Put your hands in the air if you like to have fun in the sun! We’ve got our eyes on the prize as tickets are already selling out for this year’s top festivals around Europe this summer. Awesome DJs, sensational live acts, weird stage antics and some scandalous performances - get your kicks at these outrageously good festivals...
1. PRIMAVERA SOUND, BARCELONA
31st May - 4th June
Dancing on the beach, dancing in the street… this 5 day festival has it all. A long standing favourite on the festival circuit, Primavera hosts events at various venues around town including clubs and on dedicated stages in the streets, as well as the big beach stage at Parc Forum. There’s always a great buzz in the whole city with music and parties taking place all over town, even if tickets sell out there are free events taking place too. The big draw for music lovers are huge international acts every day for the 5 days of the festival. This year includes The XX, Flying Lotus, Solange, Arcade Fire, Seu Jorge and more. Check out the up-and-coming acts on stage in the local neighbourhoods for free if you prefer to play it by ear. You can get day tickets or for the whole event - but you have to be quick!
2. SONAR, BARCELONA
15th-17th June
The 24th edition of this all-rounder festival, Sonar attracts massive music acts as well as having a whole host of art and cultural events around town. Expect big acts as well as sound and light shows - this year the headliners include Soulwax, Nina Kraviz, Moderat, Dubfire, Seth Troxler, DJ Shadow and so many more! With a load of events taking place, there are plenty of tickets to side events as well – check out the line up for Sonar Off which has DJs playing at the beach and day tickets available – as well as Sonar Day, Sonar Night and Sonar weekly tickets. Get your dancing shoes ready as the music plays all night long!
3. ROSKILDE FESTIVAL, COPENHAGEN
24th June - 1st July
This festival is well known for having a relaxed vibe, but it’s also one of the top festivals for international headline acts - making it the largest (and one of the best) festivals in Northern Europe. This year over 173 acts have already been announced and there are the usual quirky workshops and events too. Celebrating more than music there are different areas to try out at the festival, with the Dream City holding creative events while the big names go wild on stage. This year don’t miss The XX, The Foo Fighters, A Tribe called Quest, The Weeknd and Lorde among others. It’s also the best place to get to know all the up and coming Nordic acts, so get yourself over to Denmark for a summer festival to remember!
4. FIELD DAY, LONDON
3rd June
One of the city’s best fests of the year, Field Day never disappoints with an incredible line up and famous after parties - and you don’t even need a tent! With an eclectic range of music - think folk, indie, electronic and pop - expect some cool alternative acts along with the headliners. This year Aphex Twin, Nina Kraviz, Flying Lotus, Death Grips and Flamingods are some of the main acts - get your tickets fast as it’s sure to be popular!
5. THIS IS MY PRIDE AMSTERDAM 2017
29th July - 6th August
If you’re looking for a big celebration of gay and LGBT culture then get yourself to Amsterdam for 7 days of music, parades, outrageous costumes and big old parties!! The famous Canal parade (featuring dancing, music and must-see costumes) takes place on August 5th, but the build up for it is just as exciting with Pride at the Beach and Open Air Cinema, as well as 2 days of street parties on 4th & 5th August. Dress to impress at this fabulous fiesta and you’re sure to have an awesome time!
6. CITADEL FESTIVAL, LONDON
16th July
Bonobo, Foals, Wild Beasts, Laura Marling - East London’s Victoria Park is home to one of the hottest events of the summer as some big name bands and DJs take to the stage for a festival to remember! Bought to you by the team behind London’s Lovebox Festival, this popular newcomer on the festival scene sees some of the coolest young talent also on the smaller stages, and there’s a Reggae Roast BBQ to get you in the mood for dancing. Just hope for some great British sunshine!
7. NOS PRIMAVERA SOUND - PORTO, PORTUGAL
8-10th June
Hosted in the Parque de Cidade in the centre of Porto, this music festival guarantees to have a welcoming and chilled vibe - all to be enjoyed in the Portuguese sunshine. With an awesome river and sea front location, this music filled weekend will be one not to miss! Related to the Barcelona Primavera, this festival is hitting up Porto this year with a stellar line up as well as emerging artists. Bon Iver, Aphex Twin, Justic, Skepta, Teenage Fanclub are just some of the acts - right in the heart of this beautiful city!
8. LOLLAPALOOZA PARIS
22-23rd July
Debuting in Paris this year, this trendy festival circuit knows how to throw a good party. With a top line up including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, alt-J, Pixies, London Grammar, DJ Snake, The Weeknd and more, this is sure to be a sell out weekend so get your tickets quick! The event takes place at the Hippodrome de Longchamp in the famous city of light, so grab a friend and get yourself to Paris for some of the coolest bands around.
9. SZIGET FESTIVAL, BUDAPEST
9-16th August
Photo credit: Rockstar Photographers (@rockstarphotographers)
One of Europe’s most famous and long standing festivals, Sziget this year celebrates its 25th year on the ‘island of freedom’ - right in the heart of awesome Budapest. Killer acts already announced include Kasabian, atl-J, Rita Ora, Rudimental, Pink, The Kills, DJ Shadow and more; all playing over one crazy week. Sziget also is hot for art, with a huge programme of installation art, projections and visual art, sculpture and more - all in the name of music, joy, love and happiness. Get your good vibes on and get yourself to Budapest’s finest festi!
10. MYSTERYLAND, NETHERLANDS
26th-27th August
Dutch partying at its finest, Mysteryland is a top Dutch festival with an electric vibe offering camping, bouncy castles, and over 200 artists performing on stage. What’s not to love? With 14 stages there are plenty of different music genres to keep you dancing, from electronic to hip hop and disco. Top artists this year include Armin van Buuren, Deadmau5, Carl cox and Alesso. The festival aims to ‘leave no trace’ so find out about their Green Festival Soul and activities on their website.Grab your tickets and get yourself to one of these awesome parties!