Europe is spoilt for choice when it comes to music festivals; in the summer you'll find music lovers basking in the bliss of hearing their favorite artists. Ranging across music genres, nations and sceneries ranging from abandoned airstrips to lush parks, there's something for every music lover. While there are dozens upon dozens of music festivals, with more added every year, our editorial team has whittled them down to our top picks for 2025. Read on for inspiration and to book your tickets.
Kala Festival
June 4 – 11, 2025 | Dhërmi, Albanian Riviera, Albania
Equal parts beach escape and musical adventure, Kala offers up turquoise seas, boutique hotels, and a soundtrack of boundary-pushing electronic acts. It’s one of the few festivals where your ticket includes a proper bed.
Big names: Ezra Collective, Kelly Lee Owens, Myd, Theo Parrish, Nicolas Lutz
Primavera Sound Barcelona
June 5 – 7, 2025 | Parc del Forum, Barcelona, Spain
Few festivals have reshaped Europe’s live music calendar quite like Primavera Sound. Set in the waterfront Parc del Forum, the Barcelona edition merges established legends with genre-defying newcomers across countless stages. It’s known for immaculate organisation and an effortlessly cool vibe.
Big names: Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan
Sónar Music Festival
June 12 – 14, 2025 | Barcelona, Spain
A masterclass in curating electronic, experimental, and forward-thinking sounds, Sónar is where art, technology, and music converge. Spanning installations, AV shows, and raves, this six-day celebration transforms Barcelona into an electronic capital.
Big names: Arca, BICEP (CHROMA AV/DJ), Honey Dijon, Four Tet, MOCHAKK, Skrillex b2b Blawan, Overmono, Pa Salieu, Peggy Gou
Glastonbury
June 25 – 29, 2025 | Glastonbury, Somerset, UK
A pilgrimage for many music lovers, Glastonbury is the undisputed icon of the European festival scene. Despite ongoing secrecy about the full 2025 line-up, the event’s storied history speaks for itself. From the Pyramid Stage to its many hidden corners, Glasto is a world unto itself.
Rumoured big names: Eminem, Rihanna, Madonna.
Confirmed: Rod Stewart, Neil Young
Open’er Festival
July 2 – 5, 2025 | Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport, Gdynia, Poland
Set on an abandoned airstrip in northern Poland, Open’er pairs large-scale production with a surprisingly diverse lineup. Past years have featured everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Dua Lipa; 2025 is keeping the tradition alive.
Big names: Linkin Park, Lola Young, Doechii, FKA Twigs, Camila Cabello, Gracie Abrams
Montreux Jazz Festival
July 4 – 19, 2025 | Lake Geneva, Switzerland
More than half a century since its debut, Montreux Jazz remains a jewel of Europe’s cultural calendar. While the name evokes legends of jazz, the festival now encompasses everything from classic rock to contemporary soul and hip-hop.
Big names: Chaka Khan, J Balvin, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Raye, London Grammar, FKA Twigs, Benson Boone, Santa
Love International
July 9 – 15, 2025 | The Garden, Tisno, Croatia
Nestled on the Adriatic coast, Love International brings sunrise-to-sunset grooves to one of Croatia’s most scenic spots. With boat parties, secret island sets and beachside stages, it’s become a staple for serious electronic music lovers.
Big names: Ellie Stokes, Objekt, Mad Professor
Exit Festival
July 10 – 13, 2025 | Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia
Born out of a student protest movement, Exit remains a symbol of creative resistance. Its setting—an 18th-century fortress—adds to the drama, with 16 stages covering genres from trap to trance.
Big names: Gucci Mane, Black Eyed Peas, Rudimental
G! Festival
July 17 – 19, 2025 | Göta, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands
One of Europe’s most remote and magical festivals, G! takes place on a beach in the Faroe Islands, framed by dramatic cliffs and rolling green mountains. It champions local talent, sauna stages, and the raw beauty of its setting.
Big names: Marius, DC, Hallur Joensen
Dekmantel
July 30 – August 3, 2025 | Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Netherlands
One for the heads, Dekmantel’s riverside location and fearless booking policy has made it one of Europe’s premier electronic festivals. Experimental by nature, it offers a deep dive into the possibilities of sound.
Big names: Avalon Emerson, British Murder Boys, Yaeji, Honey Dijon
Rock en Seine
August 20 – 24, 2025 | Saint-Cloud, near Paris, France
Held in a grand historic park just outside Paris, Rock en Seine blends artful staging with a wildly eclectic roster. Whether you’re into indie, hip-hop or electronica, the lineup always delivers.
Big names: Chappell Roan, A$AP Rocky, Queens of The Stone Age, Jamie XX, Vampire Weekend, Fontaines D.C., Doechii, Stereophonics
End of the Road
August 28 – 31, 2025 | Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, UK
A meticulously curated indie affair in a lush garden setting, End of the Road is known for intimate performances and unspoiled vibes. Think craft beers, wooded stages and a lineup that favours artistry over algorithm.
Big names: Self Esteem, Father John Misty, Caribou, Viagra Boys, Black Country, New Road
C2C Festival
October 30 – November 2, 2025 | Turin, Italy
Held across the city’s repurposed industrial spaces, C2C is a meeting point for avant-pop and genre-defying performance. If you're into bleeding-edge music and boundary-pushing art, this is your playground.
Big names: Blood Orange, AG Cook, Four Tet, Skee Mask
