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The days of going on holiday just to see the pretty buildings are over. Ok, not over. You can definitely still do that. But there’s something to be said for timing your European holiday with a music festival. Firstly, you don’t have to work out where to go for dinner each night, secondly the weather’s almost guaranteed to be better than the UK, and thirdly you can usually see whoever’s headlining in back home in a muddy field more cheaply abroad. Plus if camping’s not your thing, you can book a hotel to a city festival, get your rave on, then return to a comfy bed at the end of the night.
February
Sónar Reykjavik
When: 16th, 17th, 18th February 2017
Where: Reykjavik, Iceland
Type of music: Electronic
Camping?: No (bit cold for that.) Here’s some hotels.
Essential information
If you like electronic music, have even a passing interest in technology and can’t wait until Barcelona in June, Sonar’s satellite festival in Reykjavik is the one for you. There’ll be music across four stages in the Harpa Concert Hall (the underground car park’s being turned into a night club) and panel talks throughout the day. Iceland might be in darkness at this time of year, but that’s what lasers and lights are for, right?
Headliners: Fat Boy Slim, De La Soul and Moderat
Tickets: Current deal – 145 Euros for a 3 day pass
March
Snowboxx
When: 18th – 25th March 2017
Where: Avoiraz, France
Type of music: Electronic / DnB / Dance
Camping?: No.
Essential information
Get a snow and sound fix on the mountainside in Avioraz. The Portes Du Soleil is one of France’s biggest ski regions, so once you’ve finished a day on the slopes, you can head off to a massive main stage event, an igloo rave or a club night. This is apres ski on steroids.
Headliners: Basement Jaxx, Wilkinson, High Contrast, HannahWants
Tickets: Snowboxx Pass and lift pass from £204.00
April
Snowbombing
When: 3rd – 8th April 2017
Where: Mayrhofen, Austria
Type of music: Electronic / live bands
Camping?: No. Brrr.
Essential information
Put away your lederhosen and merge this year’s ski holiday with the sort of apres your ears will thank you for. By day you’ll be making tracks around one of Europe’s best resorts or flipping around the snowpark, and by night you’ll be raving to DJs in a forest. Good luck getting the first lift in the morning, though.
Headliners: Chase and Status, Elrow, Skream
Tickets: from £249
Annie Mac’s Lost & Found Festival
Lost & Found, Malta
When: 13th – 16th April 2017
Where: Malta
Type of music: Electronic
Camping?: No – find hotels in Malta
Essential information:
Tiny island. Big sound. Annie Mac’s yearly big one in Malta is back. Expect castle raves, pool parties, big stages and sunshine warm enough to dig out your t-shirt. Consider this your summer warm-up.
Headliners: Annie Mac, Armand Van Helden, Andy C
Tickets: from £85
May
Distortion, Copenhagen
Distortion (c) Martin Dan Olsen – 2013
When: 31st May – 4th June 2017
Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
Type of music: Dance, rave, hip hop
Camping?: No – find hotels in Copenhagen
Essential information:
This firmly established two-day rave up in Copenhagen Harbour has plenty of “organised chaos” going on throughout the day, before the party really ramps up at nightfall.
Headliners: Wiley + Slimzee
Tickets: from 74 EUR
Primavera Sound 2017 (Barcelona)
When: 31st May – 4th June 2017
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Type of music: Various – mainly indie
Camping?: No – the latest Barcelona hotel deals
Essential information:
The Catalan capital is a stunning backdrop to this major international festival that always delivers a stellar line-up. Expect the best in rock, pop, underground dance and indie.
Headliners: Kate Tempest, Solange, The xx, Aphex Twin
Tickets: 3 day pass from 195EUR
June
Rock am Ring
When: 2nd – 4th June 2017
Where: Mendig, Germany
Type of music: Rock
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:
Held simultaneously with Rock am Park (Nuremberg), like V festival and Reading & Leeds in the UK, the line-ups interchange over the weekend.
This is the biggest music festival in Germany.
Headliners: System of a Down, Slaves, Bastille, Five Finger Death Punch
World Club Dome 2017
World Club Dome 2016
When: 2nd – 4th June 2017
Where: Frankfurt, Germany
Type of music: Dance, Rave
Camping?: Yes
Essential information
BigCityBeats will transform the Commerzbank-Arena into the biggest club in the world.
There will be 15 stages and 200 DJs performing over three dance-filled days.
Headliners: Deadmaus, Steve Aoki
Tickets: from 89 EUR
More info: Website
NOS Primavera Sound 2017 (Porto)
When: 8th – 10th June 2017
Where: Porto, Portugal
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:
This spin-off from its sister festival in Barcelona is now in its sixth year.
You can party in the largest park in Portugal.
Headliners: Bon Iver, Aphex Twin, Skepta, Flying Lotus
Tickets: from 100 EUR
Sónar
When: 15th, 16th, 17th June 2017
Where: Barcelona
Type of music: Electronic
Camping?: No – find hotels in Barcelona
Essential information:
They’ve been producing festivals, with a strong focus on balancing established electronic acts with newcomers, for more than two decades.By day you’re at Fira Monjuic before heading to Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet for the evening shows. This year, you can also get tickets to David Bowie Is: at Barcelona’s Design Museum at the same time.
Headliners: Justice, Moderat, De La Soul, Fat Freddy’s Drop
Tickets: from 125 EUR for a 2 night pass
Awakenings Festival 2017
When: TBC
Where: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Type of music: Techno, Electronic, Dance
Camping? No – here are some hotels in nearby Amsterdam
Essential information:
One of the biggest electronic music festivals in Europe is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Roskilde Festival
Concert at Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival 2015 – SH Luftfoto & Stiig Hougesen
When: 24th June – 1st July 2017
Where: Near Copenhagen, Denmark
Type of music: Various
Camping? Yes
Essential information:
A fixture on the European scene since 1971, this is one of the biggest festivals going and its profits go to humanitarian initiatives.
Headliners: The Weeknd, Solange, Justice, Arcade Fire
Tickets: around £236
More info: Website
Hideout
When: Monday 26th – Friday 30th June 2017
Where: Island of Pag, Croatia
Type of music: Electronic, Dance, House, Techno
Camping? Yes
Essential information:
This beautiful island location is the perfect place to spend a whole week dancing to some of the best electronic artists in the world.
Headliners: Major Lazer Soundsystem, Stormzy, Marco Carola, Diplo
Tickets: from £152
Love International
Love International. Credit www.timertl
When: 28th June – 5th July 2017
Where: Tisno, Croatia
Type of music: Dance, Rave
Camping?: No – here’s our pick of Croatia hotels
Essential information
Seven days and seven nights of clubs, boat parties and sunbathing in the pretty coastal town of Tisno.
You can dance till dawn on their private beach to some of the best underground DJs and producers.
Headliners: Axel Bowman, Ben UFO, Black Madonna
Tickets: from £15
July
Balaton Sound
When: 5th – 9th July 2017
Where: Zamárdi, Hungary
Type of music: Dance
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:
Balaton Lake is the biggest in central Europe, and each year the small town of Zamárdi to its south is transformed into a five-day dance party hub.
Headliners: John Digweed,Kygo
Tickets: Day passes from 56 EUR
EXIT Festival
A secret silent disco in the fortress tunnels at EXIT
When: 6th – 9th July 2017
Where: Novi Sad,Serbia
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:
Rave in cobbled tunnels, dance around a Petrovaradin Fortress and see some of the biggest DJs in the Dance Arena. What started as a student protest in 2000 fighting for political change and freedom still promotes change and positive education, supporting many community and humanitarian missions, while making you move your feet.
Headliners: TBC
Tickets: TBC
Kappa Futur Festival
When: 8th – 9th July 2017
Where: Turin, Italy
Type of music:Techno, dance
Camping?: No – find hotels near Turin
Essential information
This Italian festival has only been going since 2012, however with music running from midday through midnight, on both Saturday and Sunday, and some cool hangars and industrial spaces to enjoy it in, it’s quickly become established.
The best of Torino’s food and drink scene will also be on offer to refuel you after all that raving.
Headliners: TBC
Tickets: TBC
Extrema Outdoor
Extrema Outdoor
When: 7th, 8th, 9th, July 2017
Where: De Bergen in Wanroij, Netherlands
Type of music: Dance, Techno
Camping?: Yes
Essential information
This year the outdoor, countryside rave is moving to a new home in a lakeside forest outside of Eindhoven. And good news: you’ll be able to camp on site.
Headliners: TBC
Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB)
When: 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th July 2017
Where: Benicàssim, Spain
Type of music: Various
Camping?: Yes
Essential information:
Spain’s biggest festival is a big hit among the Brits, thanks to its lovely coastal location, hot weather and headline acts.
Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, Foals
Tickets: 4 day pass from 120 EUR
Super Bock Super Rock
When: 13th, 14th, 15th July 2017
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
Type of music: Rock, Pop, Indie
Camping?: No – find hotels in Lisbon
Essential information:
Firmly established as one of the biggest rock and pop festivals in Europe over the last 20 years, the warm Lisbon nights make it a popular place to see some big names play.
Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deftones
Tickets: from 55EUR for a day pass, and 109EUR for 3 days
Sea Dance Festival
When: 13th – 14th July 2017
Where: Budva, Montenegro
Type of music: Dance
Camping: Yes
Essential information:
The acclaimed Jaz Beach is the dandy home to one of the newest international music festivals – and the sister of EXIT Festival in neighbouring Serbia.
Headliners: TBC
Tickets: This festival is included in the “1 ticket, 4 festivals” EXIT deal which runs until 15th January 2017.
Ultra Europe
When: 14th, 15th, 16th, July 2017
Where: Split, Brac & Hvar in Croatia
Type of music: Electronic Dance, House
Camping?: Yes – find out more about Split and Brac
Essential information:
This Adriatic party has multiple venues, including the unique Zlatni Rat Beach, and you can also leave the shore and take a trip on one of their boat parties.We’re still waiting to see who’s going to follow last year’s line up of Above and Beyond, Adam Beyer and Armin Van Burin.
Headliners: TBC
Tickets: 3 day pass from 169 EUR
SuncéBeat 7
When: 19th – 26th July 2017
Where: The Garden Tisno, Croatia
Type of music: Dance, Urban, House
Camping: Yes
Essential information:
Dance til dawn under the stars at this week-long rave party which appeals to a slightly older crowd.
Headliners: Kerri Chandler, David Morales
Tickets: £155 for a week pass
Tomorrowland
When: Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24
Where: Boom, Belgium
Type of music: Electronic
Essential information:
This iconic and whimsical-looking European event usually sells out quickly, so get in there quick. They have a similar pre-registration as Glastonbury, so register before then. Tickets go on pre-sale on January 28th.
More info: Website
Tickets: The Full Madness pass is 225 EUR, day passes from 94 EUR
Soundwave
When: 27th – 31st July 2017
Where: Tisno, Croatia
Type of music: Dance, Club Classics, Drum & Bass
Camping?: No – but they have onsite apartments
Essential information
Garden Tisno on the Dalmatian coastline will be the backdrop for the summer soundtrack at this chilled out and intimate festival.
Croatian artists will transform the festival site into a work of art and there’ll also be donkey races as well as boat parties and open-air raving.
Headliners: Gilles Peterson, Horsemeat Disco, Roy Ayers
Movement Croatia
When: 28th July – 1st August 2017
Where: Tisno, Croatia
Type of music: Techno, Dance
Camping?: Onsite accomodation options
Essential information
Sometimes you’ll even be dancing with the water round your feet at this beachside festival in Croatia.
The famous Garden Resort and Barbarella’s Discotheque – beloved of other festivals, are fine festivals for Movement to replicate their Detroit and Turin editions.
Headliners: Ben Klock, Dave Clarke, David Morales
Tickets: Boat party and day tickets from 20 EUR, week passes from 180 EUR
More info: Website
August
BBC Radio 1 Weekend Ibiza 2016
When: TBA
Where: Ibiza
Type of music: Various
Essential information:
Traditionally held on the first weekend in August, details are still under wraps.
More info: Website
Sziget
When: 9th – 16th August 2017
Where: Budapest, Hungary
Type of music: Various
Camping: Yes – or stay in a Budapest hotel
Essential information:
Welcome to the Island of Freedom. That’s what they call Óbuda Island in Budapest, where you can see why Sziget won the ‘Best Major European Festival’ award in 2015. As well as being able to dip your dancing toes in the Danube, this week long party has big names on the main stage, as well as theatre, dance, art installations, and yoga. Ohhmm.
Headliners: Major Lazer, Two Door Cinema Club, Tom Odell
Tickets: Day passes from 65 EUR, 5 day pass from 275 EUR, and 7 day pass from 299 EUR (until end of May)
Rock En Seine
When: 25th, 26th, 27th August 2017
Where: Paris
Type of music: Rock, Pop-Rock, Alternative
Camping?: Yes – but if you don’t fancy camping, here are some Paris hotels
Essential information
Set in the historic setting of the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, the amps are set to full pelt (you can pick up ear plugs) as the sounds of rock blast through the ornamental gardens.
One of France’s biggest music festivals, some of the biggest names in rock have played here since the first festival in 2003.
Headliners: TBC
Tickets: 119 EUR
October
Amsterdam Dance Event
When: 18th – 22nd October 2017
Where: Amsterdam
Type of music: Electronic
Camping?: No
Essential information
At night, more than 2,200 international artists will be playing in Amsterdam’s best venues, like Melkweg, Closure, Gashouder, Claire, Shelter, Paradiso, and the NDSM Docklands. There’s also daytime program of dance music-related exhibitions, films, documentaries, DJ showcases, gear master classes and artist Q&As taking place across Amsterdam’s five main districts. Or culture ‘n’ that, as we like to call it.
Headliners: TBC
Tickets: TBC
Find somewhere to stay
Maybe one of the international festivals has caught your eye – if so our European flights could get you there.
Going to a European festival that isn’t on the list? Let us know in the comments.
The post Get These European Music Festivals In Your Diary. Right. Now. appeared first on lastminute.com Blog.
Source: lastminute.com