Festivals
• Ultra Music Festival 2025 Lineup
• Wireless Festival 2025

FAQs