Glastonbury, Sziget, Soundwave…Europe’s music festivals are legendary. From chilled out to crazy, there’s genres and experiences to suit all tastes during the Continent’s long, balmy summer festival season. If it’s time to make good on your promise to see these famous festivals, here’s a killer lineup to get you started.
Glastonbury, Somerset, UK
Dates: 22 to 26 June
Music lovers should experience Glastonbury at least once. This is arguably the most well known musical festival in all of Europe, with more than 30 years of history and consistently mind-blowing line-ups. Held on a massive farm in the south of England, the five-day festival can get a little boggy, so be sure to pack your raincoat and gumboots. No matter the weather, the line-up for this year’s festival will be well worth the journey, including major acts Adele, Coldplay, Beck and LCD Soundsystem. Even Cyndi Lauper is making an appearance!
Trip: Depart Bristol, UK on 28 June and fly to Edinburgh, Scotland.
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T in the Park, Strathallan Castle, Scotland
Dates: 8 to 10 July
Back up your time at Glastonbury with Scotland’s top festival, T in the Park. With a couple of weeks in between these two events, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. When you’re done meandering and whisky tasting, take the 1.5 hour drive from Edinburgh to the historic Strathallan Castle. With the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Calvin Harris and Major Lazer taking to the stage, this three-day camping festival promises to be a treat for the ears.
Trip: Depart Edinburgh, Scotland on 12 July and fly to London, England.
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Tomorrowland, Boom, Belgium
Dates: 22 to 24 July
Tomorrowland, held in Belgium, is easily the hottest festival on the calendar this year and has a cult following among lovers of EDM. Its over-the-top, extravagant stage design, along with acts like Galantis, Deadmau5, David Guetta and Fedde Le Grand, will transport you out of this world. With more than 180,000 revellers from over 75 different countries, this three-day festival will be a non-stop party.
Trip: Depart Brussels, Belgium on 26 July and fly to Zadar, Croatia.
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Soundwave Festival, The Garden Tisno, Croatia
Dates: 4 to 8 August
Now in its eighth year, Croatia’s Soundwave Festival brings together one of the more diverse festival line-ups, mixing genres like reggae, broken beat and afro, with hip-hop, acid jazz, soul and funk. The mud of Glastonbury will be distant memory at this festival. Held at the prime venue of Garden Tisno on Croatia’s idyllic Dalmatian coastline, Soundwave will satisfy your thirst for songs and sunshine. Art is also a feature of the festival, with the entire site transformed by street and mural artists, and illustrators from all over Europe.
Trip: Depart Zadar, Croatia on 9 August and fly to Budapest, Hungary.
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Sziget, Budapest, Hungary
Dates: 10 to 17 August
They don’t call Sziget ‘The Island of Freedom’ for nothing! Held on an island in the River Danube, the colossal week-long marathon is a mashup of music and culture. Traditionally a rock festival, Sziget now features bands, singers and DJs from a range of genres. Must-see acts set to grace the Danube in 2016 include Rihanna, Muse, Bastille, John Newman and Crystal Castles.
Trip: Depart Budapest, Hungary on 20 August and fly to London, UK.
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Reading Festival, Leeds, UK
Dates: 26 to 28 August
Wrap up your whirlwind tour of Europe back on British soil at the Reading Festival, the oldest pop music festival in the world (around since 1961). Together with its sister event, Leeds Festival, Reading is the UK’s premier rock experience. The two festivals take place on the same weekend with acts flying between both locations to appear at either event. Just a short train ride from London, Reading Festival is not to be missed this year, featuring Imagine Dragons, The Vaccines and Eagles of Death Metal.
*The flight prices given above are for one return economy seat (including taxes and fees, excluding baggage fees) and were collated on 5 May 2016. Prices may be subject to change and offers may no longer be available.
Main image credit: © Monkey Business Images
Also Read>> On The Beaten Track: Experience These Iconic Festivals Around The Globe
