Attention music lovers. Mainland Europe has an array of world-class festivals for party-goers, catering for hardcore dance and techno crews right through to Pop and Indie lovers. With so many to choose from, we’ve pulled together our pick of the best European music festivals to attend in 2020 for you to get excited about.
Snowbombing
Headliners: Liam Gallagher, The Streets, Foals, Chase & Status, Loyal Carner.
When and Where: Mayrhofen, Austria. 13 – 18 April.
For 21 years festival-goers have been heading for the slopes of Austria for a week-long festival in the snow. There are always huge names on the line-up and with snow to shred, igloos to dance in and luxury spas to recover in, there’s plenty to keep you going all week. This year the festival is offering a 2-day road trip across 5 countries and surprise guests along the way.
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Tag three mates you want to share this view with #mondaymotivation #snowbombing
Snowbombing 2020 – First Acts Announced
Primavera Sound
Headliners: Brockhampton, Disclosure, Massive Attack, Caribou and lots more.
When and Where: Parc Del Fòrum, Barcelona, Spain. 3 – 7 June.
Surrounded by the beautiful city of Barcelona this festival features big names from indie and pop music, as well as some underground dance music artists. Primavera Festival was the first major European festivals to feature a 50:50 gender split in its line-up in 2019 and with ambitions to stick to this ratio, you’ll no doubt continue to enjoy a diverse selection of acts while revelling in the Spanish sun.
Primavera 2019 Aftermovie
Sziget Festival
Headliners: Line-up will be announced soon, expect some big names.
When and Where: Óbudai-sziget island, Budapest, Hungary. 5 – 11 August.
One of the biggest and most vibrant festivals in Europe. In 2019, 565,000 people attended the festival across the weekend from 95 countries. Located on Óbudai-sziget island on the Danube river in Budapest, the festival hosts over 1,000 artists and has 60 stages for you to dance at. As well as music there are sculptures, art installations, circus performers and lots more. This is a must for any 2020 festival bucket list.
Sziget Festival 2019 Aftermovie
Exit Festival
Headliners: David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, James Arthur, Tyga, Roni Size b2b LTJ Bukem and many more.
When and Where: Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia. 9-12 July
This epic festival was founded in 2000 as a student festival fighting for democracy and freedom in Serbia. In 2001, the Festival moved to its new home in the Petrovaradin Fortress and now hosts over 1,000 artists across 40 stages each year. The unique location and the spirit of youthful rebellion make this festival really special. In the past the festival has had many big names take stage such as Sex Pistols, Arctic Monkeys, Wu-tang Clan, Carl Cox and the Chemical Brothers. This year’s 20th edition is no different and definitely not one to miss.
Exit Festival 2019 Official Aftermovie
Outlook Festival
Headliners: Calibre, D Double E, Breakage, Channel 1, Lensman and loads more drum and bass legends.
When and Where: The Garden Resort, Tisno, Croatia. 30 July – 3 August.
Outlook festival is back in 2020 with a new location on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. This year the festival is going back to its roots and featuring artists from genres that made it famous. The most talented acts from the Dubstep, Reggae, Drum & Bass, Dub, Jungle and Grime scenes will be filling the stages and throwing down some heavy beats on Croatia’s stunning beaches. The big names will be supported by up and coming underground talent, so you’ll go home with some new tracks for your playlists. It’s sure to be an absolute banger!
Outlook Origins 2020 – First Names Revealed
Bilbao BBK Live
Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, The Killers, Pet Shop Boys. What more could you want?
When and Where: Mount Cobetas, Bilbao, Spain. 9-11 July.
BBK Live is set in the mountains overlooking the city of Bilbao. As well as big stages for the main acts there are lots of smaller stages tucked away in the forests for you to explore and discover new music. This festival’s line up is always pretty diverse and will feature acts from Indie, Pop, Hip-hop and dance music genres so there is something for everyone. Perfect if you’re planning a festival with a big group of mates.
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#BilbaoBBKLive #nagusia #brockhampton #kobetamendi #bilbao #basquecountry ? ? @oihanett__
Bilbao BBK Live 2019 Aftermovie
Sonus Festival
Headliners: Seth Troxler, Michael Bibi, Loco Dice, Patrick Topping and so many more!
When and Where: Zcre beach, Pag Island, Croatia. 16 – 20 August.
This festival is going to be hard to beat if you’re a huge House and Techno fan. Over 60 artists are heading to Pag Island on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast for 5 days of raving. Expect to be dancing until the sun rises over the crystal-clear waters with music playing until about 8am. The festival hosts boat parties most days, giving you the chance for an intimate set with some of your favourite DJs on open water. This festival is great if you’re looking to make your summer festival your holiday this year. The Island of Pag has 3,600 miles of stunning coastline to explore once the music and dancing is over.
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Colors of Sonus Festival – get into the magic! ?✨ Link in bio. #SONUS2020
Sonus Festival 2019 Official Aftermovie
Balaton Sound
Headliners: Martin Garrix, Kygo, Jax Jones, Loco Dice with many more to be announced soon.
When and Where: Lake Balaton, Zamaradi, Hungry. 8 – 12 July.
This is the sister festival of Sziget Festival. 2020 will be the festival’s second year of running so it’s a great opportunity to experience the festival before it gets bigger over the years to come. Already regarded as one of the best beach parties in Europe the line-up features artists from EDM, House and Hip-hop genres. 150,000 people are expected to arrive at the breath-taking setting of Lake Balaton for 5 days of partying.
Balaton Sound 2019 Official Aftermovie
Meadows in the Mountains
Headliners: 2020 line-up TBC. Expect underground free-spirited artists
When and Where: Polkovnik, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria. 4 – 7 June 2020.
Situated 850m above sea level in the Rhodope Mountains close to the border of Greece and Bulgaria. You’ll be where the sky meets the mountains for a unique festival that’s all about escaping into the wilderness to come together in a love of music and dance. Expect a community feeling with underground music and plenty of sage burning… Oh, and probably the best festival sunrise you can get.
Meadows in the Mountains 2019 Promo video
Defqon 1
Headliners: Announced in February 2020 along with the ticket release.
When and Where: Biddinghuizen, Netherlands. 26 – 29 June
The self-proclaimed ‘ultimate sanctuary for those with a passion for the harder styles’. This year’s theme is One Tribe and 78,000 people will come together to rave the weekend away to hardcore dance music. This year marks the 18th edition of the festival and will be filled with as much EDM madness as the previous 17.
Defqon 1 2019 Aftermovie
Final thoughts…
So there’s our pick of the top European music festivals for 2020. Do you agree? Which ones are you excited about this year? Send this article to your mates, put it in all your group chats and be the one to get the ball rolling on organising your 2020 summer festival!
