Even though we’re only in March, the weather is getting better by the day and the festival season is therefore ready for take off. Historically, Europe has been a breeding ground for world-famous festivals and until today, that hasn’t changed. Whether you’re a pure music fanatic or you just like the atmosphere, there are plenty of festivals to choose from this year and we’ve made a list of 13 music festivals in Europe to book in 2024.
1. Rewire, Netherlands
Rewire is described as an “annual international festival for adventurous music” and has been around since 2011, making it a fairly recent event. Festival goers can expect everything from electronic music and neo-classical to new jazz and experimental pop.
Line-up: 33EMYBW & Joey Holder, Aïsha Devi, Julia Holter
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Dates: 4 -7 April
2. Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain
Even though Primavera Sound is now a worldwide-phenomenon, the original festival takes place in Barcelona. Initially, back in 2001, Pablo Soler organised it as “a showcase for Spanish noise bands” and indie rock used to be the main focus of the festival. Nowadays, however, genres include hip-hop, electro, pop and much more.
Line-up: Lana Del Rey, PJ Harvey, Vampire Weekend
Location: Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona, Spain
Dates: 29 May – 2 June
3. Best Kept Secret, Netherlands
Centered around a lake at the back of the Beekse Bergen safari park, the location of Best Kept Secret alone is worth your while. However, most of us go to a festival for the music so luckily the mix of indie, folk, hip-hop, rock and electronic artists on the line-up doesn’t disappoint.
Line-up: PJ Harvey, Disclosure, Justice
Location: Hilvarenbeek, North Brabant, The Netherlands
Dates: 7 – 9 June
4. Glastonbury, United Kingdom
As one of the most famous festivals on a worldwide scale, Glastonbury couldn’t possibly not figure on this list. The British festival has been around since 1970 and offers a wide scale of performances, from music to circus and everything in between. The line-up is still up for debate but rumours are in full swing and, as always, they don’t disappoint.
Rumoured line-up: Rihanna, Coldplay, Dua Lipa
Location: Glastonbury, Somerset, UK
Dates: 26 – 30 June
5. Longitude, Ireland
Every year in July, at Marlay Park in Dublin, hip hop and dance lovers unite for a couple of days during Longitude festival. The green setting offers a welcome retreat on hot summer days, while still being easily accessible from the city centre.
Line-up: Central CEE, Doja Cat, Becky Hill
Location: Marlay Park, Dublin, Ireland
Dates: 29 -30 June
6. Rock Werchter, Belgium
Around since 1974, Rock Werchter has become a festival staple in the European music scene. They managed to win the title of “best festival in the world” at the International Live Music Conference on multiple occasions.
Line-up: Avril Lavigne, Foo Fighters, Snow Patrol
Location: Werchter, Belgium
Dates: 4 – 7 July
7. Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
As the second-largest jazz festival in the world, Montreal Jazz Festival is a safe choice for jazz lovers. It has been around since 1967 and has seen many great names on its stage, including Miles Davis, Pink Floyd and Ella Fitzgerald.
Line-up: to be announced on 18 April
Location: Montreux, Switzerland
Dates: 5 – 20 July
8. Exit Festival, Serbia
As a two-time winner of the Best Major Festival award at the European Festivals Awards, Exit Festival is an event that any music lover should add to their bucket list. Originally founded as a student movement, fighting for democracy and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans, it now mainly focuses on music of a wide array of genres, including rock and electronic.
Line-up: to be announced
Location: Petrovaradin, Novi Sad, Serbia
Dates: 10 -14 July
9. NOS Alive, Portugal
If you’re planning on heading to Lisbon anytime soon, you might want too add a stop at the nearby town of Algés. NOS Alive not only offers four stages focused on anything from rock to electronic and anything in between, but there’s also a stage dedicated to Fado music and one to stand-up comedy.
Line-up: The Cat Empire, The Heavy, Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Location: Algés, Oeiras, Portugal
Dates: 11 – 13 July
10. Parookaville, Germany
If you’re mainly interested in electronic dance music or if you simply want to party for three days straight, Parookaville is worth checking out. The line-up in itself is a treat but the set-up of the festival is remarkable as well, as it is staged to be its very own separate city.
Line-up: Armin Van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hardwell
Location: Weeze, Germany
Dates: 19 – 21 July
11. Sziget Festival, Hungary
With more than 1,000 performances per year, it’s no wonder that Sziget Festival, near Budapest, has become somewhat famous amongst music lovers. Festival goers come from all over the world and the festival even has its own “party train” service, including onboard DJs, transporting visitors from all over Europe to the festival grounds. As far as music goes, no genre is left out.
Line-up: Fred Again, Martin Garrix, Sam Smith
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Dates: 7 – 12 August
12. Sudoeste Festival, Portugal
Located in the southwest of Portugal, Sudoeste is the perfect festival to combine with a longer holiday in the country. Hip hop, reggae, rock… the offer is almost endless and you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable time.
Line-up: Martin Garrix, Charlotte De Witte, Anitta
Location: São Teotónio, Odemira, Portugal
Dates: 7 – 10 August
13. Rock en Seine, France
Rock en Seine counts five different stages, all located within the national domain of Saint-Cloud, a historical garden dating back to the 17th century.
Line-up: Lana Del Rey, Massive Attack, The Offspring
Location: Paris, France
Dates: 21 -25 August
